epic

“When the truth is found.  To be lies.  And all the hope.  Within you dies.  Then what?  Grace Slick.  Marty Balin.  Paul Kanta.  Jorma…something.  These are the members of the Airplane.” – Rabbi Marshak/Jefferson Airplane

If you were one of the handfuls of people like me that went to see Joel and Ethan Coen’s latest film when it was in limited release last October, then more power to you.  But if you’re like most people that didn’t catch it on the big screen, I suggest you check out the DVD (which hit stores Feb. 9th).  The film is a black comedy set in 1967, focusing on Larry Gopnik, the patriarch of a Midwestern Jewish family.  Larry’s a physics professor, whose life takes an unpleasant turn when his wife asks for a get (document of divorce in Hebrew), his tenure becomes threatened by anonymous letters, and he begins to question anything and everything around him, including Hashem.

Although the film is considered to be one of the Coen brothers’ more personal and darker comedies, the film is a lot of fun at times, with an awesome score and soundtrack fueled by the genius composer Carter Burwell (The Blindside, Where the Wild Things Are, No Country for Old Men), and great tracks by Jefferson Airplane, including “Somebody To Love,” the definitive song of the film.  And when you watch the film, be sure to not miss the track “Machine Gun” from Jimi Hendrix that plays during the strange story that a divorce lawyer shares with Larry.  That track is not included in the film’s movie soundtrack, which is sacrilegious, because quite frankly that song is bada**.

Bonus Features of the Film Include:

Becoming Serious – a behind the scenes look into the film with commentary from the Coen brothers.  They talk about how the movie is the most close to home film they’ve made yet.

Creating 1967 – another behind the scenes with commentary from the cast and crew.  Jess Gonchor (Production Designer) is given a chance to shine, showcasing all the detail he put into the film’s visual design.  What’s also cool is that the abandoned school they were filming at also served as a soundstage, and housed a few of the sets (bedrooms, hotel room).

Hebrew and Yiddish for Goys – a fun little short, providing definitions to Hebrew terms used throughout the film.

Examples:

masel tov: congratulation and good luck

goy: gentile or non-Jew

tsuris: aggravating trouble

- DJ Loki Stokes

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