Filmgirl-4

I've been looking forward to "Lost in Translation" for a couple of months, at least. I see a lot of films, but every year there are a handful I really anticipate. Sometimes I put such high expectations on those films that I am ulitmately disappointed a little (sometimes, a lot). Today, "Lost in Translation" arrived here and it was the perfect day to see it. It had been raining most of the day and everything was slick. I don't see the point in going into detail about the plot of "Lost" because don't we all already know the plots of these films we look up on imdb? Anyway, "Lost" doesn't have much of a plot to go into. For me, that's a good thing. Often, my favorite films aren't about events in people's lives ... just the people themselves. "Lost" was everything I hoped it would be, and I could see so much of myself in it. Haven't we all felt like we're not sure what we're doing in life? Or felt like a stranger in a strange land ... even if it's right here in the U.S. Bill Murray was truly remarkable. He has such sad eyes ... even when he's being funny. My heart went out to him as well as Scarlett Johanson, who I've see be wonderful in a few other small films. I was in such a Bill Murray mood that I went out and rented "Razor's Edge," which I had never seen. It, too, was magnificent. Isn't it interesting that Murray didn't do more drama? I wonder why. I hope the Academy recognizes Murray, Johanson and the film. It would be a shame to overlook it. It's one of the best films I've seen this year. So moody and quiet, beautiful and sad, full and empty.

"The Big Kahuna" does not go "boom." Anybody expecting a movie that goes "boom" will be disappointed. It takes place in one room with three characters. There is a plot, but I'm not sure that that's really important here. It's the dialogue and witty reparte showcased by Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito that grab you and don't let you go. It's honest and earnest, and, boy, that's rarer than you might think these days. For an hour and a half you get to see a bit of three fellas' souls. I was completely knocked out by Danny Devito. It's his movie. He owns it and to take a movie away from Kevin Spacey (the ultimate screen stealer), is really saying something. It's the best performance Danny Devito has ever pulled off. He delivers one of the best speeches near the end that I've ever heard in a movie. "The Big Kahuna" is easily one of the best movies I've seen this year.

"Magnolia" is one of the most original and beautiful films I've seen in a while. If you like your films to be wrapped up in a nice, neat box by the end, with all the bases touched, you're probably not going to like this movie. But, that didn't bother me at all. Yes, it is kind of hodge-podge. But, so what? Each different scene offers you a unique, heart-felt slice of life. It's worth it just to see Tom Cruise go all out. During his 40 minutes or so of screen time, Cruise experiences just about every emotion possible: He's strutting in the beginning, limping in the end. He's a God among men, then hurt, grieving son. And he was just plain robbed of that Oscar. He was a force to be reckoned with in "Magnolia." Don't stress trying to figure everything out about "Magnolia." Just sit back, relax and enjoy.