The Original: Joel and Ethan's hard-boiled debut, a Texan noir tinged with horror movie imagery.

In it, a plot to bump off adulterous lovers unravels amidst greed, betrayal, mutilation and much maniacal cackling from shady private detective Visser (M. Emmet Walsh).

The Sequel: Thirty years on, and Abby Marty (Frances McDormand) is happily remarried (to John Turturro), when builders of a new housing estate find the skeleton of her first husband.

Trouble is, Abby never really figured out what happened during the first film, which is going to make answering people's questions difficult.

Essential Scene:  Abby visits Visser's psychologically damaged son (Josh Brolin), and the two embark on a torrid affair.

Essential Dialogue:  VISSER, JR - "This is Texas, ma'am. Nobody gonna give two hoots about your problems."