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Hey guys! So our trivia night winner, choof, gave me a choice of 5 movies: Jojo Rabbit, LA Confidential, Rounders, The Big Lebowski and Zodiac. My brother was in town when I was deciding and I found out that The Big Lebowski is one of his favorites, so that's what I ended up watching. This was not what I was expecting, the Coen brothers have a very unique style, that's for sure. Anyway, hope you enjoy the reaction!

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D. T. Nelson

"The Big Lebowski", "Fargo", and "O Brother Where Art Thou?" are my favorite comedies by the Coen brothers, closely followed by Raising Arizona, Burn After Reading, and their remake of the western classic "True Grit". But their greatest film is not a comedy... not by a long shot. "No Country for Old Men".

Clay F

“That rug really tied the room together.” "This aggression will not stand, man."

Clay F

Classic movie + excellent reaction. Thank you. My favorite performance = Goodman. Bridges completely transformed into The Dude. The Dude abides. Awesome performance by Julianne Moore. Hoffman (R.I.P.) = great actor. Turturro transformed himself. Cool twist on the typical Sam Elliot narration. The intro scene to Bunny is great. So many good scenes.

Eddie Perkins

This movie is so funny; I never tire of it. You have watched four out of his five picks. The only one you haven't seen yet is Rounders (1998), which I consider a great movie. I think you would love it.

Brian McGovern

Oh dear. Looking forward to watching but am now expecting a less than enthusiastic response. I suspected it might, but I will still watch. Hopefully mistaken. Also curious as to where the artwork came from. Pretty cool.

warcrimes

Cant wait for an LA Confidential watch eventually.

Alex Villarreal

The Big Lebowski is certainly the most subversive of those 5 picks! But I must say the weirder movies do make for fascinating reaction videos. 🙂

Wu Sha Ling

oft repeated, but i agree with the idea: the movie tries to insert plot into lebowski's life, and he's just not having any of it

nick bell

Not my favorite Coen brother movie ( Miller's Crossing , No Country.. , Fargo etc ) But still very entertaining

Choof

I'm so glad you liked it. I had such a blast laughing alongside you and I'm happy to have picked a movie you could chuckle at haha.

Matt Winchester

I know I'm in the minority here, but... I never cared for this movie 😬

Les Bird

Coen Brother's best screenplay, and one of their best pictures, is Miller's Crossing, totally agree with adding that to a list somewhere. But looking forward to Rounders. One of my all-time favourite pics and is somewhat forgotten now. Easily the best poker movie ever. And Rounders is also one of the few pictures that relies on voice over and still works. Traditionally, a lot of voice over in a screenplay is a sign of an amateur screen-writer, but Rounders would be nothing without the Matt Damon VO during the poker scenes.

Ben Livingstone

A really creative riff on noir. Like "The Big Sleep," except it's meant to make sense, and it does. Also, the Coens do stupid characters better than almost anyone.

Michael Lynch

Years ago I had heard how hilarious this movie was and classic and everybody was raving. I finally watched it and I didn't laugh one time. I actually was bored the whole way through. Now I don't remember much about the movie at all, and I've only seen it the one time. I'm going to give this another shot for popcorn. Can someone explain to me why this movie is a classic and maybe a little bit about the comedy because I want to kind of understand what I'm watching before I go into it.

Robin Craft

Hello Cassie. Happy Father's Day to your husband and all the fathers here. More Coen Brothers? The Oscar winning " No Country for Old Men" would be a great choice. Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem who plays one of the creepiest villians you will ever see. Have a great Sunday.

Uncle 'Traveling' Matt

That was such a fun roller coaster ride. So many great characters and the dialogue is fantastic. Glad you liked it :) edit: A Coen Brothers movie I'd recommend specifically for you would be Intolerable Cruelty (2003). Catherine Zeta-Jones and George Clooney. If any of the Coen Brothers' movies could be labelled a "rom-com", I'd say it's that one! ;)

Björn Von Knorring

I’m not one of the huge fans but the movie is so ”over the top” and ”the Dude” is basically tripping the whole time that it becomes hilarious. Walter (John Goodman) is the true comedian because he is so outrageous. I can’t give a better answer. I think it is one movie you love or don’t understand.

