Rating: 
Summary: Good transfer, but lacking features.
Review: I really enjoyed Lebowski in the theatres and like the choice of widescreen and full frame formats on a 1 sided disc, but it just seems that more could have been put into this DVD by Polygram. Other than a teaser theatre trailer, there isn't much on it.
Rating: 
Summary: My favorite of the Coen brothers films so far.
Review: I can't quite figure out why this film didn't do very well at the box office, except that it might be a little too odd and meandering for most people. I, on the other hand, thought Jeff Bridges delivered an Oscar worthy performance as "The Dude" (aka Jeff Lebowski), a hapless stoner/bowler who reluctantly ends up a part of a kidnapping scheme. John Goodman is also wonderful (as usual) as his slightly off kilter veteran fellow bowler and Steve Buscemi has a small but memorable role as well. I agree that this movie is more about atmosphere than plot, but I think it works beautifully and I was solidly entertained and amused then entire time. It's certainly not your average comedy, or even a straight-out comedy, but it's a lot of fun to peek in on these strange lives intertwining and to watch the story unfold through the eyes of "The Dude". I can say with certainty you will never see anything quite like this and I for one am impressed with the unique and strange worlds we are exposed to in each Coen brothers project. I highly recommend this film!
Rating:
Summary: Makes me wish I was a better bowler
Review: Much like other films of this genre, The Big Lebowski relies more on atmosphere than plot. Not that this hurts Lebowski. Really the film is more of an experience than a movie. All the characters in the film lead interesting and mildly amusing, if unenviable lives. And while we are never actually drawn in to sympathize with or even like most of the characters they are certainly compelling enough to want to ride along with them for a few hours.Rumored to have been the inspiration for the film _Stranger to Me_.
Rating:
Summary: The Dude Abides
Review: Okay, so I'm addicted to Coen Brothers films. I've seen every one made and I'm proud to say that they are all fine pieces of work. Out of every Coen Bros. movie, my favorite by far is "The Big Lebowski". Released in 1998, the movie became an instant cult hit and it's not hard to see why. The story revolves around an aging hippie named Jeff Lebowski, otherwise known as the Dude. He's an unemployed, pot-smoking bowler who just so happens to have the same last name as a wealthy man. Bunny, the other Lebowski's wife (played by Tara Reid), owes money all over town, particularly to a known pornographer. The pornographer, thinking the Dude is the Lebowski he's after, sends some goons to collect money. After discovering that they have the wrong guy, the goons pee on the Dude's favorite rug. On top of that, Bunny is apparently kidnapped and the other Lebowski hires the Dude to drop the ringer and get her back. This starts a chain of events that introduces the Dude to toe-cutting Nihilists, weird artists and a slew of other interesting characters. Then there's the Dude's best bowling buddies, Walter (a short-tempered Vietnam vet) and Donnie (a shy pushover), played by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. It's so funny to watch Walter constantly berate Donnie for "being out of his element". Out of all the characters in the movie, my favorite is Jesus Quintana, played by the ultratalented John Turturro. The scene where Quintana warns Walter about "flashing a piece on the lane" made me roll on the floor. It's a classic line. This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Definantely worth the view and the buy. To all those like the Coen Brothers or just a good laugh in general, I have four words...Go Buy This Movie!!! You won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: Worse than Dumb and Dumber
Review: How can people like a movie in which every other word is the "F" word? If simple minded people get a kick out of watching a guy named the Dude smoke a "J", I'm worried about this country. Spend your time elsewhere, because this is not a thinking man's flick.
Rating:
Summary: Times like these call for a Big Lebowski.
Review: While I haven't seen the latest Coen Brothers films, like Intolerable Cruelty (2003) or The Lady Killers (2004), I have seen all their movies since O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and I can say I've never been disappointed, and that certainly holds true for The Big Lebowski (1998), the film, not received well by the critics, they made after their Oscar winning film Fargo (1996). While it may not have been a critical success, it is one of my favorite films, and one the rarely gathers dust on my shelf, as I've seen it a few times. The film boasts quite a cast of actors including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Jullianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, Ben Gazzara, Sam Elliot along with a few veterans of previous Coen brothers films like Steve Buscemi, John Tuturro, and Peter Stormere. So what is the film about? Well, I'll tell you...The film, which takes place in California in the early 90's, starts off with a little expository by a narrator known as The Stranger (Sam Elliot) giving us a little detail about the main character, Jeffery Lebowski aka The Dude, played by Bridges, who seems to have put on a bit of weight for the role, and sports long hair much like that he had when he was in the 1976 flopperino remake of King Kong. Anyway, the first thing you notice about The Dude is he is extremely laid back, very possibly a casualty of the California counterculture of the 60's and early 70's who seems perfectly content to take each day as it comes. While returning to his modest rental home one night, he finds two thuggish men waiting for him, one who soon acquaints The Dude's head with the inside of The Dude's toilet, while the other decides to despoil The Dude's living room rug in the manner of a unhousebroken dog. Seems these two men work for a smut peddler named Jackie Treehorn, and are looking to collect money owed to Mr. Treehorn by Jeffery Lebowski's wife, Bunny (Reid). Only thing is they got the wrong Jeffery Lebowski. Seeking reimbursement for his rug, The Dude visits the other Jeffery Lebowski, an older, well-to-do wheelchair bound man whose young trophy wife seems to have amassed quite a debt to a number of people, including Mr. Treehorn. This meeting sets into motion a