Rating: Summary: An incredibly funny yet poignant film Review: I just came back from seeing "Lost in Translation". I was simply astounded by how well screenwriter/director Sophia Coppola was able to make a film that was both funny and poignant at the same time. The characters were deftly well-written. There were moments during the film when I thought the character of Bob Harris was strictly written for the constantly funny Bill Murray. For example, the brief scene where Bob goes golfing made me think of Bill in the hilarious "Caddyshack". And when Bob and Charlotte went to a karaoke bar with a bunch of friends of Charlotte's, I immediately thought of Bill doing his lounge act on SNL and singing the theme song to "Star Wars". Ironic? I didn't think so but if it was, it was unintentional and made the movie all the more special to me since I grew up on "Caddyshack" and "Saturday Night Live". I found the storyline of two strangers in a completely foreign country and somehow connecting with each other quite interesting. The writing in the film was compelling, and the score even more compelling. The music gave the film more depth and emotion. I thought that would have been too bloody predictable. Bill Murray was simply hilarious in this film. I loved it when he had an encounter with a hooker in the beginning in the movie and when he was on the stairmaster. Pure physical comedy at its finest. Bill's relationship with his wife is obvious based on the phone conversations he has with her. I love the sarcastic tone he uses in one of their conversations. Another great move on Sophia Coppola's part was having Scarlett Johansson play the disenchanted Charlotte. Although his role in the film is a bit brief, I enjoyed Giovanni Ribsi's role as the spouse who neglects Charlotte for his career as a rock and roll photographer. If there was one flaw in the film, I would have to say that it would be when Bob & Charlotte are chased out of a Japanese nightclub with a friend of Charlotte's. They were chased by someone who was shooting something that appeared to be pellets or bbs. I don't know but I found that scene completely unnecessary. Other than that scene, I loved "Lost in Translation". I truly got to see Bill shine as an actor in this film, both as a comedian as well as a drmatic actor. Scarlett Johanson also put in a wonderful performance in the film. Kudos to Sophia Coppola for the excellent writing and directing she contributed. Truly a wonderful movie.
Rating: Summary: Wow! This is a stunningly beautiful film. Review: First, let me say "Bravo Sophia Coppola!" She did a wonderful job with both the script and directing. Second, I think Brian Acord deserves an oscar for the cinematography. This film is visually stunning. Third, both Murray and Johansson give fantastic performances. They manage to be very funny, compassionate, human, and supremely interesting in their roles. Finally, this film gives such a compelling look at Japan, it inspired me to book a vacation to Tokyo.If you are looking to be entertained, amused, informed, touched, and inspired...then watch "Lost in Translation."
Rating: Summary: Lost in Translation Review: The facial expression of Bill Murray on the cover of this DVD is perfect. "Lost" IS every bit as boring as his expression. Slow, dragging... good thing it has the name Sophia's dad left her with... otherwise it would ALL be on the cutting room floor. Spend your time with something else Murry did instead. My friend said her husband got up to go to the bathroom in the first fifteen minutes and never came back. He was right. Sorry Bill. Stick to comedy. Sophia... get a job at Barney's.
Rating: Summary: haha... 5 stars? you're kidding right? Review: WOW! i'm sorry, but did i miss something here? This movie was horrible. A normal movie lover, i was bored out of my mind tossing and turning staring at my wall, pausing to go to the bathroom, running downstairs for some food... even fell asleep once. what a waste of the $15.00 i paid for it. maybe im missing something but this cheepo shot in tokyo looks like it cost $200 to make, and was a pointless movie. all in favor that johnny should have won the Acadamy award instead say Aye...
Rating: Summary: Lost in Hype Review: "The Virgin Suicides" was a solid, though overrated, directorial debut for Sofia Coppola. Moody, ethereal and meaningful, it presented a promising director and one to follow closely. With "Lost in Translation", her sophomore effort, similar gloomy and melancholic atmospheres persist, yet the movie doesn`t quite work and fails to impress. Sure, the idea of two lonesome individuals in a foreign land developing a peculiar relationship (friendship? love??) is somewhat enticing and could lead to a good introspective drama, still this cinematic experience drags too much and never seems to take off. Bill Murray plays, well, Bill Murray, and Scarlett Johansson is cute but far from excellent on her role. Trying to develop subjects like loneliness, communication and life choices, "Lost in Translation" only suceeds in delivering an indulgent story with uninteresting characters, enticing cinematography, a well-crafted atmosphere and a very good soundtrack (Air (again), Death in Vegas, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine`s Kevin Shields, and many others). This effort is a cheap way of discovering some places in Tokyo at night (offering a realistic, documentary-like style), but a movie should tell an absorbing story with memorable characters, and this one just falls flat. I`ll admit that it`s pretty and enchanting at parts, yet some nice visuals and neons aren`t enough to provide a (good) movie. Disappointing and sterile.
