Tom Hanks

I haven’t done anything really film-geeky on this blog lately, and to commemorate my first day back on the reference desk, and by popular demand (well, one person’s demand, at least), today’s topic shall be on All the Tom Hanks Movies I Have Ever Seen. Hanks has been in some really good flicks (and some not so great ones, I suppose), but I’ve seen quite a few. These are all going to be drawn from his IMDB page, so feel free to check that out and see if you’ve got me beat in total Tom Hanks exposure. Chronologically, here we go:

Splash (1984)–My journey begins with Tom Hanks falling in love with a mermaid. Directed by Ron Howard and also starring Darryl Hannah and John Candy, I enjoyed this movie. Not one of his best, but nothing to sniff at, either.

Bachelor Party (1984)–Released the same year, and not nearly as good. I’m pretty sure I saw this edited on television, which perhaps takes the zing out. I mean, when the whole purpose of the movie is to depict a raunchy bachelor party, once you edit out the raunch, there’s likely not much left. I probably wasn’t in the target audience for this one to begin with, seeing as how I’ve never even attended a bachelor party, let alone a raunchy one. I’m not big on weddings (hence the me eloping thing), and Utah + Mormon Weddings doth not a whole lot of raunch make. Go figure.

The Man with One Red Shoe (1985)–I admit I have a soft spot for this one, likely because I watched it before I developed any taste in movies. But hey, it’s got Carrie Fisher and Jim Belushi in it, so it can’t be all bad, right? Hanks plays a guy who’s randomly selected to be portrayed as a spy. Convoluted plot. I like it, but I remember having recommended it to friends and family in the past, only to have them grouse about the recommendation later on. So watch at your own risk. Unless you want to see Carrie Fisher in leopard print.

The Money Pit (1986)–I consider this a must-see if you’re house hunting. Hanks and Shelley Long end up buying a “steal” of a house, only to later discover just how many problems it really has. The premise could have been done a lot better, and as I recall it tends to lag toward the end, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had here.

Dragnet (1987)–Hanks and Dan Aykroyd in the film adaptation of the television series. Only campier. With pagans. Again, not Hanks’ best work, but diverting at least. Although it’s been a while since I saw this one. It’s usually on Comedy Central now and again, and I’ve seen bits and pieces.

Big (1988)–Now we’re getting into what I consider Classic territory. I really enjoyed this movie. Tom Hanks is a twelve year old boy who wishes to grow up. The next morning, he awakes as a thirty year old. Just without any of the maturity. Very well done, depicting how he has to adapt to life as an adult. If you haven’t seen this one, you should.

The Burbs (1989)–Meh. Maybe I need to give this one another shot. Hanks is suspicious his neighbors are up to no good. So he gets really nosy and hilarity is supposed to ensue. I don’t have fond memories of this one, but I’m not sure if I even watched it in its entirety. Anyone want to set me straight? Should I give it another go?

Turner & Hooch (1989)–Hanks is a cop who gets partnered with a dog. Again, I watched this as a kid, back when dog slobber was funny. If you still find dog slobber funny, this film is for you. Not Hanks’ best movie by far.

Joe vs. the Volcano (1990)–One of my flat out all time favorite films. I’m not arguing that with you. I never said that. If I said that, I would have been wrong. Hanks is a man with a terminal brain cloud, so he agrees to offer himself as a sacrifice to a volcano on a distant island. Meg Ryan ensues. I LOVE this movie. It feels like how I felt in Utah, and Maine is the Volcano. Just with less lava. And less orange soda. If you haven’t seen this one, please go out and rent it today. Buy it. Or ask me and I’ll come over to your house and watch it with you. Some people don’t think this is great. Those people are wrong. I own this movie.

A League of Their Own (1992)–I’ve blogged about this one before. Tom Hanks is a washed out coach hired to coach a women’s baseball team. It’s got Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell in it, but if you can get over that (which is made easier by the addition of Gina Davis, who I used to have a crush on), it really is a good movie. I especially love the Jon Lovitz character in it. See, how it works is, the train moves, not the station.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)–I assume it goes without saying that you know this movie. Great romantic comedy, but I’m not in the business of promoting well-known Chick Flicks. 🙂 Okay, fine. I like this movie. There. I said it. But Joe vs. the Volcano is better. I own this movie.

