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Last night Scott and I finally picked up a copy of ’No Country For Old Men’. We’d been looking for this one for a while now, and never could seem to find it in stock anywhere. Yay for a mission accomplished!

We haven’t watched it yet, but its acquisition has inspired me to make this weekend’s suggestions from the Coen Brothers’ library of films.

Ethan and Joel Coen write, direct and produce their films, and are 4-time Academy Award winners. They hail from Minnesota.

Joel Coen and actress Frances McDormand have been married for over 20 years, and Frances has appeared in several Coen Brothers’ film, both in lead and supporting roles.

As writers, both brothers maintain quirky senses of humor and love stories with a dark edge. Their characters are known for their over-the-top traits and perceptions, as depicted in almost all of their films. They also have a penchant for recurring cast members (including George Clooney, John Goodman, John Torturro and Steve Buscemi).

With a combined filmography of 15 (not counting the others currently in various stages of production), it was tough for me to narrow my recommendations down to just 5, but in the end I chose to stick with the dark comedies and pick my faves from there.

And so, I present to you in no particular order, my suggestions for this weekend’s movie-watching. If you enjoy uncomfortable situations that you can’t help but laugh at, then these films are for you!

And don’t forget the popcorn!

1.) Raising Arizona **Absolutely hysterical yarn starring Nicolas Cage as a petty con and Holly Hunter as the cop that loves him. Together they embark upon an adventure in raising a family, drawing upon the only things they know—the law, and breaking it! John Goodman and Frances McDormand are among the stellar supporting cast members.

2.) The Hudsucker Proxy **Starring Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh, this film pays tribute to both the film noir genre and comedies of the ‘30’s and ‘40’s. Tim Robbins’ character Norville Barnes is the unwitting stooge in a stock scam, but Jennifer Jason Leigh’s sharp reporter Amy Archer smells a rat. Also features Paul Newman, Charles Durning and Bruce Campbell.

3.) Fargo **Probably my favorite Frances McDormand film. In this one she is pregnant Sheriff Marge Gunderson, called upon to investigate and ultimately solve a brutal roadside murder. Her investigation takes numerous twists and turns until she stumbles upon the truth about auto salesman Jerry (William H. Macy) Lundegaard’s money woes, and its role in the murder. This story is actually based on true events from 1987.

4.) The Big Lebowski **The Dude Abides! This film has become a cult classic, inspiring t-shirts, posters and its own festival. Jeff Bridges is The Dude, living life according to his own rules (or lack thereof). When he is mistaken for a millionaire with the same surname, his area rug suffers for it. In a half-hearted attempt to replace the rug, The Dude and his friends (played by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi) find themselves in the middle of more than they bargained for. John Torturro is hilarious as Jesus Quintana, and the back-and-forth between Goodman and Buscemi is outrageous.

5.) O Brother, Where Art Thou **Based on the epic poem ”The Odyssey” by Homer, this dark comedy will make you laugh until you cry. Everett (played by George Clooney), Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Torturro) are escaped cons on a mission—to get to Everett’s buried treasure before the TVA floods the valley it’s buried in. Adding to their woes is the fact that they are shackled together, wanted by the law and hunted by something even more sinister. Along the way they encounter mythical sirens, a Cyclops (John Goodman), a blind prophet and a bit of fame.

Do you have other Coen Brother favorites? What about dark comedies in general?