Loved Lost in Translation. Its a "mood" piece that is very compelling. Probably the best directing performance of the year (Sofia Coppola) as well as the best acting performance (Bill Murray). Clearly not for those whose primary genre is action.
Took the kids to see Miracle and it brought back some great memories. I won't say I loved it because it was a little long, but well worth the trip.
Posts: 1471 | Location: Rose Bowl | Registered: Nov 24, 2001
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, tomtom. I'm looking foprward to seeing it. I love almost all of Bill Murray's work. "Groundhog Day" is one of my all-time favorite movies.
Just one more sip.
Posts: 24997 | Location: NY | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
A Second for Lost in Translation. It is the most charming movie I've seen this year. However... the Oscar race for Best Actor just got really interesting since Johnny Depp won the Sag for Pirates of the Carribean. If you haven't seen it, it really is as fun as the Disney original, only much more adult.
Cold Mountain. Renee Z. was amazing. It's a movie for literature buffs because it has so much symbolism.
I have seen Chicago at least 30 times (loved Kazaa) and will watch it another at least another 30 times. It is the most absolutely perfectly edited film ever made IMH. Forget musicals -- it is a HOT movie!
Then there's the whole Lord of the Rings thing. OK, I've read the book several times, seen the movies many times, and they both get better each time. It's one (or 3) of those movies that captures the essence of the book so completely that I wish the author were alive to comment on it.
Posts: 235 | Location: Austin, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 23, 2003
love "Groundhog Day" ... and "The Road To Wellville" one of the worst movies ever made according to critics "Merci Pour Chocolate" with Isabelle Hupert and Jacques Dutronc was the last good movie i saw, but i will watch anything with Hupert in it. "Johnny Stecchino" and "Il Mostro" with Begnini are my favorite uppers. "Bladerunner" is one of the favorites; style, romanticism and despair...i don't even mind Harrison Ford. "Wings Of Desire" by Wenders.
too bad american film making is lost at the moment
Free Martha!
Posts: 6979 | Location: ]0^0[ | Registered: Aug 21, 2002
It's tough to give best actor for a film like Pirates of the Carribean. I have to go with Bill Murray as a sentimental favorite, not to mention the best performance. Although I will admit the Johnny Depp may be one of the top five actors working today.
Board-O, let us know how you like Lost in Translation.
Posts: 1471 | Location: Rose Bowl | Registered: Nov 24, 2001
Well...needless to say, I had to take some time gathering my thoughts after seeing this movie tonight. Please forgive me if I ramble or don't make sense. I want to place a disclaimer on this review. For those of you that don't know, I am a Christian and work full-time for a church.
The theatre was filled with members and invited guests of our church this evening. We bought out an entire showing at 7:00pm. There was not an empty seat in the house. I thought it particularly interesting that the previews were all family-oriented films.
It is difficult to put into words exactly what I witnessed on screen tonight. As a Christian, I was moved beyond belief at the images that Mel Gibson produced in this film. The movie transitions beautifully between real time events (for example: Jesus on the cross) and flashbacks of past events (to: Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper as he says "This bread is my body, given for you: this cup is my blood, shed for you.") It brings to the forefront of your mind exactly what you should remember as these events take place. I, personally, will never look at communion the same way again.
I do not believe that this film promotes or fosters anti-Semitism in any way, shape or form. As a Christian, I do NOT hold the Jews accountable for the death of Jesus and this film did not change that belief. This film actually does the complete opposite of what the main stream media is presenting to the general public. What no one out there is saying loud and clear is this: for Christianity to work, Jesus had to give HIMSELF to be sacrificed. Therefore, no one person or group of people is responsible for "killing" Jesus. He died because he HAD to die. His death is our salvation. If he hadn't died and risen again, there would be no Christianity and no reason for this film. So in truth, we as Christians, killed Jesus. Not the Jews and not the Romans. The Romans were simply the tool that did the actual crucifixion.
As for the "blood and gore" that everyone is talking about...here is my take on it. It was, to me, a little too much in certain places. BUT I also believe it was necessary to stir in those watching an emotional and spiritual response, which I believe it did very well. This is the first film to date that, IMHO, has accurately portrayed the scourging and crucifixion in such detail. Read the history books. And I don't mean the Bible. The Romans were known for their utter brutality.
To me, this film is one man's interpretation of what the Scriptures tell us what happened to Jesus. Is it 100% accurate? I don't know. Probably not. But I will say this: I feel in my heart of hearts it was pretty darn close.
Would I recommend this movie to everyone? No. That is a personal choice each person will have make on their own. It is graphic. The scenes of Jesus being whipped with a cane and then getting his flesh ripped open with a cat-of-nine-tails is gruesome and not for the weak stomached.
This movie sets out to place questions in the minds of those who do not know who Jesus is or what he suffered and died for. Those questions will need to be answered. That's what the church is there for.
My biggest disappointment about this film is that the resurrection was not a little longer.
As for me, I go to the movies because my wife enjoys it so much. I do enjoy the movies we see usually, though I wouldn't dare try to do a review other than to say I either enjoyed it or I didn't. On the other hand my wife said she would like doing reviews and we are going to see the The Passion of the Christ today and I'll see if I can get her to put in her 2 cents. Whether you like the review she does or not I can assure you that she'll tell you exactly what she thinks and would never plagiarize or put her name on someone elses review!
Brent,
Nice write-up/review of the movie, I really enjoyed reading it!
We own and watch; What About Bob, Stripes, and Caddyshack each 2-4 times year but I won't be buying Lost In Translation. For me, Bill Murray was too subdued , and the relationship with Johansson was completely inplausible. I wanted to love this movie but couldn't. Sorry, a big yawn for me. This will be one of those movies where a great artist like Murray gets his due for one of his least memorable performances.
Here is our current top ten movies we own... 1. Hopscotch - Action Commedy w/Waler Matthau & Glenda Jackson. Most overlooked movie ever. 2. A Few Good Men 3. Saving Private Ryan 4. Cast Away - Tom Hanks 5. Romancing The Stone Michael Douglas & Cathern Turner 6. Shindler's List 7. The Last Crusade Indiana Jones 8. The Fugitive 9. Dead Poets Society 10.The Bourne Idenity - Version 2
All of these movies are either extremely entertaining or moving IMHO.
one of the worst movies ever made according to critics 
