Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 19

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

64/ 100: Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Sophisticated film adaptation of Jane Austen’s story of Elizabeth Bennett, a modern woman in a traditional setting. With five daughters, Mr. Bennet and his wife have a lot on their minds. For Mrs. Bennett it’s mainly that all her daughters get married as soon as possible, preferably to a wealthy man. Elizabeth is not like other women and only wants to marry someone she truly loves. It’s based on my all-time favorite book and this is my favorite adaptation of the story. See my full review HERE.
 

65/ 100: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” follows thief Harry Lockhart, who accidentally ends up at a movie audition and gets an offer. In order he has to tag along with private detective Perry, to get some training. The two get involved in a murder mystery. “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is a modern film not style murder mystery, with dark humor and a great cast. HERE is my full review.
 

66/ 100: Big (1988)
One of Tom Hanks’ best performances. We meet 12-year-old Josh, who wants to grow up as quick as he can. At a carnival, he makes a wish to be big and the next morning he wakes up as a thirty-something man. But emotionally he is still that 12-year-old boy. This movie has so much heart and is a coming-of-age movie with a twist. Check out my full review HERE.
 

Still to watch: 34

80s Movie Review - Big

Director: Penny Marshall
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robert Loggia, Elizabeth Perkins, John Heard, Debra Jo Rupp, Jared Rushton, Jon Lovitz

Description: When a boy wishes to be big at a magic wish machine, he wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body.

Review: It has been done several times: characters that wake up in a different body. “Freaky Friday”, “13 Going on 30”, “Vice Versa”. “Big” is from 1988, but still the best film with this theme. “Big” is original, funny and touching. Because who hasn’t dreamed of being big as a kid?

Josh is a 13-year old teenager from New Jersey. While visiting a carnival, he is too short to go on a cool ride. He feels humiliated. As frustrated as Josh is, he throws a coin in a machine that claims to grant wishes. He wishes to be big. The next morning Josh wakes up in the body of a 30-year old man. Because nobody but his best friend Billy believes him, he decides to go to New York. He finds a simple job at a toy manufacture. Josh gets a promotion and co-worker Susan falls in love with him. Josh realized that being an adult is a lot harder than he thought.

For most people Tom Hanks became famous in the 90s, but in the 80s he showed us his comedic talent. Just look at “Splash”, “Bachelor Party”, “The Burbs” and ”Money Pit”. “Big” was probably his big break, not only because of his humor, also for his sense of drama. And Tom Hanks is constantly believable as a boy trapped in a man’s body.

What makes this such a strong film, besides the script and Tom Hanks’ performance, is that “Big” speaks to both kids and adults. For kids the film is funny and relatable. Adults will realize that you should never lose the kid inside and that adulthood is not easy. “Big” is an ode to childhood.

“Big” is a classic in the comedy genre and is filled with humor. Tom Hanks is without a doubt one of the best and most believable actors in Hollywood (to me THE best) and he proofs that in “Big”.

Rating: 5/ 5

Best Tom Hanks Movies

It is no secret that I love Tom Hanks. He has been my favorite actor for as long as I can remember. He is always a reason to watch a movie, and even when not all of his movies are perfect, Hanks always delivers. I decided to create a list of his best movies. This list is based, not only on overall ratings, but also on my personal connection with the movie. And making this list was damn hard, so I made a top 25. Here it is!

25. The Great Buck Howard

Not the most known or liked Tom Hanks film, he doesn’t lead this film. His son Colin Hanks does, alongside John Malkovich and Emily Blunt. But I found this a movie worth mentioning because it’s so overlooked and it’s very entertaining.

24. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Tom Hanks plays television icon Fred Rogers, who was probably the nicest celebrity ever. He is being interviewed by journalist Lloyd Vogel. If any movie were a hug, this is it.  

23. Bridge of Spies

During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of a spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot. This is one of the very few newer Tom Hanks movies where it’s not just him stealing the show. He is accompanied by the very capable Mark Rylance.

