Big Lebowski – We Are Movie Geeks

No, it’s not a Christian movie but a sequel to THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Well, sort of a sequel. THE JESUS ROLLS, which debuts on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5, is not directed nor written by Joel and Ethan Coen, but by John Turturro, who played the bowling-loving, spandex-wearing character who calls himself “the Jesus,” and doesn’t pronounce it the way Hispanics usually do.

If there were a BIG LEBOWSKI sequel, the bowling adversary of the Dude and pals Walter and Donny, is not the first character that would spring to mind for most audiences. But this is not really a LEBOWSKI sequel. Instead, director John Turturro is playing the same character as in the Coen brothers classic, but now that character has been transported to another movie, for a remake of the 1974 French sex farce LES VALSEUSES, which was released in the U.S. under the title GOING PLACES.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI’s bowling “the Jesus” looks the same, sounds the same, moves the same. He’s just in a different movie. THE JESUS ROLLS is really Turturro’s homage to the bawdy French comedy starring Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Dewaere. The French title LES VALSEUSES is actually a rude slang term for testicles, which tells you a lot about what to expect from this film. The story centers on two buddies, played by Turturro and Bobby Cannavale is this remake, who have recently been released from prison. Not reformed, they join up with a hooker pal (Audrey Tautou) to engage in a string of petty crimes and sexual adventures while larking across the countryside in stolen cars.

The original, which starred French bombshell Miou-Miou along with Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Dewaere, was considered pretty controversial in its day but gradually it acquired cult film status with a number of filmmakers and film buffs. Turturro has assembled an impressive supporting cast for his homage, including Jon Hamm, Christopher Walken, Pete Davidson, Tim Blake Nelson and Susan Sarandon. Turturro also wrote the script, adapted from director Bertrand Blier’s own, which Blier based on his novel of the same name.

The film opens with The Jesus, aka Jesus Quintana (John Turturro), is being released from prison, where the warden (Christopher Walken) tells him how much the prison bowling team will miss his championship prowess. Outside the prison, he is met by his pal and fellow ex-con Petey (Bobby Cannavale). Almost the first thing the Jesus wants to do is steal a car, a bright orange classic muscle car belonging to an obnoxious hairdresser. The hairdresser turns out to be the boyfriend/pimp of one of Jesus’ old friends, a prostitute named Marie (Audrey Tautou). Ditching the hairdresser, Marie joins Jesus and Petey as they set off on their road trip of farce, crime and sex. Along the way, they meet other characters, including a recently released ex-con, played by Susan Sarandon.

Why Turturro wanted to draw the interest of BIG LEBOWSKI fans when he was going remake the French sex comedy LES VALSEUSES is not clear. In fact, it seems counterproductive, ensuring that LEBOWSKI fans will be disappointed while missing out on appealing to the fans of the cult fav French farce. THE JESUS ROLLS generally follows the outline of LES VALSEUSES, although with a more sympathetic, better rounded part for Tautou’s Marie.

The major appeal of the original was in the pairing of Depardieu and Dewaere, who were comedy magic. Turturro and Cannavale have some good comic moments but, unsurprisingly, they don’t recapture the same magic. The remake has plenty of nudity and sex scenes, although not particularly graphic, but it is much lighter on the comedy. In the original, the main characters were a pair of juvenile delinquents, which makes more sense for the story than these two middle-aged men. Turturro clearly adores LES VALSEUSES but his film always feels a bit too adoring, like the characters have one foot in the ’70s, with the sexually frigid prostitute subplot and the obsession with ’70s cars. Dark undercurrents in the original are absent now and everything is on the surface. There is a lot of affection for the original film on display but ,despite the best efforts of the cast, the remake does not have the energy or edginess of the French original.

Fans of THE BIG LEBOWSKI can skip this one, although maybe fans of John Turturro or of the French sex farce comedy LES VALSEUSES might take a look. THE JESUS ROLLS is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5.

RATING: 1 1/2 out of 4 stars

Mistaken identity…

With a name like Lebowski, you don’t expect someone with the same name to come along and mess your world up. Heck, The Dude certainly didn’t expect it! Still, he is mistaken for Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski,” a millionaire with a few problems… and he is more than happy to let The Dude deal with them.

