You need to know your movies

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2016)

I understand why this movie gets better reviews from critics than from general audiences. It's not one of the fast and furious Coen brothers' offerings, and unless you know the movies of the period pretty well, plus some of the history of the anti-Commie hysteria then, many of the sly little jokes will pass you by. It also helps if you have ever been an extra, which mostly consists of hurry up and wait.
Josh Brolin has turned into a wonderful chameleon-like character actor. His Chandler-esque studio boss is pitch perfect. Who would have guessed from his early days that he had this much talent? Tilda Swinton is perfectly cast as twin sister gossip columnists, standing in for Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons.
George Clooney does one of his marvelous clueless roles, and gets to show off his excellent legs since he's in centurion costume for the whole thing, pesky gladius and all. Ralph Fiennes is deliciously smarmy, and I had no idea that Channing Tatum was such a good tap dancer. And if that is really him singing I hope they bring back movie musicals in a big way.
If you know your movie history you will love the pastiches and the clever little jokes that are sprinkled throughout. Otherwise, you might not get the point.