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SPR Goes to the Movies with the Coen Brothers

SPR and Friends of the Bing presented a special one-day-only double feature of Coen Brothers movies on Sunday, January 11, 2015.  An enthusiastic crowd watched “Raising Arizona” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” on the big screen of the Bing Crosby Theater with the Movies 101 crew.

Movies 101 hosts Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart, and Dan Webster lead a discussion on the Coen Brothers beginning at 1p. "Raising Arizona" begins shortly after 1:30p, with "O Brother Where Art Thou" following.

Movies 101 hosts Dan Webster, Mary Pat Truthart, and Nathan Weinbender began the day at 1 p.m. with a discussion of Joel and Ethan Coen's 16 full-length feature films. The Movies 101 episode recorded at the event will air on Feb. 13 on KPBX & Feb. 14 on KSFC.

"Raising Arizona," stars Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter as an unlikely couple (he's an ex-con, she's an ex-cop) desperate to have a baby. When they decide a local rich family wouldn't miss one of their quintuplets, their lives get more complicated than they anticipated. Since its release in 1987, the film achieved cult status was voted onto a few 'Funniest Films of the 20th Century' lists.

"O Brother, Where Art Thou" takes place in the 1930s deep south, where a convict (George Clooney) convinces the other two on his chain gang to escape and search for hidden treasure. Loosely based on Homer's The Odyssey, the threesome's adventures include run-ins with a one-eyed Bible salesman, helping "Baby Face" Nelson rob a few banks, and making a hit record with a man who sold his soul to the devil. The film's soundtrack helped bring bluegrass music to modern mainstream attention.

Both films were shown full length, both are rated PG-13 for violence and language.

The SPR Goes to the Movies series was presented in partnership with Friends of the Bing. Thanks to event donors The Cleaning Authority and WSECU.

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