With THE BIG LEBOWSKI: LIMITED EDITION making it’s way to BLU-RAY this week, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at cases of mistaken identity in films… as a tribute to The Dude, of course!

Here are five crazy cases of mistaken identity in film. Enjoy! And remember to let us know what some of your favorites are!!!

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956)

Imagine having your neighbors, and even your loved ones, being taken over by aliens. Aliens posing as real people are a sure-fire way for identities to be mistaken. Especially if the plan is to make people believe that you are someone else… someone human!

GALAXY QUEST (1999)

A cast of actors just can’t seem to get past their sci-fi roles… and are mistaken by aliens as galactic warriors. Well, I guess it’s a living!

The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)

America’s sweetheart Doris Day is mistaken for a Russian spy after her mermaid bottoms come off. Hmmm… Doris Day mistaken as a spy…??? She has the perfect cover! No one would ever suspect her!!!

THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940)

Charlie Chaplin…

Hitler…

Charlie Chaplin…

Hitler…

With a mustache like that, this case of mistaken identity was bound to happen!

MONTY PYTHON’S : LIFE OF BRIAN (1979)

I have a twin sister, so I know what it is like to be mistaken for someone born on the same day… but the messiah? Brian was born on the same day as Jesus, in the stable next door! This guy was doomed from the start!

So, there you have it! Now remember to go out and get THE BIG LEBOWSKI : LIMITED EDITION on BLU-RAY August 16th!

Own the Limited Edition Blu-ray™ Featuring All-New Bonus Features, a Digital Copy of the Film and Collectible Hardcover Book Packaging

Bowling, nihilists, a stolen rug and the occasional acid flashback have never been funnier when one of the most popular cult classics in history, The Big Lebowski Limited Edition, debuts on Blu-ray™ August 16, 2011 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. From the Oscar®-winning Coen Brothers (True Grit, Fargo) and starring Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (True Grit, Crazy Heart), this acclaimed comedy has been newly remastered in high definition to provide longtime fans and first-time viewers alike with the ultimate Lebowski experience.

Available for a limited time with an all-new 28-page companion book featuring an exclusive interview with Jeff Dowd – the real-life inspiration for The Dude – Jeff Bridges’ personal, on-set photography, a film timeline, trivia and much more, The Big Lebowski Limited Edition Blu-ray™ is a must-own addition to any collection. In addition to all-new features exclusive to the Blu-ray™ release, The Big Lebowski Limited Edition Blu-ray™ also offers a digital copy of the film that can be viewed anywhere at any time on the consumers’ choice of devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones as well as Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes.

“Since its creation by Ethan and Joel Coen in 1998, The Big Lebowski has transformed from a fan favorite into one of Hollywood’s most celebrated cultural phenomenons,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “This spectacular new Limited Edition Blu-ray™ combines the most extensive behind-the-scenes materials to date with the latest Blu-ray™ technology, giving devoted fans and newcomers alike a chance to experience the brilliant all-star cast, outrageous storyline and unforgettable quotes like never before.”

