‘The Achievers: The Story of the Lebowski Fans’ explores the Dude phenomenon

Jeff Bridges in the Coen Brothers 1998 cult film "The Big Lebowski" Photo by Merrick Morton/Gramercy Pictures

This entry is for fans of the Dude and the Coen Brothers. 

Take a look at this article in today’s The Los Angeles Times “The Achievers”. It’s about a documentary about the cult status of a film that was a box office failure.

The first time I saw this film about nihilism with a sound track of bad language I was not well impressed. The second time I saw it, in view of  editing essays for a film festival, I laughed until I cried. Deeply satirical. But you have to be in the zone, or a zone, to appreciate it. Just thinking about the ending especially, makes me laugh.

These geniuses (Coen Brothers) asked themselves what would happen if someone peed on the rug of a loser – who was happy being a loser? It all starts from there.

The Dude: That rug really tied the room together.

Someone ought to take an MRI of their brains to see what genius actually looks like.

The film is a satire of so many things Americana, but as Bell says, it is never mean spirited.

Here’s an essay that Nathaniel Bell wrote about “The Big Lebowski” for the City of Angels Film Festival in 2005: The Big Lebowski

Praying for KAYLA! So you think you can dance… Fox, Wednesday’s

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Evan Kasprzak (L) and Kayla Radomski (R) perform a Viennese Waltz choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Wednesday, July 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

A couple of Sundays ago some of the sisters took the Universal Studio tour. Afterwards they stopped for supper at the Hard Rock Cafe on City Walk. Sr. Frances recognized Carolyn, Kayla Radomski’s grandma who was there with her husband and, of course, Kayla and some friends.

They got to chatting and the nuns promised prayers for Kayla.

Yesterday, Sr. Frances received an email from Carolyn, again asking for prayers. So, we invite your prayers that Kayla will advance (she is our favorite)!

Dear Sisters,

This is Kayla Radomski’s Grandma…You know the girl who is on the program SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. I just wanted to THANK YOU and ALL OF THE SISTERS for watching, voting and praying for Kayla.

She made it through last week, I am sure with all of your help.

We all were so pleased that you all took the time to talk to us.  Kayla thought it was wonderful.

Now we are asking if you and all the Sister’s will all vote for the whole two hours tomorrow after the show.  We know that is a lot to ask of all of you, but it is so important this week to keep her on the show.  Everyone was shocked that she was in the bottom two last week.   Please, whatever all of you can do for her, we would all appreciate it..(Dave and I, Kayla’s mom, Renee’, her Uncle David ). 

Please watch, vote and especially pray very hard for her to make it through Thursday night. Then there will only be one more week left.  There will be four remaining kids.  Two guys and Two girls.

They will only choose ONE person out of the final FOUR.  So please, if I could be so bold as to ask all of you to PRAY very hard for her.  Also vote, vote, vote.

Please remember, VOTING IS FREE from home phones and/or cell phones..does not matter who the provider is..it is all FREE for the whole two hours.

 Thank for taking the time and letting us know that you are all watching, voting and praying for Kayla.  This is so very heartwarming for all of us to know that you all care about her.

 (If you can squeeze in a little prayer for all of us  we would appreciate that.)     

 Thank you so very much again,

 HUGE HUGS TO ALL OF YOU.

 Carolyn

Media Literacy Certificate Class at Sony Studios

Students from Chicago, Philadelphia, Delaware, Singapore, Dallas, Rome, Orange County enjoyed the 2 1/2 walking tour of Sony Studios right down the street from the PCMS.

It was an excellent, intense, and full week. But I think I can say that a good time was had by all…. and we all learned so much. Blessings to all those who made this week possible for us!

Media Literacy Certificate Course continues

 

Nick Pernisco, Santa Monica College, teaches about blogging and podcasting

Media literacy course participants hang on to Nick’s every word!!

United Breaks Guitars or How to find justice through non-violence and art

This YouTube video is the hottest since Susan Boyle. I used it in my media literacy education class to show how people can achieve justice through non-violence and art.

Dave Carroll, whose guitar United broke, made this statement after United Air Lines reached out to him to rectify the situation (after 2 days and over 150,000 hits on YouTube, now over 3 million in about 3 weeks).

Finding life lessons in Harry Potter

Finding lessons for life in Harry Potter books by Deborah Netburn LATimes July 24, 2009

“The Hurt Locker” finds new champion

Although they did not mention me as one of The Hurt Locker’s first champions, here is an entry from Patrick Goldstein’s blog at the Los Angeles Times The Hurt Locker’s new champion.

 

War is a drug.

Mark Derwin, star of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” & “Life with Bonnie” and upcoming “Anatomy of Hope” speaks to media literacy course participants

 

 

 

And, if you can believe it, I missed it.

I double booked myself and had committed to giving a “Meeting Jesus at the Movies” presentation with Sr. Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, at St. Kilian’s Parish in Mission Viejo (which was so much fun; what a wonderful, welcoming parish. They have 68 different ministries going on …. this one was for a family faith formation program they have every summer Backyard Theology (including BBQ).

Anyway, Mark came and chatted with the media literacy certificate course participants about being part of the television industry as an actor and as a believer.  The students were still smiling when they arrived for class this morning (and swiftly departed for a tour of Sony Studios down the street….)

Participants in the media literacy certificate course are from Singapore, Rome, Philadelphia, Delaware, Chicago, Texas, and SoCal!

Here is a link to Mark Derwin on IMDB.

More later!

Riffing on the News | National Catholic Reporter

Riffing on the News | National Catholic Reporter

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New Catholic Book Store in Manhattan! Pauline Books & Media, that is. We’ve moved!

Our new Pauline Book & Media Center at 64 West 38th St. b/w 5th and 6th Avenues (closer to 6th, also called Avenue of the Americas). Opening soon!

Sr Carmen Christi, newly back from a year-long course in Pauline studies in Rome (and the new novice director for our province of the Daughters of St. Paul) lends a hand at prepping the fixtures. When you enter the convent there is always some light outdoor - or indoor work - involved!

Sr. Bridget is working so fast at helping to prepare the new center that she's a blur! Sr Bridget is a gifted musician and the director of our Daughters of St. Paul Choir as well as the producer of several of our best-selling CD's. (Check out http://www.pauline.org for info.)

"Pauline" is our brand name and our logo; it refers to the inspiration we take from St. Paul the Apostle, our patron saint. The image surronding the "P" is a globe, the world with an imbedded cross, signifying Paul's journeys throughout the then-known world to preach Jesus as well as a symbol of the presence of the Daughters of St. Paul in 52 countries to communicate the Word of God's love for all people through the media.

Our former locations in Manhattan included E. 43rd and Vanderbilt and then almost 20 years at 150 E. 52nd Street. As we all feel the pinch of these current economic times we have downsized in space but the new Center on W. 38th St. will continue to be a place of encounter with the Word that is Jesus through the media and our chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. 

Pauline Books & Media

64 West 38th St. (b/w 5th and 6th, closer to 6th)

New York, New York 10018

212-754-1110

Manhattan@paulinemedia.com

 

An icon of St. Paul the Apostle by Rublev.