Travis Simpkins: Bill Murray

Friday, October 19, 2018

Zombieland (2009): Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg and Bill Murray

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, Zombieland (2009) was a unique and stylish addition to the popular Zombie Genre… one of the best such films in recent years. The story concerns a group of mismatched people on a road trip through the Southwest after a Zombie Apocalypse, looking for a Zombie free zone. Sharp editing and a well-written script make this a superb effort. Woody Harrelson is badass as a Twinkie-loving zombie killer. The rest of the cast is good as well, including Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin. Bill Murray has a hilarious cameo playing himself.

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg

Zombieland. 2009

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg

Zombieland. 2009: Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg

Zombieland. 2009: Emma Stone

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Emma Stone

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone

Zombieland. 2009: Bill Murray

Zombieland. 2009

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone

Zombieland. 2009: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Woody Harrelson

Zombieland. 2009: Bill Murray

"Zombieland"- movie trailer

Saturday, May 9, 2015

The Monuments Men (2014): George Clooney as George Stout

Directed by and starring George Clooney, based on the book by Robert M. Edsel, The Monuments Men (2014) tells the true story of a group of aging museum officials, conservators and art aficionados charged with rescuing art masterpieces from the Nazis during World War II… with Jan van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece being the main focus of the rescue operation. The real names of the participants were changed so that some liberties could be taken without causing offense. In real life, the group was led by George Stout, a conservator at Harvard University's Fogg Museum, who later went on to become director of the Worcester Art Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Depicting the valiant planning and efforts undertaken in rescuing Europe's great masterpieces from the greedy hands of the Nazis, the film showcases the noble acts of the brave men that risked all to preserve history for future generations. The reproduction art used as props in the film are good by Hollywood standards, and the muted cinematography adds to the 1940's atmosphere. George Clooney does a good job capturing the look and demeanor of George Stout. The cast is thoroughly wonderful, including George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin and Bob Balaban.