22. Saving Mr. Banks

Even in more recent films, Tom Hanks still proofs he is one of the best things Hollywood has to offer. Hanks played real-life iconic figure Walt Disney for “Saving Mr. Banks”, where we follow him in the creation of the film “Mary Poppins”. Pure likeability this movie has.

21. Sleepless in Seattle

Tom Hanks plays Sam, a widower. His son is looking for a new woman for his dad and makes an emotional call on the radio. Hundreds of women respond. One of them is Annie, played by Meg Ryan. It’s one of the most romantic movies, where the lead characters literally only share one scene together.

20. The Da Vinci Code

In this mystery thriller Tom Hanks plays professor Langdon, who is suspected of the murder of the museum curator of the Louvre. Langdon soon understand that this man has left clues that only he can understand. It’s an exciting search for the truth and the real killer. Oh, and we ignore the hair here.

19. Toy Story 2

The second installment of the “Toy Story” franchise has the gang looking for Tom Hanks’  Woody, who was stolen by a toy collector. We are introduced to Jesse and her backstory kind of made me cry. And this is only one of the films on this list.

18. Turner & Hooch

Tom Hanks had a different kind of co-star in “Turner & Hooch”. Hanks plays a cop, who has to take care of a big, sloppy dog called Hooch who is the only witness to his owner’s murder. The chemistry between man and dog is relatable and this film played an important role in establishing Hanks’ brand identity.

17. The Money Pit

Anna and Walter bought a beautiful house, but when they move in they find out there is lot that needs to be done there. This film has a lot of physical comedy, for both Tom Hanks and Shelly Long. And I have always loved this comedy.

16. Philadelphia

Andrew Beckett is a successful lawyer, who is fired shortly after his promotion. Is it because he messed up a case, as his bosses claim to be, or was he fired because they found out he’s gay and has AIDS? Andrew hires an attorney to contest his dismissal. The story grabs you and the performance by both Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are unforgettable.

15. You’ve Got Mail

Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly have the most wonderful conversations online, but in real life they can’t stand each other since they run rivaling bookstores. Strangely enough I always preferred “You’ve Got Mail” over “Sleepless in Seattle”. It’s one of the few romantic comedies I can watch without having to vomit. Maybe because it doesn’t feature teenagers or tweens, the story isn’t sugar sweet and the characters aren’t the most beautiful people with the most dreamy jobs and apartments. Is this movie without clichés? No, but this film is so lovely. Not timeless, since the way they communicate is a bit outdated. But I still watch this movie with the biggest smile on my face.

14. That Thing You Do

The film follows the starting band ‘The Wonders’, who become an overnight sensation with the hit song ‘That Thing You Do’. Tom Hanks plays their agent Mr. White. Hanks’ most important role in this project was directing it, since his role is fairly small. But this is a great feel-good film, even though the song is played SO MANY TIMES.

13. Toy Story

Andy’s big toy collection comes to life, whenever he’s not around. This was the first Pixar film and the first fully computer animated film by Disney. Tom Hanks voices cowboy Woody, together with Tim Allen as his astronaut pal Buzz Lightyear. This is a movie that made history.

12. Apollo 13

“Apollo 13” tells the story of the 3^rd mission to the moon on April 11^th 1970. The flight starts flawless, until it goes wrong: an oxygen cylinder explodes and damages the spacecraft. Tom Hanks plays astronaut Jim Lovell and embodies the most modest hero: tough, resourceful, pragmatic and a true leader.

11. Road to Perdition

This is one of the few films that has Tom Hanks play the crook. The crime film is based on a graphic novel and is set in 1930s Chicago. Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a criminal who tries to keep his son out of trouble after his wife and other son were killed. Even though Hanks plays a bad guy, you root for him since the men that are after him are even worse. A truly beautiful father and son tale.