Rating: Summary: Artistic BUT Review: To answer the question 'Will YOU like THIS movie?' It all boils down to the fact that this is a Bill Murray movie. If you like Murray you WILL like this movie because Murray is Murray regardless of the production he is in. But be forewarned--Cadyshack this is not. Keep in mind you are watching two very bored people try to cope with their situation. If you're looking for something funny Lost in La Mancha might be a better bet.
Rating: Summary: Dull Movie Review: This is one of the most boring movies I have ever seen. I was waiting for the movie to get somewhat interesting based on the great reviews some people were giving it, but it never got any better. It's unfortunate Bill Murray played a part in this movie, because it does not do justice to his comedic talent.
Rating: Summary: Lost in Words - absorbing and romantic Review: I have been to Tokyo many many times for business purpose. I enjoy its glamourous lifestyle, while suffering from the isolation a lot. And I already knows Japanese, still I can't feel being accepted in that country.
In Lost in Translation, it can very much attract the predicaments for foreigners. (say if you understand what the Suntory director said in Japanese). But what really attracts me its the relationship between Bob (Bill) and Charlotte (Scarlett). They both are great actor/actress, their encounter is always sexy, but never explicit. Only with a good script and a good director that such a shy relationship can be portraited in such a powerful way.
As in the interview Scarlett said, this is a character-driven movie, you don't even need a story, all it takes is superb acting plus superb script and superb direction. The chemistry is movie.
Rating: Summary: worse movie Review: I normally don't write review about movies, but this one has got me so upset. It was a waste of time to watch it, as it has no plot, not funny, doesn't make any sense. Whoever gives 5 stars rating for this movie must be lying, or need to check their heads. From the beginning of the movie to the end, it was so boring, jokes were not really jokes. In fact, to me it is more like making fun of the Japanese culture and the Japanese people. Oh, we are Americans, we come to Japan, we see your city is crowded, hotel room is too small, shower is too short, walk around I get bumped into a cabinet, my toe turned black but Japanese love black toe, we see doctor for that, don't need to fill out any form at the hospital. Or go to strip club, watch strippers tease and comment them as they were learning how to dance. Or go to restaurant, make an order, but demand a beer, and the food was terrible. Turn on the TV, nothing but some crappy kiddy shows. Japanese teenagers look stupid and play kiddy games. Singer or band from America that really don't know how to sing, but the Japanese love them. Why do Japanese exercise, work out in the pool? Why don't they just jump in and swim like me? Or visit temple, but have no feeling like Japan doesn't have church. Firealarm goes off at midnight while people at sleep like it never happend in America. Every scene in the movie is about insulting Japanese. 5 stars rating must be meant for a movie made to disrespect the Japanese people and their culture. Very upset customer.
Rating: Summary: DO NOT BUY! BOYCOTT ALL FOCUS FEATURE/UNIVERSAL DVD'S! Review:
Don't get me wrong, this is a great movie. But by all means, borrow it, rent it, just PLEASE don't buy it!
Why am I advocating such a boycott? Upon inserting the disc into your DVD player, you will be unfortunately assaulted by a nasty hybrid of the lastest marketing scam and technology; THE UNINTERRUPTIBLE MOVIE PREVIEW.
That's right: While movie previews on a DVD may not be anything new, a complete lock-out of the player controls certainly is! Universal has 7 minutes and 21 seconds of movie previews and during that time, the disc is authored to lock out nearly the entire DVD player functionality suite;
*No Main Menu function
*No Chapter Forward function
*(and, most unbelievably) No Player STOP function!
You can't skip or even stop the player while the preview is running! The only function that responds is the Fast Forward key, programmed presumably with the inane logic that you are going to watch the previews, either in real time of in FF mode, but you are GOING to watch the previews, come hell or high water.
I verified this disc feature on three different DVD players: a Pioneer DV-38A, a Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/W recorder and a JVC XV-N44 all-region unit.
This has to be one of the most offensive marketing tactics ever. Where are the studio marketing departments going to stop? What next? Is some studio marketing numbnut going to have my player opening and closing the disc tray repeatedly, the electronic equivalent of sticking its tongue out at me when I try to pass some inane preview or other marketing content?
Hey, Universal? I stopped going to theaters years ago, with crappy projection systems, dim projector bulbs, shoddy or non-functional surround systems, overpriced tickets & food, cell phone calls, babies screaming, sticky floors, and really bad commercials at theater system volume, not to mention just terrible films. So now, I can stop buying Universal DVD's, too, and post this encouragement for others to boycott you also:
If you absolutely need to see a Universal film, just rent it, don't buy it! Better yet, borrow it! Hit Universal in its pocketbook where it hurts!
BOYCOTT/DO NOT BUY THE FOLLOWING FOCUS FEATURES TITLES:
SWIMMING POOL
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
21 GRAMS
NED KELLY
THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR
SYLVIA
THE PIANIST
FAR FROM HEAVEN
THE GUYS
DELIVER US FROM EVA
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