Lost In Translation (2003)

Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson with direction by Sofia Coppola, this film is set in the fast-paced, technological, and modern world of Tokyo, Japan. That is where Bob and Charlotte find themselves and they both are lost, simply going through the motions of life. He is a middle-aged, former movie star filming a whiskey commercial. She is a newly-married wife of a fashion photographer. Despite their age differences, they find out that they have a lot in common. Over the week they spend time together in Tokyo and become friends. When the time comes for Bob to leave neither one wants their time to end. They say goodbye but do not forget each other. This film was enjoyable because it portrayed two people who could be good friends without getting romantically attached, at least in the conventional sense.

I must say that this type of friendship intrigues me. It is understandable that if you go to a foreign country alone it would be nice to have someone you could at least converse with, without any barrier getting in the way. It might be at Narita airport for a moment, at a Hotel, or walking the streets of Shinjuku.  It would act as a comfort in a world like Tokyo that is so fast paced and high stress. These unusual circumstances could throw together two very different people, with little in common except the language they speak. That is something that does not happen every day.

Needless to say, after gaining the opportunity to visit Tokyo two years in a row  it has given me some new insight. I can now wholly empathize with Bob and Charlotte because although I knew a few people, Tokyo is such a highly populated, fast paced world that it seems so easy to get lost and overwhelmed. There is so much to see, so many lights, so many hurrying folks, so many subway lines, so many surgical masks, so much etiquette, and so much technology. True, some of my ancestors were Japanese but the language still baffles me, making it very easy to get "Lost in Translation." Being in Tokyo it also helped me realize that it is not only tourists who get lost. It has been 10 years since this film came out and a lot can happen in that time like more Starbucks and McDonalds on every corner. Despite the westernization and technological advancement, Tokyo also has a time worn aspect, and its people are often worn as well. They might not be lost because of a literal language barrier. However, they, like Bob and Charlotte, are often lost because they have difficulty getting close to their peers. Often they, like the two protagonists, seem to be searching for someone to talk to, but in their case manners keep others at arms length.

Coppola's film gained an even more personal note now that I have walked in these places and interacted with or at least walked alongside the Japanese people. They like anyone else can be "Lost in Translation," it just might be a different type of "language" than what we struggle with. They too are humans who have their share of struggles, worries, joys, hopes, and dreams. Hopefully this type of understanding with help us transcend any barriers so we no longer find ourselves "Lost in Translation."


4.5/5 Stars

Zombieland (2009)

I am not big on Zombie films and so I went into this one not expecting much a great deal. I still do not really like the Zombie genre but there were some decently funny moments here having to do with the rules Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has for surviving the apocalypse. The long lasting search for Twinkies, and of course a random cameo by a prominent funny man were a few more highlights. Woody Harrelson is good at playing the gruff type and Little Rock and Arkansas have a lot of personality which does the film a service. Remember rule #1: Cardio. Very important to survive during a zombie apocalypse if it ever comes to that.

3.5/5 Stars

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

On the farthest Eastern boundary of the European continent makes the perfect landscape for a new addition to the quirky Wes Anderson canon. But more on that later. First our story.

It gains inspiration from the writings of forgotten Viennese  author of the 30s and 40s Stefan Zweig. In fact the author's own plot device is used in this story of friendship, love and murder. An inquisitive writer (Jude Law) from the 1960s becomes intrigued by the aging proprietor of the Grand Budapest Hotel Zero Moustaffa (F. Murray Abraham).

The rather mysterious figure is glad to tell his story and how he came to acquire the iconic hotel. And that's where our true story begins back in 1932 with concierge and small time celebrity M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). He is a dying breed of a man, full of culture, a bit effeminate and known to wine and dine older patrons. He also has an immense of affinity of poetry.

It was under his leadership that the young, stoic bellboy Zero got his start. What an exciting beginning it was.  One of Gustave's most faithful patrons Madame D (Tilda Swinton) dies suddenly and he is bequeathed the priceless painting Boy with Apple.

The family of the deceased is in an uproar led by belligerent son Dmitri (Adrien Brody). Soon Gustave has become the strangest of fugitives as he is wanted for murder of the old lady.

During that time young love springs up and Zero meets the love of his life Agatha (Saoirse Roman), a spunky baker who returns his affection.

Now the imprisoned Gustave takes part in an escape attempt a la Le Trou except this rendition is successful to a degree. Faithful Zero meets up with his mentor and Gustave turns to the only ones he can. The concierges from all the surrounding area. They oblige getting the two fugitives away but soon Dmitiri's cold-blooded assassin Jopling (Willem Dafoe) is on their tails at a local monastery.

War is imminent and back at the Grand Budapest things do not look promising.  The ever fearless Agatha agrees to go fetch Boy with Apple but she is soon spotted and pursued by the ever brutish Dmitiri who tries to use his gun. That's not a smart thing when all the rooms are full of quartered soldiers and a chaotic gunfight ensues.

In the aftermath a second will is uncovered that makes M. Gustave the sole owner of the Grand Budapest and many other possessions that Madame D owned. In a Deja Vu moment Gustave and Zero ride the train once again before getting boarded and questioned. Always the gentlemen, Gustave defends Zero who is targeted for his immigration status. It was in that way the story ends and returns to the young author and eldery Zero Moustaffa.

He never could bear to give up the Grand Budapest despite the toll of Communism. It's not because of Gustave, but his dear Agatha who died only two years after. It's his only link to the happiest times of his life.

What The Grand Budapest Hotel ends up being is an odd mix of black comedy and romantic sentiment all wrapped up in an Anderson world.

His shots are often framed symmetrically and muted pastels abound as well as scaled miniatures creating his always distinctive misc-en-scene. He is also a fan of a smooth moving camera  often involving zooms.

Anderson is obviously a student of cinema and his film at times is reminiscent to 30s fair such as Grand Hotel and The Rules of the Game. He also channels another famed Viennese Ernst Lubitsch who was a master of high brow romantic comedies.

Hotel also boast a superb cast comprising most of Anderson's stock company. If there's anyone who has been in more than one of his movies, they are probably in this one, even for just an instant.

So given the normal Wes Anderson flair or eccentricities this film is visually pleasing and quite entertaining. It is a worthy follow up to Moonrise Kingdom darling.

4/5 stars

Groundhog Day (1993)

Starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, this romantic-fantasy-comedy is about a conceited weatherman named Phil Connors who goes to cover Ground Hog Day. After coping with the day once, Phil wakes up and goes through it again realizing he is in a time loop. At first since there are no consequences Phil memorizes every occurrence, takes advantage of situations, and romances any woman he wants. However, over time the novelty wears off and it soon gives way to monotony. He even starts committing elaborate suicides to get out of each day. However, as he continues to fall for his producer, Phil begins to change and decides to use all he knows for good. After one day he is the most loved man in town and surprisingly enough he finally is free. The concept of this film is certainly interesting and it brings up hilarious and thought-provoking situations. Phil Connors begins as a self-serving jerk, hits rock bottom, and finally finds redemption in showing kindness for others. And the best part is he no longer has to listen to I Got You Babe!

 4/5 Stars