Chris B.

For another Coen Brothers movie I was going to recommend Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, but then I checked and see you've already watched that one. So instead, I'm recommending the iconic "Raising Arizona". I feel you'll have a more enjoyable time with it compared to some of the darker Coen movies such as "No Country For Old Men", and it's also pretty similar in tone to "The Big Lebowski".

AzraRillian

Funny story, a few years ago, John Goodman got a star on the sidewalk in Hollywood, and for the ceremony, Jeff Bridges arrived with a brown "ringer" briefcase" to give a speech, pulled out the sweater that The Dude wears and gave a speech parodying Walters eulogy at the end. You can see a video of it on youtube and it's probably one of the most wholesome things I've seen in a while, since Goodmans' reaction to seeing The Dude again is so heartfelt.

Ike

Cassie, this is one of my favorites, but I will have to watch this one with you much later than usual. (I just checked in to see what condition your condition was in). 😜

Night King01

Really the movie can be summed up with the ending line the dude abides. It doesn’t matter how crazy the movie got or how much it didn’t make any sense he just went with the flow and that’s life for him.

Steven Ashford

I actually enjoy watching you laugh more than any of your emotions. Makes me laugh and just have a overall better day.

Stick Figure Studios

"Not what I was expecting" is pretty much what you can always expect from these guys. I first discovered the Coen brothers in college when I happened to catch THE HUDSUCKER PROXY on television and just got sucked in. It was one of the weirdest, most inventive and most visually striking films I'd ever seen. It quickly became my favorite film (and remained so for several years) which I recommended to everyone I knew, so I decided to find out more about these two guys who made it. After checking out more of their work (BARTON FINK, MILLER'S CROSSING, BLOOD SIMPLE, RAISING ARIZONA and FARGO when it subsequently came out in theaters), they eventually became my second favorite filmmakers (surpassed only by Steven Spielberg). Their wacky, subversive, sometimes dark, often unpredictable and always original sensibilities thoroughly impressed me. Nobody can make the movies that they make other than them and sometimes their output reaches heights of beauty and profundity that few films do (I decided a long time ago that if I were ever to write a book about them, I'd call it "From the Ridiculous to the Sublime"). Strangely enough, I didn't actually care much for BIG LEBOWSKI when I first saw it, but over the years (as I began to figure out more and more what they were actually trying to do with the film) grew more fond of it. Not their best film by any means, but far from their worst and it does have one of their funniest, most engaging and most prototypical "loser" main characters "the Dude." Looking forward to your reaction. Hope you enjoy it, but if not, that's okay. Coen movies can usually take multiple viewings to properly appreciate.

Dave Sees Movies

Cassie, just finished watching your reaction to "The Big Lebowski." FWIW, I think it's gold.

Lamar Smith

Dearest Cassie, I was wondering if you’d still be willing to provide a photo of that framed poster? I hope it’s not too much trouble.

Jon Anderson

This is one of my all time favourites, and every time I see it I get something else out of it, but it's such a trip to laugh along with someone who's never seen it before! I guess I click with it so much because I grew up watching old film noir classics on TV, and it's an updated and deliberately ridiculous take on The Big Sleep. I love the original Raymond Chandler novel, but it's got a horribly complicated plot that's easy to get lost in. The 1940s movie messes about with the plot so that it doesn't make any sense at all, but since we're watching Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall play against each other we don't care. And now we get the Dude, who's not a Bogart style hardboiled detective but just this guy who gets tossed into everyone else's drama, who's only vaguely interested in the mystery and doesn't care about much except his rug... and it works perfectly. I think for me it's really about his odd couple friendship with Walter. Amazing acting from John Goodman - he spends the whole movie being a loud violent jerk and then we see that below it all he's just a big blundering softie.

