Showing posts with label coen brothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coen brothers. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Big Lebowski Review

The Big Lebowski
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This scriptbook is essential to the uncompromising Lebowski fanatic. Great for neighborhood plays too! An easy way to study the simply brilliant use of dialogue found and recycled throughout the film. What's more, the cover image is far out and would make a great poster.

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The Big Lebowski begins with a case of mistaken identity which escalates when Jeffrey Lebowski-alias The Dude-attempts to seek recompense for the despoliation of his ratty-ass little rug, and then finds himself entangled in a kidnapping caper as a bagman-a situation that goes from bad to worse due to the interference of his hapless bowling partners.In this film the Coen brothers have taken on the preoccupations of Raymond Chandler, but have given them a postmodern spin, while at the same time leaving Philip Marlowe's ethos intact as The Dude wanders through the fractured world of nineties L.A. trying to do the right thing. Like the award winning Fargo, The Big Lebowski is suffused with a droll humor and a verbal felicity that is as delightful as it is startling.

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Friday, February 24, 2012

The Brothers Grim: The Films of Ethan and Joel Coen Review

The Brothers Grim: The Films of Ethan and Joel Coen
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I didn't used to be a fan of the Coen brothers' films, but I appreciated them, as well as good film in general, a lot more after reading this book.
The amount of insight author Rowell has into the Coens' films is amazing. As I read through each chapter, I was stunned by how much in the films I had "missed." Rowell's analysis reveals the numerous layers of meaning that are embodied in the films. She covers subjects as diverse as politics, religion and philosophy, art and music, and race and class. She illuminates the context of the Coens' works in the history of film, and points out the numerous allusions to and borrowings from previous films, including their own. I was truly impressed by the scope of the analysis and the thoroughness of the research conducted.
All this is written in a lively style and well organized format that can engage anyone ranging from a casual moviegoer to a scholar of film. Rowell's clever word play throughout the text add to the delight.
I recommend viewing a film first, and then reading the relevant chapter in the book to be wowed by all the things you missed. Then watch the film again!

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The Brothers Grim examines the inner workings of the Coens' body of work, discussing a movie in terms of its primary themes, social and political contexts, narrative techniques, influences, relationship to their other films, and the Coens' referential modus operandi that retreads cinema, literature, history, philosophy, and art to amplify their films' themes.

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Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Dude De Ching Review

The Dude De Ching
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this actually is a faithful translation of the Tao Te Ching... set in terms that are likely to be understood by another segment of the world society.
but, well, that's, just, like, my opinion, man... another Dudeist Priest

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The Dude De Ching is an interpretation of the Tao Te Ching for followers of Dudeism. Dudeism is an authentic religion with over 70,000 ordained "Dudeist Priests." It is inspired mainly by Taoism and the Coen Brothers' 1998 film "The Big Lebowski." This funny and inspiring book of spiritual lessons will help you take it easy and abide in the face of any gutterballs that are thrown your way. Each verse is followed by the original Tao Te Ching (Peter Merel's interpolation) to help show the similarity between Dudeism and Taoism. NOTE: All royalties earned from the sale of this book will go to a fund that will be presented to the charity website kiva.org. Please visit Dudeism at http://www.dudeism.com to find out more.The Dude De Ching is illustrated by award-winning mystery novelist and cartoonist Colin Cotterill.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Big Lebowski 2010 Wall Calendar Review

The Big Lebowski 2010 Wall Calendar
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Pretty good choice of pictures. It really ties the wall together way above the height of most people's pee. Am I wrong?
Two shots of Maudie were repetitive and The Dude outside his apartment wasn't so hot as there were so many other possibilities- the lunch counter, the nihilists, the Dude next to his toilet, the officer and the car, the other Lebowski at his fireplace or desk, Woo taking a leak, Bunny and her nail polish, even the Knudson farm and so many more. Maybe they'll be in the 2011 calendar. I can't wait, but that's so un-Dude.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Big Lebowski Kit: The Dude Abides (Running Press Mega Kit) Review

The Big Lebowski Kit: The Dude Abides (Running Press Mega Kit)
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Pretty good collection of stuff here. The mousepad is better quality than I expected and not one of those cheap kinds with the plastic-like coating, albeit a little thin. The small booklet has a lot of photos that I've never seen before. The coffee mug has a photo of The Dude and Walter in the diner on one side that isn't pictured. My only complaint is that the achiever certificate is folded into fourths. Recommended at the price.

