Groundhog Day

I can watch this over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over.

This "4K" version is terrible. There was absolutely zero enhancement made to the original picture.All they did was up-scale this to 4K.The picture is very grainy in most of the scenes.The original DVD is just as good as this overpriced, over-hyped joke.Wait for a proper 4K transition and stay away from this one.

If you believe this is Harold Ramis' best movie or Bill's funniest, best role then this GROUNDHOG DAY (Special 15th Anniversary) is a no-brainer. The xtra Features with Harold Ramis Interview (so good to see Ramis healthy and speaking well, at least, 6 years before his passing) is about 25 minutes; and the Weight of Time feature all add some nice behind-the-scene tidbits (Tom Hanks considered for lead) with Bill Murray mugging (well) for the camera and mingling with the crowd by buying "Danish" for the locals watching them film(ing).Murray does not give an 'actual' interview, but, good brief interviews are given by Stephen "Ned Ryersen" Tobolowsky (funny, nice, goofy guy...probably like you would imagine)) and "sweetie" Andie McDowell. The Producer Trevor Albert regales some location stories also.By the way Groundhogs are also called woodchucks and/or marmots (from xtra feature The Study of Groundhogs).This is one of those very rare comedy's that makes more sense and is better (yes and funnier) the second time.GROUNDHOG DAY (1993) also has the great point being made making GROUNDHOG DAY as important in our everyday lives as a classic Holiday Movie like "It's a wonderful Life" or (my personal favorite holiday movie) "Miracle on 34th Street".

So the title is a bit of hyperbole, but this is MY favorite movie for numerous reasons. I went to the movies to see this when it came out, since then I have watched this movie more than 200 times easily. I am not someone who has a particular type of movie that I like to watch, but this is definitely a family film and funny from beginning to end.But it is my favorite movie because if I want a "pick me up" sort of movie and want a good laugh this is what I put on. Not going to review the entire movie from beginning to end but some of my favorite parts.WARNING: SPOILER ALERT (As though every human on earth hasn't already watched the greatest film ever made).""""Some of my favorite parts:His same day (same day, every day, same day) interactions with Ned the Insurance Salesman. Ned is played by Stephen Tobolosky, one of those actors you see and know, but don't. He's a character actor, but he will probably go down through all time in film as "Ned the Insurance Salesman". One of those things were someone plays a part so well that that is how you remember them. Some actors call that typecasting, in this case it's not typecasting, it is a result of just playing Ned so well that the character is very memorable. His daily interactions with Bill Murray's character Phil the weatherman. When I see Ned, I don't think "Stephen Tobolowsky" I think "Ned the Insurance Salesman", when I see Stephen Tobolowsky, I dont think "Ned the Insurance Salesman" I think whatever character he happens to be playing, like his character in Seinfeld for example. Tobolowsky isn't typecast but he acted and created a memorable character that will be remembered in comedy for all time. Without Stephen Tobolowsky this film would be nowhere as good as it actually is.Andie McDowell is well, Andie McDowell. In the 80's and 90's ANdie McDowell was sort of like Demi Moore and had that "Normal girl or woman that anyone might meet". Girl next door type. GIrls next door type is the type she plays in Groundhog Day. Bill MUrray was hilarious on Saturday Night Live, he is hilarious in this movie and he is still funny. The best scene between McDowell and Murray in my opinion, in this film, is their meeting in the Diner. Without going through the entire scene, in the Diner Murray's character "Phil the weatherman" nearly convinces McDowell "Rita the Producer" that he is a God, an all knowing, all seeing God. He does know everything, but only because he is reliving the same day over and over and over and meeting the same people.If there is any problem with this film at all it is the minimal use of Chris Elliot's character "Larry the cameraman". Elliot has proven throughout his career he is a super funny guy and can just about carry a movie and the guy has done everything, Movies, Television, Cartoon voice work and who knows what else. But his part in Groundhog Day is sort of lacking because he isn't used that much and comes and goes. He does some scene stealing though and his scene with the woman at the bar is one of the funniest in the movie. Chris Elliott did great in this movie for the smaller role he was given, and he does turn out to be an integral element that the movie cannot do without. Elliot's character through the movie gives you the feeling that he thinks Phil the weatherman is a complete "tool" and he is, but that Elliot's character actually likes him. But it is also a fact that in 1993 Elliot was not that well known, had been around for ten years but had yet to do and accomplish 1/10th of what he would go on to do and he was working with one of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players" who was already a movie star and Andie McDowell, who was also a movie star, so playing third string to two well known movie stars is kind of a really big deal for an actor even though Elliot had already been around nearly as long as Murray and longer than McDowell he was not yet at their level in his career. But yes, without him as the sort of bumbling Cameraman but who is also the sort of level headed character (We have to go, the snow is gone), this movie would not be what it is.Bryan Doyle-Murray has one of the funniest scenes in the movie. (In my opinion) But it goes along with a bunch of other similar scenes. Bill Murray's character has decided to "End it". He chooses various methods to kill himself, jumping in front of a Bus, jumping off a tall building, they all work, except he still wakes up the next day (Groundhog Day) each time. He decides at one point it is the Groundhogs fault, kidnaps the groundhog and goes on a semi-high speed chase with the police and the Groundhog crew. Just before he drives the pickup over the cliff and explodes in an epic massive ball of fire with the Groundhog, during the chase Murray-Doyles character orders the cops to shoot low, so as not to hit the Groundhog. No detail you have to watch the movie to see the semi high speed Murray and the Groundhog chase. But Doyle's character, ordering the cops to kill Bill Murray's character to save a Groundhog is hilarious.Oh, and Brian Doyle-Murray is Bill Murrays brother and has been in that business longer than his brother and was in a Saturday Night Live sketch and variety show before SNL ever hit the air, Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell on ABC.Greatest movie ever made. Or maybe the greatest comedy ever made. Or maybe just a great comedy. Either way, for anyone who has never seen it, you don't know what you are missing, its simply a great movie and IMHO Bill Murray's best comedy film.Some people say dont give yourself high expectations because when the reality doesnt meet expectations you will be let down. Not with this movie, expect to like it, there is a reason this movie has such a huge following, has been picked apart for it's lessons (Bill Murray's character stuck in a loop until he learns to be a better human being, mental health professional's using this movie as an example of something or another, dozens of YT videos "explaining the lessons"). The only lessons I get from this movie, it's funny as heck, it is good from the begginning all the way to the end, and the movie score, themse song or whatever you call it, a song called "Weatherman" by Delbert McLinton is one of those songs that might get stuck in your head it is so good and matches the film perfectly.Harold Ramis hit it out of the Ballpark with this movie and didn't even originally expect it or know it. It became som popular that Bill Murray started hating to discuss it because more than 20 years down the road (now 25) people still ask him about this movie in interviews and on the street. It really is that good of a comedy. And if it teaches someone a lesson about being a better person, then I suppose that is a good thing too.

