[Indi]

Round 6: The Big Lebowski vs. Garden State

Rules:
No polls, just a review and your opinion on why you believe the film you've chosen should stay higher up in the list. 50 words or more, 40 is accepted if you have expressed your opinion in a satisfactory standard.

Have fun!

[Tycek]

It looks like I'll be the first one to say something in this topic and I may as always anger someone.

After the seance of "Big Lebowski", which was a drag I may add, I checked one of the portal where I found opinions people are finding this movie appealing after second or third viewing. Well, in that case I won't be even trying, because it was simply not movie for me.

I've found it extremelly hard to watch, because of characters creation. Washed up hippie Dude was quite interesting at the beginning, but later he became annoying with his I don't give a damn attitude. But he was nothing in compare to Walter, because every time I was seeing him I wanted to punch his fat face so long it will pop up on his ass. He practically ruined whole experience for me (screaming "shut the f*ck up Donny" for a hundredth time in five minutes were driving me crazy).
Some people (Lebowski's daughter) was acting in some strange (maybe this was part of her role) way chanting every word in special manner.

Not everyone has to love Coen brothers movies and it looks like I am one of these people (I know that I got very strange taste).



I've watched Garden State, because it was suppose to be in first round of this contest. If it wasn't for it, I would probably skip it, which would be very bad decision.

Despite the fact that Garden State almost has no story it must be one of the most positive movies I've seen. There is something strange flowing from the screen during the seance. Andrew is so clumsy (in social way) that he is actually charming. His trip to hometown wasn't particulary interesting, but you wanted to actually know what will happen in this strange journey.

Garden State isn't particulary interesting nor appealing in any way, but picture that it creates is very fullfilled. And cute Natalie Portman in one of the main roles... Yummy.


My vote goes to Garden State.

This post has been edited by Tycek on Tuesday, Jul 31 2012, 10:24

[Robinski]

My vote comes down to something very simple that I've said a great many times: I just don't get the Coen Brothers. I don't understand what's so funny or visionary about their films. The more straight up films I get, but comedies like The Big Lebowski and Burn After Reading just go way over my head.

Pit it against Garden State and it's doomed to fail in my eyes. Garden State is as good a directorial and writing debut as you're going to get. Zach Braff manages to capture that sense of wistful aimlessness and general detachment that a lot of people go through as a young adult in this generation. It might just be because I'm at a point in my life where I can identify with it to a great degree, but the depression that can be induced by how your hometown and its people has changed in your absence is something I really get. Even worse is when things haven't changed at all.

Combine that with my favourite actress in the form of Natalie Portman, and Garden State is my runaway winner.

[Iminicus]

Garden State is a hipster piece of irrelevant comedy that shows how boring Zach Braff truly is. It meanders from one slow set piece to another. The quirkiness of each character doesn't hide the fact that they never actually say anything. It is filled with existential bullsh*t so deep, I couldn't feel any empathy for the characters.

The Big Lebowski is proud of its absurdity and gladly plays with it. It isn't shy about how it is. It knows it is a comedy about nothing and embraces it, unlike, Garden State. It doesn't hide behind existential bullsh*t or quirkiness in the characters. It also has a plot that works. Plus, that sh*t is hilarious.

[ThePinkFloydSound]

QUOTE (Iminicus @ Wednesday, Aug 1 2012, 07:03)

Garden State is a hipster piece of irrelevant comedy that shows how boring Zach Braff truly is. It meanders from one slow set piece to another. The quirkiness of each character doesn't hide the fact that they never actually say anything. It is filled with existential bullsh*t so deep, I couldn't feel any empathy for the characters. The Big Lebowski is proud of its absurdity and gladly plays with it. It isn't shy about how it is. It knows it is a comedy about nothing and embraces it, unlike, Garden State. It doesn't hide behind existential bullsh*t or quirkiness in the characters. It also has a plot that works. Plus, that sh*t is hilarious.

