Tag: bill murray

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

I watched “Charlie’s Angels” because I was in the mood to watch something loud and dumb-but-not-stupid, and it was *exactly* what I looking for. First off, the mega-charming leading ladies are a huge part of what the makes the movie work so well from the very beginning: You can practically feel Drew Barrymore’s excitement and passion for the project, Lucy Liu steals scenes left and right, and Cameron Diaz makes it all look effortless as Natalie. Additionally, there’s one hell of a supporting cast, like Sam Rockwell, whose performance as Eric Knox is straight from the Edward Norton school of acting (and that’s a good thing), a never-more-likable Matt LeBlanc and the always-interesting Crispin Glover; I will say, however, that Bill Murray looks lost and bored as Bosley, wandering through the proceedings like he just learned his lines and making his frequent interruptions a bit of a grating distraction. But ultimately, director McG’s visual approach is the real star here: This is an adaptation of a silly ’70s show that existed primarily as an excuse to have three attractive women jump up and down in bikinis a lot, and McG has a lot of fun subverting the show’s dated conventions with a nudge and a wink, like, “can you believe we used to watch this?” but without ever being mean-spirited about it. His camerawork is downright frenetic at times, rarely settling on anything for very long before wandering again like an untamed force of nature, and it gives the movie a Saturday-morning-cartoon atmosphere that asks you to suspend your disbelief so that it can tickle your funny bone for 100 minutes before sending you back to the real world, and whether you enjoy the ride depends on your willingness to go along with it.

Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)

Ed Wood (1994)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

Only Tim Burton could have made such a loving, tender biopic about Ed Wood, aka “the worst director of all time.” Although it’s ostensibly about B-movie filmmaking in the 1950s, It’s primarily a story of an underdog’s determination in the face of adversity and repeated failure, so in some ways it’s not unlike “Rudy” only it’s presented like a 1950s Wood science-fiction movie, which is, let’s face it, absolutely adorable. Johnny Depp is pitch perfect in the title role: The cadence of his delivery as well as his dialogue (courtesy of a first-rate screenplay by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski) are so innocent, so pure-sounding and refreshingly devoid of subtext that you forget you’re even watching Depp. Similarly, Martin Landau is so eerily convincing as a spiraling, past-his-prime Bela Lugosi that his performance is inextricable from the late performer himself, while his tender friendship with Wood provides some of the movie’s best scenes. Additionally, not unlike a Quentin Tarantino effort, the period detail is extraordinary while the black-and-white cinematography is gorgeous and crisp, all of which is perfectly accented by Howard Shore’s playful, memorable score, which recalls Danny Elfman’s work without being a second-rate facsimile of it. Add in a fascinating supporting cast that includes plum roles for Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette and Bill Murray (among many others), and the whole thing becomes a tender, heartfelt delight.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)

Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

Although it’s largely remembered as an inferior sequel to the classic original, I’ve always had a soft spot for “Ghostbusters 2.” Maybe it’s because it’s the first movie I ever saw in theaters and I have fond memories of seeing it with my dad and brother, but I absolutely dig watching it every single time I do. As far as I’m concerned, everything works pretty well here: The screenplay has some solid one-liners, the special effects are charming as all hell, and the comfortable chemistry among the returning cast adds to a relaxed vibe that’s unusual for a big-budget blockbuster sequel. It’s true that Bill Murray is a bit on the somnambulant side as Venkman this time around, but even on autopilot there’s enough good will left over from the first movie for him to make it palatable, and at least his co-stars make up for it (in particular Peter MacNicol, who gleefully goes all-in as Janosz like nothing could be more fun, and walks away with the movie in the process). The story’s a bit on the dopey side but there’s something kind of innocent and naive about it that makes it work, and it helps that the music selection is as fun and distinct as the first movie’s awesomely 80s soundtrack, so you just lean back and go with it. My one gripe is that the movie doesn’t seem to know what to do with Sigourney Weaver, and it’s particularly disappointing that she’s so underused here after being such a striking presence in the original.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)

Ghostbusters (1984)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

It’s hard to find anything new to write about “Ghostbusters,” when most everyone already has a fully formed opinion about it. That being said, it’s always a delight to revisit it once every few years, like seeing an old friend you haven’t seen in a while and picking up right where you left off. Everything here is just about perfect, beginning with the concept: It seems inspired by 1940s ghost comedies like “The Ghost Breakers” and the “Golfer’s Story” segment of 1945’s “Dead of Night,” and that retro charm translates extraordinarily well to 1980s big studio filmmaking standards. Additionally, Elmer Bertstein’s omnipresent musical score is unmistakable, while the screenplay (by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) and Ivan Reitman’s direction are pitch perfect, perfectly balancing laughs and scares (indeed, this is the movie that introduced an entire generation to horror) and not wasting a single line or moment on unnecessary details or tiresome filler. The movie is filled with memorable scenes, like the first encounter with Slimer inside the Millenium Biltmore Hotel and the ghosts invading New York City after being released from the firehouse, all of which magnificently blend staging, music and editing. Finally, of course, there’s the first-rate cast, each of whom is totally at ease with the movie’s material and tone, and you’re left with a justifiably beloved, immortal comedy classic that continues to entertain people of all generations.

Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

From the moment it begins, this big-budget adaptation of the Broadway musical (itself an adaptation of the 1960 Roger Corman horror movie co-starring a young Jack Nicholson) is absolute perfection. Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene have effective chemistry and they both manage to sell the central romance at the heart of its maneating-plant narrative, but really this is all about the songs and Frank Oz’s direction. From the first frames, it’s clear that Oz is in complete control of his medium and has a clear vision for each shot, while the near-constant musical numbers are absolutely incredible, like “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Dentist!” and “Feed Me (Git It).” It’s one of those movies where all the elements come together perfectly like lightning in a bottle, and there’s palpable passion coming from each shot. [Note: I watched the director’s cut with the original ending.]

Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)

Tootsie (1982)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

Although the gender dynamics at its heart haven’t aged well, “Tootsie” is still a lot of fun to watch. It’s interesting to view the movie from a modern perspective because Dustin Hoffman’s smug protagonist is not nearly as likable as the movie would have you believe, and there’s a noticeable hypocrisy about the treatment of women throughout. Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal’s screenplay routinely pats itself on the back about gender relations, but to a modern viewer, it’s pandering, condescending “mansplaining” at its worst. Nevertheless, Sydney Pollack is a first-class director and he manages the make the movie work, thanks in large part to a strong musical score by Dave Grusin, and terrific supporting performances by Jessica Lange, Teri Garr and a surprisingly compelling Charles Durning. It’s not as innocent as it wants to be, but there are still plenty of funny, charming moments along the way that make “Tootsie” a memorable way to spend two hours.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

by julienhoule, posted in Uncategorized

Greeted with outright hostility even before its release, this reboot of the 1984 comedy classic is a solid and well-crafted gem that benefits from the chemistry among the cast, who are treated well by a solid, funny script that pays homage to the original without becoming a facsimile of it. Its four leading stars, along with a relaxed Chris Hemsworth and a host of crowd-pleasing cameos, are perfectly suited to the material and the movie itself is expertly paced, wasting no time yet never feeling rushed, on the way to an oversized climax that feels like a dream come true for fans of the original.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)