Philadelphia (1993)–The only movie I have ever snuck in to see. I went to see it opening night, only to discover it was sold out. So I bought a ticket to a different movie then went to this one. Yes, I’m an awful person who now has a special place in the bowels of hell reserved for him. Such is my fate. If it’s any consolation, I was a teenager, and this movie was officially Over My Head. I haven’t seen it since–too depressing, and I’m not into depressing myself repeatedly with the same movies. I like to spread the depression around. Hanks won one of his two Oscars for his role in this, as a man with AIDS who fights back against the company that fired him.

Forrest Gump (1994)–Again, surely you’ve seen this movie. It won Hanks his second Oscar. Two in a row for our boy. Long rumored to have a sequel in production, but it never happened. It’s also got the Princess from the Princess Bride and the kid who sees Dead People from Sixth Sense. That’s cool, right? I own this movie.

Apollo 13 (1995)–Another classic. Houston we have a problem. Hanks is one of the astronauts on the Apollo 13 mission to the moon. One that goes terribly wrong. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it for you. Watch it. I own this movie.

Toy Story (1995)–Come on. You know this one. Pixar’s first CGI animated film. Classic. #177 on IMDB. The birth of a great film making company. I own this movie.

That Thing You Do (1996)–In high school, I remember referring to this movie as That Movie That Sucks Really Bad. I no longer feel that way about it. It’s now That Movie With That Song That Sticks In Your Head and Won’t Leave. Hanks is a manager of a 60’s boy band. It’s a fine film, but I’ve never been able to get over my senior year dislike of it. Nothing personal. It’s me. Not you.

From the Earth to the Moon (1998)–A miniseries Hanks did for HBO, all about the US’s mission to the moon. Great stuff. DKC and I watched this back in Utah, and I have very fond memories of it. If you live in the area, I know of a way to hook you up with this set. Ask me about it if you’re into space stuff.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)–Remember that thing about me not liking depressing movies? Well this one is an exception. Yes, it’s really violent. But you owe it to yourself to watch this movie. Steven Spielberg directs WWII. Come on. It’s a classic.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)–Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are back in an adaptation of The Shop Around the Corner. I enjoyed this movie, and I recommend it. Light and fluffy, but the ladies like it. 🙂 I own this movie.

Toy Story 2 (1999)–Yes, they made a sequel. You already knew that. Did you know they’re going to re-release both movies in 3D, followed by Toy Story 3? Well, now you know something new. Look at that. Great movie. Don’t own it. Yet.

The Green Mile (1999)–Tom Hanks in a story by Stephen King. Very long, but a great movie. Just watch out for the execution scenes. Hanks plays a guard on death row. Not a depressing movie, despite the subject matter.

Castaway (2000)–This one IS a depressing movie. And it’s long. And it has Tom Hanks remove a tooth using only an ice skate. That said, it’s a good movie. (I watched it in the theater with my brother Wilson, who didn’t take too kindly to having the volleyball named after him.) 🙂 It’s thought provoking, that’s for sure. Just don’t expect to be whistling Zip-a-dee-doo-da once you finish it.

Road to Perdition (2002)–Hanks is a gangster hitman who goes on the run to protect his son. It’s got Paul Newman in it–based on a graphic novel. Very nice film.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)–Another Steven Spielberg. I used to dislike Leonardo DiCaprio, but the guy’s grown on me. In this one Hanks plays an FBI agent chasing a counterfeit expert. Great soundtrack by John Williams. I own this movie.

The Ladykillers (2004)–Tom Hanks and the Coen Brothers? It’s unfortunately not quite up to its potential, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it. (Which shows just how die hard a Coen brothers fan I am). A remake of an excellent Alec Guinness movie. Hanks is a swindler trying to break into a bank by way of an old lady’s basement. Good stuff.

The Terminal (2004)–Another Spielberg. This time, Hanks is a man who gets stuck in an airport for months due to a passport problem. A romantic comedy that isn’t quite a romantic comedy. Just don’t go into it expecting your classic romantic comedy ending, and life should be good for you. It’s a good movie.

The DaVinci Code (2006)–Not a good movie. The book’s overhyped, and the result is this Ron Howard directed muddle that ends up being just too yawny. Sorry, Tom. Try again next time. And he is, actually. They’re making a sequel/prequel thing. Here’s hoping it gets better.

And there you have it. 27 movies. Man. I guess I really DO watch a lot of movies. I’d be interested to hear how other people’s Hanks Rating stacks up. Let’s see some digits, people–how many Hanks movies have you seen?