I gave a quick look see around the interwebs and did not locate enough new quality trailers to ignite a fire in my blogging desire. I did however, come up with an even better topic. Trailers of some of my favorite Bill Freaking Murray films.
Meatballs 1979, Murray stars as Tripper the head counselor of Camp Northstar. Murray leads a group of misfit campers to revenge against a rival camp in the annual Olympiad. This is a screwball teen oriented comedy from the late 70′s. This is obviously an early effort but the PG hijinks are still funny.
CaddyShack (1980), Murray stars as groundskeeper Carl Spackler who spends his time hunting for an elusive gopher getting wasted and checking out the ladies on the senior tour. This a comedy cult classic from first time director Harold Ramis. While this is an ensemble cast and Murray’s scenes are limited he still shines in this one. I can relate to Spackler as I have been trying to eradicate some pocket gophers from my yard and garden.
GhostBusters (1984), Murray teams up with Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis while he portrays Dr. Peter Venkman. The three star as paranormal investigators working in New York City. This film is a comedy blockbuster and Murray really shines in this one. The three would go on to reprise their roles in the ill-fated Ghostbusters 2 and rumors of a third installment are still floating around despite Murray’s insistence that he wants nothing to do with the project.
Groundhog Day (1993), Murray stars as grumpy weatherman Phil Conners. He reluctantly goes to Punxsutawney PA to await the possible arrival of Punxsutawney Phil. When a surprise snow storm strands Phil and his crew in Punxsutawney he becomes stuck in a time warp that repeats the previous day over and over. Yeah I know the worst sounding plot ever but under the expert direction of Ramis this film became a fan favorite.
Rushmore (1998), Murray stars as eccentric millionaire Herman Plume who becomes involved in a love triangle. This is the first collaboration between director Wes Anderson and Bill Murray. I honestly could have selected any of the five films that they have worked on together and I still would have made a quality selection. This may be Anderson’s most approachable film other than his most recent effort Moonrise Kingdom.
Lost in Translation (2003) Murray stars as down on his luck actor Bob Harris who is stuck in Tokyo filming promoting a line of whiskey. He runs into a fellow american Scarlett Johansson at the hotel bar. The two become fast friends in strange land. This is an atypical role for Murray and he hits it out of the park. This is the film to suggest to non-fans of Murray. A really amazing bit of film making and one of my favorite films of 2003.
Well that does it for my trailers of Bill Freaking Murray special edition. I could have easily picked five other films to highlight and shown trailers from Murray’s filmography. Did I select your favorite Bill Murray film, or do you have a different favorite?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I just watched Groundhound Day on roundhog Day, such a classic. Ned the Head, am I right?
Yeah we should really review that for next Groundhog day. We would probably the only film blog doing something like that.
Bill Murray is brilliant. Well, brilliant in a goofy kind of Madras Pants kind of way!
Chris I do love me some Madras as my brother can attest to.
Fun piece, a plug out to Zombie land for Murray’s small but hilarious part.
Mark I really considered adding that one to the list but as you said his role while awesome was rather brief.
Nice list bro but you have to throw Stripes on there and if you want to see something a bit off the path. Check out Where the Buffalo Roam from 1980. He plays Hunter S. Thompson in that one. Long before Johnny Depp.
Stripes would most certainly be at the top of my next five Murray films. Yeah I do have to check out that Where the Buffalo Roam.
Bill Murray’s my favorite comedian and he’s also starred in two of my favorite comedies, Groundhog Day and Rushmore.
Ckckred, I had a real hard time just picking five of his films for this feature. Bill Murray is a national treasure.
Love Bill. He is just a classic dude with one of the most unique filmographies out there for a comedic actor. I loved him in Quick Change with Geena Davis and Randy Quaid. Great post!
Hey Victor, I don’t think I have yet had the pleasure of checking out Quick Change. I am going to have to add that to my ever growing list of films I need to check out. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey, Adam
Best Trailer Trash Tuesday yet. Tough to choose a favorite Bill Murray flick. He’s hilarious in pretty much any movie he stars in. Murray is one of the few stars that can carry a movie that would most likely suck ass without him. It’s kinda like choosing an overall favorite movie. Your favorite BM movie could change daily but in the end “it just doesn’t matter”:) because they’re all pretty damn good in their own rights. Right now I do favor Aquatic a bit (him dancing in that wet suit with that serious face is pretty damn funny) but tomorrow could be a Scrooged kinda day.
Joe I love me some Life Aquatic, I want to get one of those blue outfits a red cap and some of those limited edition sneakers.