BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO

Subject: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Dharmabum
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 04:48 PM

For anyone not had the chance to see this movie yet,it was released on video today.

DB

Here are the threads that have been started on this movie:
1. O Brother, Where Art Thou
2. Lyr Req: o brother
3. Lyr Req: O' Brother, 'rocky candy mountains'
4. New Film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
5. Oh brother where art thou ?
6. O Brother, where, etc.:Soundtrack/conc.
7. Lyr Req: o, brother where art thou soundtrack
8. I've just seen O Brother Where Art Thou
9. O Brother vs. Morons
10. BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
11. 'Oh Brother' on stage
12. Oh Brother...
13. BS: o brother, where art thou
14. O Brother, Where Art Thou Video
--JoeClone, 19-Dec-01.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 04:52 PM

I have a "Blockbastard" connection who got it for me on the weekend...

What an absolutely delightful movie!!!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 05:10 PM

it's been out in the UK for some time - it is a wonderful movie and I have rished out to buy the CD truly amazing stuff!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,bobby1776
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 06:01 PM

Isn't it interesting that the OH BROTHER CD is, or was nearing, the top of the charts in it's category?

Imagine. Mostly gospel and simple country and no filthy words.

Perhaps there IS some hope for us all.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 06:18 PM

Whooo!!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: SeanM
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 07:22 PM

Any word on "Down from the Mountain" yet? Between the fansites and mudcat postings, all I seem to be able to find out is that the Cohens gave distribution rights to USA pictures, who then decided not to release it theatrically beyond a few film festivals. Supposedly they're planning on a video wide release, but I've also read that the Cohens sued to re-obtain the rights for a theatre run...

M

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: DougR
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 07:43 PM

Just bought a DVD copy. I loved this movie. DougR

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 02:56 AM

I would love to get the lyrics to some of the songs, at least until I receive the soundtrack from Columbia House (I just watched the movie tonight, and the first thing I did after seeing it was get online and order the soundtrack - this is an astounding, soul-stirring collection of early American music). Especially "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby"... Emmylou Harris is still one of the greatest singers, bar none! Love it, love it, love it!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: okthen
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 04:21 AM

My local video shop says it's not renting well, and they have about 20 copies, I'm putting my name down for when they sell them off cheap!

UK citizens might take note, your local video shop might do the same.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 08:36 AM

That Derek Nimmo's a card, isn't he! I didn't the humour would survive crossing the pond.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,Fortunato
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 08:41 AM



It frightens me to think what Hollywood and MTV could do to old time country music.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Dharmabum
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 09:30 AM

It pissed me off a little that I had to wait for this to come out on video in order to see it. We've got a cinema here with seven theatres in it,but they won't play anything that isn't considered a "Big Money" draw.

Then it occured to me, If this type of movie & music was popular in mainstream entertainment, It would probably have to suck!

Or at least have Arnold Schwartzenegger blowing away the bad guys!

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

DB.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,marshman
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 01:43 PM

I recently read that the performers fro this movie are appearing at Cannegie Hall tonight (June 13). All except John Hartford, bless his departed soul. I'd love to be in New York for this occasion. They are said to be re-creating the sound track on stage.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: mousethief
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 01:49 PM

Finally saw the movie this past weekend. Delightful, wonderful movie! Definitely will be buying a copy for the house!

Alex

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: DougR
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 05:28 PM

Guest Fortunato: Elaborate a bit, will you, for us "slower" folks. I don't get your meaning.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,ghost
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 07:25 PM

I did hear some foul language the second time through but it's a must buy on my list. A great version of Big Rock Candy Mountain. A really nice flick. Why don't they make more like this???

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 07:28 PM

Foul language?

You'd have to be pretty uptight to call the language in Oh Brother 'foul'...

There was nothing in that movie that -I- wouldn't let kids watch....

