Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 16

 

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

55/ 100: The Green Mile (1999)
One day, prison guard Paul Edgecomb, working in the death row cell block in a Louisiana prison in the 1930s, takes the immense John Coffey under his wing. This illiterate black man, convicted of infanticide, turns out to be the good guy himself and is also afraid of the dark. Perhaps his presence has a spiritual meaning? Frank Darabont takes his time with three hours, but it’s never a drag. It’s a fantastic film that always brings me to tears. Check out my full review HERE.
 

56/ 100: Lost in Translation (2003)
Director Sofia Coppola received high praise for this gem of a film about two lost souls in Tokyo. Charlotte has come along with her husband and busy photographer. Actor Bob has been hired for a Japanese whiskey commercial. The two Americans, confused by their foreign language and culture, seek each other out to discover that they have even more in common. Calm introspection is beautifully interwoven with irresistible humor in a film that made Scarlett Johansson a star, and showcases the best of Bill Murray. HERE is my full review.
 

57/ 100: The Avengers (2012)
As the irresponsible brother of the Nordic god Thor causes trouble in contemporary New York, not hesitating to enlist help from other dimensions, the leader of a mysterious ultra-secret government agency asks a number of superheroes for help. Spectacular and amusing superhero film. I know the follow-ups were even more epic, but this remains my favorite Avengers-film. Click HERE to read my full review.
 

Still to watch: 43

00s Movie Review - Lost in Translation

Director: Sofia Coppola
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 101 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris

Description: A faded movie star (Bill Murray) and a neglected young woman (Scarlett Johansson) form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.

Review: Bob Harris and Charlotte are two Americans stranded in a luxurious hotel in Tokyo. Bob Harris is a faded movie star in his fifties, who came to Japan for a whiskey commercial and to take a break from his marriage. Charlotte is a recently graduated twenty something woman who followed her photographer husband. Both Bob and Charlotte can’t sleep and meet each other in the bar. What starts with an innocent smile grows out into an unlikely friendship between an older man and a young woman.
The story was written by Sofia Coppola and she also directed the film. Coppola has always been known as ‘the daughter of’ Francis Ford Coppola, director of “The Godfather” series and “Apocalypse Now”. Her earlier film “The Virgin Suicides” was already praised, but “Lost in Translation” was her big break as a director.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are both fantastic in “Lost in Translation”. Especially Murray, with his subtleness in his body language and the melancholy his character has. And Johansson is great too as a young woman who doesn’t know what to do with her life yet. Together they form a very sympathetic duo. It’s such a breath of fresh air, to finally see a couple that doesn’t immediately go into romance mode or have sex. It’s a subtle relationship, connection, bond.
“Lost in Translation” has a lot of melancholy, but is never melodramatic. The movie has many funny moments as well, but again very subtle.
“Lost in Translation” is a movie that is beautiful because of its simplicity. A movie that’s in my top five of all-time favorite movies.

Rating: 5/ 5

Five to Watch - Movies with Unlikely Friendships

With “Green Book” now in theaters and it being nominated for a lot of big awards, it’s time for me to take a look at those film about friendship. Not just any friendships, but unlikely friendships. People you wouldn’t expect to become friends in the first place. Here are five films I think are not as well-known or deserve more attention, that focus on an unlikely friendship. And I think you should definitely give them a shot.

Warm Bodies
“Warm Bodies” takes the done and redone zombie apocalypse plot in a comical and innovative new direction. Creating an endearing and empathic look at a zombie’s inner monologue. “Warm Bodies” doesn’t only focus on the lingering emotional capacity of zombies, but also on the healing power of love. The film follows a growing relationship between zombie R and Julie, as well as the friendship between R and fellow zombie M. These two relationships are practically the definition of unlikely.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
It’s a British historical-drama, based on the novel of the same name. This Holocaust drama, explores the horrific realities of a World War !! extermination camp from the point of view of two 8-year-old boys. One of the boys is a son of the camp’s Nazi commandant and the other is a Jewish inmate. The forbidden friendship shared between a young Jewish inmate and the son of a commandant surely has its consequences, terrifyingly so as a matter of fact. But through the eyes of innocent, unrealized children such a taboo relationship doesn’t seem so strange anymore. In fact, it seems exceedingly natural and appropriate.

