Rating: Summary: A Straight Line in the Other Direction Review: This is one of my all-time favorites. It's kind of like the Coen Brothers meet Kerouac and Vonnegut in the cocktail lounge of the local Valley bowling alley in the early 90's and during the problem with Saddam ("this unchecked aggression will not be tolerated," says Mr. Bush, and later Walter. It's a sort of 90's battle cry).The story about the "trophy wife", the Nihilist Germans (look for Flea of the Chili Peppers, who says stuff like, "YAAAUU LEWWBOFSKI!"), the Karl Hungus, Jackie Treehorn fiasco; the rug, the marmont, Larry Sellers- the crappy student, Brandon, Kraftwerk-like German droners, and the mysterious artiste, Ms. Maude Lebowski, are all secondary to the dialogue and the interplay by these, well, losers, who somehow carry on despite themselves. The film is hilarious; regardless of the plot. And it's a great period piece about a period not so far removed. "I am the Walrus?" questions Donny. Sure. Why not, Donny. Go with it.
Rating: Summary: Cut the crap Review: I love reading all of the highbrow reviews of this movie.... Shut up!!! Okay, I feel better now. This movie reminded me of Austin Powers. The first time I watched it I didn't think much of it. There are not laugh-out-loud-right-away parts. But after the movie is over you can't help replaying it in your head and you find yourself quoting the movie. Then you find yourself watching it again and again and again. This movie rules.
Rating: Summary: Donny! You're out of your element! Review: The Big Lebowski is a comedy of errors. If not for a simple case of mistaken identity, The Dude would have kept on rolling. Instead, he gets caught up in a huge debacle regarding a kidnapping and tries to get repairations for his carpet. "That carpet really tied the room together" The casting in this movie fits just right, and the story is a good one. The Coen brothers have turned the story of a bum into a winner. The lackadaisical attitude of The Dude really makes this movie. Most other characters would have made themselves pro-active to solve thier dilema, while The Dude just strolls through. It adds a nice element that Bridges plays well. The Dude's attitude is well offset by John Goodman's potrayal of Walter. He's the over-the-top Vietman vet, who seems like he could just snap at any second, and on a couple occasions, does. The middle of the road in this trio is Donny, who is a subtle guy that seems like he is the odd man out between Walter and The Dude. While Donny is in the movie, he' not really part of the story, and this throws a few laughs in for the audience. The most powerful character in this flick is the one with the least time on screen. That would be Jesus. John Turturro does a superb job of adding a lot of laughs in a small amount of time by playing a bowler with an overt attitude, and a nice surprise that makes it even funnnier. The plot is nice and simple, but The Dude can't seem to keep up with it until it's too late. This adds to the entertainment as he tries to get his goal accomplished, but is hampered by his lifestyle and by Walter. Some will say this movie is a waste of time with no story, but don't let others keep you from a winner. If you don't like it, or didn't like it the last time you saw it, you need to try it again as it gets better with time.
Rating: Summary: Raymond Chandler meets the coen Brothers Review: Would raymond Chandler recognize his great story? Would he care/ Would he be able to stop laughing long enough? The Coen brothers have turned the story of a kidnapping of an heiress into a multilayered flat out hilarious movie. Jeff Bridges Plys lebowski, a stoned refugee from the 60's who bowls. Alot. john Goodman is his Vietnam vet bowling buddy.the marvelous steve Buscemi thier somewhat muted third musketeer. Throw on John Tuturro as Jesus,an excon pedophile{really},and Sam Elliot,the great Sam Elliot, as the dude's{Lebowski goes by the dude} guradian angel.Juliette Moore plays the srtange,eccentric performance artist {estranged daughter,well it explains itself}. The characters themselves play out in a script the involves family loyalities,nihilism parenthood and of course, bowling. the dialogue is pitch perfect, the soundtrack{including Bob Dylan} is wonderful. This is a terrific,fun film that is one of my all time favorites. Very,very good.
Rating: Summary: Don't get suckered in!!!!! Review: I was told by many people to see this movie because it was "hilarious!" Sure it was! I laughed a whole 3 times during the movie. I feel bad for anyone who shells out money to see this pointess film. The plot goes nowhere. With so many charcters twists in the movie you would think the ending would make the movie better. NO! No charcter was funny at all. If you are into drugs then this is the movie for you!
