The Big Lebowski...podcast commentary track feature! Fans catch the wave!

My pals at the Big Lebowski podcast site were in touch yesterday to inform me that now - after 4 years of struggling with the idea of installing a "commentary" track - the webmasters have accomplished the feat!

"The Coen Brothers were not big into DVD extras and special features or even commentary featuring tracks with industry insiders such as directors, editors, crew members, cinematographers, whomever," according to Chalupa, one of the developers at the Big Lebowski podcast site.

After scouring the Internet for novel tools to facilitate their end goal, they came away empty-handed.

So, Chalupa, Larry (a local film critic), and Mike (a film podcaster) laid down a commentary track piece-meal, after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears were shed (no doubt).

"We did this all in one take with zero edits, other than to chop a little off the beginning and the end. This is made with the idea you will either synchronize this track with the DVD - or mute your TV while listening - Chapula proudly noted in his e-mail communication to moi!

You can find the track in a few ways:

*Stream it from the episode listing page by clicking on this link:

http://lebowskipodcast.com/episode/episode-51-commentary-track.html

*Download it from the RSS feed and play it off a computer or other device

In the alternative, Chapula and the boys offer up this suggestion:

*Somehow break the DVD encryption & add our lovely voices as a "real" commentary track to your newly created DVD of The Big Lebowski.

They're pretty sure the latter approach is illegal (they joke in jest?).

By the way, the Big Lebowski boys are hoping you'll contribute notes in the way of feedback, etc.

See 'ya at the podcast site, eh?

Blog Post link:

http://lebowskipodcast.com/201105081548/blog/the-big-lebowski-full-length-commentary-track.html

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Julian Ayrs 5 Top Picks...Best Screenwriter! Oscar Race 2010!

If it isn't in the script, it probably won't end up on the silver screen.

And, even if it is - not matter how eloquently or succinctly expressed on the page - it might not either.

Of course, I am referring  to the written word!

If an actor or a director attempts to rewrite 'em - on the set, in their trailer, in the toilet room, wherever  - a lament from the author will undoubtedly ring out crystal clear from the edge of the great abyss - and harshly fall on all ears within earshot.

"Over my dead body!"

Even so, the almighty word is not always written in stone, once the artful turn-of-a-phrase has been rustled up out-of-the-blue.

I adhere to the old addage that words have power.

Words have the ability to - uplift, instill fear, inspire, cause hurt - you name it.

A wordsmith - with the magical gift to touch or utter up thoughts that resonate to the very core of a sentient being - is a rare and wonderful individual.

In the realm of screenwriting, in particular.

In the hands of a lesser talent - dialogue may end up stilted, a plot line inplausible, the ability to move one greatly lacking in emotion or righteous joy- you betcha!

As a former Literature Agent (who represented screenwriters) I can wholeheartedly attest to that fact!

With that in mind, I offer up my five (5) Top Picks for Screenplay for a feature film (Oscar Race 2010).

Here are the nominees not in any particular order:

Aaron Sorkin
The Social Network

David Seidler
The King's Speech

Joel & Ethan Cohen
True Grit

Michael Arndt
Toy Story

Billy Ivory
Made in Dagenham

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Julian Ayrs Top 10 Flicks for 2010...The.Social Network, True Grit, Black Swan!

 



Now that the Oscar ballots have been mailed out to the voting academy, and choices are running swimmingly in the minds of the "show-biz" film wizards, I am inclined to publish my own picks for top ten best pics of the year.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

*The Social Network  
   Jesse Eisenberg (Lead actor)
   David Fincher (Director)
   Aaron Sorkin (Screenplay)

*The Black Swan  
   Natalie Portman (Lead actress)
   Darren Aronofsky (Director)
   Mark Heyman (Screenplay)
  
*Toy Story 3 
   Tim Allen (Lead Actor)
   Lee Unkrich (Director)
   Michael Arndt (Screenplay)
  
*127 Hours
   James Franco (Lead Actor)
   Danny Boye (Director)
   Simon Beaufoy (Screenplay)

*Tangled 
   Mandy Moore (Lead Actress)
   Nathan Greno & Byron Howard (Directors)
   Dan Fogelman (Screenplay)
 
*Made in Dagenham 
   Sally Hawkins (Lead Actress)
   Nigel Cole (Director)
   William Ivory (Screenplay)
 
*The Fighter 
   Mark Wahlberg (Lead Actor)
   David O. Russell (Director)
   Scott Silver & Paul Tamasy (Screenplay)
 
*The King's Speech
   Colin Firth (Lead Actor)
   Tom Hopper (Director)
   David Seidler (Screenplay)

*Somewhere 
   Stephen Dorff (Lead Actor)
   Sofia Coppola (Director)
   Sofia Coppola (Screenplay)

*True Grit
   Jeff Bridges (Lead Actor)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Directors)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

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James Franco in 127 Hours