Joon S

A Simple Plan is a great movie, but the Coens had nothing to do with it as far as I can tell. It was directed by Sam Raimi, a good friend of theirs who co-wrote Hudsucker Proxy.

Negative

I like how you never once see The Dude bowl in this movie.

Joon S

Seems like you liked it a lot more than I did the first time. It's probably my favorite Coen movie now, but it took some rewatches for me to really "get it"

Chris Rosani

awe man I hope you still watch rounders though..

Stick Figure Studios

"I think I need to watch more Coen brothers." This is music to my ears. :-) So glad you enjoyed this. You're right that the plot is convoluted and, in a sense, unnecessary (though the film is sort of a spoof of classic Raymond Chandler-esque noir mysteries only with a deadbeat stoner running around talking to people instead of a cool Phillip Marlowe-like detective) as a lot of the fun of the film just comes from spending time with these characters. The Dude is based on the Coen's friend activist Jeff Dowd (who was known as "the Dude") and Walter is based on RED DAWN writer-director John Milius. Poor Donny. Spends the whole movie getting told to "shut the f**k up" by Walter and then just dies (interestingly after missing a pin for the first time in the film). Typical dark Coen's sense of humor. If you want another one of their comedirs, I recommend RAISING ARIZONA and my aforementioned HUDSUCKER PROXY. If you want something a bit more serious, their NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and MILLER'S CROSSING are excellent. Honestly, you can hardly go wrong with them. Almost everything they do is brilliant.

Jason Dolan

Top Ten Jeff Bridges: The Fabulous Baker Boys Jagged Edge The Fisher King Starman True Grit The Big Lebowski Hell or High Water Crazy Heart Tucker A Man and His Dream Tron Guilty Pleasure: King Kong (1976)

MikeLL

Have to agree. Stoner noir, I call it. It is structured and incorporates all the tropes of an old time detective movie, the Dude refers to "the case", love the absurdist humor of it all.

Dave Hill

Cassie - It's funny that Flea so randomly pops up in movies/shows and here he is, much younger, and then as the kidnapper Vect who nabs Leia in the Obi-Wan series you are watching now. Do you remember his character from way back in Back to the Future II? =) You definitely have to have a certain type of humor to appreciate these types of movies to their fullest. I've seen this movie more times that I can count and I was still laughing myself to tears at some of the ridiculous scenarios and dialogue that accompanies this movie. Raising Arizona is another great one!

JC762

I tapped out at about 20 minutes. At least 1 F bomb in every sentence goes beyond vulgar or offensive. Instead it just becomes boring repetitive lazy dialog.

Dave Sees Movies

No. The characters who are supposed to be smart (The Big Lebowski, Brandt, The Narrator) don't swear. Maude references with disdain what she considers vulgarisms; the narrator comments on the excessive profanity. The characters who are idiots - The Dude, Walter, Jesus, etc. - swear all the time.

David Crabtree

Never got the appeal of The Big Lebowski.

Gábor Árki

I was quite surprised by this pick, I was very certain it would be one of the other four. My hope was LA Confidential, that's one I'm sure I would have put on my list too. 😃 I've seen this movie once 15+ years ago. It was one of the favourites of one of my university roommates, but I didn't remember much of it. I knew I wasn't a big fan then, I remembered "The Dude" wearing a robe, bowling and something about a toe, but that's it. So this was almost like a first time watch for me too. To my surprise I quite enjoyed it this time and even more surprised how much Cassie was enjoying it. Still not going to make it to my favourites, but wouldn't mind watching it again a couple of years from now. By the way, Cassie, I quite enjoy your comedy reactions and seeing you laugh and having fun is a great way of laughing along and making my day better. So really hope seeing more comedy reactions from you. There are some pretty good ones suggested in Popcorn Requests! PS: if you haven't checked it yet, you've seen Jeff Bridges in Starman. Also, I think you have seen the 2010 version of True Grit as well.

