No Country for Old Men (US - BD RA)
Gabe's review's been travelling 22 years to get here, and it's either heads or tails
Feature
Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) thinks he’s made his big break. One morning while hunting in the Texas desert he comes across a pile of dead bodies, shattered vehicles and cocaine. It’s a drug deal gone bad. After a little more exploration Moss finds a satchel filled with two million dollars cash and takes it. He tells his wife (Kelly Macdonald) he's going away for a while, and goes into hiding to plan his next move. Moss is trailed by two pursuers—an enigmatic, stone-cold killer named Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), who carries an air-powered cattle gun and heavy gage shot gun with a silencer, and Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an aging man with a golden heart trapped in a violent situation he simply doesn’t understand.

The last time the Academy got the Best Picture section of the Oscars correct was Return of the King, but that sweep was such a boring forgone conclusion the ceremony was entirely robbed of any suspense. Before 2003 I can’t think of the last time the Academy awarded even the second best picture the coveted prize (I guess 1993?). Post ROTK the awards have been especially disappointing, even last year when Martin Scorsese’s genius was finally recognized for The Departed, a film which doesn’t even crack the director’s top ten best productions. The award was for a body of work, not a single picture, which cheapened the win. Out of these shadows came the 2008 ceremony where not only did the best picture win the top award, the Coen Brother’s long deserved recognition comes for one of their best films, maybe even the best in their impressive catalogue.
No Country for Old Men is a breathless chase movie, a snare-taught thriller, a snide and smart comedy, a blood caked horror show, and a stoic traditional Western confined to the unfamiliarity of the early 1980s. This is every film genre but Sci-Fi, and not a single one is given less weight then any other. Why was it the best movie of 2007 and possible the Coen brother prestigious career? Because it’s brilliant, that’s why.

The Coen’s have conveniently split this masterpiece into two parts—the part that makes you react and the part that makes you think. The majority of the film, the first part, works on a purely visceral level. Seeing the film in a theatre with a packed audience was a fascination. After his brutal introduction the entire stadium seated crowd bristled primally at the very sight of Bardem. With minimal development the audience agonized for even his least likeable victims. Even the Coen’s usual back to front verbal banter has been distilled to its reptile mind minimum, without losing an ounce of wit.
Then the top of the last act sweeps visceral rug from under the edge-of-their-seaters. I can’t go into the specifics of the film’s more thoughtful moments because it would constitute some major spoilers, and not just the kind that could ruin plot points, the kinds that could ruin the entire experience of the film. Casual film audiences have spoken out against some of the Coen’s last act choices, but without them No Country for Old Men would just be a worthy follow-up to the violent thrills of Blood Simple and rousing humour of Raising Arizona. With the choices in tact the film becomes a transcendental subversion of everything the directors’ created before it.

Bardem’s supporting actor win was another Oscar no-brainer. His performance is fairly comparable to Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, but it’s also totally different. Anton Chigurh is the quintessential bully—cold, mocking, and repetitive—and Bardem taps into him without ever laying all his cards on the table. Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones end up overshadowed and overlooked, but both performances are equally attention worthy. Brolin had quite the badass year between this and Planet Terror, and manages to pull our attention away from Bardem’s sun-like gravity long enough to really care about his nearly silent characterization. Jones, along with supporting player Woody Harrelson, doesn’t stretch himself anywhere beyond places he’s already been, but it’s hard to argue with typecasting when it works so perfectly.
The little touches are what really push the film over the line into that ‘modern classic’ category. Chigurh’s hair cut, his strange choice of weapons, nonchalantly lifting his boots to avoid pooling blood, the repetitive use of pit bulls (“There’s a dead dog”), the surgical sequences—these are the moments that even casual audiences and people that didn’t like the film will always remember. The violence is frightening in both its excesses and its procedural nature, and also entirely beautiful. No Country represents the Coens’ utter obsessive-compulsive control better then any other feature. There isn’t a second of film that doesn’t appear sharply and specifically tuned, nor even a sound effect that appears to have escaped unnoticed and readjusted.

Video
No Country for Old Men isn’t an ugly film, and Blu-ray Disc is the ideal way to view its non-ugliness. The early outdoor sequences are, bar none, some of the best images I’ve seen out of a live-action Blu-ray release. The Texas vistas are deep and full, almost three-dimensional, and the sun bakes them to a nice bright yellow. Details are so sharp you can actually make out flecks of dust as they’re kicked up by horse hooves and cowboy boots. Night scenes suffer only the slightest bit of low level noise, while still maintaining the transfer’s overall fine details, which is very important to the experience of the film. Colours are impressive overall, but after the film leaves the desert the colouring is more natural and less flashy, so the later parts of the disc are really all about the clarity.
Both the Blu-ray and DVD releases have issues with edge enhancement, especially in sharp background contrast, but the DVD has noticeable compression noise on the edges as well. Even when upscaled there really isn’t any comparison between the overall detail of the two releases, but the DVD isn’t anything to shrug off either. The blacks are thick without too much blocking or noise, and colours pop without bleeding much (though some of the reds show signs of blocking).