Lost in Translation
The film revolves about a recent college graduate and an aging actor, who develop an unorthodox relationship after a chance meeting in a Tokyo hotel. In spite of a rather dramatic age difference, the two find themselves facing similar struggles, both philosophically and emotionally. Bob and Charlotte are both in unhappy marriages, attempting to cope with the lack of intimacy and compassion that the both deal with from their significant others. But their relationship isn’t only unique due to their similarities, the connection they share resonates with many and stays with you long after the film reaches a close.

Gran Torino
Sometimes a friendship needs to overcome a more serious barrier, such as the bigotry of racism of Walt Kowalski in “Gran Torino”. In the film, as Kowalski’s neighborhood changes her becomes more bitter and insular, until someone threatens the only thing he has left to care about: his car. When his shy teenage neighbor Thao is pressured into trying to steal the car by a local gang, Kowalski steps in, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood. When Thao’s family force him to make up for the attempted robbery by working for Kowalski, it sets into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives.

Due Date
Up-tight architect Peter Highman and aspiring actor Ethan end up having to travel cross-country together after the pair of them are kicked off their plane and placed on a no-fly list. Two mismatched guys forced to go on a road trip together, it sounds so simple, yet it is delightful. Ethan might be just the friend that Peter needs in his life.

Quotables: "Lost in Translation"

“Lost in Translation” is one of those movies that’s beautiful because of its simplicity. I keep saying this, but this is just the proof that you don’t need a lot to make a great film. Here are the best quotes from “Lost in Translation”. (And now I want to rewatch it….)

Bob: It gets a whole lot more complicated when you have kids.

Charlotte: It's scary.

Bob: The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born.

Charlotte: Nobody ever tells you that.

Bob: Your life, as you know it... is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk... and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.

Charlotte: That's nice.

Charlotte: Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun.

 

 

 

Bob: I don't want to leave.

Charlotte: So don't. Stay here with me. We'll start a jazz band.

Charlotte: 25 years. That's uh, well it's impressive.

Bob: Well you figure, you sleep one-third of your life, that knocks out eight years of marriage right there. So you're, y'know, down to 16 in change. You know you're just a teenager, at marriage, you can drive it but there's still the occasional accident.

Stills Photographer: You know double-O-7?

Bob: He drinks martinis, but all right.

 

 

 

Charlotte: [Bob is recollecting when he first saw Charlotte, in the elevator] Did I scowl at you?

Bob: No, you smiled.

Charlotte: I did?

Bob: Yes, it was a complete accident. A freak. I haven't seen it since. Just that one time.

[Charlotte smiles]

Bob: Like that, but bigger... bigger... mm-hmm... well, not that big!

Charlotte: You're probably just having a mid-life crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?

Charlotte: That was the worst lunch.

Bob: So bad. What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own food?

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 2003

The beginning of the years wasn’t great, but later on this year brought us some fantastic films. Some of my favorites. Here are the best movies from 2003.

5. Big Fish
I love this fairytale like film, it just makes me happy every time I watch it. And that field full of daffodils, where is my field of daffodils?

4. Love Actually
Somewhat of a guilty pleasure, the ultimate Christmas feeling for me. All those intertwining love stories, I actually love it!

3. Kill Bill Vol. 1
Although the second film is my favourite of the two, this deserves a place on my list. Tarantino hardly ever disappoints and The Bride is kick-ass!

2. Mystic River
Such great acting and a very good story. Even after watching it a couple of times, the suspense is always there. Perfect casting too.

1. Lost in Translation
One of my all-time favourite movies. Who thought that Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson would be a match made in heaven? I certainly didn’t, but I just love them together.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Old School, Identity, Finding Nemo, 28 Days Later,

Best & Worst: Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson breaths sex appeal. She is hot and she doesn’t even have to try. But she is also a fantastic actress, whom I come to love over the years. Not many would agree with me, because she is criticized a lot. I think mostly by women who are just jealous. Here is my choice for best & worst Scarlett Johansson movie.

I think we all saw this coming. “Lost in Translation” is such a beautifully made movie, very simple but that its power. Very well written and directed and great performances by both Scarlett and Bill Murray. Can’t get enough of this movie.
Honorable mentions: “The Prestige”, “The Avengers”

I remember when it came out I was dying to see it. When I finally did, I was so disappointed. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but just not so good. At least not worth Scarlett Johansson’s time.
Dishonorable mentions: -

Top 5 Thursday: Scarlett Johansson Movies

Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorites, she is unique. I can’t wait to see her in “Don Jon”, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But for now, I made a list of my five favorite Scarlett Johansson movies.

