Tom Hanks Double Feature

I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. There are films that I watch at least once a year and then there are those that I watch every three, four or longer before I see them again. I had been wanting to watch Cast Away, but its such a long film and all I remembered was Tom Hanks being on a deserted island talking to a soccer ball. The only reason I went to see the film was because it was Tom Hanks. I don’t think I would have seen this film if it had been any other actor.

Tom Hanks was on a role and he commands the screen when he does the right film. There were a few comedic roles that I didn’t care to see, but it really didn’t have to do with him. It had more to do with his co star. I was never a big fan of Shelly Long or Meg Ryan. I did however like Bachelor Party, Big, and Forest Gump, but that was mostly Tom Hanks.
There are certain comedies I like and some I don’t. I was also never a big fan of war films.
Watching Cast Away made me think of what I would do. It also reminded me how life sends us a curve ball and some people are forced to make decisions they wouldn’t normally make on their own. It’s important to go with ones heart. If you believe in something make it your cause no matter what anyone else says. I enjoy films that make me think. Of course there are times we want to watch a film to escape our own mundane lives.

The second feature was The Green Mile. Normally, I would stay away from a film based on a Stephen King novel or short story. I was not impressed with Cujo or Pet Cemetery. When the Langoliers made it to television I was disappointed, but the Stand changed my mind on adaptations of his work. I had listen to parts of The Green Mile on cassette when my sister-in-law was listening to it. I wanted to see how it would play out on the big screen and I must say it was done quite well. The cast was excellent. Tom Hanks, David Morse, James Cromwell, Sam Rockwell, Michael Duncan, Bonnie Hunt and Patricia Clarkson to name a few. For me when you wait a long time to watch a film it adds to the excitement of trying to remember what’s going to happen. Remembering the first time you saw the film and whether you shared the experience with someone or if you went alone.

For many years I preferred to go to the movies alone because I liked watching movies and sometimes no one wanted to see what I was interested in viewing. Back then films weren’t coming out on VHS after one week at the movie theater. I made a wise investment in my movie collection. I love movies so its not important that I have Blu- Ray or DVD. Of course if I could afford it I’d probably get it, but I can’t. I still watch VHS tapes from time to time because the film may not be available on DVD or the price is just too high for a film that I can still watch on VHS.

Tom Hanks has given a plethora of films and incredible performances. Cast Away and The Green Mile are excellent, but his body of work shows a broader range and that he isn’t afraid to take on a role that he knows he can breathe life into.

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Sounder

I had this film in my collection for many years. I bought it by accident because I saw the title and just assumed it was the original. This is a remake which is directed by Kevin Hooks who played the young boy in the original. I had no idea they had remade this film and why? I’m not crazy about remakes unless they are going to do a better job. Cicely Tyson was great in the original. I remember we went to see this film as part of a school field trip. It was something they felt it was important for us to know. On the surface the film didn’t stick with me because I really didn’t remember much about the film except that the Dog was named Sounder and even that had escaped me. The film was about determination and not giving up. Paul Winfield who played the father in the original, also makes an appearance as the school teacher.

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Tickets

A friend that I met ten years ago at a film festival party sends me some of his movies from time to time when he is finished looking at them. Since I love film, I never pass up any movies regardless of what they are about. Watching film is very inspirational and I admire anyone that can do something I haven’t done yet.

Tickets is an interesting film that is set on a train in Italy. It brought back memories of my train ride from Milan to Pordenone. The film follows several characters and their slight interaction as the story captures them from different points of the train ride and their connection.

Each segment had a different director. I was not familiar with any of the stars that appeared in the film, but it was quite entertaining. Riding a train in Europe is quite the experience. You get to see people from all over going to their next destination or returning home. There are many languages being spoken from time to time. The scenery can be breath taking depending on how long of a ride you’re taking.

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