Neatorama presents a guest post from actor, comedian, and voiceover artist Eddie Deezen. Visit Eddie at his website. This post contains spoilers.

Almost everyone loves the movies, and along with viewing our personal favorites and other movies, most of us enjoy discussing the subjects and contents of films. Opinions and tastes, of course, vary. But almost everyone I know loves, or at least likes, Bill Murray's best film, Groundhog Day.

In the film, Murray plays Phil Connors, an obnoxious, self-centered TV weatherman. Phil wakes up one day and realizes it's actually the same day as it was yesterday -and this occurs over and over and over... Finally, Phil "evolves" and finds his true love (his colleague Rita, played by Andie MacDowell) and his true identity and a "new day" is finally allowed to dawn.

The film is actually a great movie version of The Twilight Zone. The great thing about Groundhog Day (or any other great movie) is that it is endlessly rewatchable (a bit of irony there). Last Groundhog Day, February 2nd, one cable channel played Groundhog Day over and over, for the entire day. Nice gag. Groundhog Day also makes for great discussions, and numerous theories about the movie and its meaning have been put forth.

Is it karma? What goes around comes around? Is it a commentary on man's true nature? His true goodness -reflected by kindness, understanding, and warmth? Some Buddhists have adopted the film as a modern symbol of their religion. One keeps "coming back" until they finally evolve into a "perfect state," at which time the endless "coming back" ceases. All valid and very metaphysical theories.

But why was poor Phil stuck in the "endless" time loop in the first place? This is one thing that the film leaves nebulous and unclear. In one sense, it is "hell," i.e. a world of endless repetition, with no randomness, no unpredictability. But in another sense, this is the situation we all want and need: endless chances to fix and correct our mistakes, and then to understand why they were wrong. In the film, when Phil finally straightens out what he's done wrong, the "endless" loop stops.

But again, why the punishment? After all, Phil is undeniably a jerk, but hey, he never murdered anyone. He's not a rapist. He didn't torture any small animals. Why Phil? Okay, here's the answer.

The second draft of Groundhog Day says, actually, it was caused by Phil's scorned ex-girlfriend Stephanie. The second draft of Groundhog Day is pretty close to what we all see in the film. There is a bit more of Phil in the studio at the beginning, but nothing major. But also in the second draft, Stephanie, Phil's ex-girlfriend, puts a curse on him. Literally, she opens a book of magic spells and does a little ritual that causes him to get stuck in time.

Near the beginning of this script, we meet Phil's girlfriend, Stephanie, who Phil coldly and unceremoniously dumps. Later, as Phil is going to bed in Punxsutawney, we see Stephanie in her room, using Phil's business cards and broken watch (conveniently set at 5:59) to perform a magic spell from a book titled 101 Curses, Spells, and Enchantments You Can Do At Home. This sets the theme of Groundhog Day in motion. There is no "higher purpose" given, just an angry, embittered ex-girlfriend with a little book.

Excerpt from the second Groundhog Day script: Stephanie: Are you saying that our relationship was a waste of time? Phil: Our relationship? We went out a total of four times, and only once did anything happen. It was fun, but I don't see that as a big commitment. Stephanie (closing in again): I had our charts done. My astrologer says we're extremely compatible. There may even be some past lives involved here.

For whatever reason, the director, the writer, or whoever, made the decision to completely excise any mention of Stephanie and her vindictive curse. I guess they just felt it was unnecessary to the movie or that it "slowed down the action" or that it made Phil too sympathetic, or some such Hollywood reason. Well, maybe they were right.

Groundhog Day is Bill Murray's (who is a great actor with a great body of film work to his credit) finest and most memorable film. By the way, I never liked Andie MacDowell as an actress. She seems like a very nice lady, but  just never liked her on screen. But in Groundhog Day she puts in a very likeable performance. Oh, and that's not the only mystery that's solved here.

The screenplay also specifies that Phil will spend the next 10,000 years (Holy cow!) trapped in the time loop. It also has a more definite answer as to why he comes out of it. It was apparently the kiss with Rita at the end of the film that broke the spell, much like a fairy tale. Even in the final filmed version, you can hear a tinkly magic sound as Phil and Rita lock lips.