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 09:33 PM

Good Show... loved it.. aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: WyoWoman
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 10:33 PM

Glad to hear this news. I've been looking forward to renting it. And I just KNEW the wheel would turn and old-time country and gospel music would have its day of recognition. Maybe this will be akin to the fledgling folk music movement in the early 1960s ... when the old songs were "discovered..." and those of us who'd never heard anything but rock 'n' roll radio (except, of course, all that old gospel music in church on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings) had our hearts and minds opened by hearing the new old stuff ...

ww

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,ghost
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 07:52 PM

Clinton- I'm sorry I brought this language thing up. The language wasn't blatant and in your face as it is in many of the newer movies but more casual and certainly in keeping with the plot. Some flim makers will include bad language just for the rating that they can acquire. I am not alluding that this film is one of those. It becomes kind of an annoyance, to me, listen to so much of it coming up in so many places nowadays. It didn't bother me that it was there but it was there. Given the particular story line there seemed to be plenty of room to go in that direction (more bad language). The writer/s did not. To their praise, they were very restrained on that point which made this movie a delight to view. I'm glad it didn't go there. I did not mean to say that there was lots of it or that it was offensive. As I said I didn't even notice it the first time I watched but caught some during my second viewing. I didn't call the whole movie 'foul'. I said it was a must buy in my book. A really nice flick. I wanted to know why they didn't make more movies like it! I merely pointed out that I caught "some foul language" in it. Some, as in maybe a couple of words, no big deal. There was so little, it makes me wonder why they bothered to include it at all. The music was a joy and he story a tickle! The hoofin' a treat and the characters a hoot! Forgive me and I'll never speak another ill word about something so wonderful ever again.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Justa Picker
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 08:02 PM

I saw it at the theatre and then picked it up on DVD. Watched it last night on DVD. There were some great extra things on the DVD including interviews with the cast as well as the Coen Brothers. I think the Coen Brothers summed it up beautifully. The two expressions they used which were spot on were "The Lawrence of Arabia of Hayseed movies" and "The 3 Stooges version of The Odyssey."

It was even better the second time! Caught subtle little things I missed on the first viewing.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 08:14 PM

Ghost, just ask Clinton what he wouldn't let kids watch. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 10:22 PM

Ahhh, yess!!! what a great flick. On the second time I went to see it I couldn't help but join in (VERY softly) there wasn't a song there I don't know intimately. The version of Big Rock Candy Mountain is sung by Harry McClintock (spelling??) also know in his Wobbly days as Haywire Mack. He also recorded Hallelujah I'm a Bum, The Bum Song ("Leaning against the station, that's our reccomendation, tra la la la la la lation, haraa haree harum, oh we are three bums three jolly old bums we live like royal Turks, we have such luck in bumming our chuck, we never bother to work") There were others, of course. He predates Boxcar Willie by a good forty years.

And while I'm singing alone with the Soggy Bottom Boys on that GREAT version of Man of Constant Sorrow I was aware that someone else in the theater was singing too. She was in her 80's and smilling to beat the band. We exchanged winks!!

Good to know its now out on video Gotta get it!!!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 10:24 PM

sorry, I forgot some words, gettin old myself ya know!

---

I deleted the first draft. :-) --JoeClone

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 01:55 PM

That's a pretty short list Jeri! Most if it is sitcoms...

Ghost...

No offence eh... either way...

Damn good piece of film, that "Oh Brother..."

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Bert
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 02:13 PM

Great Movie. Must have been made for Mudcatters.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 02:27 PM

I think Haywire Mac wrote that song, didn't he? (Big Rockcandy mounyain)

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 03:59 PM

Finally rented it Saturday night.

One of the few times everyone said something was great, and I agreed. Usually when everyone says something is great, I manage not to like it, if only to preserve some individuality.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 04:08 PM

Mediocre movie, fine soundtrack. Look forward to "Down From the Mountain Though".
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 09:51 PM

'S**gc*tcher', the movie, has been and gone here in Oz, as has 'O, Brother...' but 'Down from the Mountain'? Could someone please give a synopsis and what is the tie-in with traditional music?