This movie is the best Groundhog Day movie of all time. You'll laugh, you'll cry. Plus knowing it takes place over 34 years really changes your perspective on not only the movie, but pretty much your whole life. Are you making the best of your life? What good did you do today?

Great art has the ability to change culture. This film changed a whole holiday. Where before Groundhog Day was just a silly holiday where a Groundhog is believed to predict the weather, but since this movie came out it has been added as part of the vernacular to describe things happening over and over again. In preparing to speak to a group of church leaders on Groundhog day, I had this idea to talk about the things that happen over and over again in churches that sort of cast a shadow on the church. I decided I'd better see the movie if I was going to relate it to my concept. I could not believe how good this movie is. Bill Murray is superb as a full of himself reporter who ends up in a repeating loop of Groundhog day. The growth in the character is what makes this film so good. I know I'm late to the party, but I highly recommend it

Like most classic films this one is good on the first viewing but gets better and better every time. If you like Bill Murray you will love him in this because he essentially plays himself while the wonderful and pretty Andie McDowall is his serious counterpoint and anchors the film perfectly. Another subtle element that grows on you is the music. George Fenton's score is delightful. But the real masterpiece is the script and I cannot help but provide some quotes as a taster for anyone who has not seen it yet....Rita : Do you ever have déjà vu?Phil : Didn't you just ask me that?Rita: This day was perfect. You couldn't have planned a day like this.Phil : Well, you can. It just takes an awful lot of work.Phil : Ned, I would love to stay here and talk with you... but I'm not going to.Phil : I think you're the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I've ever met in my life. I've never seen anyone that's nicer to people than you are. The first time I saw you... something happened to me. I never told you but...I knew that I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don't deserve someone like you.But if I ever could, I swear I would love you for the rest of my life.

A film crew goes to a small town to cover the Groundhog Day event and get trapped overnight by bad weather. The grumpy reporter Phil, played by Bill Murray, however finds that he cannot leave the town. Every day he wakes up on Groundhog Day and has to encounter the same people and situations again and again.I recently borrowed a library book by Paul Hannam called 'The Wisdom of Groundhog Day' and discovered that I hadn't previously realised that this old film from way back was so deep! I had seen the film when it first came out, and thought it quite funny: Unlikeable sarcastic man eventually learns to be nice.We see how Phil gradually accepts his situation and changes his behaviour and treatment of others. He realises that he needs to savour and appreciate what he has now, today and make the best of it. Only once he has surrendered fully to this state of affairs, can he move on. With plenty of jokes and easy on the philosophising.

I've resisted watching this film for so long, and only caved in when the offer came along!It was great to see a fairly old and much referenced movie for the first time, and what a treat too!I'm not sure what I was expecting, I didn't even know the "story" until just after it was delivered, but it was a nice film to watch and, despite the time-looping that is thankfully never explained, it manages to be creatively repetitive in way that illuminate the changes that Phil Connors/Bill Murray undergoes as he realises and profits from his time-looping and the complete reset that each night brings. It isn't a film you come to for insights into people, but they're there all the same - nicely done!It isn't fall-about comedy - although we laughed often enough - but more subtle humour that is all about timing and delivery. In fact it's often not a funny film, but more situational and setting up expectations as to what's coming next, only to find humour in how Phil/Bill deals with it. I have to admit that with a couple of decades build-up I was expecting to be a little disappointed, instead I think we've found another Christmas eve film to join other things in a similar vein such as Maverick (funnier), the Despicable Me/Toy Story franchises and such films that go nicely with some forbidden food and a tipple or two, all while cuddled in front of the box!

I was expecting to receive the same blu ray copy as shown in the picture however the one that arrived was completely different. This was for a gift and had I known it wasn't the version with the nice slip cover as pictured I would not have purchased it. Very disappointed. The one I received was in a very thin blu ray case that looks super cheap. Would have returned but it was for a gift. The only positive was it turned up quickly.

We wore our last copy out we had watched it so many times. So we had to buy it again. But another again is the appalling AMAZON DELIVERY. The driver, yet again, placed the package on the step, knocked on the door and was gone by the time (ten seconds later) I opened the door. Where is all this "we are keeping you safe nonsense?" Amazon promise to place the parcel at the door, knock and stand back - not run away. If we had been out doing our masked, socially distanced (yawn...) shopping it would have been left on our step waiting for a passer-by to steal it. Well done Amazon delivery - NOT!