Its now iconic characters and instantly recognizable dialogue have made The Big Lebowski “the number-one cult film of all time,” according to The Boston Globe. Since its release, the Coen Brothers’ affectionately addled riff on film noir has snowballed in popularity, becoming “an undeniable pop-cult force” and even, for many, “a way of life,” in the words of the Los Angeles Times. “A masterpiece of anti-storytelling” according to Entertainment Weekly, The Big Lebowski has become a cultural touchstone for fans around the world. Starring Bridges as the film’s delightfully unlikely hero, “The Dude,” the hilariously twisted comedy thriller also features unforgettable performances by an all-star cast including Golden Globe® winner John Goodman (“Roseanne”), four-time Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (The Kids are Alright), Golden Globe® winner Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”), Oscar® winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt) and Golden Globe® nominee John Turturro (O Brother, Where Art Thou?). BLU-RAYTM EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES: · U-CONTROL: Universal’s exclusive feature that lets the viewer access bonus materials without leaving the movie! o Scene Companion: Watch cast and crew interviews, behind the scenes footage and more during key scenes with this picture-in-picture companion. o Mark it Dude: This onscreen counter really ties the film together. Keep track of all the “F-Bombs,” “Dudes,” and “Dude-isms” in the film with this ultimate fan guide. o The Music of The Big Lebowski: Instantly identify the songs heard while watching the film, create a custom playlist of your favorites and even purchase them from iTunes®! · WORTHY ADVERSARIES: WHAT’S MY LINE TRIVIA: Test your Lebowski knowledge by finishing lines of dialogue during the film. Play as Walter or The Dude or in two-player mode against friends. · BD-LIVETM: Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to watch the latest trailers and more. · pocket BLU™: The groundbreaking pocket BLU™ app uses iPhone®, iPod® touch, Android™, PC and Macintosh to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray™ player. Also available on the iPad™, owners can enjoy a new, enhanced edition of pocket BLU™ made especially to take advantage of the tablet’s larger screen and high resolution display. Consumers will be able to browse through a library of Blu-ray™ content and watch entertaining extras on-the-go in a way that’s bigger and better than ever before. pocket BLU™ offers advanced features such as: o Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease. o Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film. o Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere. o Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™ Hi-Def. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device. o Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard. · uHEAR™: Never miss another line of dialogue with this innovative feature that instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray™ disc and turns on the subtitles to highlight what you missed. ADDITIONAL BONUS FEATURES: · JEFF BRIDGES PHOTO BOOK: For more than 30 years, Jeff Bridges has been snapping pictures on movie sets. The accomplished photographer presents exclusive shots taken on the set of The Big Lebowski providing personal commentary on each photo. · THE DUDE’S LIFE: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and John Turturro take a look back at their performances and their delivery of the Coen Brothers’ dialogue that became classic movie lines. · THE DUDE ABIDES: THE BIG LEBOWSKI TEN YEARS LATER: A freewheeling conversation with the cast about the film’s decade-long reign as a cult classic, including a discussion about what ever happened to the “little Lebowski” that the Dude and Maude made that fateful night! · THE LEBOWSKI FEST: AN ACHIEVER’S STORY: An in-depth look at the popular Lebowski Festival, formed by the legion of fans in honor of the film. · FLYING CARPETS & BOWLING PIN DREAMS: THE DREAM SEQUENCES OF THE DUDE: From aerial flights over Los Angeles with his bowling ball chasing Maude on a flying carpet, to the large scale “Busby Berkley” dance sequences as The Dude goes flying through the legs of all the bowling pin headed dancers, this piece examines how these “ahead of their time” scenes were constructed. · THE MAKING OF THE BIG LEBOWSKI: A behind the scenes look featuring interviews with the Coen Brothers. · PHOTO GALLERY: Slideshow of Jeff Bridges’ on-set photography. · INTERACTIVE MAP: Take a tour of the locations of The Big Lebowski, then and now. · AN INTRODUCTION: Featuring Mortimer Young, a practitioner of “non-uptight” film preservation. His restoration of the famous “toe scene” will blow your mind. SYNOPSIS:

From the Academy Award®-winning Coen brothers, The Big Lebowski is a hilariously quirky comedy about bowling, a severed toe, White Russians and a guy named…The Dude. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski doesn’t want any drama in his life…heck, he can’t even be bothered with a job. But, he must embark on a quest with his bowling buddies after his rug is destroyed in a twisted case of mistaken identity. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Turturro, experience the cultural phenomenon of The Dude in the “#1 cult film of all time!” (The Boston Globe)

CAST AND FILMMAKERS: Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro Directed By: Joel Coen Written By: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Executive Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner Producer: Ethan Coen Co-Producer: John Cameron Director of Photography: Roger Deakins Production Designer: Rick Heinrichs Edited By: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Tricia Cooke Casting By: John S. Lyons Costume Designer: Mary Zophres Original Music By: Carter Burwell TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Street Date: August 16, 2011 Copyright: 2011 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Selection Number: 61115274 Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes Layers: BD-50 Picture Format: Widescreen Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1 Rating: R for pervasive strong language, drug content, sexuality and brief violence Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French (EU) DTS Surround 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0/2.0 DTS Express Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com<file://localhost/C/Documents%20and%20Settings/501778861/AppData/Local/Downloads/www.universalstudios.com> ). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal , one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Tag: Big Lebowski

THE JESUS ROLLS – Review

Blu Monday: Muppets, Bowling Balls, and Lots of Guns!

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