I used to be into some awkward shit during my Junior High and High School years.  Not much has changed.  I would unsuccessfully try  to pull off such things as Coen Bros. film festivals at my house, pre Fargo.  They didn’t go over too well; nobody else was down to sit through films like Blood Simple or Miller’s Crossing for too long.  When The Big Lebowski was released, I went with my friend Crackbaby to see it in the theater.  I really enjoyed it, but it took a while to fully grow on me.  Eventually, it reached the point where I absolutely loved it.  Based on my prior experiences with an extreme lack of interest from all around me, I never had any reason to believe that the rest of the world gave a shit about this film at all.  Overtime, it’s become strikingly obvious that the Coen‘s film, which garnered relatively low box office numbers, had slowly gained its own cult film status with a sizable fanbase.

In 2002, two men by the name of Scott and Will realized that they could exploit the popularity of the film and formed a convention-like festival.  Since it’s creation, the festival has grown and grown each year.  Publications like Maxim, Spin, and even the Wall Street Journal have praised Lebowski Fest, rating it as a must attend event.  By this year, it has already become a nationally touring force across the continental US, with a two-day stop in each of the towns that it hits.  The first day is lightly performance based and includes a viewing of the movie, while the second day involves bowling and a costume competition.  “Exploit” may not have been the best word for me to use, considering that the creators are legitimate fans.  Then again, it may just be the perfect terminology to employ; this festival is not cheap.  I was brought out  to Lebowski Fest this year by two things.  The first reason was the fact that I actually won a pair of passes to it, so it was free.  The second, and possibly more important reason, was that Har Mar Superstar was scheduled to perform. Read the rest of this entry →