Oh yes, one last note on Groundhog Day. My friend Kenny had a bit part in the film. I asked him what Bill Murray was like to work with. "Oh, he wasn't that friendly, but he got nicer as the film went along."

"Just like in the film, " I said.

"Yeah," he said (as if it had just dawned on him), "Just like the film."

 

Photographer Senén Llanos and dancer and yoga enthusiast Marién Enid began a tradition in 2005 of taking a photo of Marién against the backdrop of the last sunrise of the year. They get together every year, whether their quest is successful or not. The result (so far) is not only a series of pictures showing Llanos' progression as a photographer, but it is also a chronicle of a friendship that survives time and distance. The story that accompanies the photographs is well worth a read. Link -Thanks, Senén!   

We are fascinated with child prodigies, yet we still don't know what causes one talented youngster to go on to a happy, productive life and what causes others to burn out, like William James Sidis.

Sidis is considered to be the smartest man who ever lived, by some, with an estimated IQ of 250-300.

Before his own experience with the terrible twos, Sidis had taught himself to read and shortly thereafter, became fluent in eight different languages and wrote four original works of his own by the age of seven.

After an incredible childhood – or lack of it – adulthood was a struggle for Sidis and newspapers at the time reported that his “genius had burned out” due to the numerous obscure blue collared jobs he obtained throughout his life.

Read about 16 famous prodigies, some from history, some who are adults now, and some who are just starting out. Link -via the Presurfer

A truck full of fish overturned and dumped its load into Northern Ireland farmer Gordon Flinn's field on Thursday. The tonnes of mackerel were piled two feet deep in places. The driver of the truck was taken to the hospital, but was not seriously injured and was able to return to the scene. The truck was removed and the road opened later that night, but the Flinns may have to put up with a fishy smell for some time. Link -via Arbroath

(Image credit: Louise Flinn)

Those of us who don't play the latest video games are missing out on the excellent music composed or adapted specifically for them. Paul Tassi at Unreality magazine posted his ten favorite video game soundtracks, with YouTube clips so you can listen.

My friends all laugh at me, because whenever I drive anywhere, the first song playing from my iPod is generally from a video game or movie soundtrack. I’m a product of my environment, and my musical tastes are heavily influenced by movies, trailers, tv shows and games, and as such I have “terrible” taste in music according to everyone else. So be it.

Of course, taste in music varies, so others contributed suggestions in the comments. I thought of "Baba Yetu" from Civilization IV, the main theme from The Legend of Zelda, and of course, Tetris, but then I'm no gamer, so the list is all new to me. Try his ten out and let us know if your favorites are included. Link

(YouTube link)

Vi Hart has a bone to pick with Nickelodeon, in that the show Spongebob Squarepants does not represent the world the way it really is to children. Does she complain about the talking kitchen sponge who wears pants? The squid who runs an underwater hamburger stand? The squirrel in scuba gear? No, it's the pattern drawn in the pineapple that Spongebob lives in. -via Metafilter

(YouTube link)

An expensive-looking front loader gives its all. It does not go gently ...but keeps up the good fight astonishingly long after its parts begin to fly off. This would make a decent ad for the make and model, much better than the washing machine destroyed previously. You have to start feeling sorry for the little machine that just kept going and going and going. -via The Daily What

Update: The original video, uploaded last fall by Aussie50, has more information:

Concrete counterweights and good spare parts were removed from this before doing this test :D

Kudos to Photonicinduction for inspiring/encouraging me to perfect the washing machine kill cycle!

and if you have any doubts about what went in around the 3:40 mark, it was a motor from a similar machine, not a cat or dog like some idiots are claiming!.... sicko's!

Thanks, Croccydile!

(YouTube link)

Champis is a dwarf rabbit in Sweden who think he's a sheepdog! He belongs to Nils-Erik and Greta who have a farm near the village of Käl. That's about all I can get from the Swedish, but you can read more at Gårdsbacken's blog. Link -via Metafilter

A look at various dining facilities at scientific research centers, from a series first published in the Annals of Improbable Research.

Blackford Hall

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories: Cold Spring Harbor, New York

by Karen Hopkin, Biochemist and food critic



The decor is stoic but pleasant in a dining hall that offers a spectacular view of the quaint and peaceful Cold Spring Harbor. With its informal ambiance, Blackford Hall draws a very faithful following. In fact, many diners return just about every day.