Cole Jennett

The true identity is revealed, lol! I really hope she gets to Jojo and Rounders.

Tyler Foster

As a Patreon, if you don't know, you can watch an exclusive Cassie reaction to Starman on here that did not go to YouTube.

Tyler Foster

The Coen Brothers are among the most talented working filmmakers. This and Fargo are reaction staples, and I see many people recommended Raising Arizona (you'd love it), No Country For Old Men (great but you might find it too dark), and would have recommended O Brother if you hadn't seen it, which I think make up their most popular movies. However, you really can't go wrong with any of them. Going to echo Stick Figure Studios and say that among the less-appreciated Coen films, I think you would especially love The Hudsucker Proxy (which, by the way, is a New Year's movie, so maybe that would be a good time to watch it), as well as Miller's Crossing and I like cheese's rec of Intolerable Cruelty. I also think you might like Burn After Reading if you enjoyed this -- it is also a strange and sometimes violent movie but it is also very funny, if a little bit darker than this one. I'd also be interested to see how Blood Simple plays for you, although aside from No Country that would be the darkest of their movies that I would probably recommend. Also, if Carly hasn't seen it, the 2010 True Grit would be a delightful re-watch, especially now that you've seen Bridges in this movie.

Art of Free Speech

After everybody hyping it up to me, I finally tried to watch it and spent the longest time with a confused look on my face wondering what on earth people actually liked about it.

Art of Free Speech

Like some others above, I will really never understand why people actually like this film. It seemed a lot like Dumb and Dumber to me (and that's not a compliment).

JayF

The narrator is played by Sam Elliot. I think it was obvious you were a little taken by him. There are two movies I highly recommend with him in them - Mask (1985) and Tombstone (1993).

Patrick Flanagan

This was the Coens' follow up to FARGO and it's almost like a different take on that plot. There's a kidnapping where the husband is in on the plot, ransom money embezzled from a disapproving relative to cover up business failures, and Peter Stormare ends up causing Steve Buscemi's death.

Rick Williams

I don't know why some people actually like this movie. I trIed watching it years ago. I couldn't make it all the way through it.

Alex Gorell

The first time I saw this movie I really didn't like it and I did not get the appeal of it. Saw it a second time years later when I was older and I actually liked it but I totally get why so many don't. The Coen brothers are a hit and a miss for me. Love True Grit and No Country for Old Men, Fargo was mehh, and I didn't care for Hail Caesar.

Stephen

This is one of my all time favourite films. Great reaction.

Dave

I gotta be honest, Cassie. I was nervous about how you'd react to this one. I had nothing to fear - another great reaction. Also, the audio quality is excellent.

Travis Hershey

Aaaaaah, your little faint as soon as the credits started rolling. Hahaha.

Anthony Perez

I am so happy Cassie liked it. I was worried that all the cussing would put her off. I've seen this movie countless times but it was a real treat to see it with Cassie. On a side note...I have two young granddaughters... 1 and 3 years old and am myself prone to cussing so in an effort to train myself out of the habit I got the OH MY GOSH t-shirt....let's see if it works. Wholesome and me are pretty far apart.

David

Next Coen Brothers should be Blood Simple, you can meet one of the slimiest characters in film!!

Philip Davetas

ZODIAC and LA CONFIDENTIAL are great films, but doesn't really leave a whole lot of room for reactions. Those movies are pretty much intaking data.

Timothy Burrows

Well your YouTube editor certainly has their work cut out for them. The TV edit of this movie is unintentionally hilarious, "Do you see what happens Larry when you find a stranger in the Alps?! Do you see what happens Larry when you feed a stoner scrambled eggs?!"

Keith Jones

While he is great in those, his small but important role in Gettysburg (1993) was incredible

William Knight

Would love to see you watch Rounders and Cruel Intentions

Brian Harris

Great reaction, Cassie. I’m glad you liked it so much. I’m a huge fan of the Coens. All of their movies are like miniature philosophy tracts. I know you’ve seen O Brother, so check out Raising Arizona next. I have a feeling you’d really respond to that one.

