Rating: 
Summary: ugh!
Review: Well, after hearing the hype about this movie I was really excited to get a chance to watch it. Two hours later, I feel as if someone owes me my money back! The movie is slow moving, and really has no point. It is just a movie about two sad people stuck half way around the world from home, hanging out for a week, and that's i t . No plot twists, no climax, nothing just ... u g h !
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Most Boring Films I've Ever Seen!
Review: I saw "Lost In Translation" when it was in a local movie theater. Quite frankly, I don't see what all the hype was about the film. An aging U.S. actor played by Bill Murray is going thru a mid-life crisis, and he's in Tokyo, Japan to do a few commercials and be on some Japanese "Johnny Carson" type talk show. He's bored in his hotel room and meets a younger woman and they become friends. There are some scenic shots of Tokyo but that's about it. I actually fell asleep during the movie and my boyfriend woke me up several times. How people can think this film is so wonderful surprises me. The only reason this film is getting any publicity is because it was directed by Sofia Coppola. Pure Hollywood politics that's all!
Rating: 
Summary: The Moose Hole - No Loss in 'Translation' Here
Review: You really know there is a serious flip-flop in the way Hollywood thinks now adays when one of the most highly anticipated films of the year is an "art-house" feature. Lost in Translation is the second directorial project from Sofia Coppola, the daughter of Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, after her critically praised debut, The Virgin Suicides. Another rising star associated with Translation, Scarlett Johansson, has given further interest in the project thanks to her powerful performances in other art-house films like The Man Who Wasn't There and Ghost World. But if one had to pick out only one aspect that raised the most eyebrows concerning this film, it would have to be the involvement of comedian actor Bill Murray, best known for his hilarious performances in Ghostbusters and Caddyshack. Can an actor who is so embedded in the public consciousness as a comedian pull off a powerful dramatic performance? Looking back to the past for reference, the answer lies between both yes (Robin Williams) and no (Jim Carrey).The story focuses on separate lifes of a struggling actor and a young woman as they cross paths and discover that everybody wants to be found. Bob Harris was once a prosperous television star but that regal star lifestyle he once had has long since past as he currently reduced to promoting whiskey in Japan. At the same time, a young woman named Charlotte is tagging along with her photographer husband but feels totally out of place as he seems to be more focused on his work then her. Both Bob and Charlotte feel they have lost what they wanted in life and don't know where to go from here. Then one night, the two cross paths in the bar of the luxury hotel in which they are staying and from there spark up a surprising friendship together. In their time together, they discover the excitement they had thought they lost in their lives and break away from the despair that had once brought them down. The story for Lost in Translation is one that, if in the hands of another director, would have been mediocre fare but Coppola presents an atmospheric quality that keeps the feature interesting, yet at the same time thought provoking. The setting of the film in Japan is another stroke of genius considering the subject matter the feature deals with, that of necessity and happiness, which are values and topics greatly treasured in Japanese culture. The cast for Translation is limited based on the number of performers but perhaps that is to its advantage as the story mainly focuses on the roles of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Though some questioned whether Bill Murray was qualified for this role based on his mostly comedic career, such doubts are quickly erased as he gives a memorable dramatic performance that is not without many comedic quips. Murray's deliverance of dialogue is rich with sarcasm and dark humor, which makes the performance all the more unforgettable. Scarlett Johansson gives yet another delightful performance, this time in the role of a lonely young woman who is searching for purpose in life. Johansson presents such a quality and charm about herself that one can't help but notice her where she is on screen. But it is the chemistry between Murray and Johansson enacted on the big screen that ends up complimenting both their separate performances and intensifies the overall emotional impact of the feature's story. There are few roles focused on outside of the previously mentioned duo but what is presented is a mixed bag of performances. Anna Faris, who portrays a good friend of Johansson's husband, presents as best of a performance as the material that is given to her and though her character emphasizes Charlotte's sense of loneliness with her husband caring more of her then his own wife, one begins to feel as though she is presented too much or there wasn't as much involvement with her as there could have been. The same goes to Giovanni Ribisi, Johansson's husband in the film, but at it was said before, they are not the focus of the feature and thus are less primary to the overall story, so there shouldn't be so much complaint. Overall, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is an art-house gem that shows that companionship can be found in the most unlikely of places and gives emotional hope for those looking for it. The feature's entire emotional emphasis rides on the chemistry of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson and it works exceedingly well, beyond what even the most star-studded major release this year has done, which gives further complimentary criticism to the duo. But, as with most films, along with the good comes the bad as well. As was said previously, the Japanese background compliments the story of the film exceptionally but at times there were awkward moments that weren't necessarily needed, such as the scene with Murray's character sitting alone in a Japanese strip club waiting for Charlotte. And the ending, though expected, left the audience with the lingering feeling of being a bit of a downer after such an emotionally uplifting story. But all-in-all, Lost in Translation rides on the shoulders of its leading stars to an emotional and fulfilling performance.
