Why do people talk in movies? I went through all 73 comments and I was surprised nobody brought up culture. In India, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philipines cinema is more of an interactive and participatory experience. Moviegoers may discuss the film, react to humorous or suspenseful moments, or even offer commentary. That being said, quoting every line or ruining the punchlines must piss people off from all cultures. I’m not sure though.
I wish I could be a Dudeist but I have Misophonia, at least that’s what the doctors call it. Colloquially, it’s ‘irritable asshole’ (not the itchy kind). To be honest, I haven’t worked on it hard enough. Probably because working from home allows me to only be irritated by those I love, and I’m comfortable enough around to say, “Stop biting your fork, stop slurping your tea, stop chewing with your mouth open, stop yawing, stop snoring, stop—” I’m pretty much asking people I love to stop breathing and eating, which I hear never ends well. I’m not in a financial position to talk to psychologists, so if anyone’s in the same boat, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.
N E V E R talk while I'm watching a movie! You don't know how to insert appropriate comments at totally the right time, and anyway shut the fuck up and WATCH AND EAT AND BREATHE AND FEEL THE FUCKING MOVIE! Don't talk to me! I'm not here. I'M IN THE MOVIE!
1. Not even a little. It’s my weakness. The flow and I are at war. I stomp against the flow like I’m building a medieval dam. I swim against the flow like a fish looking for love. The flow and I shall never know peace.
2. Something about a snake and an apple. I never got the whole story.
3. I’m usually occupied inhaling my weight in diet coke. I tell myself caffeine burns a few calories, and slowly turn into a ray of light. Hopefully worth the future tumor.
4. Honestly? Mine the situation for humor. You are walking the Golden Path.
1. Not really. I have rolled on shabbos, coincidentally.
2. People talking in movie theaters is only acceptable when they are addressing the screen (as in the Black neighborhood theaters of my youth) or addressing the entire audience (as in a Rocky Horror screening). Otherwise, it is only acceptable to say “shut up” to the person talking.
Flea made a great nihilist, even if the nihilist in The Big Lebowski weren't exactly first-rate nihilists. He also made a great nazi surf bro in Point Break.
Second-rate (or lower) nihilists are the best kind of nihilist! Ah, Point Break - Kiedis was in that too, I’m thinking? Great Swayze pic - though it’s no Road House. Buddhist bouncer who can rip your throat out? 🤪 Awesome personified. It was on the BBC a couple of months ago... a late night film I was happy to be less than focused for the next morning!
I didn't think anyone understood my level of Dudehood until this very moment, Michael. Well done. And good on you and everybody else for not throttling that guy. But also I kinda get that guy because I kinda am that guy, though I'd hope I wouldn't behave that way out in public. Anyway, well done and In Dude We Trust.
My partner could quote every word of Lebowski while watching it, but WOULDN'T - because he's not an asshole. He makes me cocktails, I mean beverages, on the regular and has many Leboweski t-shirts. Also, I think variety in sex is important, so you alternating between telling us to get fucked or to NOT get fucked is just a way to keep the spice alive.
Haha, glad to deliver! Been stuck at home with both kids solo the last few days, including one day at home with my son out sick. But all good.
It's a monster bummer when you get a chance to see these classic films in the theater and somebody blows it. Like, when I saw Predator in January, it was just pitch perfect. But a few weeks ago I saw The Thing, and people definitely didn't understand that it isn't a fun movie, to be laughed along to. That hurt some of the opening tension. Plus, there was this dude next to me who was violently crowding my space. Ultimately, I chalked it to up to aloofness rather than malice and just let it go. But it hindered the vibe, Dude.
Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about why I go to the movies after two years of not being able to go at all. I think there's something to the energy of the crowded theater. Like when it's working, we're all on the same emotional page, and that's so cool and powerful and fun. But sometimes everything goes to shit, and you just gotta say, fuck it, dude, let's go bowling.
I legit only saw one movie in the theater from 2019 through 2022, so this year I wanted to get back into "the cinema" in a big way. I've already seen about six movies this year, including some all-time greats. I've personally found that matinees, by myself, are my favorite viewing experience. It's mostly old people, and mostly people who came by themselves, which leaves plenty of seating space. Everyone's quiet and, if you're in the dang theater at 1PM, you must really take movies seriously.