I have to agree with this. You really stole the words right out my mouth. I really can't add any more to that.

Even though I do filmmaking and photography etc, I can't express my feelings on films very well, good or bad. So I'm going to latch on to this post to express my feelings between the two films.

[DeeperRed]

The Big Lebowski all the way on here. Garden State just annoyed me, for the reasons Imicus mentioned.

The Big Lebowski on the other hand is a great enjoyable experiance. Is it wholy rememberable, not really. Though its just a great tale with some great characters. Tycek you mentioned a dislike to the dudes not give a f*ck attitude but that was needed to allow the events that happen, happen. He just goes with the flow, doesn't think to deeply about what he is encountering. He just takes it at face value and goes on as he just wants to find his rug as you know, because it really tied that room together. The viewer is meant to adopt the same attitude t really enjoy the film, don't think to deeply about the dudes descions because he himself is just going with whatever seems like the easiest way to get his rug back.

This post has been edited by DeeperRed on Monday, Aug 6 2012, 02:39

[Tycek]

I believe that Dude wasn't the issue. His lifestyle and attitude may not appealing for me, but this washed up hippie, which totally remind me Slammy wasn't actually as annoying as his "friend". Dude just wanted his rug back and this was quite funny, but his jewish friend with polish surname was the issue. I know that confrontation between not caring hippie and overreacting 'Nam veteran was the fuel for rest of the movie, but I couldn't stand that guy. Goodman's played his role very good, but his character was written in annoying way. His actions like weaving his gun at old guy at bowling alley, throwing his dirty pants instead of ransom money or constant destroying Donny were infuriating me. If I have a friend like this I would end up in prison with few different charges.

As I stated before many opinions have one exactly the same point. Many people found out some kind of attachment to Dude after couple of seanses and that turned into love for the movie. I am not on the same level. I've seen this movie only once and I can't feel anything more than ambivalence. Maybe somewhere in the future I'll grow the same kind of attachement that many fans grew and I'll put "Big Lebowski" over "Garden State". Today I can't.

This post has been edited by Tycek on Tuesday, Aug 7 2012, 17:41

[DeeperRed]

Fair enough, whilst I didn't have a great love for Walter I had no dislike for him either. Understandable if he got on your nerves.

I did have a connection with the dude, how he just wants a simple life of getting high, bowling and doing nothing. The scene where he is shopping in his dressing gown epitomizes his entire character, one I can relate with. So that's one reason for a love of this movie, two its a fantastic film to get stoneded and watch.

[Moonshield]

QUOTE (Tycek @ Monday, Aug 6 2012, 16:14)

I believe that Dude wasn't the issue.

No, the Chinaman wasn't the issue here.

Imi said everything I wanted to. The absurdist humor in which Le Grande Lebowski revels is spot on. Every character is memorable, down to Knox Harrington, the video artist. There's a reason it's arguably the most quoted movie of all time.

In Garden State, nothing happens and that's it. In The Big Lebowski, nothing happens and it's fan-f*cking-tastic.

Not to mention Walter Sobchak was based primarily on the director John Milius.

[Indi]

QUOTE (Moonshield @ Tuesday, Aug 7 2012, 22:57)

QUOTE (Tycek @ Monday, Aug 6 2012, 16:14) I believe that Dude wasn't the issue. There's a reason it's arguably the most quoted movie of all time.

I haven't seen Garden State but I must say, American Psycho is also one of the most quoted-films of all time, you can put all of the memorable lines in a 10 minute video and you would know the film. It's f*cking awesome. I also do recommend the full film to watch .

"Christie, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole."

Also, give The Big Lebowski a watch, it's awesome. This isn't a vote though, The Big Lebowski is one of my favourite films "f*ckin'-A." "DONNIE, YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT!"

This post has been edited by Indi on Thursday, Aug 9 2012, 02:07

[Indi]

The Big Lebowski wins.