BK,
I, too, really liked A SERIOUS MAN. In fact, I think it was the best movie of 2009.
On the other hand, RAISING ARIZONA is one of my least favorite Coen Brothers films, probably because I'm not a fan of Nicholas Cage or that kind of "Yahoo" kind of comedy.
The brothers do run hot & cold. I'm a big fan of FARGO, MILLER'S CROSSING, BLOOD SIMPLE and BURN AFTER READING.
The most of others, including NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, I'd rate a B or B+. LADYKILLERS and RAISING ARIZONA get a C-.
Frankly, I think they're making a big mistake remaking TRUE GRIT. You never remake a classic...only a flop.
Jeff Bridges is perfect casting for the role of Rooster, but no matter how wonderful he might be in the part, he's always going to be compared to the memory of the original, and he is not John Wayne.