See a Coen Brothers double feature Jan. 11

Those of us who remember what Spokane film-going was like in the 1980s know what it means to wait, and sometimes never see, anything other than the latest big-budget Hollywood offering. Then, even following the grand openings of such now-closed theaters as the Newport Highway and Lyons Ave. Cinemas, nothing that was remotely alternative — much less foreign — ever opened locally.

Unless such a film played at the Magic Lantern, in between its occasional closing. Even then, it typically opened months after having been screened elsewhere.

Which is why I used to spend a lot of time driving to Seattle. That didn't always work, though, because often I couldn't score tickets before they sold out. I still remember being disappointed at the line for "Raising Arizona" when it opened in April 1987. It stretched down an entire city block. Months later, I finally saw it when it played Spokane (I forget where) to, I have to add, far sparser crowds.

But the wait was worth it. To this day, "Raising Arizona" remains one of my favorite Coen Brothers films. Which is why I'm happy that, in conjunction with Spokane Public Radio, I and my "Movies 101" partners Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender will be hosting a doubled screening — and live "Movies 101" taping — of not one but two Coen Brothers films: "Raising Arizona" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11.

The program, "SPR Goes to the Movies With the Coen Brothers," will begin with a live taping of "Movies 101," followed by back-to-back screenings of the two films. For ticket-ordering and other information, click here.

And let's all heave a collective sigh that Spokane moviegoing '80s-style has gone the way of the mullet.