10. A League of Their Own

Tom Hanks delivered a classic line in this baseball film: “There’s no crying in baseball”. He plays a grumpy former baseball player, and is now given a comeback by coaching a female baseball team. This is probably the only time Hanks fully inhabits an unsympathetic role, but we love him anyway!

9. Catch Me If You Can

A young master crook (Leonardo DiCaprio), who pretends to be a pilot, lawyer and doctor at several points in his life, commits one scam after another. However, he is in the sight of the FBI, whose team is lead by Carl Hanratty (Hanks). It becomes a true cat-and-mouse game. The film is so good because of this element and the mutual hate end respect between the two leads.

8. Cast Away

Chuck Noland works for FedEx and crashed on an uninhabited island during a transport flight. He has to survive on his own. His only friend is a volleyball he names Wilson. A perfect on-man-show by Tom Hanks, what a wonderful performance. It’s just him and he captivates u from start to finish. Tom Hanks, the only man that made us cry over a volleyball.

7. Captain Phillips

When American freighter MV Maersk Alabama is attacked by pirates just off the Somali coast, Captain Phillips must do everything to protect his crew. He gives himself up as a hostage, to save his crew. The film is based on actual events and is very intense. Hanks’ performance is amazing, just that emotional scene at the end is reason enough to check it out.

6. Saving Private Ryan

During WWII, it is discovered that two soldiers killed in battle are brother of each other. Then there appears to be a third brother, who has dropped somewhere in France. Captain Miller is assigned to the task to find this soldier. “Saving Private Ryan” is one of the best WWII movies and has one of the most impressive opening scenes in a movie ever.

5. Toy Story 3

Andy is getting ready for college, which means he is all grown up. His toys Woody, Buzz and all their friends realize they had their best time. They are donated to a kindergarten. But when they think they found the best place to live, they are wrong. This is the best film in the “Toy Story” franchise, love everything about it. And Tom Hanks is again voicing Woody wonderfully.

4. The ‘Burbs

It might be surprising that this film is in my top 5, but “The ‘Burbs” is a brilliant comedy. Hanks plays Ray Peterson, a nosy neighbor who loves nothing more than spying on his neighbors. While on a break from work, he decides to investigate his new neighbors, who seem suspicious and he suspects them to have killed one of his neighbors. This is probably Tom Hanks’ most underrated film and a comedy everyone should see. I can quote this film and it had a special place in me and my family’s hearts.

3. Big

Josh is a 13-year-old boy who wants to be an adult. He makes a wish at a fair and the next morning he wakes up in the body of a 30-year-old man. Tom Hanks played a 13-year-old boy trapped in a grown man’s body and he nails it. It’s one of Hanks’ best performances.

2. The Green Mile

Tom Hanks plays Paul Edgecomb, a prison guard working with prisoners who are on death row. Here he meets John Coffey, a big and strong man, with a fear of the dark and special powers. One of the many movies that makes me sad, but “The Green Mile” really made me weep like a little child. It’s a long movie, but you never feel its length because of the amazing story and great performances.

1. Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump isn’t the smartest person you will ever meet, but he is not limited by his low IQ. Forrest manages to play an important role in 30 years of American history: as a Vietnam veteran, as owner of a shrimping boat, a football hero and meeting the American president, twice. It’s a film that can be both funny and sad, but in the end is a perfect feel-good movie. “Forrest Gump” is Tom Hanks’ best film and one of the best performances in movie history.

What's in a Movie Year - 1988

Taking a look at the year 1988, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.

My Neighbor Totoro
The now classic animation was the international break for director Hayao Miyazaki, who is probably the best and most well-known Japanese anime director. Unlike modern day anime, “My Neighbor Totoro” was drawn by hand, frame by frame, mostly by Miyazaki himself. It’s about two young girls who move to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalized mother. There they come in contact with spirits, called Totoros. Fun fact: there is no villain in this film.