Rating: Summary: UDT - Ultimate dude trip Review: Great movie. Full of cranky jokes, very smart and entertaining. I love the soundtrack. They could have hired Adam Sandler to do some funny stuff in here though. :)
Rating: Summary: "Do you see what happens, Larry?" Review: This movie seems to have a you-either-love-it-or-hate-it aura, but nobody to whom I've ever recommended it has come away disappointed. Perhaps that says something about the type of person with whom I associate..... Anyway the film is a remarkable collection of caricatures, all brilliantly acted. Bridges hits a solid high note as The Dude, and John Goodman is sterling as his traumatized Viet-Vet bowling buddy Walter. The plot is sheer Coen chicanery, a doofus 90's send-up of the 40's hard-boiled detective flick. Too many gags to sum up. This one might require a second viewing just to take it all in, which strikes me as another reason this one wasn't all that well-received. But multiple viewings are fine because, as with a "Raising Arizona" or "Fargo", there are plenty of bits in this movie that just refuse to get tired. If you're a fan of the Coen Bros. but missed this movie, you owe it to yourself to at least rent it.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining fluff. Review: I'm a fan of the Coen brothers but I mostly prefer their darker movies such as "Miller's Crossing" and "Fargo", so I was initially disappointed with "Big Lebowski". Watching the paper-thin plot and Jeff Bridges do his bumbling stoner routine throughout the movie didn't do it for me the first time. Like most of the Coens' movies though, I think this one rewards repeat viewings. Once you don't have to worry about the story and you can just sit back and enjoy the characters, the show is a fun ride. Jeff Bridges is well-cast as "The Dude", the white-Russian-loving Californian caught up in a twisted kidnapping case after two thugs show up to whiz on his favorite rug. His character was a lot more enjoyable the second time I saw this flick. I wish I could say the same for John Goodman's turn as an overbearing 'Nam vet; I usually like him but I thought it was painful to watch him chew up scenery in this movie. Pretty much all of the supporting characters are entertaining, especially John Turturro as a bowling ex-pedophile and Julianne Moore as a detached avant-garde artist. Nice touches: Ben Gazzara's bit as a porn magnate was reminiscent of his strip-club-owner's role in "Killing of a Chinese Bookie", and there is a great gag in his mansion that references a hotel-room scene in "North by Northwest". The movie does have some "Hey, look what we can do with a camera!" moments, but they're usually appropriately surreal and entertaining. My main complaint is the fuzzy, aimless, along-for-the-ride style. "Lebowski" has enough amusing gags and characters to make it enjoyable to watch, but watching it leaves me feeling as stoned and dim as the lead character. It's perfect as a late-night drunk-but-not-ready-to-go-to-bed flick, though.
Rating: Summary: Jeff Bridges deserved an Oscar for this one!!! Review: To see Jeff Bridges transform himself from his normal straight-laced, hardworking-type characters to Jeff Lebowski, an overweight, slovenly bowling fanatic, is truly amazing. Where was the man's Oscar nomination?!? The plot may be a bit ludicrous, but pound-for-pound, it is as funny as any Coen brothers film, or as funny as ANY other film, for that matter. The interactions between Bridges and bowling buddies Steve Buscemi (his normal, wormy, squinting self) and John Goodman (a big crazy, militant nut, to say the least) are priceless. The supporting cast is hilarious, also: John Tuturro as Jesus, the pederast Latin bowler ("Dios Mio, man..."), Juliane Moore as a feminist modern painter, and Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) as a nihlist mobster ("Ya, vhere's da money, Leh-bow-skee?") are among the many highlights. The movie's quotability factor is through the roof. Go bowling after this movie, and you'll find yourself reciting 10-minute scenes. I would've admittedly given this movie three stars after I saw it for the very first time, but each viewing since, it has just gotten better and better. And a quick fact for you LEBOWSKI afficianados: The older Lebowski was one of the townspeople in BLAZING SADDLES. Watch it, watch it twice, you won't be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: in my top five of all time ... Review: ... and still the coen brothers best (even though o brother is absolutely stunning)! buy it. watch it. repeat. quote it...
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