BTW, I don't think I've seen Lebowski in over a decade. The quotes are all muscle memory, so I gotta reacquaint myself El Duderino.
This person was clearly crazy, and it is very hard to manage crazy, because it is crazy.
I wonder if Lebowski would have annoyed by it, or just enjoyed it as another layer of the evening? The latter would make you a saint but the Lebowski really is sort of a saint, yes?
Lebowski is no saint. He's not even a hero, because what's a hero? He's a man for his time and place.
Sorry. That's a reference to the film, which it occurs to me, you might not have seen. Basically, The Dude is a stoner / slacker version of the Chandler detective. Here's how Chandler described that kind of protagonist.
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor—by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world."
The Dude is that sort of man, but for a different time. And unlike the classic noir detective, the slacker detective is a kind of anti-hero insofar as they seek to escape the adventure. That is, they try not to get involved, or solve the mystery, or do anything of that sort. But involved, they become.
Also, The Dude is a construction of the Coen Bros, who based the character on a real person named Jeff Dowd, who is a film producer, and if press reports are accurate, a real character in his own right.
Two things. How much shared space is there in the Venn diagram of Dudeism and Stoicism? Also, that talkative audience dude reminds me of a recent incident at a Broadway performance of Bodyguard where two audience members loudly sang with the actor's performance of "I Will Always Love You." It was so awful that the show was stopped and police were called to escort the singing audience members out of the theatre.
There's probably a lot of overlap between Dudeism and Stoicism. Of course, Dudeists are newer and they have less of philosophical foundation, so where the Stoics are rather rigid in their beliefs, Dudeists are more flexible and promiscuous in terms of philosophies they add to the mix.
As for the Broadway sing-along, wow! That sounds awful. Reminds me of seeing The Producers years ago. Someone's phone rang. Nathan Lane took it in stride, told them to answer it. They said they didn't want to interrupt the show, or something like that, Nathan Lane said something clever like, "Nooooo, we wouldn't want to do that!" He brought the house down and the guy with the phone got the message.
1. I try my darndest to abide. It seems that The Dude and Winnie the Pooh have a lot in common. (There's a post in there somewhere. Do with that information what you will.)
2. I luckily don't have too much experience with movie-theatre talkers, but, having worked extensively supporting people with mental disabilities, I have a feeling your human paraquat may have autism.
3. I've never been an avid talker during movies, but I did leap out of my chair screaming "Get out of there!" while watching Pan's Labyrinth in the theatre. I hope my co-watchers forgave me.
4. Abide, brother. Abide. Mutter, "Oh, bother," to yourself and abide.
Your point about The Dude and Winnie the Pooh is well taken. Both characters have actually inspired Taoist books. The Tao of the Dude: Awesome Insights of Deep Dudes from Lao Tzu to Lebowski. The Tao of Pooh & The Te of Piglet. There's a post in there for sure, maybe even a book!
You're the second person to suggest to suggest that the man in this story may have been autistic. I'm certainly open to that possibility, but one thing I didn't mention is that my friends and I talked about it a lot after the show and nobody came to that conclusion. We're not experts and obviously you can't diagnose autism by watching a movie with someone (heck, I couldn't even do it in a proper clinical setting because I'm not a doctor), but we're all pretty sensitive worldly people and we just didn't get that feeling. Maybe I'm wrong about that. I hope so. Because if I'm wrong, this story is really about my favorite movie touching someone in a very special way. That's a beautiful thing!
That's my feeling too! Real fandom, especially for The Big Lebowski, isn't measured by the number of lines you know, it's a vibe, a way of being in this world.
I know this guy. He turned down the role of Donny and was the happiest man in town when the movie flopped. When it went cult classic, he lost it. He's been doing this for years now.
Why do people talk in movies? I went through all 73 comments and I was surprised nobody brought up culture. In India, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philipines cinema is more of an interactive and participatory experience. Moviegoers may discuss the film, react to humorous or suspenseful moments, or even offer commentary. That being said, quoting every line or ruining the punchlines must piss people off from all cultures. I’m not sure though.
