“Fuck sympathy! I don’t need your fuckin’ sympathy, man, I need my fucking johnson! “
Man of the Year, every year.
29. The Big Lebowski (1998)
85 points, 4 out of 37 lists
Highest rating by Boner and Skooch at #1
The Big Lebowski was not nominated for any Academy Awards, and grossed just over $17 million in American theatres. It has since gone on to become a cult classic and DVD favourite. Currently resides at #170 on IMDb’s Top 250.
First, let’s hear from Boner:
The Big Lebowski, is, in short, one of the most well-written movies ever. Watching this movie more than once is an absolute necessity. The first time I watched I thought it was a decent and funny enough movie. But watching it again, you just notice and appreciate so much more, and you discover more things the more times you watch it. Yes it sounds cliche, but this movie might as well be how that cliche got started. Everything in this movie has a purpose, everything is connected or called back to in some way. The first few minutes of the movie, The Dude is buying some cream at a grocery store and arbitrarily sees a George Bush press conference on a T.V. What seems like random background filler becomes a hilarious moment later in the movie. Overlook nothing in this movie and you will appreciate everything. At least do it for Donny, Donny who loved bowling.
Not to mention it’s damn funny throughout. Walter Sobchak is John Goodman’s finest role and possibly my favorite movie character ever. His stubbornness and complete negligence of any view but his own, coupled with his Vietnam vet flashbacks make an unpredictable and constantly entertaining character to counter the indifferent and laid-back Dude. And of course Steve Buscemi is amazing as always, as well as a great character performance by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Superb writing, superb acting, superb timing and fantastic comedy make an overall great movie.
And now Skooch’s two cents:
To me, there’s no better way to test a person’s movie geek cred then by quoting a line from The Big Lebowski to them and seeing what they respond with. Much like The Princess Bride, Lebowski is one of the most quotable movies to ever be made, at least in my books. How many message board threads across the Interwebs have suddenly become filled with Lebowski quotes at a mere mention of the film?
Much like Boner said, I find The Big Lebowski to be infinitely rewatchable, especially when introducing it to someone who has never seen it before. From the note perfect book-ending narration by The Stranger (best mustache in Hollywood, Sam Elliot) to the insane ranting of Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) to every mellow word uttered by The Dude (the perfectly cast Jeff Bridges), every part of The Big Lebowski is fresh and entertaining, no matter if it’s your first time watching it or your fiftieth. There aren’t too many other movies on this list that have an actual festival dedicated to celebrating everything about the movie. Thanks to The Big Lebowski, the Coen Brothers will never be able to do wrong by me.
“Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it’s an ethos”
Thanks to this movie, I have to order a Caucasian every time I go bowling.
My first official drink on my 21st birthday was a white russian all because of this movie.
I can't believe only 4 people put it on their lists.
I didn't. Probably an over site on my part.
Haven't seen it, want to though.
Not on my list, but it was one of the last few to get cut.
I'm glad this is the real #29. Of course I didn't submit a list, but I'm pretty damn certain this would have been on it. Lower than Mitchell, mind... but definitely above Danger! Death Ray.
That's 3/4.
The Vern abides.
Bugg was the 4th.
So I'm in a group with Bugg, SkooTch, and Boner?
I'm okay with this but feel it would be deeper if everyone had seen it like they should.
The 281 uses of "fuck" in The Big Lebowski:
[ame="http://youtube.com/watch?v=RqtgfjkB6Pg"]YouTube - The Big Lebowski - F_cking Short Version[/ame]
I think the reason I'm a fan of Balls Mahoney is somehow connected to how tight The Dude is.
The Jesus scene. He'll put him up your ass and pull the trigger until it goes click. No one fucks with The Jesus.
[ame="http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Lfjc4Q9pso"]YouTube - The Big Lebowski - Jesus Quintana[/ame]
Mikey is awesomeing-up this thread.
I would like to publicly state at this time that I am a fucking moron for forgetting to put Heat on my list.
That's really all anyone has to say about The Big Lebowski?
I'd post that I haven't seen it yet - but really me posting that is pretty much redundant these days.
I watched it about 7 years ago. I think I need to again.
I thought for sure Skooch's #1 would be high fidelity.
I have seen this a couple of times, and it's a funny movie, but I think it's also largely a case of the emperor having no clothes. It's a funny, offbeat movie, but it's not some innovation in film. Would be lucky to make my top 50, but not my top 25.
A good film, but I've only seen it once meaning I can't really rank it.
This and Requiem are the most overrated films of all time.
You say that about Boondock Saints once a week so make your choice.
There's a lot of overrated movies out there.
And I don't recall mentioning Boondock Saits last week. Must have been during one of my blackouts.
Big Lebowski was ok, but really isn't anything to go crazy about.