"Actually, the food here is not bad, really," raves geneticist Alcino Silva, a frequent diner. "At least they don't rip you off...They offer mediocre food at a mediocre price."

The group we lunched with began the meal with a dish called "Shrimp Nuremberg." This entree was described by the diners as being "chunky," "yellowish," and "somewhat recognizable," with a taste that was "subtle, sort of."

The weekly menu frequently features ethnic dishes, ranging from jambalaya to lamb curry, and lyonnaise potatoes to white beans and sausage with corn chowder. We were told that these meals usually proved to be less frightening than predicted.

We were most pleasantly surprised by the dessert selection. The cakes and pies, imported from a local bakery, were described as "supreme" and "highly recommended," though when it came to dessert, resident scientists seemed to feel that quantity was as important as quality. Because of the imprecise nature of the cake-cutting procedure, biochemist Yuri Lazebnik informed us that, with careful observation and selection, one could choose a slice of cake that might be two standard deviations larger than the average hunk. All for the same price, of course.

Unfortunately, we could not stay long enough to experience firsthand the boisterous excesses of the legendary Saturday night lobster banquet. Or the warm comfort of the Sunday afternoon lobster bisque. Or the half-price bargain of Monday's lobster salad.

The quality of the food improved exponentially after Chef Ron Padden, formerly of the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, joined the staff in March of 1994. He replaced a chef who had been the head cook on a submarine for seven years. "He certainly had a captive clientele," said geneticist Michael Hengartner of their former chef, "But he wasn't too good with fresh fruit."

Hengartner summed up the Blackford experience most eloquently. "It's the best place for miles around," he said. "Actually, it's the only place for miles around."

Ratings

Quality: 1.78

Trendiness: 2.5

Bearded Men: 3

**********

General Motors Research and Development Center Cafeteria Warren, Michigan

by Stephen Drew

The cafeteria at the GM Research and Development Center is very clean. Sited majestically in the basement, just steps from the base of a gleaming Eero Saarinen-designed spiral staircase, it attracts a well-groomed and occasionally faithful lunch crowd of hungry researchers.

Just outside the cafeteria entrance, a blood-pressure monitor has been placed next to a display of plastic-wrapped real food.

Every table features a bouquet of artificial flowers anchored to an attractive woven basket.

We asked, "What is there about this cafeteria that distinguishes it from any other research lab cafeteria?" A focus group of five GM staff research scientists answered this question with silence. Eventually, one scientist offered the notion that "it's subterranean."

The following is an article from the book Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into the Universe.

Got some time? Here's at least a day's worth of time travel flicks.

Holly wood loves time travel -they're always punting people forward in time or backward in time, or just plopping them into a feedback loop where they relive the same day over and over again. Even though time travel is scientifically impossible (sorry to disappoint), it doesn't keep people from making or going to movies about it.

(YouTube link)

Army of Darkness: Technically the third part of director Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series, but it's not like you need a road map for this plot, which features a one-handed discount store salesman (the impossibly lantern-jawed Bruce Campbell) hurled back into the Middle Ages to fight zombies and skeletons and a creepy, man-eating flying book. It's kind of dumb, but all horror freaks love it (and you know how high their standards are). It's pretty funny, in a stupid comic-book way. Besides, any movie in which a minimum wage-earner from the future can condescendingly call a castle full of medieval types a bunch of "monkeys" can't be all that bad.

(YouTube link)

Back to the Future: Michael J. Fox goes back to the 1950s and is called "Calvin" because that's the name sewn into his underwear (Calvin Klein underwear -can't believe we need to explain this). The film's still funny in it's own right (especially with freaky Crispin Glover as Fox's loser dad), but now it's like two time travel movies in on. First you get the 1950s, which Fox goes back to, then you get the 1980s, which is the "present"' for this film. It's enough to give you a shiver (look for the Huey Lewis cameo). There were two more Back to the Future films, but unless you've got a thing for Michael J., you needn't bother.

