The Coen Brothers

I'm one of those people that will spend hours watching the special footage on DVD's just to get a glimpse into the minds of the people that created some of my favorite movies. If there is a director's commentary, I watch it. So when I saw that there was a book out on the Coen Brothers I jumped at the chance to read it.

I loved the photography, I loved reading about the creative process along with the relationship the filmmakers had with the actors in the films. This was a very entertaining and engaging read.

I love reading and will nearly always pick reading over watching. Therefore when I do watch something I’m very selective that said I’ve seen everything the Coen brothers have done.
For me this book was an informative look into their lives and how they started down this road. I’m not saying there’s much here for diehard fans or people looking for a more in-depth look. But for a fan of their films who previously knew very little about them I found it interesting.
I discovered how they started a lawn mowing business to earn the $400 required to buy Vivatar super-8. And their film making career was launched.

There’s some lovely pictures and quotes and as a huge fan of their films I really enjoyed it. Talking of their films I’ve been trying to narrow the list and pick my favourite but I’ve decided it’s an impossible task.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Aurum Press.

The Coen Brothers are my favorite film makers, and their films speak to me for different reasons. The first film Blood Simple was filmed in my hometown of Austin, TX, and we are all Jewish so there are parts of their inside jokes and storytelling that hit home. For example, the scene in the Big Lebowski where John Goodman's character say that he doesn't "roll on Shabbos." Ian did a wonderful of capturing their dynamic relationship, as well as their quirky sense of humor. I would recommend this book to any film buff.

As a fan of the Coen brothers for over 30 years, this book was an absolute delight to find. The photos, the writing - everything a Coen fan could ever want or need in a book. I recommend this book to any fan of the Coens (obviously) but also anyone who is not familiar with their array of works and would be interested in knowing more about them and what drives them to make epic films.

I've been a fan of Nathan's journalism for years and thoroughly enjoyed this book. A must for any Coen brothers fan and cinephile.

Whether or not you actually know who the Coen Bothers are or not I am sure you have seen several of their films. A few of them are Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country for Old Men and True Grit. Bet you know who they are now. They are a team of 2 brothers who are writers and directors of some of the most popular films around.

This book takes you on a tour of them personally. How they live, how they play, and how they work. The book is filled with photo's and information about both brothers. It shows you the brothers as children growing up in Minnesota, how they broke into the world of motion pictures and more.

The book is a fun read as well. It is very candid to. It is not just the writer's point of view, it is their point of view.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

The Coen Brothers are a recognised name. When associated with a movie you feel it will be a success and one you want to see. This is based on their experience and films produced; a least one will be in anyones DVD collection.
It is the breadth of the projects they have undertaken and the casting that mark the movies as special. Making critics feel that everything the Coens touch turn to gold.
We will all have our favourites and that attachment to this franchaise have endured over decades.
Miller's Crossing is a film I never tire of watching. However, Fargo blew my mind and Ian's insight and carefully chosen stills enhance those memories and make you want to fish out the DVD and watch it all over again.
the Big Lebowski is on everyone's great films of the late 90's but it is 2007 No Country for Old Men that classic comes to mind and is another must watch film.
As Ian Nathan has a background in journalism his writing is crisp and to the point. This helps the reader to keep focused and remain fully immersed in this magical world of making movies.
Above all the book will provide answers to questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask and introduce you to films you didn't appreciate the brothers were involved with. Hopefully like me it will give you insight into new must see movies or buy DVD special editions to become more consumed by this film phenomenon,

This book is full of fun tidbits and behind the scenes information plus lots of great pictures.

While I am a fan of the Coen brothers movies I would not really classify myself as a "Coen-head" so I can't say with absolute certain that mega fans will find any new information here but I discovered many new things I did not know (Heath Ledger was the original choice to play Llewelyn Moss) as well as things that contradict what I thought I already knew (in the book they say that Jeff Bridges wardrobe from The Big Lebowski was acquired at various thrift stores and that the infamous Jelly shoes had to be special purchased from another country while in an interview I saw some years ago Jeff Bridges said most all of it, including the shoes, came from his own closet). Fun book!

There is a brief biography section followed by different sections dealing with specific films. The reader will come away with a better understanding of the films, and a glimpse into the creative process behind those films. Unfortunately, the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, simply seem to defy any deep revelations about themselves. While there may be lots of things going on underneath those quiet exteriors they simply are unable or unwilling to give voice to any coherent process... what you see is what you get.

I enjoyed this book. I believe even a casual fan would find something interesting in here and recommend it without any reservations to all movie fans.

***Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title.

I enjoyed reading this book about one of my favorite director/writers. The book chronologically presents the Coen Brothers from their beginnings in Minnesota to their latest movie. I really enjoyed many of the behind the scenes stories. The text includes a lot of wonderful photographs. Anyone who loves movies will enjoy this book.