complicated series of events including kidnapping which evolves into a mystery, a ransom request for one million dollars, a suitcase of dirty underwear, a stolen car, an altercation with nihilists, various beatings, guns, a bowling tournament, interpretive dance, a sexual liaison, a ferret, some drugs, painting in the nude, the removal of a toe, a wicky drug-induced dream sequence, copious amounts of profanity and even a death, all with The Dude right smack in the middle. Jeff Bridges is wonderful as The Dude, a laid back individual with a self awareness few possess having to deal with harshness put upon him by circumstances just always a bit out of his control. He ends up basically going with the flow, finally stumbling on a moment of clarity as the mystery resolves itself. The funniest scenes usually involve The Dude, his friend and bowling teammate Walter Sobchek (Goodman), and fellow friend Donny (Buscemi) as their conversations, riddled with ludicrous tangents, usually devolve into heated debates and personal attacks, usually with Donny getting the worst of it. One of the things I like so much about this film is there is just so much going on, much of which may seem unrelated to the main plot, but I think it's purposeful, weaving an thick, intricate, colorful tapestry right before your eyes and definitely requires numerous viewings, just to soak it all up. There is definitely a beginning, a middle, and an end here, but the path between is very convoluted at times, but not confusing, if that makes sense. Normally I dislike dream sequences in films, as they often tend to be a mish mash of stylistic tripe, but the one in this film was truly enjoyable and laden with symbolism relating to the events preceding it, and even utilizes a song I consider to be a classic in that of Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. It was funny, because the core of the story is based on a mystery, but I spent little time in trying to decipher it, as I was so intrigued with everything that was going on, the related and seemingly unrelated material. A word of warning, though, as I've mentioned before, there is a good amount of profanity throughout the film, so if you are easily offended, you might steer clear of this movie. The film is offered in both wide screen and full screen format, and the picture quality is good, but not as good as I would have expected with such a recent release. Some scenes seemed a bit dark, and there was a slight fuzziness at times, but nothing very notable unless you are seated very close to the screen (I normally refrain from getting so picky, but I've seen this film a number of times). Special features are pretty slim, including a 30-minute interview with the Coen brothers on the making of the film, along with a teaser trailer and cast biographies. I didn't care for presentation much, as after putting the disc in your player, you are directed to pick a format, wide screen or full screen, and the movie would start playing, skipping entirely over the menu, presenting it only after completion of the film, or by pressing the menu button on the remote. This is most common on older or extremely cheap releases (this was originally released in 1998, and then again in 2003 with no enhancements or changes). If any film was ripe for an enhanced special edition re-release, this is it. Cookieman108
Rating:
Summary: gay
Review: this movie really sucks hairy old fat balls. what kind of trashy filth is this? it dosen't even make sence.
Rating:
Summary: Shut the F**k Up, Donny!
Review: I caught a glimpse of this movie in 2001 and haven't stopped watching since. These are what comedies are made of, not only because Jeff Bridges' performance of The Dude is probably the best stoner characteer ever translated to film, but because it carries everlasting brilliance that many critics and movie-goers didn't see at the time. The Coen Brothers succeeded in making an eccentric film that could make you laugh at your own mother's funeral, and with memorable scenes and bits of dialogue loaded throughout, this is a movie not to be missed and belongs in any movie fan's DVD collection, so shut the f**k up, break out a glass of White Russian and enjoy yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Easily the most-watched DVD in my collection
Review: The subject says it all. I simply never get tired of this movie, and it *never* fails to elicit gut-busting laughter from me. Easily the best comedy of the last 20 years, despite what the critics and box office have [wrongly] suggested.
The only other movie in my collection which holds a similar replay value and that even comes anywhere close to making me laugh this much is Blazing Saddles.
Oh yeah: The soundtrack's killer, too, but that's pretty much to be expected from a Coen Brothers film.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Fargo
Review: The Big Lebowski may be the greatest American comedy since Dr. Strangelove. Its critical rejection, neglect by the academy awards, and poor box office showing remain inexplicable to me. Apparently the post-Fargo expectations did not conform with what resulted. I have this to say: Fargo pales in comparison to the Big Lebowski and people should have been enthusiastic about such an explosion of creativity and talent as they received with this most unique of comedies. 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' is the only other movie that has ever made me laugh as much. I guess the Big Lebowski just wasn't 'commercial' enough.
In singing its praises there are hundreds of places to begin. John Goodman's explosive performance as Walter is the first thing that comes to my mind; he is phenomenal and should have been showered with awards. As a slightly unhinged, tempermental, loudmouthed, incompetent war veteran who is neurotically obsessed with Vietnam and his ex-wife he is jaw-droppingly funny. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a standout as a chuckling, uptight, obsequeous toady. Jeff Bridges fits right into his role as The Dude, one of the only unemployed pot-smoking bums to be the hero of a movie. The dialogue is electrifying, the acid flashbacks are weird and funny, the sountrack is used to beautiful effect, and the plot unfolds in the most convoluted way possible, until we come to the ultimate anti-climactic denouement, that will irritate many and have others choking with laughter. This is what the Coen Brothers should be remembered for.
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