tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post8573341810398009350..comments2024-03-18T00:41:13.588-07:00Comments on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule: ONE FOR THE ACHIEVERS: THE BIG LEBOWSKI CULTDennis Cozzaliohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-81629983113710985252007-11-01T23:45:00.000-07:002007-11-01T23:45:00.000-07:00I normally defer to other peoples' enthusiasm abou...I normally defer to other peoples' enthusiasm about The Big Lebowski. Like Harry Potter, it's not that I think it's bad, I just don't quite see what people are so wild about. While one can't turn up one's nose at a movie that shows any kind of affection for Los Angeles, particularly one that has burnished the legend so, I would point out the admittedly irrelevant detail of its essential condescension towards the city. The businessmen are fake businessmen, the artists are fake artists, the criminals aren't even real criminals. The people of Los Angeles are, in essence, clowns for your amusement. Contrast this with the Los Angeles of Quentin Tarantino, where you see example after example of professionalism, expertise and technical mastery (however left-handed the endeavor) that is the genuine heart (so to speak) of the city. Though I will give them the benefit of the doubt that the affection in Lebowski is genuine, it is the sort of "positive" portrait of Los Angeles that makes people in New York feel comfortable. As an L.A. comedy from the Coens I personally prefer Intolerable Cruelty (I believe I'm a cult of one), but then that movie is about people who are good at what they do, however morally dubious it might be.<BR/><BR/>About the Coens generally, up to Fargo it seemed to me that there was a balance in their work of movies done in earnest and live action cartoons. Since then the balance has tipped predominantly to the cartoon side, and I grow weary. To me the prime example of their limitations is O Brother Where Art Thou and its adaptation of the Odyssey. Homer's Odyssey embodies the raison d'etre for an entire civilization. In their Americanization the Coens turned it into a tale told by an idiot, which wouldn't be so bad if they gave any indication that they'd thought about what the implications of this were, or felt the need to. Unless it's simply Dumb Country Good Music.<BR/><BR/>In response to Jonathan Lapper I would say for myself that if I were looking for the deeper things we get from art I wouldn't be watching a movie, I'd be reading a book or listening to music. There is more human truth in single lines of poetry than there are in whole movies that attempt it. What I look to the movies for mostly, I find on reflection, is sensation and comedy. From each art form according to its ability. Which is why I have more time for the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino than Renoir or Rohmer. Sue me.Robert Fiorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357467040644448167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-5777692243330013992007-11-01T21:48:00.000-07:002007-11-01T21:48:00.000-07:00Hey, Ivan. Sorry for taking so long to respond to ...Hey, Ivan. Sorry for taking so long to respond to your question. The book does indeed confirm that John Milius was one of three lively real-life characters that served as the as the inspiration for Walter, theother two being fellas by the names of Peter Exline, a USC film professor, and Big Lew Abernathy, a jack-of-all-trades who occasionally supported himself with acting and private eye work. All three are interviewed pretty extensively in the book, and all three are entertaining reads, full of that Sobchak bluster, and sometimes contradicting each other's versions of stories. And Milius is definitely as Milius as ever-- somehow time and age have made him more entertaining to me than he used to be, though I still don't have much use for <I>Conan the Barbarian</I> or <I>Red Dawn.</I>Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-51600319610283423212007-10-28T03:06:00.000-07:002007-10-28T03:06:00.000-07:00'Am I Wrong?'Tried to motivate the clan to come ou...'Am I Wrong?'<BR/><BR/>Tried to motivate the clan to come out for Lebowski Fest. They weren't havin' any. I think the reasoning behind it was a unspoken agreement with the sentiment expressed here of not wanting to get too tired of this film too soon.<BR/><BR/>The Patriots WILL lose a game. I just don't know which one.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09387041422819664987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-48288718220378150852007-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:002007-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:00Truthfully, my favorite part of the book is when T...Truthfully, my favorite part of the book is when Turturro is talking about the Jesus sequel he wants to do, then it's offered that the Coens have stated the only sequel they really want to do is OLD FINK. Turturro responds, "Oh, THAT they're serious about." I look forward to the day when that movie finally happens. <BR/><BR/>"He fixes the cable?"Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-52264701251422732002007-10-25T06:27:00.000-07:002007-10-25T06:27:00.000-07:00"Shut the fuck up, Donny!"I'd never heard that rum..."Shut the fuck up, Donny!"<BR/><BR/>I'd never heard that rumor about Milius. How very interesting. I'd like to know if it's true, as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-28630568234610938292007-10-24T17:24:00.000-07:002007-10-24T17:24:00.000-07:00"I dabbled in pacifism once..."Does the book encou..."I dabbled in pacifism once..."<BR/><BR/>Does the book encourage/dispel/explain the rumor that John Milius was the inspiration for the character of Walter?<BR/>That's all I want to know, then I'll shut the fuck up.Ivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16443946766217092846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-84544305132511635602007-10-24T13:15:00.000-07:002007-10-24T13:15:00.000-07:00Godless?!? You're just saying that because of thi...Godless?!? You're just saying that because of this quote from Bill Belichik last week, <I>"I, Bill Belichik, have sold my soul as well as the souls of all my players to the devil in exchange for a perfect season."</I> But that doesn't necessarily mean they're godless. <BR/><BR/><B>BUT BACK TO LEBOWSKI</B><BR/><BR/><I><B>At least I'm housebroken</B></I><BR/><BR/>Due to the Shamus' longtime former avatar I cannot help but think of Walter everytime I visit <B>Bad for the Glass</B>. He even refers to me as "Lapper" instead of "Jonathan" which seems like something Walter would do.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-15088759907403781232007-10-24T12:50:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:50:00.000-07:00No, Dennis is probably watching stupid baseball or...No, Dennis is probably watching stupid baseball or something. Or he's probably letting his finger hover over the "post" button, the pressing of which would release his "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" post to the masses. But he won't do it, the bastard!<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, Jonathan, I know you and I have this whole "friendly rivalry" thing going on, but I'm just going to tell you that I fully expect the Redskins to have their asses politely handed to them by the rotten, miserable, cheating (and probably Godless!) Patriots this weekend. So don't even bother with that one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-26111291591068138822007-10-24T12:30:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:30:00.000-07:00And I have none about your previous comment. But ...And I have none about your previous comment. But I do enjoy the dubious talent we possess for taking the comments to a post by Dennis off track. Sometimes I feel Dennis is watching these comments, like some kind of mischievous god, amused at how far we'll take it before he picks just the perfect moment to step in and <I>respond to some two word comment someone else made 12 comments ago!</I> And this fills him with great joy as he watches us and giggles. <BR/><BR/>Hey Dennis, I think I have the workings for a good treatment here: <B>Dennis Cozzalio, The Mischievous Blog God.</B> When I've finished the graphic novel I'll see you get 30% of the cut.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-3730234253964011132007-10-24T12:09:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:09:00.000-07:00Also, I feel like I started us down this road with...Also, I feel like I started us down this road with my comment, which was intended as a joke. It's your blog, and you can say whatever you like, and I respect your opinions and beliefs. I really have no hard feelings about your post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-41234246091745377522007-10-24T12:05:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:05:00.000-07:00Okay, well, fair enough, but let's just say I don'...Okay, well, fair enough, but let's just say I don't see the danger in Christianity run amock that you do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-75428679216685601272007-10-24T11:43:00.000-07:002007-10-24T11:43:00.000-07:00"...but are insane Christians really the biggest p...<I>"...but are insane Christians really the biggest problem these days, as far as religious madness goes?"</I> <BR/><BR/>No, they're not, and I don't want them to be. Hence the "waking up" to the problem before it's too late reference.