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In 1998 the Academy Award®-winning Coen brothers released the film The Big Lebowski-the hilariously quirky comedy-thriller about bowling, avant-garde art, nihilistic Austrians and a guy named . . . the Dude. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, and John Turturro, The Big Lebowski has grown into a cult classic more than a decade after its original release.Now Achievers everywhere can enjoy The Big Lebowski Kit-a boxful of fun, Lebowski-style, with: • Oriental-rug mousepad that “really ties your desk together”• Severed big toe-with polish! (rubber)• Magnet with the classic phrase, “The Dude Abides”• Little Lebowski Urban Achievers Certificate• “the Dude” embroidered bowling-shirt patch• 32-page book with trivia and images from the film It’s great fun for everyone-even nihilists!

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Friday, June 24, 2011

Two Gentlemen of Lebowski: A Most Excellent Comedie and Tragical Romance Review

Two Gentlemen of Lebowski: A Most Excellent Comedie and Tragical Romance
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Hip! Hip! Hooray for Humor! For those of you out there who lived in a cave when the hysterical movie The Big Lebowski was given to the people, I will begin by explaining the story.
Jeff Lebowski was an unemployed L.A. sloth who was referred to as "The Dude;" the one and only thing he seemed to love was bowling. Then, when a case of mistaken identity gets him mixed up with another man named Jeff Lebowski who is a multi-millionaire, "The Dude" is roughed up by a couple of thugs who tell him that his wife owes their boss money. Of course, it's not "The Dude's" wife, it is the multi-millionaire's wife named Bunny. Soon Bunny is kidnapped and the rich Lebowski has the poor Lebowski bring the ransom to set her free, but there is another who believes that "The Dude" should say, "The heck with the broad, keep the dough." From there it is a comedy of trial and error throughout the entire film, and has become a cult favorite over time.
When I received this fantastic book in the mail, I was instantly "taken in" by the masterful writing; this was definitely a stellar job done by a fine author. As we begin this five-act comedy, two Shakespearean thugs - Blanche and Woo - enter The Knave's home, and proceed to insert his head into thee old chamber-pot demanding their master's money. Everything from mistaken identity to the class conflicts that were ripe in the Shakespearean Age come to the forefront of this laugh-out-loud story.
Throughout the book we readers are also given definitions to some, perhaps, little-known words. Such as, in this story, bowl is not so much a game with ten pins and a big, black ball, but means: to play at a game of bowls. Such games were popular in Shakespeare's time, though often negatively compared with the more noble sport of archery. These little bits of extremely intelligent humor are strewn throughout this great work. Even The Knave, to explain his own popular name, declares: "I am the Knave, called the Knave. Or His Knaveness, or mayhap Knaver, or mayhap El Knaverino, in the manner of the Spaniard."
Not only is the story beautifully retold from the Bard's point of view, but the book is also filled with classic illustrations, historical annotations, and some of the coolest engravings I've seen. Not only that, but there is an afterword that will literally make you laugh yourself out of bed.
Quill says: Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! An FYI for readers, a religion named Dudeism is actually practiced out there in America, and I can only stand up and beg for the globe to accept Knaveism, too, after reading this eloquent story. The Shakespearean qualities and wording have taken this story to an entirely new level, and not only will fans of pop culture look at this as their new Bible, but readers who love Shakespeare and highly intelligent writing will be huge fans, as well. And...yes...I doth protest way too much, Dude.

