Now I'm going to take a look at the first round of the Brooks Bracket, and first up: The Big Lebowski vs The Producers.
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The Coen Brothers' biggest cult hit stars a long list of high rollers. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and Julianna Moore are just the top of this iceberg of awesomeness.
Why should it move on?: Have you ever met someone who hated this movie? Cry for them if you have, because they are both rare, and sadly closed minded. You can; not like, not enjoy, or even don't care for it. But not hate.
It is such a cult classic, it could be the front-runner to win the whole tournament. It'll be interesting to see where it lands.
Why not?: The movie is all over the place. Starts slow, builds, then goes out of control, then slows again to a stop. Never was a sequel, and I still feel there should had been one.
DYK: This is a movie with a bowling theme, but you never see the main characters bowl. The Dude never throws a lane expect in a dream.
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Going up against "The Big Lebowski" is "The Producers", Mel Brook's first directing job, and Oscar winning screenplay.
Why should it move on?: Not many movies become a smash Broadway play (normally it's the play that becomes a movie). The Producers is such a classic story, it almost makes me wonder if anyone had tried this scam before. It gave Zero Mostel a second chance after getting blacklisted by Hollywood. It also was the first staring role for Gene Wilder which he earned a nomination for best supporting actor.
Why Not?: The movie is terribly dated with 1968 references. After the Broadway Musical broken award records, the film was remade with actors from the play, and with new scenes.
DYK: Brooks wanted to title the movie "Springtime for Hitler" after one of the songs. The studio said no, but the name stuck when it played in Sweden.
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So which moves on? Will The Dude have another White Russian, or is it really Springtime for Hitler?
Leave a comment below for a vote, and don't forget to fill out an entire bracket to win prizes, then tell me to Achtung, Baby!
I must admit, I haven't seen the Producers. Certain Mel Brooks' movies can get on my nerves and this strikes me as one of them. The Big Lebowski skirts that dangerous area where movies stress me out more than make me laugh, but the characters clench it. The Dude Abides.
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