5. The Island
I never tought a Michael Bay movie would make any top 5, but it did. I really like “The Island”. Clever concept, very well executed.

4. The Other Boleyn Girl
I know the book is better, but I saw the film before reading the novel. I loved it, great performances by Scarlett and Natalie. I’m always fascinated by this time period, with all the beautiful costumes.

3. The Avengers
I didn’t think I would love this movie so much. It’s fantastic! Off course great visuals, but the whole thing is just put together very well. And Scarlett is kick-ass!

2. The Prestige
A great, intriguing story with a nice twist at the end. I always like that. Great cast.

1. Lost in Translation
This is actually also one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s beautiful because of its simplicity, great acting by both Scarlett and Bill Murray.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Ghostworld, Match Point, Scoop, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Friends

It’s always nice to see a movie with a great friendship in it. Here are my five favorites.

5. Harry, Ron and Hermione (“Harry Potter” series)
They were a good combination from the beginning, although the two boys didn’t really like Hermione at first. The calm and troubled Harry, funny and nervous Ron and smart and kind Hermione. A match made in heaven.

4. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson
You have to be very patient to have Sherlock Holmes as your best friend, but he’s a genius. And with that patience Watson makes a perfect friend.

3. Bob and Charlotte (“Lost in Translation”)
A middle aged man and a young, newlywed woman befriend each other. It sounds weird, but it’s one of the most honest and convincing friendships between a man and a woman ever portrayed in a movie.

2. Gordie, Chris, Vern and Teddy (“Stand By Me”)
They are not your typical group of friends, they aren’t popular and they don’t belong with all the other kids. Together they are a great group of friends and it’s really hard to dislike any of them.

1. Red and Andy (“The Shawshank Redemption”)
I love how this friendship started. Red liked Andy from the start, although he didn’t think much of him when he entered Shawshank prison. They are great friends and I think anyone would be thankful for a friend like Red or Andy.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Harry and Sally (“When Harry Met Sally”), Annie and Lilian (“Bridesmaids”), Rob and Barry (“High Fidelity”), Shaun and Ed (“Shaun of the Dead”), Adam and Kyle (“50/ 50”), Katniss and Gale (“The Hunger Games”), Timon and Pumbaa (“The Lion King”), John and Ted (“Ted”)

In the Picture: The Characters from "Lost in Translation"

Because this (amazing) movie only has two major characters, it gives me the room to really analyse them. As fantastic as they both are, here are the characters from one of my favorite films "Lost in Translation".

Bob Harris
Played by: Bill Murray
Bob Harris is an aging American movie star. He arrives in Tokyo where he is filming an advertisement for Suntory Whiskey. Although he will receive 2 million dollars for it, he's not enjoying working there or staying in this busy city. When he meets Charlotte in the hotel bar, he finally finds some fun. Bob is a kind man with humor and he's also very thoughtful. He has a wife and kids, but doesn't really seem to miss them when he's staying in Tokyo.

Charlotte
Played by: Scarlett Johansson
Charlotte traveled to Tokyo with her husband, who is a celebrity photographer. Although Tokyo is a busy city, Charlotte feels alone and her husband is so busy that they can't even spend time together. She is trying to kill the time in her hotelroom, but decides to go to the bar instead, where she meets Bob. A meeting she will never forget. Together they explore the nightlife of Tokyo. Charlotte finds a new friend in him. Charlotte is a calm, nice and faithful woman and sees the beauty in little things.

John
Played by: Giovanni Ribisi
John is Charlotte's husband. He brought her along on his trip to Tokyo, but has to leave her alone for his work. John is a hardworking man an passionate about his job, but doesn't really see what he's got.

Kelly
Played by: Anna Faris
Kelly is an old friend of John's and a Hollywood actress. She isn't very smart, naive and extremely superficial. Charlotte doesn't say it out loud, but she doesn't like Kelly.

Favorite Character: Bob Harris

Movie Moments: "Lost in Translation"

One of my all-time favorites. "Lost in Translation" isn't a spectacular movie, but it's beautiful because of its simplicity. Bill and Scarlett are also an amazing duo. Here are my favorite moments.

Moment # 1: Shower
After a long trip, Bob wants to take a shower. When he turns on the water, he sees that the shower here is way too low. He’s trying to put it higher, but that’s impossible. Bob is too tall for Japanese showers.

