Is there a cabal against free speech?

[DigitalBuddha]

As far as I can tell (could be wrong), the only solid references to Christianity in TBL is when Walter prays as he and the Dude scatter Donny's ashes; "Lord you took em...," and maybe the use of name "The Jesus." Other than that, I don't see any obvious, or even hidden, illusions to Christ or Christianity.  Using Nolan Hofstadter's "logic" or his misguided approach, you could pull Christian analogies out of damn near any works of literature, or something like a damn sitcom such as The Big Bang Theory, or an advertisement on the back of a fucking cereal box for that matter.

His posts, IMHO, were psyched out bush league stuff, laughable, man, from a person who just wondered into a movie with no frame of reference.

LMAO; I can't tell you how many times I felt like answering his posts with "SHUT THE FUCK UP, Nolan, V.I. Lenin...!!!"

I don't think anyone here harbors any hate or malice toward Nolan Hofstadter, I don't; it's just that he was your basic town drunk in a small bar who's loud mouth and alcohol breath was a bit too much to abide. He started to be a fart in a full elevator.

[jgiffin]

I was likely more tolerant than most of his ramblings because I see the movie as symbolic (allegoric in some instances) on multiple levels. That includes several religious ones. It's not an untenable position. See, for example, these dudes:

http://filmtank.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1914

http://filmtank.org/forum/showthread.php?t=647

Those threads are chock full of dispassionate, well-reasoned, and well-supported analyses. You can take it, leave it, or ignore it but it's certainly not trash or trolling.

Where Nolan got his tuckus in trouble, on the other hand, was spouting nonsense and then fabricating more nonsense to support it. That schtick got old real fast.

[DigitalBuddha]

I was likely more tolerant than most of his ramblings because I see the movie as symbolic (allegoric in some instances) on multiple levels. That includes several religious ones. It's not an untenable position. See, for example, these dudes:

http://filmtank.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1914

http://filmtank.org/forum/showthread.php?t=647

Those threads are chock full of dispassionate, well-reasoned, and well-supported analyses. You can take it, leave it, or ignore it but it's certainly not trash or trolling.

Where Nolan got his tuckus in trouble, on the other hand, was spouting nonsense and then fabricating more nonsense to support it. That schtick got old real fast.

I'll bet those commentators could also, if they wanted to, and tried hard enough, find Buddhism, Islam, New Age, Hinduism, Paganism, Mormans (The Jesus as the Door like a fucking Mormon), Atheism, Judaism, and the religion of Sunday Afternoon Golfing too ("obviously you're not a golfer") in The Big Lebowski. Furthermore, one could point out aspects of Marxist Socialism, Free Enterprise, and the free sex movement, and highlighting the wonders of the porn world, and nude painting, or the culture of corporate greed. The movie, regarding any such analogies, is far too ambiguous in my opinion to support any such particular analogy. And, I don't think the Coens would waste their time trying to build any such hidden meaning in a comedy with perhaps the exception of a poke or two at Antisemitism (both the brothers being at least cultural Jews, if not religious Jews).

That's just like my hidden opinion, man.

[Shagbeard]

Did I miss something?

[Shagbeard]

Did I miss something?

Fuckit... Dont wanna know, cant be worried about shit, life goes on.

[DigitalBuddha]

Did I miss something?

Fuckit... Dont wanna know, cant be worried about shit, life goes on.

[meekon5]

imdo

Hmmmmm. "In my dudeist opinion?"

If so, I like it. If not, I'm stealing it.

How about IMHDO (In My Humble Dudeist Opinion).

[meekon5]

It just got to the point where he was quoting times of scenes on the DVD and then linking them to the gospel according to john.

The Coens have nothing to do with the physical manufacture of the disk for a start.

Then there's the difference in DVD to Blu-Ray, add the running time of extras and there is no way you can make the connection.

But I have to admit I'm still talking about the numpty now.

[DigitalBuddha]

What ever NH was smoking, I want to try some of it!

[meekon5]

I will admit that there are some movies that are actually that complicated.

I just don't think the Coens go in for that sort of level of subterfuge.

[Stumblin Stumbleweed]

I just don't think the Coens go in for that sort of level of subterfuge.

This might sound like crazy talk, but has anybody actually thought of asking them about all the alleged symbolism?

[meekon5]

I just don't think the Coens go in for that sort of level of subterfuge.

This might sound like crazy talk, but has anybody actually thought of asking them about all the alleged symbolism?

Frequently and but their denial is to a conspiracy nut only proof of the cover up.

[Stumblin Stumbleweed]

I just don't think the Coens go in for that sort of level of subterfuge.

This might sound like crazy talk, but has anybody actually thought of asking them about all the alleged symbolism?

Frequently and but their denial is to a conspiracy nut only proof of the cover up.

Okay, thanks.
It's just that I've been around the blues scene for a long time and several questions which could have been answered by first-hand witnesses can now no longer be answered. This scenario allows for wild, unfounded, speculation to replace verifiable factual information; usually because it's more interesting, or is in accordance with the official, music industry sponsored, marketing mythology.
It would be a pity to waste opportunities to obtain verified first-hand accounts of the creative processes involved in The Big Lebowski. I guess we'll just have to ask again, it looks like they're about to crack.

[meekon5]

Also the Coens are somewhat nonplussed about the subject of there being a religion even based on their film, let alone some hidden code in the text of the film.

[milnie]

He started to be a fart in a full elevator.
[/quote]

That reminds me of the old Dennis norton "it'll be alright on the night" show with the clip of Peter sellers in the lift full of gangsters trying to time a fart right