I wish I could be a Dudeist but I have Misophonia, at least that’s what the doctors call it. Colloquially, it’s ‘irritable asshole’ (not the itchy kind). To be honest, I haven’t worked on it hard enough. Probably because working from home allows me to only be irritated by those I love, and I’m comfortable enough around to say, “Stop biting your fork, stop slurping your tea, stop chewing with your mouth open, stop yawing, stop snoring, stop—” I’m pretty much asking people I love to stop breathing and eating, which I hear never ends well. I’m not in a financial position to talk to psychologists, so if anyone’s in the same boat, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.
N E V E R talk while I'm watching a movie! You don't know how to insert appropriate comments at totally the right time, and anyway shut the fuck up and WATCH AND EAT AND BREATHE AND FEEL THE FUCKING MOVIE! Don't talk to me! I'm not here. I'M IN THE MOVIE!
1. Not even a little. It’s my weakness. The flow and I are at war. I stomp against the flow like I’m building a medieval dam. I swim against the flow like a fish looking for love. The flow and I shall never know peace.
2. Something about a snake and an apple. I never got the whole story.
3. I’m usually occupied inhaling my weight in diet coke. I tell myself caffeine burns a few calories, and slowly turn into a ray of light. Hopefully worth the future tumor.
4. Honestly? Mine the situation for humor. You are walking the Golden Path.
1. Not really. I have rolled on shabbos, coincidentally.
2. People talking in movie theaters is only acceptable when they are addressing the screen (as in the Black neighborhood theaters of my youth) or addressing the entire audience (as in a Rocky Horror screening). Otherwise, it is only acceptable to say “shut up” to the person talking.
Awesome awesome awesome!!!
One of my favourite movies - even recommended it a couple of weeks ago in my Nihilism issue! Flea and Aimee Mann's best roles together!
Flea made a great nihilist, even if the nihilist in The Big Lebowski weren't exactly first-rate nihilists. He also made a great nazi surf bro in Point Break.
Second-rate (or lower) nihilists are the best kind of nihilist! Ah, Point Break - Kiedis was in that too, I’m thinking? Great Swayze pic - though it’s no Road House. Buddhist bouncer who can rip your throat out? 🤪 Awesome personified. It was on the BBC a couple of months ago... a late night film I was happy to be less than focused for the next morning!
A real Buzz Killington, if you ask me.
I didn't think anyone understood my level of Dudehood until this very moment, Michael. Well done. And good on you and everybody else for not throttling that guy. But also I kinda get that guy because I kinda am that guy, though I'd hope I wouldn't behave that way out in public. Anyway, well done and In Dude We Trust.
Thank you, Nicci! I'm so glad this one spoke to you!
My partner could quote every word of Lebowski while watching it, but WOULDN'T - because he's not an asshole. He makes me cocktails, I mean beverages, on the regular and has many Leboweski t-shirts. Also, I think variety in sex is important, so you alternating between telling us to get fucked or to NOT get fucked is just a way to keep the spice alive.
But do you have to use so many cuss words?
Cursing? What the fuck are you talking about? Just kidding! Amazing comment, Medha!
I am not a Lebowski. I have never been cool or especially chill. But I do enjoy a good bathrobe!
I think you are cool, but you're just downplaying it, which is exactly what a cool guy like you would do.
😎 ???
There really needs to be a bath robe emoji
Definitely more of a Sobchak. But that's the beauty of it all, Dude. The universe needs us, Dude, to stay in balance.
I've been waiting all day for you to comment on this one! Perfectly done!
Haha, glad to deliver! Been stuck at home with both kids solo the last few days, including one day at home with my son out sick. But all good.
It's a monster bummer when you get a chance to see these classic films in the theater and somebody blows it. Like, when I saw Predator in January, it was just pitch perfect. But a few weeks ago I saw The Thing, and people definitely didn't understand that it isn't a fun movie, to be laughed along to. That hurt some of the opening tension. Plus, there was this dude next to me who was violently crowding my space. Ultimately, I chalked it to up to aloofness rather than malice and just let it go. But it hindered the vibe, Dude.
Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about why I go to the movies after two years of not being able to go at all. I think there's something to the energy of the crowded theater. Like when it's working, we're all on the same emotional page, and that's so cool and powerful and fun. But sometimes everything goes to shit, and you just gotta say, fuck it, dude, let's go bowling.
