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David McK (3425 KP) rated Cast Away (2000) in Movies
Jul 29, 2020
Modern day Robinson Crusoe tale (from the year 2000, and without a Man Friday) in which Tom Hanks time obsessed FedEx courier Chuck Nolan is the sole survivor of a plane crash somewhere in the Pacific, and finds himself washed ashore on the island of Lian Yu...
(sorry, sorry, that's the name of the island that Oliver Queen spent 5 years on in TVs 'Arrow')
Slightly slow getting started, maybe, and also perhaps a bit on the overlong side. I have to say, however, that Wilson steals all the scenes he's in!
(sorry, sorry, that's the name of the island that Oliver Queen spent 5 years on in TVs 'Arrow')
Slightly slow getting started, maybe, and also perhaps a bit on the overlong side. I have to say, however, that Wilson steals all the scenes he's in!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Toy Story (1995) in Movies
Aug 14, 2017
The best Disney Pixar franchise ever
I love this film, and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's beautiful, heartwarming and utterly amusing to watch. I still remember seeing it the first time and being completely mesmerised by the new style graphics. And the story was an update from the usual Brothers Grimm fairy tales , modernised for its young viewers living in the 1990s. Woody and Buzz have the best partnership on screen, and it's one of those rare trilogies where every single film was brilliant. Massive kudos to Disney Pixar.
David McK (3425 KP) rated Apollo 13 (1995) in Movies
Aug 16, 2019
"Houston, we have a problem"
Astronaut Jim Lovell's famous understatement, here presented by Tom Hanks, in a film that documents (I was going to say dramatises, but let's face it: it's already dramatic enough) the trials and tribulations of the Astronauts of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, and of the members of Houston's mission control who worked around the clock to get them home safely again following the explosion that crippled their ship.
Yes, we may all know how it ends, but this is still a very good movie with stellar performances by all involved!
Astronaut Jim Lovell's famous understatement, here presented by Tom Hanks, in a film that documents (I was going to say dramatises, but let's face it: it's already dramatic enough) the trials and tribulations of the Astronauts of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, and of the members of Houston's mission control who worked around the clock to get them home safely again following the explosion that crippled their ship.
Yes, we may all know how it ends, but this is still a very good movie with stellar performances by all involved!
The 'Burbs (1989)
7.4
Rate It
Movie
In a suburban neighborhood, an overstressed father and his fellow neighbors, including both a...
Jerry Goldsmith Ennio Morricone
Colin Farrell recommended Back to the Future (1985) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3425 KP) rated Pinocchio (2022) in Movies
Sep 11, 2022 (Updated Sep 11, 2022)
Disney's latest 'live-action' reworking of one of their previous animated films, although I think that description may be somewhat misleading as really the only 'live' person on the screen for the majority of the running time is Tom Hanks Gepetto!
Anyway, this does follow pretty much the same storyline as that earlier film, although - in this version, at least - here Pinocchio is more a victim of circumstance than an active participant than before (previously, he ignored the guidance of his conscience, Jiminy Cricket).
In line with modern sensibilities, the ending is also subtly different!
Anyway, this does follow pretty much the same storyline as that earlier film, although - in this version, at least - here Pinocchio is more a victim of circumstance than an active participant than before (previously, he ignored the guidance of his conscience, Jiminy Cricket).
In line with modern sensibilities, the ending is also subtly different!
Spielberg
6.0
Rate It
TV Show Watch
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his colleagues discuss the classic movies that made him famous,...
documentary biography
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Greyhound (2020) in Movies
Mar 11, 2021
Hanks Does It Again
Tom Hanks interest in the men who fought in WWII is well known. From his starring role as Capt. Miller is what is (arguably) the definitive film about D-Day, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, to his Executive Producing role in, arguably, the best mini-series ever produced about WWII, BAND OF BROTHERS, Hanks has brought a face to the nameless heroes who fought in the middle of the last century.
Add his latest film GREYHOUND, to the list of films that brings a face to a heretofore unknown (at least to me) group of heroes.
Based on the book THE GOOD SHEPHERD by C.S. Forester and adapted for the screen by Hanks himself, GREYHOUND tells the story of a Commander of a U.S. Navy escort ship, helping cargo ships cross the Atlantic Ocean - an Ocean filled with enemy submarines.
Hanks, of course, plays Commander Ernest Krause, Captain of the USS Keeling, code named “Greyhound”, who is on his first mission. As one might imagine, Hanks imbues Krause with a common decency and you inherently trust Krause’s instincts as he makes split second decision after split second decision. What surprised me about Hanks in this role is his “steely resolve” in dealing with the problems. You can see his brain working as he makes pragmatic decision after pragmatic decision - sometimes not the most “human” decisions - but the right decisions after all.
