The Coen Brothers' HAIL CEASAR-Conquers at the Box Office

Joel & Ethan Coen are a screenwriter/director duo extraordinaire.  Their films are diverse, dark, comic, & intellectual; an acquired taste that continue to amaze.  This film is an homage to the motion picture industry of the 1950's with a wink to big blockbuster films, studio heads and a serious nod to black listing of writers, actors & directors.  The head of the studio is played by Josh Brolin who is a cool crisis control man with a penchant for confession.  George Clooney is a major star in the latest major production.  He is often errant except this time he's been abducted for ransom.  The Coen brothers are able to reel in major stars for minor roles.  Tilda Swinton is deliciously conniving as twin gossip columnists snooping for a salacious scoop.  Ralph Fiennes play a movie director whose artistic sensibilities are too sensitive.  And, Channing Tatum is the lead in a musical morph of "On the Town." The fancy fleet footwork & musical rendition would have Gene Kelly applauding.  The most hilarious scene has Brolin conferring with 4 disparate religious leaders to seek their approval on the portrayal of Christ in the studio's upcoming movie.  HAIL CEASAR is clever & great tongue in cheek fun.  The Coen brother's trademark genius is imprinted in every cell.  Clooney says he is stepping away from the  camera.  Should this be his swan song, he departs on a pinnacle performance.  Alden Ehrenreich plays a western rodeo actor the studio is grooming for greatness.  Ehrenreich is poised to be an A list movie star.  We'll be seeing a lot more of this handsome lead on the big screen.  HAIL CEASAR is a definite  crowd pleaser.