I legit only saw one movie in the theater from 2019 through 2022, so this year I wanted to get back into "the cinema" in a big way. I've already seen about six movies this year, including some all-time greats. I've personally found that matinees, by myself, are my favorite viewing experience. It's mostly old people, and mostly people who came by themselves, which leaves plenty of seating space. Everyone's quiet and, if you're in the dang theater at 1PM, you must really take movies seriously.
BTW, I don't think I've seen Lebowski in over a decade. The quotes are all muscle memory, so I gotta reacquaint myself El Duderino.
This person was clearly crazy, and it is very hard to manage crazy, because it is crazy.
I wonder if Lebowski would have annoyed by it, or just enjoyed it as another layer of the evening? The latter would make you a saint but the Lebowski really is sort of a saint, yes?
Lebowski is no saint. He's not even a hero, because what's a hero? He's a man for his time and place.
Sorry. That's a reference to the film, which it occurs to me, you might not have seen. Basically, The Dude is a stoner / slacker version of the Chandler detective. Here's how Chandler described that kind of protagonist.
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor—by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world."
The Dude is that sort of man, but for a different time. And unlike the classic noir detective, the slacker detective is a kind of anti-hero insofar as they seek to escape the adventure. That is, they try not to get involved, or solve the mystery, or do anything of that sort. But involved, they become.
Also, The Dude is a construction of the Coen Bros, who based the character on a real person named Jeff Dowd, who is a film producer, and if press reports are accurate, a real character in his own right.
The Dude stands up to aggression, so I think he would have said something.
that's a good point! this aggression will not stand. clearly, my thinking about this case had become very uptight.
Two things. How much shared space is there in the Venn diagram of Dudeism and Stoicism? Also, that talkative audience dude reminds me of a recent incident at a Broadway performance of Bodyguard where two audience members loudly sang with the actor's performance of "I Will Always Love You." It was so awful that the show was stopped and police were called to escort the singing audience members out of the theatre.
There's probably a lot of overlap between Dudeism and Stoicism. Of course, Dudeists are newer and they have less of philosophical foundation, so where the Stoics are rather rigid in their beliefs, Dudeists are more flexible and promiscuous in terms of philosophies they add to the mix.
As for the Broadway sing-along, wow! That sounds awful. Reminds me of seeing The Producers years ago. Someone's phone rang. Nathan Lane took it in stride, told them to answer it. They said they didn't want to interrupt the show, or something like that, Nathan Lane said something clever like, "Nooooo, we wouldn't want to do that!" He brought the house down and the guy with the phone got the message.
1. I try my darndest to abide. It seems that The Dude and Winnie the Pooh have a lot in common. (There's a post in there somewhere. Do with that information what you will.)
2. I luckily don't have too much experience with movie-theatre talkers, but, having worked extensively supporting people with mental disabilities, I have a feeling your human paraquat may have autism.
3. I've never been an avid talker during movies, but I did leap out of my chair screaming "Get out of there!" while watching Pan's Labyrinth in the theatre. I hope my co-watchers forgave me.
4. Abide, brother. Abide. Mutter, "Oh, bother," to yourself and abide.
Your point about The Dude and Winnie the Pooh is well taken. Both characters have actually inspired Taoist books. The Tao of the Dude: Awesome Insights of Deep Dudes from Lao Tzu to Lebowski. The Tao of Pooh & The Te of Piglet. There's a post in there for sure, maybe even a book!
You're the second person to suggest to suggest that the man in this story may have been autistic. I'm certainly open to that possibility, but one thing I didn't mention is that my friends and I talked about it a lot after the show and nobody came to that conclusion. We're not experts and obviously you can't diagnose autism by watching a movie with someone (heck, I couldn't even do it in a proper clinical setting because I'm not a doctor), but we're all pretty sensitive worldly people and we just didn't get that feeling. Maybe I'm wrong about that. I hope so. Because if I'm wrong, this story is really about my favorite movie touching someone in a very special way. That's a beautiful thing!
The movie talker was obviously not a real fan. A real fan of the dude would know better.
That's my feeling too! Real fandom, especially for The Big Lebowski, isn't measured by the number of lines you know, it's a vibe, a way of being in this world.
I know this guy. He turned down the role of Donny and was the happiest man in town when the movie flopped. When it went cult classic, he lost it. He's been doing this for years now.
Haha! Great answer! And honestly, it would've been amazing if someone had yelled "SHUT THE FUCK UP, DONNY!"