Die Hard
New York cop John McClane travels to Los Angeles on Christmas, to visit his wife at work. A group of terrorists have taken all the employees hostage and McClane take matters in his own hands to deal with the gang. Bruce Willis, in his most memorable action role, is at his best as the cynical and lonely anti-hero. The start of many sequels.

Rain Man
After the death of his father, yuppie Charlie ‘kidnaps’ his older brother, the autistic Raymond. First he wants to get his part of the inheritance from Raymond, but during a cross-country trip with him Charlie realizes that money might not be as important as family. Dustin Hoffman plays one of his best roles in “Rain Man”, with great support from Tom Cruise. Hoffman portrays Raymond as a seemingly helpless man who also has the amazing ability to store loads of knowledge.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Animation meets live-action. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is a highlight in animation and film. Bob Hoskins plays private detective Eddie Valiant, who has to investigate a murder and happens to meet innocent cartoon character Roger Rabbit. A film I’ve seen so many times as a kid and an adult. Ah, the wonderful world of film.

Beetlejuice
After Adam and Barbara die, they become ghosts. They still live in their old house, but it’s being sold to the Deetzes who happen to be the new unpleasant inhabitants. Adam and Barb are trying to scare them away, but they are simply to kind. So they call the help of Beetlejuice. It’s one of Tim Burton’s earlier films and has that great gothic style he is known for. Michael Keaton plays the titular character, but isn’t in it as much as you might think. His performance is great.

Big
Tom Hanks is on a roll here as Josh, a twelve-year-old boy who wishes he was big and later wakes up as a thirty-something man. He only looks like an adult, because emotionally he is still twelve. The film is great because of Tom Hanks, who shines. And it’s one of his most memorable performance to date.

Gorillas in the Mist
An adaptation of the life of controversial gorilla-expert Dian Fossey, who establishes some sort of communication between her and the gorillas in Rwanda. It’s an inspirational film, a well-told story and a beautiful subdued performance by Sigourney Weaver.

Mississippi Burning
In the summer of 1964, three members of the civil rights movement were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, who were helped by local police officers. This notorious case is the inspiration for “Mississippi Burning”. Two FBI-agents investigate the case, with obstruction from the locals. It’s an engaging and gripping thriller, with excellent performances by Gene Hackman, Frances McDormand and Willem Dafoe.

Dangerous Liaisons
France, right before the revolution. To take revenge on an old flame, Marquise the Merteuil asks Vicomte de Valmont to seduce her ex-lover’s new innocent fiancée. When he gets proof of the seduction, he will be rewarded. Valmont agrees, but is more interested in Madame de Tourvel. It’s a very well-adapted film of the 1782 novel. It has a good script, beautiful set pieces and costumes and intriguing performances by John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Spoorloos (The Vanishing)
A classic from my country The Netherlands, based on novel by Tim Krabbé. A young couple travels to France, when they get car trouble. At the gas station the wife disappears. Five years later director George Sluizer remade his own movie with American actors, but this is the one that you will remember. One of the finest pieces in Dutch cinema.

Top 5 Thursday: Tom Hanks Performaces

You might already know that Tom Hanks is my favourite actor. He can practically do anything. He amazes me every time and many of his films belong in my all-time favourites list. And sometimes it’s Tom Hanks we have to thank, because his performance was so awesome. Here are the five best performances by Tom Hanks, according to me.

5. Captain Miller in “Saving Private Ryan”

Tom Hanks is fantastic here as a normal man who has found himself in an abnormal situation. Whatever I did, I just couldn’t ignore this performance for this list.

 

4. Josh in “Big”

This movie changed everything for Tom Hanks. Robert De Niro and Harisson Ford turned down the role, but it was Hanks’ escape plan from the silly comedies. He found the human heart to make it work, when he became a thirteen year old boy in an adult man’s body.

 

3. Chuck Noland in “Cast Away”

Only Tom Hanks can make us care about a volleyball. It’s technically just him and a volleyball that keep our attention the entire runtime. You have to be a master to achieve that.

