DISQUS

Film School Rejects: Movies We Love: Groundhog Day

  • Dengar · 5 months ago
    I still can't believe he relived that same day for 1000 years. They never tell you that in the film.

    Such a good movie. I loved how he learns how to play piano and gradually freaks that old annoying friend out more and more everyday.
  • BillBrasky · 5 months ago
    This was filmed in Woodstock,IL, and it is amazing how much of the town is in the film. You walk through the town, and you recognize almost every piece of it from a scene in the movie. I give props to the director for utilizing one location for all of the scenes and not falling back to some backlot somewhere for the "canned" location.
  • Chris · 5 months ago
    I live about 10 minutes from Woodstock, and Bill's right on the money. A few things have changed of course (the Tip Top Cafe isn't there anymore... but it was for a few years. And the theater is a bit different), but for the most part, it's the same as it ever was, and easy to point out different filming locations. There are even tours and stuff every Groundhog Day.

    Sadly for me however, I never really "got" this film. I'ts decent I guess, but I've never been in love with it.
  • Rob_Hunter · 5 months ago
    Awesome choice Jim! Funny, sweet, and still Murray's best movie.

    I'd argue your final dig at the movie Dave though. It's no Groundhog Day, but it's still a very good flick. And Gary Ross (who also wrote Big and Pleasantville) is a lot more recognizable than Danny Rubin (who went on to write...)
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    No doubt, Ross is no schlub. Big is another overlooked film in many regards and anybody with 4 Oscar nominations to his name is more than just a fluke. Dave is a solid film, but my lament is that film buffs praise the screenplays that break convention (Groundhog Day, Pulp Fiction, Memento), but then don't put their money where their mouths are. Memento, which deserves its own entry in this series, also was overlooked come awards time.

    Also, Danny Rubin wrote È già ieri...the Italian version of Groundhog Day. D'oh!
  • Baxter Peanut · 5 months ago
    Jim, you absolutely could not possibly have picked a better film than Groundhog Day!!! The power of it comes in the gut punch it so subtly delivers in practically every scene. This movie requires repeated viewings to be completely appreciated. If ever a film reveals something new every time with deft nuances, this is it. The scene where Rita orders her favorite drink "vermouth on the rocks with a twist" and the next day Phil orders the same, the look on his face when he sips it and the bartender's glancing smirk are simply priceless. "At night we made love on the beach...why couldn't I live that day over and over...."
  • Rob_Hunter · 5 months ago
    I agree about Memento and have already started it... but you bastards have already beat me to the punch on three other Movies We Love so I expect the same with this one. Motivated bastards.
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    Is there still a slot open for Movies We Love: Chairman of the Board?
  • JMoney · 5 months ago
    I think I have to watch this movie again, because the first time I saw it, I hated it, I thought it was boring and droned on. But the last time I watched it was when I was about 13, so maybe now I might enjoy it. After reading this post, I think I will give it another chance.
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    That's the best comment I've could've read after writing this post. Awesome. Even if you hate it (again), I'm glad I could inspire you to give it another shot.
  • Bob Saget · 5 months ago
    "Gwyneth Paltrow won an Oscar and Stanley Kubrick did not"
    Kubirck won the Oscar for Special Visual Effects for 2001 (I know not directing but he did win an Oscar)
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    Touche, Mr. Saget. Perhaps I should've been more specific or picked Hitchcock. By the way, I loved your Comedy Central roast.
  • Bob Saget · 5 months ago
    Sorry I wasn't trying to be a dick. As a major Kubrick fan I couldn't help but be "that guy". I really enjoyed the post though. Groundhog Day is an exceptional film and I'm glad to see it getting the love it deserves. Bob Saget is awesome I think we can all agree on that.
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    No need to apologize. I apologize if my response came off as snarky. His effects award was something I just overlooked/forgot, so thank you for the clarification.
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    No need to apologize. I apologize if my response came off as snarky. His effects award was something I just overlooked/forgot, so thank you for the clarification. The Comedy Central roast thing was more meant to be a good natured joke.
  • HGMIV · 5 months ago
    This film abosultely confirms my love for Bill Murray. I believe, if there's any Murray movie one should watch, Groundhog Day is it. Or Stripes. Either way, I believe Murray spoke true words in this movie, "I am a God."
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    I completely agree. Never has Murray given a more complete performance (in my opinion) and I say this keeping in mind his indie films of late: Lost in Translation, Broken Flowers, Bill Murray Wandering Around Looking Vacant and Apathetic, etc.
  • Andy III · 5 months ago
    Great choice...what a movie!

    My favorite laugh out loud moment...a line only Bill Murray could pull off...

    When Andie McDowell's character that says she went to college for 18th century french poetry, Murray laughs right in her face and says 'What a massive waste of time'. I mean, it would be hard to think of something more dickey. But it gives him a long way to progress in the movie.

    I would actually love to see Bill Murray get a lifetime achievement award some day.
  • Cole_Abaius · 5 months ago
    New feature: FSR Lifetime Achievement Awards
  • Jim_Rohner · 5 months ago
    Also humorously awkward is his fumbled attempt to save face: "I mean for somebody else that would be a huge waste of time...so bold of you to choose that."
  • Scott · 1 week ago
    Great movie, great soundtrack, supberly written. I don't think it is as undiscovered as you might think, most people I know know the movie as it is constantly in high rotation on cable television. If you want a great undiscovered Murray movie, try "The Man Who Knew Too Little".

    I always felt the black bartender in the movie is featured far too much to not be symbolic. I like to think of him as God, which makes it all the funnier when Larry stiffs him on a tip at the end of the movie.