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 12:56 AM

I'm a very big Coen Bros fan, and I have to say this was well below their better work like Fargo,Miller's Crossing and Barton Fink. I think the intent was to tell a parable-type tale similar to Raising Arizona, even down to putting incongruously articulate phrases in the mouths of bumpkins, but I found the story contrived, and some bits (the Turturro character is believed to have been changed into a frog) too silly to be funny. The music was superb, the sense of the 1930s rural South very well done, and it had its delightfully funny and bizarre moments (the Klan rally with its wacky Wizard of Oz take-off). The "Three Stooges version of the Odyssey" is an accurate description, but I've always found that more than thirty minutes of Larry, Moe and Curly give me the heebie-jeebies.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: SeanM
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:08 AM

GUEST chrisj,

"Down From the Mountain" is a concert film shot shortly after the soundtrack for OBWAT was recorded. It includes many of the artists from the soundtrack and many guests as well in an (I believe) 3 hour benefit show (though whom the benefit was for I forget).

The music was primarily selections from the film or from material of the period, so I hear. Unfortunately, it's appearing more and more as if there are no plans whatsoever for anything beyond a VERY limited 'art film festival' release. More's the pity.

M

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Shall
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:28 PM

I missed the showing of "Oh Brother" in town. After reading the postings in the forum, I was very interested in seeing the movie in video form. I made three trips to the video store trying to get a copy. Well,I just finished watching it this afternoon.Disappointed is all I can say. Don't get me wrong, there were a few highlights. I enjoyed "Man of Constant Sorrow", and the wonderful singing in the river baptism scene. While watching the movie, the background music triggered flashbacks of my childhood, family, gospel, and church singings. Now I remember those days clearly, hot muggy evenings, people singing totally out of tune, faking the words to the songs, playing with paper fans with funeral home advertisements on them, buzzing of insects and bug bites all over me. Sitting for hours on hard wooden seats under a tented area, hoping someone would give me a peice of candy or gum, listening to old people blabbering on and on about the "Holy Spirit". Preachers screaming "Come to the Alter". All I wanted to do was run around and catch lightening bugs.

As a little girl I remembered Daddy singing "Big Rock Candy Mountain", I know now that he was singing his own "children's" folk version of the song.His melody was even different, too bad he has passed on to the "other side", and we can't discuss this matter.My recollections of my child hood are shattered and totally messed up!

On a final positive note,I have been fiddling for over 40 years, naturally my ears perked up to the nice fiddle backups of "Keep on the Sunnyside". I give the movie ** (2 stars). Shar

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 05:34 PM

Boy, I wonder if we all saw the same movie? I thought it was funny, and the frog thing didn't bother me at all (remember that the Delmar character isn't the sharpest blade in the swiss army knife), and the allusions to the Odyssey were fun to try and catch.

Either you guys have really high standards, or mine are just low. But it sounds like you're trying to make an art film out of a romp. Enjoy it for a romp and quit analyzing! Life's too short for vinegar enemas.

Alex

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:48 PM

Jerry Lewis made several "romps" but I wouldn't nominate any of them for Best Picture. I suppose if he'd used the Stanley Brothers for the soundtrack to Sad Sack and called it a remake of the Iliad, that might have significantly improved it. I think, Alex, you need to consider things like dialogue, plot, and characterization as basic componnents of any movie, even a broad comedy. As such, I think Raising Arizona succeeds and O Brother fails.

Now when it comes to choosing the flavor of your enema, Alex, I'd always advocate you choose your own, whether its vinegar or Tropical Punch KoolAde.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:54 PM

No-one has given any specifics as to the failings of dialogue, plot, or characterization (save the frog thing), so how can I even comment on what you don't like about this movie? It seems to me that the burden of proof that a movie is bad -- particularly one obviously well-liked by many people -- is on the shoulders of the detractors, not the supporters.

