Scrooged, 1988

Directed by Richard Donner
Written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O'Donoghue (from some old thing that Charles Dickens wrote)
Starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait

This is not everyone's favorite, nor is it everyone's favorite Bill Murray movie (surely that's Groundhog Day), nor is it everyone's favorite Christmas move (surely that's It's a Wonderful Life, in a crowded field). However, I watch it basically every year. It's heart is in the right place, even if (as the New York Times would say) Mr. Murray and director Richard Donner had disagreements about the tone. Besides, it's friggin' Bill Murray as Scrooge -- what more could one ask for? There are lots of good lines, many delightful supporting performances, and, like the original Scrooge, he gets the message, so it has the Christmas spirit.

One bit that I especially enjoy (partly because the waiter is played by Tony Steedman, also known for playing Socrates in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) and features a little primer in proper grammar:

Frank Cross (Bill Murray): "Are you him? Are you him?"
Waiter (Tony Steedman) shakes his head: "Are you he?"

Scrooged at IMDB.

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Groundhog Day, 1993

Directed by Harold Ramis
Written by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis
Starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell

I think this is Bill Murray's best movie. It's a good story based on an intriguing premise. It's very funny, and, dare I say, even moving at a few moments. He's at the top of his game and obviously working well with Harold Ramis, who is also at the top of his game. The other performances are fine, but this is Bill's movie and he carries it off. It's not a masterpiece of cinema, but it's head-and-shoulders above most comedies (and a lot of what's out there). I could list my favorite lines, but there are too many. There's something particularly hilarious about the recurring scenes in the diner -- especially the scene where he drinks coffee from the decanter and when he gets Andie McDowell's list of what she's looking for in a man ("Me again").

There's also notable material about it in this article; spoiler alert for the article: I hope they're finally talking again.

And it's in The Pantheon.

Groundhog Day at IMDB.

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The places to hear from me:
Food - josh lubarr food stuff
Geekiness - geekiness(josh lubarr)
Movies - Old Movies and New with Josh Lubarr
Politics - Progressive Politics (per Josh Lubarr)
Silliness and comedy - Le Repository du Silliness, avec Josh Lubarr
Favorite movies - The Pantheon
Me generally - Josh Lubarr's web site extraordinaire
Also also - Josh's Part of lubarr.com