Rating:
Summary: All too familiar
Review: OK - bear with me for a moment: When two similar waveforms interfere with each other, there are two extremes of effect. In one, the waveforms are "in phase" - that is, their peaks occur at the same time and their troughs occur at the same time. In the other extreme (out of phase), one wave's peak occurs at the same location (or time) as another wave's trough. The effect of combining the "in phase" waves is addition - the amplitudes of the peaks are added together, thus greater than either one. This is commonly called "resonance." When the equal amplitude out-of-phase waves are added together, they cancel each other out. This is known as "destructive interference." I bring this up because this is what happens to viewers of "Lost in Translation." If you are in phase with this movie - by personal experiences, then the low-key bemusement will strike a familiar chord. If you have never had the experience of living out of a hotel - particularly a hotel in a non-English-speaking country, then this movie will probably strike you as extremely dull, and you ought to avoid it. For those of you in the first camp - this movie connects at a fundamental level. The "hotel lighting", background music, dimly lit lounges, exotic glimpses of day-to-day life all bring back memories not only of Japan, but of any country or place in which you are the alien. The amazing thing is that Coppola accomplishes this without making the movie depressing. While the specifics of the plot certainly weren't personally familiar, the context of the movie makes the plot somewhat irrelevant. Murray & Johansson are most accomplished in their blending in: neither character stands out from the context of the movie. Both are intrinsic to their settings. And the effect of this is to make the separation of the two that much more affecting. A marvelous, understated and powerful movie. But don't bother unless you're on the same wavelength.
Rating:
Summary: Bill Murray's masterpiece
Review: "Lost in Translation" is a bitter sweet comedy-drama about two lonely people who find each other in the chaos of Tokyo. Bill Murray is funny (no suprise there, right), but he also conveys a deep and profound sadness that, while isn't subtle, it isn't over done either. If you are expecting him to launch into his "Ghostbusters" schtick, you're out of luck. He plays a fading American star who is now doing whiskey commercials for the Japanesse. He is so lonely he can't stand it. He is married, but he's gone so much that "the kids are starting to get used to missing me". Scarlett Johansson also dose extreamly well conveying the saddness and lonelieness, even though her husdand is there with her, though he's gone working all the time. The two meet each other in a karaoke bar, which are very popular in Japan. The two meet, and feel very comfertable with each other, because they are the only one the other knows that knows English. They begin a relationship, but not a sexual one, though that is certainly a possability. The two start frequenting the Tokyo night spots, where they still feel out of place (the title, Lost in Translation" has a lot of meanings). This is one of the better movies that has come out in awhile. It is not a big budget studio movie, it is a smaller movie by Indie queen Sofia Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola's daughter, and he servered as a producer as well). It has a lot of authentic atmosphere from Tokyo, with a lot of it's east meets west images. (Once again, the title means a lot more.) This is Bill Murray's moment to shine, he deserves all the awards he gets for it. If there is one problem, it isn't very story drivin, but that's alright, the characters are engageing enough.
