Around the World in 18 Screenplays
7. Lost in Translation (2003)
“For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.”
Lost in Translation is a 2003 Academy Award Winning American comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi and Anna Faris. Murray plays an aging American action movie star who, amidst his midlife crisis, arrives in Tokyo to shoot a commercial for Suntory whisky. Johansson plays a young college graduate who has been left neglected in her hotel room by her husband played by Ribisi, a celebrity photographer. The story unfolds as Charlotte, unsure of her future with her hubby whom she believes takes more interest in his celebrity model played by Faris, develops a relations ship with Murray’s character. The muted hilarity and social commentary that is depicted is nothing short of brilliant.
8. Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
So Bad that Arnold left acting for politics.
Around the World in 80 Days is a 2004 adventurecomedy film, loosely based on Jules Verne’s novel of the same name, starring Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Set in 19th-century Britain, the film revolves around eccentric inventor, Phileas Fogg (Coogan), and his Chinese valet, Passepartout (Jackie Chan) in an ambitious bid to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. The film features intentional chronological inaccuracies for the sake of comedic value. It’s title is also the inspiration for the title of this post…
9. Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
So, that’s the guy on those t-shirts.
“The Motorcycle Diaries” is a 2004 biopic about a notable journey conceptually plucked from written memoir of a young Argentine man who would later become world renown Marxist revolutionary, Che Guevara. The film follows Guevara on his 1952 expedition, partially by motorcycle, across South America. Sculpted by the class disparities blatantly visible in the impoverished locales he encountered, the young Che begins his mental metamorphosis into the eventual iconic revolutionary.
10. EuroTrip (2004)
“Scotty doesn’t know.”
EuroTrip is a 2004 American-European teen comedy adventure film about a group of friends who, following their high school graduates decide to embark on what proves to be a comedically tumultuous travels across Europe. “Mi Scusi.”
11. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
“Losing your planet isn’t the end of the world.”
In this 2005 science fiction comedy, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” right before aliens are set to demolish earth. Arthur is not having the best day.
12. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
“Do you want to go in the bathroom and smoke a cigarette with me?”
The Darjeeling Limited is a 2007 comedic drama film directed by Wes Anderson. In an effort to bond after their father’s funeral, three brothers played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman travel across India on the Darjeeling limited. This film is no different than other Wes Anderson films in that it provides uniquely witty dialogue splashed over visually stunning landscapes.