Moment # 2: Filming the commercial
Bob is filming a commercial for a whiskey brand. When he’s waiting for the shoot to start, the director starts talking to Bob, in Japanese. It sounds like a long story and he even sounds angry. When the translator tells him what he said, it’s only a small demand. Bob doesn’t believe that’s all the director said.

Moment # 3: “Lip them”
A Japanese woman enter Bob’s room, saying she was sent by Mr. Kazaar. He sits down on the bed and the woman pulls up hir skirt, showing him her stockings. She tells him to ‘lip them’, which off course means that Bob has to rip them. When he wants to, she starts screaming not to touch her. Bob doesn’t know what to do.

Moment # 4: Photoshoot
Bob wants to get out of Japan as soon as possible, but he has to do a photoshoot for the whiskey commercial he shot. The photographers are talking to him about the Rat Pack, Sinatra, Roger Moore and shooting photos of him. Bob isn’t enjoying himself at all.

Moment # 5: Working out
Bob is working out and the machine he’s on starts saying things which he can’t understand. It starts to go very fast and Bob is calling for help. Eventually it stops.

Moment # 6: Bob meets Charlotte in the bar
After seeing each other a couple of times before, they finally meet. Bob tells her that’s he’s in Japan for the commercial, when he could actually be on stage. Charlotte tells him she travelled with her husband John who is a photographer. They both wished they could sleep.

Moment # 7: Karaoke
Bob and Charlotte attend a karaoke at Charlotte’s friends house. They seem to finally have a great time, after being bored out of their minds before. And they really enjoy each others company as well.

Moment # 8: Bob carries Charlotte
After their night out in the city, Bob carries Charlotte to her hotelroom. He puts her in bed, takes of her shoes and takes one look at her. She looks at him and smiles. Bob turns of the light, strokes her arm and leaves.

Moment # 9: Bob waits for Charlotte in the hospital
Charlotte hurt her toe a couple of days earlier and Bob tells her she should see a doctor. She does and when they are taking x-rays Bob is waiting for her outside. He is sitting next to an older man, who starts talking to him in Japanese. He’s a bit funny and the two women behind them are laughing really hard. When Charlotte’s done, Bob is waiting for her with a giant stuffed owl.

Moment # 10: Talking in the hotelroom
Again both Charlotte and Bob can’t get any sleep, so she’s going over to Bob’s room. They start talking about the first time they saw each other. Charlotte says that he was wearing a tuxedo in the bar, but Bob claims he’d seen Charlotte before. He saw her in the elevator, where she smiled at him. He never saw that smile again ever since. When they lay down on the bed, they start talking about marriage, Charlotte asks Bob if it gets easier. When Charlotte curls up and falls a sleep, Bob slighty touches her foot before going to sleep too.

Moment # 11: Charlotte visits a Japanese garden
Charlotte is doing some sightseeing and ends up in a Japanese garden. She sees a woman, who looks like a concubine and later sees a tree filled with paper bows. She attaches a bow herself, maybe with a wish written on it.

Moment # 12: Bob and Charlotte's final goodbye
When Bob is in a cab to leave for the airport, he sees Charlotte walking by. He gets out and runs over to her. Bob hugs Charlotte and whispers something in her ear. Then he kisses her and he leaves. The song “Just Like Honey” by Jesus and Mary Chain starts playing.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 12: Bob and Charlotte’s final goodbye

Movie Tip #21 - Lost in Translation

Director: Sofia Coppola

Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris

Description: Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American film actor, far past his prime. He visits Tokyo to appear in commercials, and he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the young wife of a visiting photographer. Bored and weary, Bob and Charlotte make ideal if improbable traveling companions. Charlotte is looking for "her place in life," and Bob is tolerating a mediocre stateside marriage. Both separately and together, they live the experience of the American in Tokyo. Bob and Charlotte suffer both confusion and hilarity due to the cultural and language differences between themselves and the Japanese. As the relationship between Bob and Charlotte deepens, they come to the realization that their visits to Japan, and one another, must soon end. Or must they?

Review: Sometimes the most simple stories make the best films. This movie is the example. However Bob and Charlotte are in the bussiest city on the planet, they feel alone. An uncommon but beautiful friendship arises from their meeting. One reason why I love this movie is because it's so realistic. The characters are so real and it's easy to identify yourself with them. Another thing was the acting. Bill Murray at his best and Scarlett Johansson has won over my heart with this film. The movie is not cliché or sentimentel, it's just honest. I can watch it over and over again!