I would be terribly remiss if I didn't mention that I've now seen another Best Picture Contender. (at last count, I'd seen Inglorious Basterds[outstanding] Up in the Air[outstanding] and Crazy Heart[really really damn good]---wait are they all up for best picture? Well, they should be.Anyway.)

So, we rented A Serious Man. Do not waste one moment of your life watching this. It will lure you in, you will spend the first 20 minutes marvelling over the movie making genius that is the Cohen bothers and it will let you down worse than being stood up at the altar. I won't say too much in case my warning has only made some of you out there in computer land want to see see it for yourself, but I will say that Joel and Ethan owe me some damn money and an explanation. The only thing I can come up with is sheer laziness. And maybe a desire to see if anyone would would call them out on their Emperor's New Clothes.

In fact, maybe that is just it. Maybe when everyone goes ga-ga over your work and thinks everything you do is praise-worthy, maybe you start wondering if people really like what you're doing or is they just see your name and throw awards at you. Maybe you would have a small niggling fear that people weren't watching your movies and really appreciating them anymore. Maybe you would decide to test them and just see what would happen if you gave them a big old steaming pile of manure and then sit back and wait for people to notice that you were Just Kidding. That obviously you weren't serious with this horrid piece of malarkey. And then you would reward them for noticing with one of your usual genius creations.

But America, you have failed the Cohen brothers test! You have showered them with praise instead of scorn! You have given them four stars and nominated them for prizes instead of crying that they've lost their touch.You have demonstrated to them that you are not watching their movies, you are just seeing their name and applauding. Now, to punish us for accepting such drivel, they may never again make another good movie.