Good but not great.

Rating: 6/10 (12 March 2008)

It was pretty gripping for the most part (like the Departed) but the final 30 minutes or so was just blah... What the heck was the ending, if there was any? The bad guy just walks away and the old lazy cop keeps talking about some stupid dreams and then the screen goes blank (kinda reminded me the way Sopranos series ended). People are free to make their own interpretations.
The cinematography is spectacular and the Cohen brothers do a great job capturing every aspect of the West Texas setting. Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem give great performances. Brolin looks perfect as the cowboy who just happens to be at the wrong place and wrong time. Bardem is ruthless as a psychotic killer right from the very first scene where he kills a cop.
Did this movie deserve best picture Oscar? Don't think so. Given that the Academy seems to be going for the dark, violent genre, "There will be blood" was much better and told a complete story.