Alex

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 07:25 PM

I don't think anyone can prove a movie is bad, Alex. One man's vinegar is another man's KoolAde. I'm only saying that I was disappointed in it, partly because I had heard so many people on the forum rave about it, because the CD was so good, and because I like Coen Brothers movies. I do think the Coens have a certain "dumb-is-funny" mentality which was most obvious in the characters of John Goodman and his brother in Raising Arizona and in the Jeff Bridges-and-pals characters in The Big Lebowski, but the characters usually stumble through complex plot situations with an uncomplicated determination that is hilarious. I think the plot of O Brother, because the Coens were straining for Homer references, came off as simple-minded as the characters.

We copied the tape, so I'll probably watch it again. Hell, maybe I'll change my opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:06 PM

We have had a couple of threads on this movie, and hashed out the pros and cons in detail to death. As usual, LEJ and I agree on everything, except that nothing would induce me to see it again.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: SeanM
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:22 PM

I'll state my objections to the movie again, then.

First - I liked the movie. I went into it for the music, and for that, I was incredibly satisfied.

Beyond that though...

In my opinion, the Cohens had a great story idea, a great soundtrack, and several great setpiece scenes. Unfortunately, unlike past ventures, I don't personally feel that they pulled off the connections between the three. It's one of those things that I can't point to any *one* thing and say "Bad Cohens, no donuts for you!", yet it's there. At times, the music seemed to live in a movie of it's own, without regard for the movie it was from... others, the characters seemed to have come from a couple very similar yet unique films, and the three 'wanderers' the only connection between them (yet without seeming part of them). Or wonderful scenes, but without the connection to any of the characters in them besides their presence.

I'll probably eventually buy it, if only for the music. At the very least, it's a love letter of a music video for music that I hold dear, and at that it succeeded better than anything I've seen in years.

M

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:37 PM

I loved it, both for the music and as an ultimate feel-good movie. I want to see it again, so I've been bugging my video store (Hollywood Video) as to when it will be on the shelf.

Unfortunately (for this purpose) Hollywood charges only 99 cents for a five-day video rental. The upshot of that is that they don't get the releases right away; they have to wait until after the high-price chains are glutted.

I am minded to buy it. But I started pricing new copies and dropped that idea right quick. Amazon sets a price of $106 and odd cents, but then magnanimously offers to sell it for "only" $61. I _might_ go $40, but only as a last resort.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: GUEST,michelle
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 01:04 AM

Even though months have passed since I saw it, I can still feel the impact that the movie(particularly the soundtrack) had on me. I had to get the c.d. immediately and shouldn't have been surprised that "Down to the River to Pray" without the visuals still gave me the shivers.It came at a time when I had been singing for a little while for fun with a few people and what a fire this put under all of us! Some of our best material is borrowed from this movie. Aside from the musical value of this movie, I think it gives the viewer a couple of hours of great entertainment while watching . It's just about a good time and isn't meant to make you go home and analyze the plot.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: TishA
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 01:15 AM

I heard last night on network news that the soundtrack is platinum!

Pretty good for hillbilly music, huh?

Chip A.

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Banjer
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 05:16 AM

I haven't seen it yet, but will go look for it at the local video rental places this weekend. Hopefuly they will have it!

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: SeanM
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 03:42 PM

It's DEFINITELY worth seeing at least once... please don't let my (or anyone else's) grumbling discourage that. Moreso for denizens of this site - it's a spectacular use of the music.

M

Subject: RE: BS: OH BROTHER VIDEO
From: Justa Picker
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 04:15 PM

It's a good movie, not a great movie, and when you compare it to something like The Big Lebowski (which I LOVED) it's not in the same league, nor is it with previous Coen Brothers brilliance. But if you watch it and view it for exactly what it is, and how the Coen Brother's themselves describe it (The Three Stooges crossed with The Odyssey) it is very entertaining and George Clooney pulled it off beautifully in my opinion. You try and read more into it, or compare it to previous Coen Brother's works, you're going to be disappointed. It's light, escapist entertainment with a particularly good sound track, and big production.