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What if . . . William Shakespeare had written The Big Lebowski?The Dude has met the Bard—and he doth abide. Join "The Knave” and Sir Walter on a wild tale of mistaken identity, kidnapping, bowling, and a rug that, in faith, really tied the room together—in a sidesplitting Shakespearean comedy of errors and ninepins, told in five glorious acts of iambic pentameter and impeccable period prose. Already a theatrical hit and a worldwide viral phenomenon, Two Gentlemen of Lebowski comes alive anew in this definitive and lavishly illustrated edition, featuring recently discovered historical engravings, scholarly annotations, and a revelatory afterword from the author.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You Review

I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You
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I picked up a copy of I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski after seeing it mentioned in a magazine. I do consider myself a fan of The Big Lebowski, having seen it over a dozen times, but I was heretofore uninitiated in the ways of Lebowski Fest, the religion of Dudeism, and the legions of Achievers (fans) around the world. Consider me a convert!
The prerequisite for reading I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski is several viewings of The Big Lebowski, a white Russian or some herbal refreshment, and perhaps a cadre of like-minded comrades who don't roll on Shabbos and can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon...with nail polish. The authors expertly combine the laid-back slacker ethos of the Dude with a thoroughly academic look at the cult film. You can play Lebowski Mad Libs, read ridiculous television censorship of key movie lines, and learn how to Dude-ify your car and live by the Dude-updated version of Deuteronomy. Allusions to the Zen nature of the Dude abound throughout the text.
The book is christened by the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, in an introduction discussing his role in the film and relationship with the Coen brothers. Bridges writes that he is frequently asked if he is surprised by the cult following of The Big Lebowski. His response is that he was surprised it wasn't a bigger hit, following the critical reception of the Coen brothers' Fargo.
Nearly every other actor, from Julianne Moore (Maude Lebowski) to John Goodman (Walter) to the Ralph's Checkout Girl, is also interviewed. The authors even tracked down the real-life personalities who inspired the characters of the Dude and Walter. The Coen brothers do not comment on the film, offering instead a cryptic, ""You have neither our blessing nor our curse." The actors, however, all describe the Coen creative process in detail.
All the Dude ever wanted was to get his rug back. With my copy of I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski's guide to the set locations, all I want to do is embark on a pilgrimage around Los Angeles. With some Credence on the tape deck.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Big Lebowski: The Making of a Coen Brothers Film Review

The Big Lebowski: The Making of a Coen Brothers Film
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This is a terrific book for anyone interested in the Coen brother's films, or indeed anyone interested in the filmmaking process. While the book is true to its title, other Coen films such as 'Raising Arizona', 'Miller's Crossing' and 'Barton Fink' are also briefly discussed. Along with spotlighting Joel and Ethan's work practises, the book looks in detail at the storyboards, cinematography, set and wardrobe design on 'The Big Lebowski'. Of particular interest is the comparison of still frames with their orginal storyboards during a detailed breakdown of 4 Lebowski scenes. Also appreciated is Robertson's practise of actually explaining many of the film terms used is the book, recognising that not all his reader's are Directors!

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Winners of two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and for Best Actress for their odd and wonderful Fargo, the Coen Brothers present their new film: The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges and John Goodman.Ethan and Joel Coen have carved out their niche as America's preeminent independent filmmakers. Their films are quirky, arresting, comic, and intelligent. Not given to talking publicly about their work, they have given access to William Preston Robertson and Tricia Cooke to interview the cast and crew of their latest film, The Big Lebowski. In a prose style that complements the Coens's filmic one, the book discusses the Coens's oeuvre, the themes of their films, their atypical brand of humor, their craft and their artistic vision. Several scenes of The Big Lebowski are examined closely to see how the movie goes from idea to reality, making this an ideal book for fans, filmmakers, and filmmaking students.The Big Lebowski is a razor-sharp comedy thriller of mistaken identity, gangsters, bowling, kidnapping, and money gone astray, written by the Coens, directed by Joel Coen, and produced by Ethan Coen. In addition to Jeff Bridges and John Goodman, the film stars Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Willem DaFoe, Sam Elliot, and Ben Gazzara. 32 full-color photographs and 130 black-and-white photographs and illustrations

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