Rating: 
Summary: A beautiful work
Review: Let's get the gripe out of the way first: the trailer. The trailer for this movie cheeses it up and portrays it as some all-American family comedy, but it totally betrays the nature of the film. In fact its a dazzling audiovisual work of art, beautifully told, well acted, with intrigue, appeal and imagination. Scarlett Johanssen's character is so far removed from the average movie heroine that its wonderfully appealing and her journey is sentimental but never cheesy. The film, sometimes just from the cinematography and/or music, can bring out completely inexpressible feelings. Talking of which, the soundtrack is great. Dazzling is a perfect word for it: Tokyo is stunning and alluring. The Japanese jokes can bely the real content of the film and we could possibly do without them, but they're immaterial to the film, really. Classic stuff, one to remember for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Translation lost on both Japanese and their fellow Americans
Review: Two Americans visiting Tokyo meet: "Lost in Translation" is about the relationship that evolves between them, how they adjust to Japanese culture, and the disconnect between each and their respective spouses. There are numerous scenes we see the disconnect between Japanese and Americans: Bob Harris towering over the Japanese men in the elevator, Harris as a guest on the talk show, the prostitue that visits his hotel room, the misunderstandings that happen when the Japanese invert their L's and R's. But note how often what is 'lost in translation' is between the Americans themselves. Both Harris and Charlotte feel disconnected from their American, English-speaking spouses. Lastly, I really enjoyed seeing a love story that didn't become sexual. A bond occured between an older man and a young woman. That is the love story, and it was a stronger love story than I've seen in most movies.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Movie
Review: I thought that this movie was an expression of sophia coppela's first movie. There was realism and the shots of tokyo. I don't think that I have ever seen more of tokyo than this movie. It is is a breath of fresh air to see on site filming in a country where a movie is set. I honestly think that this film falls along the line of american beauty which was set in north jersey.
The film warms me up as opposed to modern day films where sex and innuendo play a major part in the film.
Rating:
Summary: Yikes is this ever boring (and pretensious)
Review: Stay away, stay far away. Nothing to see here (literally).
Rating:
Summary: Dreadful Film; Boring and Pointless
Review: This film is terrible for so many reasons. Let us explore a few: 1. Rabidly Anti-Japanese. Japanese culture is used as a punchline throughout the film. Neither the characters nor the director show any interest in exploring Japan, in getting to know or understand it. The film makes fun of the Japanese speaking poor English, yet the characters make no attempt to speak any Japanese. This makes for a decidedly unfunny film, and one that is a bit offensive, to boot. 2. The Characters are Losers. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansen play people who bemoan how alone they are in Japan. Yet, they are victims of themselves--neither has the feintest interest in correcting their problems or making the best of their situation (i.e. exploring Tokyo). All they do is sit in the same bar and drink for two hours. This makes for a boring film. 3. Immaturity of the Performances. Scarlet Johansen is too young to play this role; she comes off far more like an high-schooler than a graduate of Yale with a degree in philosophy. And four years of higher education have apparently dulled any interest she has in a new culture or exotic country.
As for Bill Murray, he plays serious by being hang-dog and acting like a jerk. Would anyone pay his character $2 million to sell whiskey? Bill Murray may be getting critical acclaim these days, but it is a sad story when his last watchable movies were Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters 2! 4. Cheap Plot. The nature of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansen's attraction is never fully adressed (plus, there is not an ounce of chemistry between the two). At first, Bill Murray's interest seems fatherly, but at the end, the director panders to mediocrity and reveals that it is the typical hollywood fare: older man's lust for much younger woman. One would have expected better from a young, female director. The film has many other faults, but space dictates we focus only on these four for now. Avoid this film, and avoid people who enjoy this film.
|