Audio
The Best Picture race was close this year, but for my money the sound editing and design awards were even closer. No Country for Old Men has shockingly minimal music, like, almost none, but the Coens don’t waste a moment of the film’s minimalist audio. The biggest standout moment comes when Bardem and Brolin first face off. First the silence of wait is cut by the sound of Chigurh’s footsteps and the beeping of his transponder as he gets closer. Then the silence is cut again by an air compressor’s piston ejecting a deadbolt, Brolin tumbling out of a second story window, a truck crashing, and two very different shotguns unleashing their loads.
The Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 track cuts across channels with vicious clarity, the bass punches like a gunshot, and nothing distorts, not a voice, not a footstep, not even a massive explosion. Unfortunately I was unable to enjoy the uncompressed PCM track, because I still run a stone age sound system, but I can image it sounds even more super duper.

Extras
This disc might as well come with a slip of paper reading ‘Special Edition to Come’. Actually, given the Coen’s track record it should probably read ‘Disappointing Special Edition to Come’. Besides a pile of Disney/BVHE high definition trailers the Blu-ray disc comes fitted only with three featurettes. ‘The Making of No Country for Old Men’ is a better then average EPK, running about twenty-five minutes, and full of the usual mix of behind the scenes, interview, and film footage. The Coen’s are enjoyably awkward, obsessively fidgeting and picking at their finger nails, and are pleasantly offset by the cast and crew who are well spoken.
‘Working with the Coens’ is eight minutes of cast and crew butt kissing, with more interviews and behind the scenes footage. These extra eight minutes really don’t bring anything new to the table. ‘Dairy of a County Sheriff’ is a slight explanation of the film’s deeper message. Most casual filmgoers will misunderstand who the main character of the film really is, and to them the last act likely came as a sort of downward shock. In these seven minutes the always-enigmatic filmmakers kind of let us in on the fact that Tommy Lee Jones is the real heart of the film, and the title is the point.

