Rating: Summary: Excellent repeat-viewing movie Review: I saw this movie in the theaters, and had a hard time dragging anyone to go see it. I thought it was hilarious and full of great gags (barricading the door, Jesus licking the ball, the "message" written down on the pad of paper, etc.), and definitely a worthy viewing.However, a couple of years later I found that a lot of these people who wouldn't watch it in the theater had taken to repeat viewings on it on DVD. So, in a hazy room, I watched it, and was amazed at how well it still worked, although the humor now came more from the characters (and actors), and not from the plot or the gags. I was also amazed at how good the movie looked, especially in the bowling alley. The glossiness of the floors and balls really shows up well in the DVD. I think time will be kind to this film, and people will realize that it isn't a "minor Coen brothers film". Although the plot isn't as tight as some of their other movies, they are continuing to progress with characters and dialogue. Repeated viewings will show that this comedy is up there with Dr. Strangelove (well, not quite), but definitely up there with Back to the Future and Ghostbusters.
Rating: Summary: Love the characters, love the film Review: The Big Lebowski is a wonderful, underrated comedy with great acting and an interesting plot. The unusual characters bring on a love hate relationship. If you love them this comedy might become one of your favorites. If not, give it a chance, you might change you mind on your second viewing. Jeff Bridges plays "the dude" who is an unemployed, laid back hippie. John Goodman is Walter Sobchak, an over reacting, Vietnam veteran who thinks that every situation has at least a literal connection to the Vietnam war. Finally Steve Buscemi plays Donnie, who is pretty clueless individual, always cutting in on the middle of a conversation. "Out of his element" Walter says to Donnie. These three opposites make up a league bowling team. Nearly half the film revolves around bowling. The plot begins when Jeffrey Lebowski (the dude) has his house broken into, his head repeatedly forced into a toilet bowl, and his rug peed on, an item which "ties the room together". It turns out that the assailants goofed, originally planning to harass the other Jeffrey Lebowski, the older richer Jeffery Lebowski, who's "trophy" wife, Bunny, owes money around town, even to known pornographers. These "rug pee-ers" came to collect, but showed up at the house of the wrong Jeffery Lebowski. This sounds bizarre, but don't worry the film gets even more bizarre as it goes on. Jeff Brides, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi are all fantastic at these unusual rolls, enhancing the humor of the nihilistic plot. However, some audiences might find this film perverse and unappealing. Give it a chance though. This is one of those films you might dislike at first, but it may grow on you after your second viewing.
Rating: Summary: Another Coen gem. Review: Don't worry about the plot of this movie too much when you first see it. You'll miss some of the best dialogue and subtly sublime humor in any movie, ever. The minor characters truly add to this movie- Bunny's first scene had me searching for an ATM and Jesus warrants at least two rewinds himself- but the bread and butter is The Dude, played beautifully by Jeff Bridges. The Dude is a 60s-esque stoner/slacker whose most brilliant dialogue happens when he is most confused. His response to a nasty threat from Jesus: "Well that's, like... your opinion, man." Or when confronted with a glimpse of an older man's tears: "Bummer." This is an offbeat movie with as much comic depth as any movie I've seen. If you enjoy films like Fargo, Pulp Fiction, or Reservoir Dogs, this is one to own!
Rating: Summary: Brilliant, smooth and relaxing movie Review: I love to watch The Big Lebowski over and over again. That's so relaxing. You just listen to the confusing story and get mixed up a little bit, but that doesn't matter : you laugh at the characters, enjoy their brilliant play (of course, especially Goodman) and admire the authenticity of the film itself. I would recommend it to everyone who is not in the mood for trying to understand the moral of this movie. There is a very simple reason for that : there is no moral... Oops... the star I scratched down, well, it's because The Big Lebowski is a little longer than it should be. I'll have a white russian, please.
Rating: Summary: The Big Lebowski Review: I LOVE IT! Best movie, best actor, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best original screenplay, best director! The academy really missed on this one!
Rating: Summary: Great DVD to own, film gets funnier with each viewing. Review: I saw this in the theater and I have to say that while I liked it, I wasn't overly impressed. The plot =is= difficult to follow the first time through, since it's jam-packed with red herrings. But on seeing it a second time, the plot grew sort of transparent, even more or less irrelevant. "The Big Sleep" was on AMC and I realized the source of the overarching plot. It was too late, though. I was hooked. Soon, I was catching it every time it was on, staying up late, quoting lines, making analogies between characters in my own life and the insights in this movie--I was addicted. Fortunately, I found help. Well, not really. I found a bunch of other people with a similar addiction. We all work together now, far away from sane, social people, watching Lebowski on our lunch breaks and spotting continuity errors, as well as pondering the deeper significances of the film. (Why use a marmot? Why not a weasel or a badger?) So, don't end up like me. Save yourself. Don't see this movie again (and again and again).
Rating: Summary: A movie for a unique group of people Review: First off, let me say that while I did not enjoy this movie, there are many others in the world who enjoyed it; just look at the number of shinning reviews it got. The acting was decent, and there were funny moments (homework scene and the numerous White Russians), but I don't think I would see this movie again any time soon. This movie is for those who enjoy off the wall type of movies such as Fargo (another one I did not enjoy). If you enjoy such movies, this one is for you.
Rating: Summary: 90's classic take on Cheech and Chong Review: This movie is richly populated with some of the best dope induced dialogue since Cheece and Chong. Bridges is a revelation as The Dude, and his laid back style is brilliantly steered by by the masters of small-scale, American cinema - the Cohen Brothers. Easily their best movie so far, eclipsing Fargo, and possibly one of the best films (in its genre) of the 90's. Why it flopped at the cinema is a mystery, but don't let that put you off. Once you witness The Dude (or his "Dudeness" as he is otherwise known), you'll never be the same again. As a real bonus, the soundtrack is about as eclectic as possible. BUY THE FILM, buy the soundtrack and ALL HAIL TO THE DUDE!
Rating: Summary: Coen brothers create another great work Review: As with any opinion dealing with an artistic medium, some people hate this movie and some (very wise and insightful) people love this movie. Jeff Bridegs is perfect as The Dude, a 60's slacker who refuses to leave his college days behind. The Dude is paired up with John Goodman as Walter, a Vietnam vet stuck in war mode and disturbed that the country he fought to save is going to hell in a handbasket. Throw in half a dozen other typically eccentric Coen Bros. characters and you don't have much. At least that's what one would think. The interplay between the actors is superb and hilarious, and the situations the characters fall into aren't forced or cheapened for the sake of comedy. If you don't laugh at Jesus' lines, or Walter's rants, or the scene at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, then you should be checked for a pulse. This film has all the elements of a modern classic.
Rating: Summary: you got a date wednesday, baby - Review: why are some people so reserved in their praise of comedy? maltin stupidly called this a "minor Coen concoction", and how so? - are Miller's Crossing and Barton Fink "major" because their themes are darker? The Big Lebowski is their equal, if not their better, in construction and contrivance, and its purpose - amusement - is fulfilled with such alacrity that it holds value long after the first viewing. such diuturnal comedy - and this is first-class - should be acclaimed, same as good tragedy and drama, because its exploration of humanity is far more pleasurable, and no less meaningful.
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