No doubt a great ending in Burn—almost a direct response to No Country in some ways—but for some reason that clock continuing to tick as the screen cuts to black in No Country remains one of the haunting images in the Coen oeuvre.

No doubt a great ending in Burn—almost a direct response to No Country in some ways—but for some reason that clock continuing to tick as the screen cuts to black in No Country remains one of the haunting images in the Coen oeuvre.

Dull, yes, but True Grit accomplishes what it sets out to do, and does so almost flawlessly. My biggest complaint with that movie is Damon.

Dull, yes, but True Grit accomplishes what it sets out to do, and does so almost flawlessly. My biggest complaint with that movie is Damon.

I'm saying both Toy Story's

I'm saying both Toy Story's

It's all in the name of critical-thinking pop-culture awareness.

It's all in the name of critical-thinking pop-culture awareness.

Exactly right.They've had some misfires for sure, but the career arch overall is so impressive. Let's not forget Burn After Reading either—to me it's on the same level as Lebowski.

Exactly right.They've had some misfires for sure, but the career arch overall is so impressive. Let's not forget Burn After Reading either—to me it's on the same level as Lebowski.

Yeah good call. Tree of Life is up there with his best stuff, although he's a bit of an exception for me b/c I don't think he's capable of making anything not worth calling genius. That said, I don't see how he'll ever top Badlands.

Yeah good call. Tree of Life is up there with his best stuff, although he's a bit of an exception for me b/c I don't think he's capable of making anything not worth calling genius. That said, I don't see how he'll ever top Badlands.

Also, as far as personal lists go, Exotica and Se7en are the two best films of the 90s.

Also, as far as personal lists go, Exotica and Se7en are the two best films of the 90s.

In light of all of this 90s Coen love, I'm reminded that their two greatest films—Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men—came at opposite ends of their careers. Can we make such a claim for any other filmmaker?

In light of all of this 90s Coen love, I'm reminded that their two greatest films—Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men—came at opposite ends of their careers. Can we make such a claim for any other filmmaker?

Agree that only TS 2 should make the list, but I'm basing it off the assertion that a director's "double feature" will be on the list.

Agree that only TS 2 should make the list, but I'm basing it off the assertion that a director's "double feature" will be on the list.

Shit, forgot about Babe and Saving Private Ryan. Damn—they're gonna have to leave off some fine movies.

Shit, forgot about Babe and Saving Private Ryan. Damn—they're gonna have to leave off some fine movies.