Posted on 01/23/2005 3:44:28 AM PST by Roscoe Karns
GROUNDHOG DAY [Jonah Goldberg]
I watched it again last night. I may have seen it more times than Bill Murray repeated GHD. It got me thinking. I think it may be one of the best, most intelligent and deeply layered films of the last decade. I won't go out on the rhetorical limb the way Jonathan Last did when he said Buffy the Vampire Slayer "is the best show in the history of television." But I do think there is so much more going in Groundhog Day than most people realize. There's theology, metaphysics, psychology and most of it is remarkably understated and remarkably funny. No one ever mentions anything like Nietzsche's doctrine of the eternal return, or even explains why Murray comes so close to bedding Andie McDowell and then fails over and over again because he can't fake his sincerity. The use of irony in the second snowman scene is brilliant. And, let's face facts, there are few funnier lines in the history of cinema than (I'm quoting from memory): "This is one of those times where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather."
Anyway, just one layman's opinion.
I guess I always liked Murray. and the sarcasm in GHD is what strikes me the most.
MURRAY-"Do you have any hot water?"
BNB HOSTESS-"Oh... No not on Tuesdays"
I just see that as funny I guess.
I kept saying to the screen -- Don't ruin this. Don't ruin this.
And they didn't. It's a masterpiece in every one of the ways the original post describes.
Once in a while some other new movie knocks GHD, out of #1 for a week or so, [LOTR, Joe Vs. The Volcano} but every time the polish wears off, and Ground Hog Day is back on top again.
"Don't drive on the Railroad tracks"
"anyone for flapjacks?"
LOL, that was one of my parents favorite places to visit during the Nevada summers. They used to live in Boulder City.
That plus watching Bill Murray punch Ned "Needlenose" Ryerson in the head.
Bill Murray is a very funny guy.
Only when he's not being series.
"Too early for flapjacks?"
Watch out for that slush puddle!
One of my favorites along with Ground hog day.
BUFFY was a good show, but 24 is definitely the greatest ever. The latest season about Arab terrorists is absolutely riveting.
It's not just that GHD is one the best movies ever made, it's that Bill M. is one of the best comic actors of this generation. That said, I've been told that, in the new Wes Anderson film, Bill is apperantly just as brilliant as he was when he played Peter Vinkman (he's best role). And, if anyone doesn't know who Pete Vinkman is, well, then you don't know Bill M. as well as you should.
Cold Comfort Farm is definitely in my top 5 movie list, and on my top 5 book list.
AAAAAAAGH! Someone else out there loves "Local Hero!" (I bet you have a pet rabbit named Trudy).
Aside from that, I also consider GD sublime, although it suffers from Andie McDowell, who is both odd looking and can't act (she had a similar wet blanket effect in "Four Weddings and Funderal")
I don't know why but every time I change the channel and see Groundhog Day on I stop and watch it. It is funny and in the end makes you feel good I guess.
Too bad Murray wasn't cast in more good movies. He really is a great actor.
oh i need to see the new one then. i had been meaning too, bc i adore bill murray and oh yes i love Vinkman!
Venkman sucks too.
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