Groundhog Day
In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania earlier today, the world's most famous groundhog, "Punxsutawney Phil," emerged from his lair to find himself startled by his own shadow, indicating that winter will last another six weeks--and reminding yours truly of one of the funniest, and most profound, movies ever made.
Above, the official proclamation of the Groundhog Club of Punxsutawney. And below, thirty-seven seconds of "Groundhog Day," the movie in which Bill Murray finds himself condemned to repeating the same day over and over again until he finally gets it right. (And, yes, if you're wondering, I'm feeling an almost physical aversion to politics today. I keep trying to write about the GOP primary--and keep finding myself retreating to business and pop culture. For now at least, I've just plain had enough.)
Anyway, happy Groundhog Day--and does anybody else like the movie as much as I do?
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Comments :
Sep '10
Re: Groundhog Day
I am obsessed with that movie. I watch it over and over and over again.
Jan '12
Re: Groundhog Day
I almost put up a post proclaiming Groundhog Day one of the best movies of all time, but as a new member I wavered... Thanks Peter!
There are dozens of tremendous quotes, but one of my favorites has to be: ""When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter."
Mar '11
Re: Groundhog Day
I used to like the movie, but I got bored, watching it again and again...
I preferred Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation", which I have watched many times, if only for the opening scene with Scarlett Johansson...
May '11
Re: Groundhog Day
The only thing Bill Murray ever did that was good was his role in "Caddy Shack."
Dec '10
Re: Groundhog Day
Pilli
The only thing Bill Murray ever did that was good was his role in "Caddy Shack." · 1 minute ago
Are you completely discounting "What about Bob?"
Jun '10
Re: Groundhog Day
Peter Robinson
Anyway, happy Groundhog Day--and does anybody else like the movie as much as I do?
One of my all-time favorites, I plan to watch it tonight. It's my annual Groundhog Day tradition!
Jun '10
Re: Groundhog Day
And a Happy Candlemas too!
Aug '10
Re: Groundhog Day
I bet this movie is illegally downloaded a LOT today.
Aug '10
Re: Groundhog Day
The King Prawn
Pilli
The only thing Bill Murray ever did that was good was his role in "Caddy Shack." · 1 minute ago
Are you completely discounting "What about Bob?" · 13 minutes ago
Not to mention Meatballs, Stripes, Scrooged, Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Ed Wood, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic, and Broken Flowers.
Oct '11
Re: Groundhog Day
If you really need a fix, head west - a blizzard is bearing down on Denver overnight. Ugh.
Apr '11
Re: Groundhog Day
The first day of spring is March 20 (21 maybe?) so we have six weeks of winter left no matter what.
As for the movie, it was hilarious.
Apr '11
Re: Groundhog Day
I can't call this movie a "favorite," in the sense that I haven't watched it in years, and may never watch it all the way through again. But I've seen it many times, and it is on my list of "best films." The premise is so intriguing, the BIll Murray character is so unique and tragic, and it does have some of the funniest scenes that are made unforgettable by Murray's deadpan, matter-of-fact delivery.
Members of my (admittedly odd) family used to sit around and discuss at length how long he was trapped in the loop. It had to be a long time, to effect such an amazing transformation in his character.
Apr '11
Re: Groundhog Day
"NANCY?! Nancy TAYLOR??!?"
Dec '10
Re: Groundhog Day
Me, surveying some Boyz-made disaster:
"Where's your sense of responsibility?!"
Boyz:
"Blowed up, sir!".
Oct '10
Re: Groundhog Day
While I don't disagree with any of the sentiments posted here so far (ok, I don't disagree with the 6 I read; I have no take on the others), my particular affinity for Groundhog Day is that it marks, usually within a day or two, the point at which sunset happens at or after 5pm ET for the first time each winter. (That's been a psychological milestone for me each winter.)
I'm saying this on faith that my memory hasn't failed me, and will go over to the Farmer's Almanac after I post this to see when sunset occurs today at Bedford, NH (even though I'm in San Juan, so who really gives a hoot about all this winter hand-wringing? I've already played 5 rounds of golf in 2012, 3 in one 5-day span alone!).
(Bingo! 5pm on the money.)
Edited on Feb 2 at 4:56pmAug '10
Re: Groundhog Day
I note that Jonah tweeted earlier that he's shooting Uncommon Knowledge today.
Jonah Goldberg ... on Uncommon Knowledge ... on Groundhog Day!
I can't wait to download that episode!
Aug '10
Re: Groundhog Day
Groundhogs have power over time and space.
Aug '10
Re: Groundhog Day
According to Harold Ramis, the original script said he was trapped in the loop for 10,000 years.
In the movie itself, the day is replayed 32 times.
Oct '11
Re: Groundhog Day
Bush, Dole, Bush, McCain, Romney. I'm tryin' to be good, but it just ain't working.
P.S. Peter, if you can admit your fondness for Groundhog Day, then so can I. (Just don't tell anybody I know.) Altho' I probably give Murray too much slack on account of Caddyshack and punching out Chevy Chase.
P.P.S. Alien was a more profound philosophical meditation, albeit not as comforting.
May '10
Re: Groundhog Day
Up here in Western New York, the groundhog's prediction of 6 more weeks of winter augurs an early spring. Here's to some warm weather in March!