Those who know me might say I'm not too quick to admit when I am wrong, but this is a rare instance where I will partially have to agree to insert my foot in mouth. It is safe to say I've recently done some justified bashing of Rolling Stone in my post from August 19th, though it was very justified which you can see by reading the post here: http://johnnybeblogging.blogspot.com/2008/08/on-cover-of-rolling-stonewhile-its.htmlHowever, in their most recent issue, they have a retrospective article that is probably among the best and most complete I have ever seen them publish. They pay tribute to the 10th Anniversary of "The Big Lebowski," a modern classic of cult standing, which remains one of the most original, funny, and feel good films I have ever seen. The film combined a stellar cast of great actors (Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, John Turturro, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) with a great script and direction (The Coen Brothers, who also made "Raising Arizona," "Fargo," "No Country For Old Men," and the upcoming Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John Malkovich film, "Burn After Reading") to become a pop culture phenomenon over the course of a decade.
Rolling Stone's article finds their journalist roaming Jeff Bridges's house as they discover props and clothing from the film that he has continued to hold onto. With the several Academy Awards among the cast, they all still relinquish to the fact that it remains the film they are best remembered for. The film enjoyed more success on video and DVD than it did in its original release, and has become so popular among fans that Lebowskifests are popping up all over the country now in a cooler Star Trek convention fashion. Bridges made the trip to the fest a couple years ago and stated of the experience: "I consider it my Beatle moment."
The retrospective also has links to several other articles such as a look back at the T-Bone Burnett produced soundtrack. Burnett has also recently produced the bluegrass soundtrack to another Coen Brothers film, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?," as well as the great Robert Plant/Allison Krauss album, "Raising Sand," and the soundtrack for the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," for which the actors handled all their own singing at Burnett's guidance.
Taking a look at the video clip of Jeff Bridges discussing the film makes me want to watch it 100 more times, and one of these days, mark my words, I will go to a Lebowskifest, and you can bet the Dude's rug on it I'll extensively report it here. The YouTube clip of "The Effin' Short Lebowski," on their "Lebowski On the Web" section, is as hilarious as it is priceless. The Dude has become immortal in cinema, like Bogart in "Casablanca," Brando in "The Godfather," and Nicholson in "The Shining." He has the freewheeling lifestyle and peace of mind we all wish we could have, that is of course, unless someone pees on his rug. If you haven't seen this movie, go to Blockbuster or get it on Netflix, because it is among the best and most clever comedies that has something for everyone. It is also one of the few comedies that has so many layers to it, that you can catch something new ever time. Trust me, the Dude abides.
Here is the link to Rolling Stone's story:
Here is the link to their Lebowski on the web section, which includes a scene from the film re-enacted by Mii's from the Nintendo Wii, and the "Effin' Short Lebowski" video.:
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1 comment:
You do realize you're writing at an average of 1.25 posts per day. Also, at probably about 500 words per post. And, all between the hours of 8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday.
Nice!
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