Lebowski, bowling go hand in hand

The Big Lebowski has arrived, and with it the unmistakable urge to grease back my hair, open my shirt, slip on the funk that is bowling shoes and strive for that turkey under the guise of blacklight at Cosmic Bowling.

Joel and Ethan Coen's follow-up to their Academy Award-Winning Fargo hit local theaters this week to the delight of Coen Brothers enthusiasts, as well as anyone who can stand to laugh for two consecutive hours.

The Big Lebowski is a typical, satirical, Coen commentary on '90s life in Southern California. Jeff Bridges stars as "the Dude," also known as Jeff Lebowski, a name he shares with a Pasadena millionaire, who is referred to as The Big Lebowski. A case of mistaken identity ensues, thrusting our hero into a whirlwind of extortion, murder and mayhem, undeniably overwhelming for a man whose largest crisis to date is the loss of Creedence Clearwater Revival or a lack of rolling papers. At the start of the film, we are introduced to "the Dude" through a scratchy voice-over by "the Stranger" (Sam Elliot), who later surfaces to guide our hero in his quest. "The Dude" is, dare I use the word, aided in his cause by his bowling buddies, Walter Sobchak, portrayed eloquently by Coen favorite John Goodman, an intensely paranoid Vietnam Veteran turned security salesman with a penchant for Jewish holidays, and Donny (Steve Buschemi), an ex-surfer whose only redeeming quality is his ability to "throw rocks" at the lanes.

Opposition at the alley appears in the jumpsuit encased form of Jesus Quintana (John Turturro), whose repertoire in addition to bowling includes trash-talking and suggestive victory-dancing, not to mention the label, "child sex offender."

The Coen Brothers make light of the film noir genre, characterized by Raymond Chandler classics such as the '50s' The Big Sleep and Murder, My Sweet, and The Long Goodbye, which Robert Altman tackled in the early '70s.

However, in the '90s, calm, cool detective Philip Marlowe is replaced by "the Dude," who solves the case with monumental poise, attributed to a steady flow of White Russians, and Marley-sized spliff's. Much like Chandler fiction, "the Dude" crosses paths with a number of zany characters from numerous social classes, creating a distinct clash of culture and an abundance of laughs.

One of the more fascinating characters is The Big Lebowski's estranged daughter Maude (Julianne Moore), an artist and striking stage performer with an unusual outlook on the art of conception.

Another interesting insert arrives in the form of a band of German Nihilists, led by Uli, played by Peter Stormare, who might be recognized for his role as the chain-smoking kidnapper in Fargo. The group is rounded out by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who is building an impressive cinematic portfolio with this and his dynamic debut in everyone's favorite Charlie Sheen vehicle, The Chase.

The cast is completed by a cameo by internationally acclaimed mustache, Saddam Hussein (I'm not sure if it was actually Iraq's trustworthy dictator, and Saddam hasn't returned my calls, so you be the judge).

All in all, The Big Lebowski is classic Coen. A tale laden with mystery drowned by comedy, that characterizes Los Angeles in much the same manner that Fargo does the Midwest. Unaware of their intent, I left the theater with a yearning to bowl unparalleled since the last time my eyes graced Freddie "Twinkle-toes" Flinstone knock'em down at the Bedrock Bowl.

This yearning led me to a single destination, Western Plaza to gawk at the wonder that is Cosmic Bowling, a psychedelic wonderland of blacklights, disco balls, rednecks and an especially terrifying mix of '80s Hair Metal and '90s house-cheese. In short, a circus that would leave Grandpa and his entire "Strikers" team, in a distant coma.

Cosmic bowling occurs every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is truly a time to remember (if you still can). A highlight of the Western Plaza Bowling Lanes is the addition of a technologically-advanced electronic scorekeeper, which eliminates the seemingly inevitable bowling-alley brawl which generally follows the slight mathematical error arriving as Budweiser attempts to take-over the bloodstream.

Additionally, the Lanes offers a wide selection of deep-fried fun, and an equally-ample array of domestic beer at the snack bar. So in time, you to can look like the average bowler.