Overall
No Country for Old Men is a must see, so it begs at least a rent. The Blu-ray disc looks positively stunning, and sounds fantastic, but doesn’t hold mush in the way of interesting extras. I’d suggest that another release is on the horizon, but the Coen Brothers aren’t really fans of extra features, so perhaps this is the end all release.
* Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray release.
Review by Gabriel Powers
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Existing Posts
Sorry if I wrote a little harsh and one sided, and opinions are like assholes anyway. What I should have said was it actually is a matter of taste.
taha
what was it from, Bodysong? Good to know this because i thought it was absolutely insane he didnt get nominated haha.
Tricky Dicky wrote: knight d wrote: I think many people don't understand the Coen Bros. unless they grew up watching Fargo or Miller's Crossing. I just recently watched Blood Simple on the big screen and it improved my opinion of it immensely and I don't think of it as just a good first film anymore. I even love The Ladykillers, but to say hate and No Country in the same sentence is incorrect. Like literally there is no sane argument against this total pure work of art. "meh" and "no originality" just don't belong it's not even a matter of taste.
It was a glorified, slightly moody, chase flick. I'm sorry but no amount of gruff old man voices and sentiment over the last 5 mins could disguise that for me. If it did for you, then I'm happy for you.
I have liked 3 Cohen Bros movies, Lebowski, Arizona and O Brother and I can only bear them when they are working without their heads planted firmly up their own arses.
I (as in me) however thought this was a meh version of 100 other chase movies I've ever seen, with an extra dose of 'oh what can we do here to appear really cool' mindnumbing Cohen Bros tripe that we always get.
You don't have to agree, I will live, but your opinion isn't right, it is just your opinion as is mine.
It looked nice, it sounded amazing, but it wasn't even slightly original.
I heartily applude how you stated your personal opinion without coming off like a complete arse. The internet needs more people like you on it, sir.....
It was a glorified, slightly moody, chase flick. I'm sorry but no amount of gruff old man voices and sentiment over the last 5 mins could disguise that for me. If it did for you, then I'm happy for you.
I have liked 3 Cohen Bros movies, Lebowski, Arizona and O Brother and I can only bear them when they are working without their heads planted firmly up their own arses.
I (as in me) however thought this was a meh version of 100 other chase movies I've ever seen, with an extra dose of 'oh what can we do here to appear really cool' mindnumbing Cohen Bros tripe that we always get.
You don't have to agree, I will live, but your opinion isn't right, it is just your opinion as is mine.
It looked nice, it sounded amazing, but it wasn't even slightly original.
I heartily applude how you stated your personal opinion without coming off like a complete arse. The internet needs more people like you on it, sir.....
knight d wrote: I think many people don't understand the Coen Bros. unless they grew up watching Fargo or Miller's Crossing. I just recently watched Blood Simple on the big screen and it improved my opinion of it immensely and I don't think of it as just a good first film anymore. I even love The Ladykillers, but to say hate and No Country in the same sentence is incorrect. Like literally there is no sane argument against this total pure work of art. "meh" and "no originality" just don't belong it's not even a matter of taste.
It was a glorified, slightly moody, chase flick. I'm sorry but no amount of gruff old man voices and sentiment over the last 5 mins could disguise that for me. If it did for you, then I'm happy for you.
I have liked 3 Cohen Bros movies, Lebowski, Arizona and O Brother and I can only bear them when they are working without their heads planted firmly up their own arses.
I (as in me) however thought this was a meh version of 100 other chase movies I've ever seen, with an extra dose of 'oh what can we do here to appear really cool' mindnumbing Cohen Bros tripe that we always get.
You don't have to agree, I will live, but your opinion isn't right, it is just your opinion as is mine.
It looked nice, it sounded amazing, but it wasn't even slightly original.
It was a glorified, slightly moody, chase flick. I'm sorry but no amount of gruff old man voices and sentiment over the last 5 mins could disguise that for me. If it did for you, then I'm happy for you.
I have liked 3 Cohen Bros movies, Lebowski, Arizona and O Brother and I can only bear them when they are working without their heads planted firmly up their own arses.
I (as in me) however thought this was a meh version of 100 other chase movies I've ever seen, with an extra dose of 'oh what can we do here to appear really cool' mindnumbing Cohen Bros tripe that we always get.
You don't have to agree, I will live, but your opinion isn't right, it is just your opinion as is mine.
It looked nice, it sounded amazing, but it wasn't even slightly original.
I agree that it was great it reminded me of Lawrence of Arabia in some portions and the reason it didn't win was the score wasn't elligible. The music is partially from an earlier release of Greenwood's album.
this was actually shot in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, where i live. In The Valley of Elah was as well. I eat at the Vietnamese restaurant you see next to the hotel with the pool towards the end. They have some really damn good Seafood Pho, haha.
i actually prefer The Assassination of Jesse James as my film of the year, but this hits number two, followed by There Will Be Blood.
i will say however that There Will Be Blood didnt win anything for the score was ridiculous. I thought Greenwood's score was a thousand times more interesting or inventive than the cinematography.
i actually prefer The Assassination of Jesse James as my film of the year, but this hits number two, followed by There Will Be Blood.
i will say however that There Will Be Blood didnt win anything for the score was ridiculous. I thought Greenwood's score was a thousand times more interesting or inventive than the cinematography.
Great movie, specially Bardem's acting, superb...
No Country is undoubtedly an extraordinary peice of filmmaking, and I can't complain about the Academy's decision, but in my honest opinion, THERE WILL BE BLOOD is the better film. I would have liked to see IT win Best Picture (and Anderson for Director), but this was the Coen's year.
Still, No Country is my second favorite film of this decade...only topped by BLOOD.
Still, No Country is my second favorite film of this decade...only topped by BLOOD.
£ukasz D wrote: i sayed it was a great film - which dosen't mean that it wa sthe best film......i think there were couple bether films last year that should have won OSCAR other than "No Country..."
Hope u understand now.