This is both the strength and the problem with this film - Hanks’ character is NEVER wrong, so after awhile, the tension on the Bridge with Capt. Krause being questioned on his decisions, is never really there.
But, that is a “nit” in this film for Director Aaron Schneider has constructed a taunt and tight thriller that is non-stop action from start to finish. He wisely decided to keep the film at a tight 90 minutes and keep the action flying (versus putting in a couple of “character building scenes” that could have stretched the runtime). He does shoehorn in a flashback scene between Krause and his lady love (played by Elisabeth Shue), a scene that is not really needed, but besides this he focuses his attention on the Greyhound and it’s mission and this is a smart move that the film benefits from.
Director Schneider relies, heavily, on the Special F/X recreating the Atlantic sea battles and, for the most part, it succeeds. BUT…from time-to-time I felt like I was watching a video game - and not a film. The F/X (at times) was just not feature film quality that drew me away from the emotion and the action on the screen.
With the Global Pandemic, this film’s theatrical release was cancelled and it was put on Apple TV+(where you can find it today), so I can forgive the lower F/X results…but just a little.
All-in-all a fun thrill ride, with a terrific central performance, in a film that shows an aspect of WWII I had not previously scene portrayed on film before.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Add his latest film GREYHOUND, to the list of films that brings a face to a heretofore unknown (at least to me) group of heroes.
Based on the book THE GOOD SHEPHERD by C.S. Forester and adapted for the screen by Hanks himself, GREYHOUND tells the story of a Commander of a U.S. Navy escort ship, helping cargo ships cross the Atlantic Ocean - an Ocean filled with enemy submarines.
Hanks, of course, plays Commander Ernest Krause, Captain of the USS Keeling, code named “Greyhound”, who is on his first mission. As one might imagine, Hanks imbues Krause with a common decency and you inherently trust Krause’s instincts as he makes split second decision after split second decision. What surprised me about Hanks in this role is his “steely resolve” in dealing with the problems. You can see his brain working as he makes pragmatic decision after pragmatic decision - sometimes not the most “human” decisions - but the right decisions after all.
This is both the strength and the problem with this film - Hanks’ character is NEVER wrong, so after awhile, the tension on the Bridge with Capt. Krause being questioned on his decisions, is never really there.
But, that is a “nit” in this film for Director Aaron Schneider has constructed a taunt and tight thriller that is non-stop action from start to finish. He wisely decided to keep the film at a tight 90 minutes and keep the action flying (versus putting in a couple of “character building scenes” that could have stretched the runtime). He does shoehorn in a flashback scene between Krause and his lady love (played by Elisabeth Shue), a scene that is not really needed, but besides this he focuses his attention on the Greyhound and it’s mission and this is a smart move that the film benefits from.
Director Schneider relies, heavily, on the Special F/X recreating the Atlantic sea battles and, for the most part, it succeeds. BUT…from time-to-time I felt like I was watching a video game - and not a film. The F/X (at times) was just not feature film quality that drew me away from the emotion and the action on the screen.
With the Global Pandemic, this film’s theatrical release was cancelled and it was put on Apple TV+(where you can find it today), so I can forgive the lower F/X results…but just a little.
All-in-all a fun thrill ride, with a terrific central performance, in a film that shows an aspect of WWII I had not previously scene portrayed on film before.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Toni Lynn Donald (1997 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies
Feb 20, 2020
Wonderful, heartwarming movie
Just finished watching and had to write a review. This was so beautifully done. It was about the man who interviewed Mr.Rodgers for a magazine article and the lessons he learned from him. Tom Hanks was amazing as Mr. Rodgers. It also made me remember my childhood and the things I loved about Mr.Rodgers. I had a tough time as a kid, i had seizures and kids made fun of me. I remember Mr. Rodgers having children on the show with disabilities and it made me not feel alone. I really loved this movie. It had a good lesson to it too.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Bridge of Spies (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2020
This is not a traditional "war" film by any stretch.
The Cold War ran long and strenuous and many people on every side made sacrifices and gave everything they had in an effort to do what they believed was right (in many cases.)
Tom Hanks is brilliant (as usual) in demonstrating the mental gymnastics and anguish required to fill the role of a spy during that time in our world.
I won't go into detail about the story in the movie because there is an awful lot to unpack and all of it is relevant to the overall payoff, but please do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
The Cold War ran long and strenuous and many people on every side made sacrifices and gave everything they had in an effort to do what they believed was right (in many cases.)
Tom Hanks is brilliant (as usual) in demonstrating the mental gymnastics and anguish required to fill the role of a spy during that time in our world.
I won't go into detail about the story in the movie because there is an awful lot to unpack and all of it is relevant to the overall payoff, but please do yourself a favor and watch this movie.