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-10127446820361593372007-10-24T11:29:00.000-07:002007-10-24T11:29:00.000-07:00I admit, I just sort of skimmed your "Jesus Camp" ...I admit, I just sort of skimmed your "Jesus Camp" post. But you said something like "'Jesus Camp' shows what will happen if America doesn't wake up." And sure, every religion has their insane followers, but are insane Christians really the biggest problem these days, as far as religious madness goes? Pointing to the people in "Jesus Camp" (which, okay, I haven't seen) and saying the represent the dangers of religion seems a little, I don't know, off the mark.<BR/><BR/>But see, this is what I didn't want to get into! Jeez!<BR/><BR/>That comments line at your site wasn't there before. I'm pretty sure. I think. Probably not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-81181871582496346932007-10-24T11:06:00.000-07:002007-10-24T11:06:00.000-07:00Comments are always open at my site you weird reli...Comments are always open at my site you weird religious whack job, uh... I mean, Bill. (Just kidding). At the bottom of each post you'll see them. Look for "Comments 9" at the bottom of the Henry post. Once you post it shall say "comments 10." Then I shall immediately ban your i.p. address. (Kidding again). <BR/><BR/>But hey, what's up with the religion thing? I was going off about the Jesus campers not religion in general. I even make reference to the churches unlike theirs as the "non-crazy" ones. I am no fan of organized religion but I try to keep the bile reserved for Fred Phelps/Dominionist types, not your average Methodist.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-20689641422928843782007-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00"I didn't blame anyone for the loss of my legs. S..."I didn't blame anyone for the loss of my legs. Some Chinaman took them from me in Korea."<BR/><BR/>I knew I had the line wrong. Aren't you supposed to be able to delete posts here?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-68527041908350628072007-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:00"I lost my legs, sir. A Chinaman took them from m..."I lost my legs, sir. A Chinaman took them from me in Korea."<BR/><BR/>Also, Jonathan, do you not have comments open at your site? I was going to comment on your "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" post and, in the insterest of friendship, completely ignore your post about religion, but when I went to comment on the former I saw nothing to guide me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-57654798123135992642007-10-24T10:24:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:24:00.000-07:00I shall deal with The Bride of Frankenstein later....I shall deal with <B>The Bride of Frankenstein</B> later...<BR/><BR/>until then...<BR/><BR/><I><B>Come on, man. I had a rough night and I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!</I></B>Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-986563284145392222007-10-24T10:04:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:04:00.000-07:00"Well, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.""Well, that's just like, uh, your <I>opinion</I>, man."Aaron W. Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11988034390125865431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-27791858587190727532007-10-24T09:53:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:53:00.000-07:00Hey, yeah, what's up with that? No wonder my rebe...Hey, yeah, what's up with that? No wonder my rebellious, against-the-grain opinion of "The Bride of Frankenstein" (see above) felt so limp and hollow when I wrote it. You took my gig!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-26833897761223413832007-10-24T09:33:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:33:00.000-07:00I'll tell you what, I haven't seen it in a few yea...I'll tell you what, I haven't seen it in a few years (although I have seen it a total of three times) and it has always left me cold but impressed. I'll watch it again soon. Before you think that sounds pointless let me just say that I have had movies that took me three to five viewings to come around to. This could be yet another.<BR/><BR/>And no you didn't force me to say those things although it did feel a bit odd getting into a tussle with the Bill I so often joke with. Personally I think you were just annoyed because I took your designated spot as <I>The Contrarian of Sergio Leone</I>, ala <B>Dazed and Confused</B>.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-45656464352977679952007-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00"Chinaman is not the prefered nomenclature. It's ..."Chinaman is not the prefered nomenclature. It's Asian American."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-75341951721232896102007-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:00Oh, heck! How can I stay mad at you!?Really, than...Oh, heck! How can I stay mad at you!?<BR/><BR/>Really, thank you for the very kind words, and I hope I didn't force you into that by my probably overly defensive post. But I've always been defensive and protective of the Coen brothers, because they were probably the first modern filmmakers I encountered during my maturation as a film lover who really jolted and excited me, and they did that first with "Miller's Crossing".