I feel the same. It's not groundbreaking, but it's smart, heartfelt storytelling with a really strong cast. I think Handlen has some imaginary, hip version of the show in his mind that he's always annoyed the actual show doesn't live up to, though I don't think he's ever actually explicated what precisely he's…

Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Don Williams. I think those are the big remaining four, in terms of vocalists.

Pretty much my Platonic ideal of a Game of Thrones episode.

That's been his calling card for the last decade. Have you heard his Townes Van Zandt cover album? Zzzzzzzz

1) Miller's Crossing
2) Raising Arizona
3) True Grit
4) The Big Lebowski
5) Blood Simple
6) Fargo

Since it looks like she's essentially playing the late, great Karen Dalton, I hope Carey Mulligan sings a version of "Katie Cruel."

If you're in the northern portion of Arkansas, you're in the Ozarks. I was born in the Missouri Ozarks and schooled there and at U of A in Fayetteville.

Too bad you have to drive thirteen hours east of Arkansas in order to reach the Appalachians before you can either experience or believe them.

Top Ten favorite Elton John songs:

Tumbleweed is just flawless. Probably my favorite album and I've argued for it being one of the best best classic rock albums as well.

It's a great album, but I think Tumbleweed Connection is Elton's real contender for greatest (single) albums. I'd only rank Tumbleweed after Exile and the Band's brown album and *maybe* Who's Next in the classic rock Olympics.

Johnny Horton, hugely talented novelty country star who consistently cranked out smash hit classics and who also has piles of ripping proto-rockabilly tracks hidden in his catalog. Apparently, also the definition of a walking musical punchline.

Johnny Horton, hugely talented novelty country star who consistently cranked out smash hit classics and who also has piles of ripping proto-rockabilly tracks hidden in his catalog. Apparently, also the definition of a walking musical punchline.

Harrelson has quietly had an astounding career. Add The Messenger and Rampart, his turn on Game Change. I can't wait to see him and McConaughey together on the True Detective series on HBO next year.

Harrelson has quietly had an astounding career. Add The Messenger and Rampart, his turn on Game Change. I can't wait to see him and McConaughey together on the True Detective series on HBO next year.

Peter Fonda silently nods, weeps.

Peter Fonda silently nods, weeps.

Sweet Lou got under 5% of the vote his first time on the ballot and didn't even make it to a second year of consideration — ridiculous. Same thing happened to Dwight Evans. Insane considering that Jim Rice walked into the Hall despite being a lesser player than either Lou or Dewey.

Sweet Lou got under 5% of the vote his first time on the ballot and didn't even make it to a second year of consideration — ridiculous. Same thing happened to Dwight Evans. Insane considering that Jim Rice walked into the Hall despite being a lesser player than either Lou or Dewey.

Cogan's Trade (the novel this movie is based on) is perhaps my favorite crime novel — only Hammett's Red Harvest comes close. But I'm concerned about anyone adapting that 70s masterpiece into a 2012 state-of-America David Simony thinkpiece. I'll probably just queue up The Friends of Eddie Coyle again and watch that…