One has to wonder what Jeff Lebowski would think of Lebowski Fest . We're not talking about the Jeff who inspired the character (Dowd) or the Jeff who played the role (Bridges); both have appeared at the fests. But the actual fictional Jeff Lebowski, the onscreen embodiment of the word “slouch” who endures beatings, endangers his member and takes direction from an affected Vietnam vet on a quest to simply get back his beloved rug. He'd likely require a couple white Russians to make it through the Thursday screening; the film records a tumultuous–the tumultuous?–period in his life, and he's likely put quite a few jibbers between now and those anxious days. But he'd settle down the next night at the bowling party, his mind eased by the percussive soundtrack of balls hitting pins. He'd probably rather bowl than carouse with the legion of costumed enthusiasts who will be there, reciting lines and debating arcana the way only Big Lebowski cultists can. So if you see him at a lane off to the side, it'd be best to just let the man roll. Screening, preceded by Yuto Miyazawa: the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Thurs., May 7, 7 p.m.; $20. Bowling party: Cal Bowl, 2500 Carson St., Lakewood; Fri., May 8, 9 p.m.; $27.50. lebowskifest.com.

Fri., May 8, 7 p.m., 2009

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