<BR/><BR/>However, I do absolutely know what you're talking about, regarding a certain type of person and their reaction to crime films. I love the genre both in film and in literature, and it turns my stomach when I hear people slobber all over something like "The Boondock Saints" (a worse crime film I can't imagine).<BR/><BR/>But "Miller's Crossing" is something else altogether. For one thing, while "The Boondock Saints" is drawing off Tarantino (who I also like a lot, but I admit "Pulp Fiction" shows its age a bit -- "Jackie Brown" is far superior) and not even doing that well, "Miller's Crossing" is drawing of the real shit, Dashiell Hammett. It may be an unofficial adaptation of his "Red Harvest" and "The Glass Key", but it is the best and most faithful in spirit attempt to bring his writing to the screen ouside of "The Maltese Falcon". Not only that, has anyone ever portrayed a big city during the Depression that feels as authentic and is as visually stunning as the Coens do here? Not that I've seen.<BR/><BR/>I just love it so very much. It's funny and exciting and moving and even a little horrifying ("Always put one in the brain!"). I could go on, and I could even get a little corny about it, but I won't. Suffice it to say, it is one of my favorite films of all time.<BR/><BR/>Sorry again if I sounded snappy before. The fact that I haven't, you know, written anything about the movie ever should have clued me in that it wasn't personal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-61404101746033540172007-10-24T08:55:00.000-07:002007-10-24T08:55:00.000-07:00Bill, I excluded you only because I cannot read a...Bill,<BR/> I excluded you only because I cannot read anything you have written on movies like Jim and Dennis but based on what I have seen of your opinion here (when we are not kidding each other) I would include you with Jim and Dennis as well. <BR/><BR/>And yes, I am absolutely making assumptions and those assumptions are based on the observable behavior of fanboys I have come in contact with. Obviously you can like it for the right reasons (as Jim, Dennis and you do) and I can't say this enough - I think it is quite well done, but the reactions I get are that it is a masterpiece with which I do not agree. <BR/><BR/>I probably shouldn't have gone into the fanboy area but I'm hoping someone out there knows what I'm talking about with that reference. There is a certain type of film that always seems to include crime, violence or gangsterism that will make the fanboy exalt it over all else. With Tarantino movies you get that quite a lot and this would be the only Coen brothers movie where it happens but it does happen with it. I have had conversations with fanboys where the dialogue contained such analytical wonderments as "Oh man that fucking movie is so cool." "When Tom blows him away in the end and says, 'What heart?', oh shit man that just rocks." and so on. That's what I get tired of <B>BUT I WILL MAKE IT CLEAR RIGHT NOW THAT NONE OF THESE IDIOTS EVER COME HERE</B> so I'll drop the fanboy thing. <BR/><BR/>My main point that I poorly made was that I feel the Coen brothers hearts just weren't in this. It feels like an exercise in plotting, not a masterful work of art. So forget the fanboy thing and please don't think I don't value the opinion of any of the regular commenters here on SLIFR, least of all you Bill. I've joked in the past that you should start a blog (when I said you could review <B>The Entity</B>) but it was only a half-joke. I really do think you have a perceptive eye with film and you would be a welcome voice in the community.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-71698752715906831602007-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:002007-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:00As I seem to have not been excluded in your takedo...As I seem to have not been excluded in your takedown of "Miller's Crossing" fans, allow me to be defensive: aren't you making a lot of assumptions about why fans of this particular movie like it? And aren't you doing so while acknowledging that it's possible to like it for the "right" reasons?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-14137840430899074892007-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:002007-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:00And yes I'm aware that I recently referred to it a...And yes I'm aware that I recently referred to it as a "great" film on Jim Emerson's Scanners. To me that is a colloquial expression (I think it is great to watch and is excellent) so I should quickly redefine what I am saying here that I do not believe it is a "masterpiece."Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.com