Once he realizes that he’s stuck in a loop of February 2nds that no one else is aware of, Phil goes through various stages of grief that involve violent outbursts, groundhog kidnap, several successful suicide attempts, self indulgence and social suicide, before he eventually accepts what’s happening to him. From this point onwards, he refocuses his attention on seducing his producer Rita (Andie McDowell) and trying to get the ‘perfect game’ by avoiding the various tragedies and accidents that happen to the people of Punxsutawney on February 2nd.

Groundhog Day is a warm comedy with a dark edge to it that only really surfaces when you do a little maths and realize that by the end of the film, Phil must have endured at least 8 years of February 2nds. Still, Groundhog Day is one of those films that capture your imagination – who among us wouldn’t be tempted to relive a day with no consequences? Harold Ramis’s film doesn’t miss a trick in its exploration of the ways Phil exploits this chance, and probably gives a fairly accurate representation of the emotional minefield anyone would have to deal with in this situation. Bill Murray is flawless in his familiar role of the long suffering hero in Groundhog Day, keeping the film funny with his deadpan humor, sarcastic and barbed wit, and thoroughly pessimistic outlook. Fortunately, while we all know from twenty minutes in that this will be a heartwarming story of self-improvement and rediscovering the value of life (and Groundhog Day doesn’t disappoint), Murray may become more pleasant but he doesn’t lose his sense of humor.

That’s what fuels Groundhog Day: a combination of Bill Murray, a unique plot and great writing. Sometimes Andie McDowell is passable as the pretty but ultimately personality-free love interest of a movie, and she certainly ticks those boxes in Groundhog Day, just as she did in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Giving her comedic lines is a complete waste of time, and it’s a little bit of a stretch to believe that Phil Connors would be so enamored with her, but I’ve always reasoned that she was probably the only eligible single woman in a small town. Beggars can’t be choosers. Bill Murray’s humor doesn’t really age and appeals universally, which is why I would recommend Groundhog Day to almost anyone. You sympathize with him whether he’s using his gathered knowledge to flatter and charm women into bed with him or embarking on his latest suicide attempt and the writing, the pace of the movie and Murray himself never let the story wallow in what could have been a very depressing concept.

Once you reflect on the movie, you realize that once Phil Connors worked out that he had nothing to lose and that there was no way out, he began to do the things that he would dismiss on an average day, either because he thought they were a waste of time or he didn’t want to take the risk. If you want to, you can take a very positive message from Groundhog Day about how concentrating on things outside yourself and taking risks can ultimately make you happier. Alternatively, you can sit back and enjoy a timeless classic, with Bill Murray at his best and a superbly funny and unique story. Groundhog Day is an obscure reference that appears countless times in popular media, but the film itself is in my opinion greatly underrated. That’s unlikely to suddenly change when younger generations are increasingly unenthusiastic about watching films from years ago that they believe won’t appeal to them, but I was only four years old when Groundhog Day first came out, and it remains to this day one of my favorite feel-good movies.

“The Remains of the Day” is based on Kazuo Ishiguro‘s novel, something no one would have been able to imagine as being made into a movie. I have read the book when in college (years after seeing the movie) and, contrary to The Empire of the Sun (when the book seemed just badly written, while the movie was in my opinion brilliant), in this case it’s hard for me to say which is the best. When you have two amazing actors (Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins) chances are you’re gonna see a pretty good movie.

1958. It’s been years since they’ve last seen each other. The butler and the housekeeper, two people who have spent years tending for Darlington Hall (a famous country side), while turning a blind eye on what could have been a beautiful love story. But who has the time for love, when there’s so much work to do and society itself doesn’t quite “promote” free speech when it comes to feelings and passion.

Stevens, the butler, is now driving across England to the sea, to visit Miss Kenton. Officially, he’s trying to persuade her to resume her position at Darlington Hall, under the new “master” (a retired American congressman). In fact he just wants to see her and maybe try say to her what he failed to communicate so many years. While the journey unfolds so do his memories.

They used to work together and serve Lord Darlington, to the best of their abilities. Stevens has an old father who also worked as a butler and made sure to instill in his son the same spirit or duty. Such strong these teachings are that his son will carry on with the serving, while his father is dying upstairs. Stevens knows about his duty and that’s all. Duty trumps family, duty trumps love, duty trumps everything.

Does this sound absurd? It surely does.

