If there is one thing I think should happen more often at Metro Cinema, it’s the playing of cult classics. Yes, Garneau did have a bi-annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but that’s not nearly enough. Hopefully Metro will continue to have regular screenings of beloved films of the past; Saturday night’s screening of The Big Lebowski proves that it’s a great idea.

For one, I’ve never seen the theatre that full before. It was packed full fans. Yes, I realize that the screening was free of charge if one brought a donation for the food bank (another wonderful idea that should continue in the future) but the opportunity to see an already proven, fantastic film on the big screen again is just too exciting to pass up.

I have never loved The Big Lebowski as much as I did last night. The audience cheered at their favorite lines and moments. They applauded and interacted like it was a live show. It was brilliant. I’ve never seen that much excitement in the cinema. I’ve seen audiences react, but not like this.

As for the film itself, there’s not much I can say to add further respect than it has already gained on its own grounds, so I’ll keep the actual review brief. The Big Lebowski follows “The Dude,” played iconically by Jeff Bridges. He is brought into a sequence of hilarious events by confusion surrounding his legal name and its coincidental similarity to that of a much wealthier man. All the characters are so memorable, and each line of dialogue so perfectly executed that it would be near impossible to not adore this black comedy by master filmmakers  Joel and Ethan Coen.

I’m hoping for some more cult classics in the future. Fight Club maybe? Army of Darkness? Just some suggestions, Metro Cinema.

- Eric Tyler Behr