Fargo (1996) [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Fargo (1996) [VHS]
Movie Review: Beyond the Pale
Summary: 5 Stars
So far, MGM has released two DVD editions of "Fargo;" both are good, and this is the better of the two.
The main menu's background consists of footage of McDormand, examining the bodies of the movie's first murders. The menu interface is sparse; white space and memorable film stills serve as the backgrounds. An alternate French dubbed track is fair, and while the English, French and Spanish subtitles are all adequate, none of them convey the spoken distinctions of the so-called "Minnesota nice" dialect.
The scene selection menu features titled thumbnail galleries beside film stills of the bloody Steve Buscemi, burying that cash-packed suitcase in the snow.
The Coens will not record audio commentary tracks and most DVDs of their films don't include any, but cinematographer Roger Deakins provides commentary for this edition. Deakins is soft-spoken and charming, if not terribly exciting. While he hasn't any thrilling revelations to relate, he does provide some interesting information on how numerous scenes were lit and shot, and a few amusing stories. Some scenes barely feature any commentary, and this track will likely be of interest only to film buffs and Coen fans.
The requisite documentary featurette is entitled "Minnesota Nice," and it's what you'd expect: interview footage of cast and crew interspersed with clips from the film's more memorable scenes. None of this is terribly surprising or disagreeable. An interview with the Coens and McDormand from "The Charlie Rose Show" is also included, and is much more interesting: the story, characters and performances of "Fargo" are discussed at length, as is their career in film making.
The optional "Trivia Tips" are displayed as boxed onscreen text that provides information pertaining to the film's cast, crew, story, locations and production. I can imagine that this is a nice feature for a group of viewers who have seen the film before and know what to expect.
Like most DVD photo galleries, this one includes both publicity photos and behind-the-scenes photographs shot between takes, with an emphasis on the Coens. A decent theatrical trailer is included, as is a typically mediocre TV spot. The text, photos and storyboards of an "American Cinematographer" article are also provided, in which the Coens, Deakins and chief lighting technician Bill O'Leary are interviewed. As would be expected, the focus of the article is on the film's photography and Deakins' collaboration with the Coens, but ironically, this article contains more concrete information pertaining to the story than all the other supplemental features combined!
A video trailer for a special edition DVD of "Blue Velvet" is also included, probably because it was released around the same time as this disc.
Movie Review: Good Stuff
Summary: 5 Stars
It was a gift for a friend and my bro and her watched it, they liked it.Movie Review: One of the best movies ever made!
Summary: 5 Stars
Jerry Lundergaard (William H. Macy) is obsessed with getting his grubby paws on his father-in-law's money. He's in "trouble" (what kind isn't explained, but my imagination tells me it's some kind of sleazy business or real estate deal. It's made clear later that Jerry faked VIN numbers on a GMAC loan to receive $320,000 - but GMAC is threatening to call back the money). He's so crazy to get money out of his father-in-law, Wade, that he hires two petty criminals to kidnap his own wife and split the ransom with them. This is just the opening to the movie, wait until it really gets going!
Jerry is a weasel; a sniveling, swindling, conniving, bumbling weasel, and the criminals he hires, Carl Showalter (played by the amazing Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) are not very bright either. During the execution of the kidnapping, they wind out shooting three people in Brainard, a small town outside the Minneapolis area. Assigned to the murders is Brainard's pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Academy Award winning Frances McDormand). Marge, unused to such violence in her small town, is determined to find the killers.
I don't want to give too much away, I want you to be as shocked and entertained as I was when I watched 'Fargo' for the first time. The film moves quickly, and bodies keep unexpectedly dropping. There's never a dull moment. This spectacular Coen Brothers film has everything in it, suspense, comedy, blood, and horror. (It's usually classified as a Dark Comedy). The performances by William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, and Steve Buscemi are brilliant; the casting was perfect. A couple of hilarious scenes are Marge Gunderson interviewing two hookers, and the "Geez, I'm going crazy out there at the lake" story by Mr. Mohra to Officer Olson. You'll laugh out loud at these. Jerry's fumbling, greedy attempts to get money (This is MY deal here, Wade) are a riot, and his temper tantrums when he fails are not to be missed. (William H. Macy should have won the award he was nominated for)
I was finally spurred into writing a review of this, one of my favorite movies, when the Special Edition DVD came out. In the Special Edition you have:
*A Documentary called Minnesota Nice (what Frances McDormand punned the dialect used in the film), which is interviews with the Coen Brothers and actors Peter Stormare, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand, and William H. Macy. It also answers once and for all the question of whether or not the movie really is based on a true story.
*An Audio Commentary of the film by Cinematographer Roger Deakins. He's not very loquacious, and speaks in a monotone - often muttering - but has interesting details of the locations (most of the movie was filmed on location rather than using studio sets), lighting, camera angles, etc. It's unfortunate he doesn't have much to say about the actors performances though. He also talks way too much about other movies he's filmed rather than focusing specifically on 'Fargo'.
*A Trivia Tract. Interesting little windows of information during the film, everything from the actor's previous films to the history of McDonald's restaurants.
*A segment of The Charlie Rose show where he interviews Ethan and Joel Coen, and Frances McDormand.
*Theatrical and TV trailers.
The Special Edition DVD is worth the price, I recommend purchasing it even if you already own a previously released copy of the film. If you haven't seen the movie yet, then run right out and buy a copy right now. I highly recommend this movie, definitely worth a purchase. 10 Stars. Enjoy!
Movie Review: blood stains on a white canvas
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an original. Had you seen anything else like this before, really?
It's been said that the Coen Brothers' thriller "Fargo" seems like a foreign film, even though it was made in, and takes place in, America. I agree. The setting and the people are a very specialized and distinct sector of the country.
So much has been said about the movie. Having recently watched it again, I felt inspired to talk about it. It involves four people, really. One is gentle and intuitive (Marge), one is silent and brutal (Gaear), and the other two are complete idiots (Carl and Jerry).
"Fargo" is off the beaten path. It is not "Hollywood", and it is not something people would go to see on a Friday night for some entertaining escapism. It is unique and has a look and feel and sound all its own. And the stark landscapes are such a big part of the film.
To me this story is a tragedy, but it is also often funny and touching. It isn't a film of grand, sweeping gestures... it is one of telling details and revelations. It is a film that keeps the audience thinking, "What on Earth is going to happen next?"
I like "Fargo" a great deal because it's different. It's interesting filmmaking.
And Frances McDormand is a genuine pleasure to watch as Marge.
Movie Review: Still Extremely Entertaining A Decade Or So Later
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw it the first week it was out for rental 11 years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. In fact, I probably enjoy this more each time I view it. It's a sick movie, though, make no mistake about that. However, it holds a strange fascination, probably because of the odd characters.
This is NOT a true story as indicated in the movie. That's a lie. It's a fictional kidnapping-turned into murder story with a few bloody scenes, lots of profanity (most of it by Steve Buscemi) and a pure "black comedy."
Both William H. Macy and Frances McDormand have some wonderful facial expressions along with their accents. Those two and Buscemi are the lead characters and all three "are a trip." Macy is hilarious; the best character in here, in my opinion. It's also the best role, I assume, ever for McDormand who was never a big star before - or since - this movie. Her character in here, "Marge Gunderson," elevates this movie from just another modern-day crime movie, to an original.
Add to the mix of weird characters some equally-bizarre music (slow violins) and solid cinematography, and you have an "original," the best film the Coen Brothers have ever made and maybe the rest roles ever for the three main actors. This DVD gives it justice, too - it looks great! The only thing better would be a Blu-Ray release which, I assume, we'll get some day.