Raising Arizona

Pros: extremely funny, well thought out, very interesting characters, Nicolas Cage's character acting
Cons: none

Raising Arizona is a comedy from 1987 written and directed by the infamous Coen brothers. When it comes to comedies that they have created, right at the top of the list for their best is this film. Not only were the story and sub-plots original, ...

Pros: hilarious, smart, satirical, slapstick
Cons: to some, just silly

This is the one that introduced me to the Coens. In the 28 years since I saw it in the theater, I've often wondered what it is about this film that makes it such a comic gem. Raising Arizona is a high-octane comedy about a working-class couple who ...

Pros: A Hilarious, Eccentric Comedy from the Coen Brothers.
Cons: Not a Thing, except the need for more crawdaddy.

For every fan of independent films, there at least have to be one film they loved from Joel & Ethan Coen. Every film of theirs had some sort of quirkiness and regulars that tackles every sort of genre in film from comedy to drama. In 1985, the ...

Pros: Great cast, great plot and overall a very nice movie
Cons: Deals with kidnapping, but in the funny way.

What happens when a young couple that just started their life together, is having problems conceiving? What do you do? Where do you turn for help? What if someone else has more babies that they can handle?

I have written reviews on...

Pros: It makes Sloucho laugh.
Cons: It makes Sloucho gooey and upbeat and stuff.

Glen: Say, that reminds me--how many Polacks does it take to screw in a light bulb?
H.I. McDonnough: I dunno, Glen. One?
G: Naw, it takes three. [Gasps with laughter.]
H: [Looks puzzled]
G: No,...

Pros: atmosphere, characters, zany, hilarious.
Cons: none

In this surreal kidnapping comedy, Nicholas Cage stars as an Arizona convenience store robber named H.I. McDonnough, who falls in love with Edwina (Holly Hunter), the policewoman who takes his mug shots when he gets sent to ...

Pros: Absurdity, offbeat comedy
Cons: Well, if you don't like absurd and offbeat . . .

The Coen brothers' debut film gives us the story of H.I. "Hi" McDunnough (Nicholas Cage) and Edwina "Ed" (Holly Hunter). Hi is a persistently poor thief who specializes in robbing convenience stores and getting caught. Each time he gets caught, Ed is the ...

Pros: script, direction, characters, humor, originality
Cons: sometimes too silly

There is a world out there where everyone is equally stupid, weird and funny. And they don't even know it. That world can be found in "Raising Arizona", an inspired comedy with a feel that has never been successfully imitated. Although the...

Pros: One of the zaniest, quirkiest, most surreal comedies ever made.
Cons: No sequel.

"Raising Arizona" is one of those "discoveries" I'm glad I made. Though it's a well-known movie, it's also one of those I would have never gone to see, and never known, had not someone dragged me with them to see it....

Pros: Incredibly appropriate casting, hilarious performances, unforgettable belly laughs
Cons: My sides hurt for three days from laughing after the first viewing

Every Actor has one (sometimes two) role that constitutes the peak of his or her career. Holly Hunter had Broadcast News and this one. Nicholas Cage had Birdy (with Matthew Modine, also in his best) and this one. This one is, of course, the most...

Pros: Sharp wit and screamingly funny characters.
Cons: "Ed's insides are a rocky place where my seed can find no purchase."

"Now it's true that Hi has had a checkered past."

"But Ed here is an officer of the law twice decorated, so we figured it kinda evens out."

So goes the tale of Hi and Ed ("Short for Edwina, turn to the right...

Pros: Joyfully offbeat humor
Cons: People who don't like it, REALLY don't like it

When people ask me to recommend a good comedy, this film always pops into my head. And then I recommend something else. Why ruin a good friendship over a matter of taste?

So many people hate this film, and I almost understand why. But I love...

Pros: Terrific Plot and Characters
Cons: Gale and Evell, Definitely Not Pros!

This 1987 flick is one of the most unheralded but genuinely funny movies ever made. It features many actors/actresses better known for so-so work they've done since they participated in this light-hearted romp through marriage, crime, motherhood, the...

Pros: The dialogue in this movie is enough joke material to last you a lifetime
Cons: that biker dude

"And when there was no crawdad to be had, we ate sand."
"What?"
"We ate sand"
"You ate sand?
"That's right."
This is just one of the hundreds of side-splitting conversations...

Pros: Great cast, wonderful story, completely hysterical.
Cons: Nothing.

RAISING ARIZONA is one of the reasons why I love the Coen brothers. I'm not a huge fan of all their films, I prefer their comedies, but they are two of the film industries most brilliant creators. Their movies have a sense of humor and visual style...