(YouTube link)

Groundhog Day: Bill Murray goes back in time -exactly one day, over and over again. In the process he turns from obnoxious twit to the perfect man (or at least the perfect man for Andie McDowell, and who wouldn't want to be that kind of man?). It's a fine, fine film, and in addition to being funny, it's actually sweet and a little serious, and it proved that Murray was a little better of an actor than anyone ever gave him credit for before. But let's not kid ourselves: If you had to live Groundhog Day over and over again, you'd become a little zen yourself to keep from going utterly freakin' insane.

The Buena Vista Museum in Bakersfield, California, was the scene of a burglary Wednesday morning. A window was broken and two stuffed animals -a leopard and a dingo- were missing. Two blocks away, police found 55-year-old Henry Silvers, who had a stuffed dingo with him.

"I was just bored and decided I wanted to be a cat burglar," Slivers told 23ABC in a jailhouse interview. "So I kicked in the window and tried to steal the lion but it was too heavy, so I stole the cat."

"I took the leopard to my hotel. I then decided I wanted the dingo so I went back and took it. I took it to Jack In The Box because I wanted to have breakfast with it."

23ABC asked Slivers what he was planning on doing with the dingo and he replied, "I was going to take it around town with me."

Slivers told 23ABC he hadn't taken his medicine for over a week.

Police found the other animal, an African leopard, in Silvers' hotel room. Link  -via Arbroath

(YouTube link)

This made all kinds of sense until the second time I watched and and found out that it is a "monetized" video, which means there is sometimes an unskippable ad before it starts. Go figure. -via the Presurfer

This coming Thursday is Groundhog Day! Get your Groundhog Day decorations out, put up the Groundhog lights, and let's all sing Groundhog carols! Will the Groundhog see his shadow? Ya know, it doesn't really matter, because whether he does or not, spring will be here in six weeks anyway. At least on the calendar. So we can say we've turned the corner on winter,and that's what the holiday is all about. Happy Groundhog Day! Meanwhile, it's time to catch up on this week's best stuff from Neatorama.

Jill Harness collected 7 Amazing Stories of Lost and Re-Found Wedding Rings.

Eddie Deezen brought us The Origin of the Beatles Haircut.

Many thanks to National Geographic for providing Joel Sartore's Biodiversity Portraits,  which we posted at the Neatorama Spotlight Blog.

Goodbye, Farewell, and A*M*E*N was this week's offering from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.

Mental_floss magazine told us 10 Secrets of the Vatican Exposed.

The Psychoanalyst Says Your Gut Says… was a bit of nonsense from the Annals of Improbable Research.

In the What Is It? game this week, the pictured item is a meat cleaver with an attached combination tool, which is for sale at eBay. The first person to identify it was Michael S. Gatlin, who wins a t-shirt for his efforts! Chuck Farkleycame up with the funniest answer:

Chicken
Pablo Picasso
1934

mixed media with cleaver

So Chuck wins a t-shirt from the NeatoShop, too! Thanks to everyone who played this week. See the answers to all this week’s mystery items at the What Is It? blog.

The most-commented-on post this week was Raising a Gender-Neutral Child, which is not surprising. Coming in second was Can America Make the iPhone? (Hint: It's Not About The Labor Cost).

Earlier this week, we were offline for a while due to technical difficulties. Our tech wizard worked all night and most of the next day to get it fixed, and we really appreciate that. If it ever happens again, we will try to post updates on Facebook, Twitter, and G+ so you'll know what's going on. Be sure to check back often! And if you need your Neatorama fix in the meantime, those social networking sites are the place to be for fun stuff, discussions, and extra contests you won't find on the main page. Visit them every day!

Before television entered our homes, entertainment wasn't an everyday thing -in fact, it was hard to come by. And people would go to see anything that was out of the ordinary for a little respite from the daily grind. Mental_floss dug up some rather obscure events that drew crowds desperate for amusement, like the Dionne Quintuplets. The five girls born in 1934 were put on display by the Canadian government in a special facility in which they could be observed through glass. Three million people filed through to see them over a ten-year period! Read the rest at mental_floss. Link

(vimeo link)

Swap-o-matic is a vending machine that doesn't use money. Instead, you swap something you have for something you want! It's also an art project that makes a statement about consumption and recycling, designed by Lina Fenequito with Rick Cassidy and Ray Mancini. It's a cool idea, but where I live, it would either stay empty or would become filled with old tires and obsolete electronics -things you have to pay to get rid of. Link -via Laughing Squid