Let’s still remember the novel was created by a Japanese writer. I dare say Stevens is just another type of a Samurai, who has to ignore anything and everything and serve his lord. As a samurai has to draw his katana and kill his family if his lord demands this, so Stevens has got to put everything aside and do his DUTY.

Stevens does feel something for Miss Kenton but he is too focused on this job to allow himself to care. Not to mention he’s doing the mistake we all do in the end, of believing time will wait for us. Time doesn’t wait. Love doesn’t wait. People vanish from our lives, if we chose to ignore them.

The butler is not a stupid man, nor does he lack sex-appeal or some sort of personal charm. This is the reason Miss Kenton has “feelings” for him too. Still, he’s narrow-minded and too focused on the job, to allow their love to blossom.

And now, as he is driving towards her, we have to ask ourselves: is it too late?

His life is not thrilling at all. At home there’s constant bickering and he’s got to take care of his 500 pounds mother too. She is sitting on the sofa all day and is only barking commands to the children who are near her. The only entertainment for Gilbert is chatting with his friend Bobby, who’s working at his dad’s funeral parlor and believes all people die to know about his business (pun unintended).

There’s some “romance” for him too, when Mrs. Carver (Mary Steenburgen), a lonely housewife calls the store and asks for a personal delivery that turns kinda intimate in few minutes. Endora, Iowa (1,091 population) is facing a drama: a new supermarket appears at the edge of the town, threatening the small grocery shop’s business.

Life becomes more interesting when Becky (Juliette Lewis) and her grandma (Penelope Branning) arrive. Well, they don’t quite arrive, it’s just a mechanical problem that forces them to remain there for some days, till the car is repaired. No one in his right minds would actually stop in Endora for a stay, so they are stuck in that forgotten place and meet Gilbert and Arnie.

A beautiful love story blossoms between the 2 young people, while the Grape family is preparing for Arnie‘s birthday, a great event for them since, based on the doctors’ prediction, he shouldn’t have lived this long.

Overall there’s little action in the movie, but the charm resides in the way everything is presented. With a bit of a funny take too, good acting and charming characters, even the family members who suffer from various issues. Leonardo DiCaprio is delivering a top performance, no wonder he was nominated for an Academy Award), Darlene Cates appears as the obese mother, Juliette Lewis and Johnny Depp are adorable too.

It’s been 2 decades almost since the movie was produces, so I doubt there are too many people who have failed to see it. Anyway, would love to hear your opinions on it. Was I the only to enjoy it?

Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise) is a Harvard Law School graduate looking for a job. He’s being “courted” by many law firms, each offering him money and all kinds of perks to join them. By far the best offer comes from “The Firm”, a company throwing so much money and benefits their offer just can’t be refused. Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn), his young wife “smells” something and tries to convince him to find another employer, but he doesn’t listen to her and takes the job.

Soon he realizes the firm is connected to the Mafia and his work is far from being legal. When two associates are murdered and he’s being approached by the FBI, Mitch finally decides he needs to get out of this mess.

Overall the movie has a strong plot, based mainly on John Grisham‘s novel. Some of the scenes lack originality and even logic (he’s having an “affair” in the Cayman Islands, being seduced by a woman, as if he’s an innocent girl), his “mentor” in the firm (played by Gene Hackman) suddenly turns good, after being one of the pillars in all the ill-doings of the firm etc.

We’ve got Ed Harris as the FBI agent, completing a quality acting team who make the 2 hours and a half more enjoyable. The movie had received mixed reviews, but it’s a good one and shouldn’t be missed by any movie buff.

Overall the plot is pretty simple to follow, especially if we’ve done our reading / movie watching. Evil Price John (Richard Lewis) oppresses the people helped in his ill-doings by Sheriff of Nottingham (Roger Rees). Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck) runs in the woods to let Robin know about it all, while being guarded by her nanny and also a well locked chastity belt.

Robin itself is cute and funny (Cary Elwes), together with Rabbi Tuckman (Mel Brooks), the priest who really loves a good wine.

We’ve got a lot of comic situations, battles, archery contests, witty dialogues. The entire movie is so silly, it’s gotta be funny. Of course it won’t enlighten you or grow your spirituality, but it’s surely a great way to spend some time forgetting about the daily problems. Even after seeing it for 3-4 times and knowing every scene, this movie still makes me laugh.