 

2. Captain Richard Phillips in “Captain Phillips”

I don’t think I would have bought this DVD if Tom Hanks wasn’t in it. It’s as a minute study in physical and emotional collapse that the performance is so compelling. Hanks was never this defenceless on screen and that stunning final scene really hit every nerve in my body. Some of the best minutes of his movie career.

 

1. Forrest Gump in “Forrest Gump”

This still hasn’t been topped by Hanks. It earned him his second Academy Award and it was well deserved. Hanks had the difficult task of playing a man with what can best be described as significantly mentally impaired without turning him into a negative stereotype.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Jim Lovell in “Apollo 13”, Jimmy Dugan in “A League of Their Own”, Andrew Beckett in “Philadelphia”

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1988

Back to the 80’s. Let’s see what great movies were made that year. Turns out that 1988 was a fantastic movie year! Here are my five favorites of that year.

5. A Fish Called Wanda
John Cleese and Michael Palin, both Monty Python member, are a great duo. And how amazing was Jamie Lee Curtis. And don’t get me started on Kevin Kline as Otto, what a ridiculous bad guy. This is one hilarious movie.

4. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
This was a big deal, a real life action movie mixed with cartoons. When I was younger, this movie came on television at least once a year. Now…. I don’t remember when I last saw this. It’s funny, so ppppplease…. I want to see it again.

3. Big
Tom Hanks who acts like a child, if that isn’t great I don’t know what is. One of my favorites of Tom, top ten material. It’s so much fun how he and Robert Loggia are jumping on that giant floor piano.

2. Gorilla’s in the Mist
I love this movie even more now that I’ve been there myself. I’ve seen gorilla’s in the wild and I really respect Dian Fossey. This is also a very sad movie…

1. Die Hard
The number one action movie! It’s still great, even after watching it so many times. And Bruce Willis is awesome. Did you know that Richard Gere was considered to play McClane? As much as I love Richard, Bruce is the perfect man for the job.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Rain Man

Movie Moments: "Big"

"Big" is one of Tom Hanks' best performances. He is my favorite and I just love his childish behaviour in this movie. And there are some great scenes in this film too. Here are my favorites.

Moment # 1: Josh makes a wish
After Josh was rejected on a thrill ride, he discovers a Zoltar machine. He puts in a quarter and he can make a wish. He wishes he were big. Josh receives a card which says his wish was granted.

Moment # 2: Josh got big
The day after, when Josh wakes up, he sees his wish came true. He is big, Josh is a grown up now.

Moment # 3: Convincing Billy
Josh tried to convince his mom, but she didn’t believe it was really him. So he is trying it with his best friend Billy. At first he doesn’t believe it either, but when Josh starts singing a song they always sing together, Billy believes him.

Moment # 4: Chopsticks
Josh and his boss meet each other in the toystore. Josh starts telling him what he does and doesn’t like about the companies toys. When Josh sees a giant floor piano, the two of them start playing “Chopsticks”.

Moment # 5: Limo
Susan asks Josh if he wants to leave the party with her. They get into a limo and Josh is fascinated by it. He starts playing with all the buttons in the car, while Susan is trying to have a serious conversation with him.

Moment # 6: Trampoline
Susan goes to Josh’s apartment, which is filled with toys. She sees a trampoline and Josh invites her to jump on it. At first Susan doesn’t want to, but as soon as she gets on it she has the most fun ever.

Moment # 7: “Give me the ball!”
Josh and Paul are playing racquetball and when Paul says he won, Josh tells him he’s cheating. Paul just wants the ball back, but Josh does everything to prevent Paul from getting back that ball.

Moment # 8: Josh returns home
Josh found the Zoltar machine and is trying to undo his wish, so he can go home. When Susan sees him standing at the machine, she knows she has to say goodbye to him. Susan drives Josh home, they say goodbye and Josh is finally home and his ‘young’ self.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 4: Chopsticks