Ghostbusters 1984 Ghostbusters II 1989 Both directed by Ivan Reitman. Supernatural comedy. While investigating the paranormal, scientists Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), encounter a manifestation at The New York Public Library. As more and more occur in the city, they set up Ghostbusters to track, capture and eliminate infestation.
Cellist Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) calls when she’s beset by a demon-like dog creature. Later, she and neighbor, Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), are both possessed, respectively declaring themselves Gatekeeper and Vinz Clortho, the Keymaster. There’s a portal on the building’s roof. Messy battles ensue before the Gates are closed. Peter and Dana get together. Effects are fun. Remember the giant Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man?
In II, five years later, all the Ghostbusters have other occupations. When now-divorced Dana’s baby carriage rolls rapidly away of its own accord, she calls Peter for help. Meanwhile, a painting of Vigo the Carpathian, 16th century tyrant and magician, comes to life at the museum where she works. The demon enslaves her boss, Janosz Poha (Peter MacNichol). MacNichol’s performance is worth the price of admission. Vigo intends to sacrifice the baby and possess Dana. City sewers are filling with slime as forces of evil mount an attack.
Roger Ebert gave the first film three-and-a-half stars out of four, citing it as a rare example of successfully combining a special effects blockbuster with “sly” dialogue. Both films were media phenomena. Rent both on Amazon Prime.
Groundhog Day 1993 Directed by Harold Ramis. A modest success at the time, this film has become a cult classic, eventually spawning an un-successful Broadway musical while losing none of its original appeal. Television weatherman Phil Collins (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover festivities for Groundhog Day, an assignment he disdains. Neither producer Rita Harrison (Andie MacDowell), nor cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott), get along with the egotistical journalist who gives a halfhearted performance at the ceremony. A blizzard keeps the trio from leaving that night.
The next day, Phil wakes up and it’s again Groundhog Day. And again and again and again. At first, the protagonist binges on all that’s harmful and dangerous, assuming lack of consequences. When that gets old, he focuses on seducing Rita. In the course of learning something about her each day that he can use to attract her the next, he acquires skills and unwittingly begins accruing good deeds, endearing himself to the community. But how to get out of the loop?
The duration of Phil’s real-time entrapment in the time loop has been the subject of much discussion. Ramis once said that he believed the film took place over ten years. The film makes it seem like a week. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Lost in Translation 2003 Written and directed by Sophia Coppola. A deft piece of filmmaking that manifests alienation with every frame. His movie star status fading, actor Bob Harris (Bill Murray) accepts a job promoting whiskey in Tokyo. The trip occurs concurrent with a midlife crisis, exacerbating feelings of isolation and lack of viability. At the hotel, Bob meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johanssen), a fairly new bride, whose husband is oblivious to her needs, leaving her adrift. The two recognize sympathetic feelings and connect in a non-threatening way that helps both get through. With Giovanni Ribisi and Anna Faris. Rent on Amazon Prime.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Directed by Wes Anderson. Eccentric oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) has made a good living putting out documentaries and television specials. Facing a waning career, he loses his best friend to a giant shark and dedicates the next expedition to revenge. Things are also iffy with rich, clever wife, Eleanor (Angelica Huston). At a fundraising party held by long time, shady associate, Oseary Drakoulias (Michael Gambon), he’s approached by Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson), who may be his son. Suddenly paternal, Zissou signs him on, despite total lack of experience. Eleanor refuses to go this time.
The Belafonte (Zissou’s rather fantastic ship) heads out. In addition to an uber loyal crew led by first mate Klaus Daimler (Willem Dafoe), Zissou is pressed into taking pregnant journalist Jane Winslett-Richardson (Cate Blanchett) ,who seems to have an axe to grind and “Bond Company Stooge” Bill Ubell (BudCort). The ship steals equipment from rival Alistair Hennessey (Jeff Goldblum), takes a shortcut into unprotected waters, and is attacked by pirates who kidnap Ubell.
Adventure abounds (there’s violence), relationships form and shift. Undersea images are fantastical, but fitting. Everyone deadpans his/her role which extraordinarily works. A strange, entertaining comedy with more brain than most. Wonderful production design. Actors play outside their usual casting. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Broken Flowers 2005 Directed by Jim Jarmusch. Middle-aged, former Cassanova Don Johnson (Bill Murray) made a small fortune in business and retired. His current girlfriend Sherry (Julie Delpy) leaves. One day, a letter arrives without return address announcing he has a 19 year-old son who’s looking for him. Goaded into finding the mother by his mystery writer neighbor Winston (Jeffrey Wright), Don sets out to confront the five most likely women in his past: Laura Miller (Sharon Stone), Lolita Miller (Alexis Dziena), Dora Anderson (Frances Conroy), Dr. Carmen Markowski (Jessica Lange), and Penny (Tilda Swinton). Lives have changed, of course. Truths come out.
No one admits to being the mother of Don’s child. Could Sherry have sent the letter? He returns home, but starts to believe several young men seen hovering might be his son. (At one point the actor’s real son rides by in a car staring at him.) We’ll never know. Rent on Amazon Prime.
The Monuments Men 2014 Loosely based on The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter. Well produced and well acted by a fine ensemble cast including, in part, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, Cate Blanchett. Directed by George Clooney.
During WWII, convinced of the necessity to save art and artifacts from Nazi pillage, President Roosevelt established The Monuments Men, a group comprised of museum directors, curators, art historians, and an architect who searched for and returned stolen art. None of these men were soldiers, yet they ventured into occupied territory facing danger, betrayal, greed, and fear, ferreting out hiding places with the ingenuity of Indiana Jones, trying to get there before Germans trafficked the items or the Russian Army conscripted them (as reparation.) Characters are well defined. The story is fascinating. Rent on Amazon Prime.
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