The cover artwork for the Collector’s Edition DVD release of The Big Lebowski has been released. Beautiful I’m sure you’ll agree.

To be filed in the “about time” category- Universal have finally, officially revealed the specifications of the forthcoming The Big Lebowski Collector’s Edition DVD and the artwork for the “Achiever’s Edition” box set. The DVD will comprise; English and French DD5.1 soundtracks; Spanish DD2.0 Stereo track; English, French and Spanish subtitles; a Coen scripted introduction by Mortimer Young (played by George Ives who did the same thing on the Blood Simple Director’s Cut DVD); a selection of Jeff Bridges’ on set photography; a “making of” documentary and production notes. As we know the Achiever’s Edition will contain the self same disc plus some of Briges’ photos on card, a Lebowski bolwing ball shammy/chamois and some character related drinks coasters. Whether you feel these gimmicky things are worth twice the price is up to you. Click HERE to see the artwork for the Achiever’s Edition- it’s pretty damn lovely!!!

Anyone reading this on a Mac might be interested to know that an artist by the name of Aurélien Le Roux has created sytlised icons of movie directors in what he calls his Masters of Cinema series. Part 4 of said series contains the Coen brothers. I don’t have a Mac so I can’t use them but for those who can follow the link on the right. If, like me you have only a PC here’s the Coen icon…

Thanks to “finishdish” for the nod – InterfaceLIFT

Blood Simple has been named the 15th Greatest Independent Movie of All Time in Empire Online’s list of 50. They had this to say about it…. “The Coen Brothers launched themselves upon an unsuspecting world with this noir throwback in 1984, and they haven’t looked back. But all their subsequent success – and many of their trademark flourishes – can be dated back to this Texas-set tale of private eyes, murder most foul and more double (triple, and quadruple) crosses than you can count. The style is present and correct in the almost black-and-white locations and bright red blood, but it’s the tone that stands out. Like Fargo without the warmth of Marge Gunderson, or Miller’s Crossing without the qualms of conscience, Blood Simple is the darkest, and arguably up there with the best, of the Coens’ films.”

A couple of menu screens from the forthcoming The Big Lebowski Collector’s Edition DVD (out R1 on 18th October). You can see them by clicking here and here. They’re pretty unimaginative if you ask me.

As Bunnie mentioned on the forums the LA performance of Theater of the New Ear will NOT include the Coen brother’s “Sawbones”. This is confirmed by Carter Burwell’s website, The Body. It is being replaced by an act by Francis Fregolli. No reason is given, I can only assume that one or more of the actors have a schedule snafu.

Sirius radio’s website now has a complete list of broadcast times and dates for Theater of the New Ear. It is to be broadcast six times in total during the first weekend of Septemeber. For more details follow the link…

Sirius radio

I was just checking to see if biglebowskidvd.com was active yet and it still is not, but further exploration has throw up the release of a R1 Coen Brother’s Collection boxset, due out on 18th October. It has VERY similar artwork to the R2 release but completely different movies!!! In it will be the new special edition Big Lebowski, Blood Simple Director’s Cut, Intolerable Crualty and The Man Who Wasn’t There. A strange mix to be sure. RRP is set ar $39.98.ar $39.98.

While we wait for Joel and Ethan to officially announce what it is they’re working on next and, since it’s a slow news period I thought I’d post up the script for the Coen produced and script-doctored Bad Santa. Why not? If any of you are yet to see this movie, I highly recommend it- it’s really very funny indeed. Click the link below to launch the script.

Bad Santa script

It’s quite possibly the most ridiculous piece of movie related merchandise ever produced- the FARGO RUG!!! That’s right, a Fargo themed rug. It looks like a snow bank has been blown against your wall. It’s so unpractical. It’s the frist in a series of movie themed products. It’s rubbish! It definitely does NOT tie the room together! Check it out for yourself- link on the right. Dubious thanks to “finishdish” for pointing this bizarre item out to me.