Monday, February 2, 2009

Groundhog Day


Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, hence, according to "official" Groundhog rules, more winter! Before I delve into my real subject matter, I have always thought this tradition was a bit backwards. "If" the groundhog sees his shadow that means that the sun must be shining. With that in mind, it would seem to equate the sun shining with warm weather. But, it means we'll have more winter instead.

Okay, I admit I'm not a football fan. Oh, I might follow an occassional Green Bay game but that's about it. I didn't know who was even in the Super Bowl! So, I watched one of my old favorite movies last night, "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray. Yes, we know that it's a comedy but there are certain scenes that were extremely sad. When Bill Murray finds out that the homeless man had passed away, he made sure the next day that the man was fed! To me the whole emphasis on the story is how one man finally gets it right! To me, that's what the whole epiphany is about.

Some trivia notes. By the way, I am one of those that read "liner notes" from CD's, watch all the credits at the end of a movie, ad infinitum. Most of the movie was actually filmed in Woodstock Illinois. Woodstock is just east of my old stomping grounds of Rockford where I lived for ten years. I really liked Rockford! Now, in Rockford there is a quarry there. From my understanding, the scene where Bill is in the truck with the groundhog and decides to drive it over the edge into the quarry was filmed in Rockford. Every time I would drive past that quarry I would think about that scene.

It was great to watch that old movie again. Yep, I passed up the Super Bowl to watch the movie. However, the Steelers might have a "Groundhog Day" thing happening. Is it the sixth time they have become Super Bowl champs? Go figure. Well, kiddies, that's it for today. Stay warm and have a good week.

4 comments:

  1. I will be watching Groundhog Day this evening. It's one of my favorite movies of all time and it's only appropriate that I watch it on the actual holiday. I just assumed that I would have the day off today, but I guess not.

    You're right, the movie is more than a silly comedy. I like the fact that Murray goes through several stages of realization as he's reliving the same day over and over again. At first he takes advantage of the situation for selfish reasons, then he goes through a stage where he doesn't care anymore, and eventually he finds joy in serving others--go figure.

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  2. Roger,

    I cheated. I watched it the night before. I know, I am a bad boy! Ha. Still, one of my all time favorites. I think I'm going to have to find "Fletch" since I know it's your favorite movie. I had seen it years ago.

    Hope you are well!

    Randy

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  3. Kevin's tried to get me to watch that movie and I've always resisted. It's very hard to get me past 1955 when it comes to movies. Especially film noirs from the 40s. Love em.

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  4. Joel,

    You might want to at least give this one a chance! You can actually put a theological twist on this one. Well, it's stretching it a bit, but a nuance anyway. I'd listen to Kevin and give it a shot!
    As for me, I have a problem with anything before 1960! We are all different, aren't we?

    Randy

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