Bad wording on my part I guess... I wasn't actually confused. Just pointing out how contradictory (and pretty non-sensical... I don't think "No Country" was glorifying the US...) it was.
Anyways, I don't really want to argue right now, nor do I see the point in turning this page into something it's not supposed to be. I've posted my comments relevant to the article, so I'll leave it at that.
Hope u understand now.
Bad wording on my part I guess... I wasn't actually confused. Just pointing out how contradictory (and pretty non-sensical... I don't think "No Country" was glorifying the US...) it was.
Anyways, I don't really want to argue right now, nor do I see the point in turning this page into something it's not supposed to be. I've posted my comments relevant to the article, so I'll leave it at that.
I think many people don't understand the Coen Bros. unless they grew up watching Fargo or Miller's Crossing. I just recently watched Blood Simple on the big screen and it improved my opinion of it immensely and I don't think of it as just a good first film anymore. I even love The Ladykillers, but to say hate and No Country in the same sentence is incorrect. Like literally there is no sane argument against this total pure work of art. "meh" and "no originality" just don't belong it's not even a matter of taste.
im getting this today
i thought it was coming out until march 18th
i guess i was wrong...
i owned HITMAN and BEE MOVIE yesterday...
but i didnt see THIS...
i thought it was coming out until march 18th
i guess i was wrong...
i owned HITMAN and BEE MOVIE yesterday...
but i didnt see THIS...
i sayed it was a great film - which dosen't mean that it wa sthe best film......i think there were couple bether films last year that should have won OSCAR other than "No Country..."
Hope u understand now.
Hope u understand now.
£ukasz D wrote: great review Gabe - great score....loved this film.
£ukasz D wrote: No mether how much bether films world cinema makes every year - OSCAR always has to go to pathetic US gloryfinig films.
I'm confused... How can you love the film, but say that the Oscar went to a pathetic, American glorification film?
As for me, I was a little unsure of what I thought of it when I walked out of the theatre... But it grows on you. I picked up my copy today, will watch as soon as possible.
And as always, great review Gabe. The picture choices of Chigurh are hilariously brilliant.
£ukasz D wrote: No mether how much bether films world cinema makes every year - OSCAR always has to go to pathetic US gloryfinig films.
I'm confused... How can you love the film, but say that the Oscar went to a pathetic, American glorification film?
As for me, I was a little unsure of what I thought of it when I walked out of the theatre... But it grows on you. I picked up my copy today, will watch as soon as possible.
And as always, great review Gabe. The picture choices of Chigurh are hilariously brilliant.
The film is a masterpiece. I understood the last act better after a second viewing. The first viewing had the final 20 minutes leaving me cold.
I just hated it, don't know why. I just didn't enjoy it. That's not to say I thought it was a bad movie, I just didn't like it. I guess I was expecting so much more after all the hype. I think the Coens are generally way overated, so I should've known not to expect too much. It was just kinda meh I thought and I didn't think there was a single moment of originality in the entire thing apart from it's score.
I much preferred There WIll Be Blood, but once again, I still thought that was way overated as well.
I'd have actually preferred BP to go to Juno. I enjoyed it the most out of the nominees.
Mind the film I enjoyed the most last year even though it was a complete mess was Southland Tales and most people hate that so, different strokes I guess.
I much preferred There WIll Be Blood, but once again, I still thought that was way overated as well.
I'd have actually preferred BP to go to Juno. I enjoyed it the most out of the nominees.
Mind the film I enjoyed the most last year even though it was a complete mess was Southland Tales and most people hate that so, different strokes I guess.
I'm so excited. It came in the mail today! I already watched it and I hadn't seen it since December 7 so I jumped when the car crash happened. The Coens barely include extras, so this should be a 7-8 out of 10. But 5 is right if you watch extras all the time. I still think There Will Be Blood should have won, I cried at the end of that. Maybe if No Country were as long as Blood I would choose that for pic. But probably not because Day-Lewis owns.
but why did you hate it?
I ran to walmart at 7am so I could grab the bluray for 14.98 before work. Going to watch tonight after exercising.
I ran to walmart at 7am so I could grab the bluray for 14.98 before work. Going to watch tonight after exercising.
I'm sorry I hated this movie with a passion. I just HATED it!
Brolin did have a great year... he was in 4 great films (No Country, Planet Terror, In the Valley of Elah, andnd American Gangster). my my, The Goonies Brand has grown up so much
The Coen's must be psychic with their casting.
I saw Javier Bardem last week as a funny and sympathetic paraplegic in Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) and I can't imagine anyone playing both roles, same as Ben Kingsley doing both Ghandi and the savage from Sexy Beast.
And what is the underaged girlfriend from Trainspotting doing in here?
Inspired choices to say the least...
I saw Javier Bardem last week as a funny and sympathetic paraplegic in Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) and I can't imagine anyone playing both roles, same as Ben Kingsley doing both Ghandi and the savage from Sexy Beast.
And what is the underaged girlfriend from Trainspotting doing in here?
Inspired choices to say the least...
I got an advanced copy of the standard dvd last week and the video and audio, i thought, were quite terrific. This really is a great film and totally deserved the best picture.
Couldn't agree with this review more. Great film and very nice disc. The "3-D" effect at the beginning of the movie with all the Texas vistas is superb. Also worth a mention is the level of detail in the restaurant scenes. Check out Tommy Lee Jones' facial features during these scenes. You can see every nook and cranny of his world weary face... Awesome!
great review Gabe - great score....loved this film.
I guess I'll finally get around to seeing what the big whup was with this movie, one of these days.....


Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date:
11th March 2008
Discs:
1
Disc Type:
Blu-ray Disc
RCE:
No
Video:
1080p
Aspect:
2.35:1
Anamorphic:
No
Colour:
Yes
Audio:
PCM 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 English,
Subtitles:
English HoH, French, and Spanish
Extras:
The Making of No Country for Old Men, Working with the Coens, Diary of a Country Sheriff, Trailers
Easter Egg:
No
Feature Details
Director:
Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast:
Javier Bardem, Rodger Boyce, Josh Brolin, Barry Corbin, Beth Grant
Length:
122 minutes
Ratings
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