Friday, June 7, 2013

Old Reviews: Lost in Translation, His Girl Friday, and Far From Heaven

Sofia Coppola's 2003 "Lost in Translation" was a remarkable surprise! She might not be able to act (see Godfather III), but she can direct! Bill Murray is, of course, genius in this movie. Apparently Coppola had to enlist the help of none other than Mr. Wes Anderson to get Murray on board. I'd also venture to say that Scarlett Johansson does a bang-up job as well in this one. Murray and Johansson's characters share a moment in Japan together, and the film explores this moment. The way it is shot makes you feel like you are caught up in the daily experiences or memories of the two characters. Cinematographer, Lance Acord, does a wonderful job at this. This is my kind of movie!

My favorite Howard Hawks film (other than the "Big Sleep") is his 1940 screwball comedy "His Girl Friday." I can't watch this movie without a gigantic grin on my face the entire time. Cary Grant is so awesome in this movie and I really like Rosalind Russell as well. This combo is much better than the Grant-Hepburn combo of "Bringing Up Baby." If you ever wondered where contemporary directors like the Coen Bros and Quentin Tarantino get their inspiration for fast, witty dialogue, look no further!

Finally, Todd Haynes's 2002 masterpiece "Far From Heaven" is the popcorn flick of the week. Julianne Moore, Denis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, and Patricia Clarkson all do a remarkable job in this movie, which explores the life of a 1950s housewife as it falls apart. Hence, "Far From Heaven." It can be a bit melodramatic at times, but it's definitely worth watching at least once!

All on Netflix Instant for your viewing pleasure! Hooray for movies!

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