The Big Lebowski Reviews

Some of the minor characters include Steve Buscemi as the third wheel of the Bridges/Goodman duo to Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers as one of the German kidnappers. John Turturro almost steals the show as the child-molesting, hair-net wearing, bowling ball tonguing competitor. Julianne Moore is very good as the feminist artist who paints nude in a flying harness and is also in the excellent Busby Berkley sequence as a viking woman complete with duo braids and elaborate dancing showgirls wearing bowling ball pins.

The DVD has a well-designed menu in the theme of the bowling alley with the cheesy neon stars and lights. There are bios of the main actors including John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, and Sam Elliott (the cowboy stranger), as well as their filmographies. The special features don't include any deleted scenes but does have trailers and an informative "Making of" with the Coen Brothers. There are subtitles for English, French, and Spanish but no dubs. I noticed that the copy I had is slightly off in one scene in the audio and video sychronization towards the second half of the movie. The actors' mouths are moving and the dialogue follows a half-second behind, but it's only the one scene and I don't know if all the DVD pressings are like this. The DVD features auto-play but first asks if you want to view it in the wide-screen or regular format which is nice. If you enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor, detective motif films or the Coen Brothers films, I would get this DVD.

Rating: 5 - Larry, have you ever heard of Vietnam?
There is one main reason to watch this movie. That reason is the incredible acting. John Goodman as the Vietnam veteran, Walter, is one of the funniest characters I have ever seen on film. Jeff Bridges' portrayal of The Dude was amazing. When ever I first watched this movie I didn't know what to expect. Well, I can say I laughed me a** off the whole time. My friends and I watched the scene where Walter rolls out of the car five times. Its one of the best scene in the whole movie. The plot is pretty confusing. It involves kidnapping, the porno industry, and above all bowling. I don't reccomend this movie to everyone though. If you like a comedy film that bites back then go ahead, watch it. Its a comedic masterpiece. Its one of the Coen bros. best films. As I was saying if you are easily offended, I wouldn't recommend watching it. Anyway, I theink its a great movie that is definintley worth buying.

Rating: 4 - Is this your homework Larry?
"Fargo" is probably my most favorite film of all time, and while the Coen brothers' follow up "The Big Lebowski" may not have been at quite that high level, it's still a very funny funny movie, with some great acting to boot. Everyone, I believe, should have a little of the laid back attitude of the Dude. Bridges brings the lovable loser to life. John Goodman is a hoot as the gun toting Walter. And Steve Buscemi, the ultra-talented actor known for playing crazy guys, plays a total role reversal, being the everyday, normal nice guy (and the movie's tragic hero). Look for "Fargo's" Peter Stormare aka Gaer Grumsrud in a small yet pivotal role as a nihilist (watch as he finally gets the pancakes he wanted so badly in "Fargo"). This film contains one of the most deadpan funny scenes I've ever seen, when the Dude, Walter and Donny confront a 12 year old (Is this your homework Larry?....Is this your homework Larry?...Is this your homework Larry?) Also the dream sequence can't be missed. The Coens have by far proved themselves to be an incredible duo of filmmakers.

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The Big Lebowski