Philip Alan

"I don't get what he's smoking." Cassie... you're a gem.

Yann Laliberté

You are gonna love watching it again. You'll get so much more stuff like the painting of the giant scissors in Maude's appartment or all the quotes he is taking from others. It's a multi layered film

Robin Gibbons

Fellow Albertan and your newest Patreon member. Awesome time to join, while you just watched my favorite movie of all-time! I went to see it 4 times while it was in the theatre when I was in grade 12. Used to host a yearly Lebowski drinking game party. Everyone was drinking white Russians and every 3 swears or "dudes" you had to have a sip. First two years mostly everyone was passed or tapped out before the movie ended till we changed it to any alcohol every 10 swear words or "dudes"!!! Glad you were entertained!!!

Johnny

You said something like, "I don't understand what he's smoking..". He was smoking a "roach" with a "roach clip". A roach is simply a joint that has been smoked down far enough that you can't hold it between your fingers anymore. The Dude doesn't waste his weed.

G

I love the black comedic tone in the Coen brothers' films. The Big Lebowski is one of those films that if it's on, I have to watch it.

Zachary Carter

I'd love to see you watch Tombstone now. Don't think about it. Just watch it.

kaiielle

Watched this reaction last night, my first time watching an uncut the whole way through! Had such a fun time. Loved your reaction. :)

Wes Stewart

I think the precise moment I fell in love with this movie is when the Dude is manhandled from one limousine into another with the iconic line, “Hey, careful, man, there’s a beverage here!”

Aaron Hawkins

God, I love that Stillwater/Almost Famous shirt you're wearing! Oh, and this is one of my favorite reactions you've ever done! Thank you!

Patrick Gibbs

“O Brother Where Art Thou” is another GREAT Cohen Brothers movie! Such fun to watch and a great soundtrack too!

Jay

This film always loses me towards the end, but it's still good fun. Wasn't sure what you'd think of it so I was happy to see you giggling away throughout. The Coens are just incredible filmmakers, pick pretty much anything from their back catalogue and you'll have a good time. My favourites are Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink and Inside Llewyn Davis. Special mention too for The Man Who Wasn't There, I think it's an underappreciated gem of a movie.

Jay

Pretty sure I saw that on her Letterboxd profile. I doubt she knows it's a Coen Brothers movie.

Jeff Milcheck

Great reaction! Millers Crossing is my favorite Coen film but probably not up Cassie’s ally... but if she’s looking to watch more, definitely check out Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou and Hudsucker Proxy. Those are their more lighthearted films.

Celeste McAllister

"Made me laugh to beat the band" I love Sam Elliott! Just a cool movie with perfect dialog,how much was ad lib? :)

Jeff Milcheck

Not much was ad libbed... i bought the screenplay book of this they published and its almost exact.... The Coens are big on that. They give the actors freedom to say the lines anyway they want, but they are sticklers for them to hit every word in the screenplay.

Sean Stuart

I think Cassie liked it more than Fargo. The only Coen brothers film I love is Raising Arizona the rest are ok or I just didn’t get them.

Mark Harrell

If you like Cohen brothers you should watch Oh Brother Where Art Thou. Definitely your kind of movie. Funny. Great music.

Joe M

First and foremost KUDOS to you Cassie, for finally watching this one. I have a feeling you enjoyed it more than Fargo. Jeff Bridges knocks it out of the park in this role. Now if you want more from the “Cohen Brothers” I highly recommend “No Country For Old Men”, “Burn After Reading” and one that goes under the radar and is very much underrated, “A Serious Man”. Give those 3 a try.

Rob Thomas

Highly recommend Raising Arizona and the Hudsucker Proxy (thou have someone else handle the it until you press play, as the marketing/packaging ruined the best joke in Hudsucker Proxy).

TT

Your brother has a great sense of humor. And, you do as well! I loved your recap! Thank you for watching this one!