90s Movie Review - That Thing You Do!

Director: Tom Hanks
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Jonathan Schaech, Ethan Embry, Steve Zahn, Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron, Giovanni Ribisi, Bill Cobbs, Kevin Pollack, Rita Wilson, Chris Isaak

Description: A local Pennsylvania band scores a one-hit wonder in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as they can, with lots of help from their manager (Tom Hanks)

Review: “That Thing You Do” follows a young, ambitious group of young men, in the 1960s, that love music. They start a band. When their drummer breaks his arm, right before an important show, they hire Guy Patterson. He has a different view on music and tries something more up-tempo. This works well and it turns their band, “The Wonders”, into a rock ‘n roll sensation.

It’s the directorial debut of star actor Tom Hanks, who also wrote the script. Hanks also has a role as the manager, but wanted young actors to steal the show. Jonathan Schaech plays lead singer Jimmy, who is very ambitious and talented, but the stardom changes him. Steve Zahn is always excellent at playing the funny supporting characters and does that very well in this movie. Liv Tyler, as Jimmy’s very supportive girlfriend Faye, is lovely as ever. But the real star is Tom Everett Scott, as Guy Patterson. This was his first movie he starred in. Tom Hanks first didn’t want him to star, because he resembles a young Hanks. His wife Rita Wilson, who also has a small role in the movie, finally convinced him. And it was the right choice, because Tom Everett Scott steals every scene he is in.

“That Thing You Do” is one of those fun comedies you can watch over and over again, and you never get tired of it. Even when the song, titled ‘That Thing You Do’, is played so many times. Because you hear it a lot! It’s the perfect movie for a night you don’t want to think too much and just enjoy a fun film.

Rating: 4/ 5

Five to Watch - Underrated Tom Hanks Movies

Tom Hanks is on everyone’s favorite actor list. And we all love “Forrest Gump”, Saving Private Ryan”, “Toy Story” and “Big”. And there are many, many more movies that are well-loved by people all over the world But I decided to create a list of five of his movies that hardly anybody ever talks about. Here are five underrated Tom Hanks movies.
 

That Thing You Do (1996)
Hanks has a role in it, but this is also his directorial debut. It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Ondeders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film.  
 

The ‘Burbs (1989)
Ray Peterson is in need of rest and spends his vacation in his boring, decent suburban home. But then the Klopek family moves into a house nearby. The Klopeks are a bit strange and at night there are strange noises coming from their house. Along with his neighbors Mark and Art, Ray sets out to investigate. It’s such a funny, absurd dark comedy, which isn’t only underrated, but also very overlooked. I hardly know anyone who has seen it. My brother and I can actually quote from it, that’s how much we love it (and how many times we’ve watched it).
 

Road to Perdition (2002)
Tom Hanks plays gangster Michael Sullivan, handyman to mob boss John Rooney and father of two sons. One of Sullivan’s sons witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take the road, and his father down the path of redemption and revenge. The violence remains mostly off screen, but the film shows the effect of violence on people. I think this is Hanks’ most underrated film ever.
 

Bachelor Party (1984)
Rick announces that he is marrying girlfriend Debbie. Debbie’s father thinks that Rick is just a loser and tries to sabotage the wedding. Rick’s friends organize a wild bachelor party for him, with lots of booze and strippers. This movie was made way before Tom Hanks became a serious actor and superstar. He played a lot of these comedic roles. It might be a bit dated, but it is your typical 1980s comedy, that still is pretty funny.
 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
In the US, Fred Rogers is an institution, because of his TV-show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, in which he spent more than thirty years talking to children about social issues, in an extremely calm and kind manner. Fred Rogers is one of television’s most kind-natured people. So who else, than America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks to portray him. This is not your standard biopic. The film is based on an article in Esquire. A journalist who is initially skeptical of Rogers’ impeccable image but becomes increasingly impressed with him. Hanks is perfectly cast. The film is sentimental, but nuanced. It will have a bigger impact if you also grew up with Rogers’ TV show, but still a movie that I could recommend.  

What's in a Movie Year - 1996

Taking a look at the year 1996, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

Fargo
Tragicomic masterpiece y Joel and Ethan Coen in which Jerry has his own wife kidnapped because he needs money for a business deal. The evil scheme faisl miserably due to, on the one hand, the botched work of the criminals and, on the other hand, the exceptional detective skills of the heavily pregnant police chief Marge. Probably my favorite Coen brother movie.  
 

That Thing You Do
It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Oneders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film. Directorial debut by Tom Hanks, who also has a small role in it.
 

Matilda
Great adaptation of one of Roald Dahl’s children’s books. The six-year-old Matilda si not very loved by her parents and brother. And school director, Mrs. Trunchbull, isn’t a peach either. Fortunately there is her friend Lavender and teacher Miss Honey, who she gets help from. As well as from the paranormal force within herself. Directed by Danny DeVito, who also stars as Matilda’s father. The black comedy fits in seamlessly with writer Roald Dahl’s aversion to false sentiment and his humorous take on cartoonish powerful and mean adults.
 

Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise plays a sports agent. He speaks his conscience and is subsequently fired. The only two who support him are accountant’s assistant Dorothy and football player Rod Tidwell, one of his clients. We follow Jerry’s trial and error in his new world of love and depth. Tom Cruise performance is formidable and a breakthrough role for both Renee Zellweger and Cuba Gooding Jr.
 

Trainspotting
Strong, original and fresh portrait of the life of a group of drug addicts in Edinburgh. The central character is Renton, who tries to kick the habit. That this is not easy is shown in a hilarious scene with the “filthiest toilet in Scotland”, without a doubt one of the most disgusting scenes in film history. Such funny moments are interspersed with shocking and sometimes deeply sad scenes. Ecellent acting, especially by Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle.
 

Primal Fear
When an archbishop in Chicago is murdered by and altar boy, lawyer Martin Vail is eager to take on the defense, because he likes cases that will generate a lot of media attention. But it’s a tough job: the stuttering defendant is a wimp, but was caught covered in blood. Thrilling courtroom thriller, with one of Richard Gere’s better roles and a chance for Edward Norton to showcase his talent. A movie with a great twist.
 

The Craft
“The Craft” beings as an average American teen movie: Sarah moves to Los Angeels and at her new school she experience all the problems of a newcomer. But then she meets three other girls who are outcasts. They bombard her as the fourth member of their coven of witches. “The Craft” might not be one of the best films of 1996, but it’s surely nostalgia for me and a movie I have revisited a lot. It’s a fun, pleasantly harsh horror film.  
 

Twelve Monkeys
After “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”, Terry Gilliam, the only American of the company, turned entirely to feature film. His films weren’t always successful, but always interesting. “Twelve Monkeys” is a bizarre future fantasy film in which humanity is forced to live underground after 99 percent of the population has been killed by a deadly virus. A ‘volunteer’ is sent back in time to investigate the origin of the virus.
 

The Cable Guy
Steven is heartbroken and in need of distraction. He asks Chip, the cable guy, to secretly add some extra channels to his connection for fifty dollars. Chip will fix it, but then he wants to be Steven’s friend. And Steven has little need of that, especially after he notices how tenaciously Chip tries to worm his way into his life. It’s one of Jim Carrey’s darker comedies, directed by Ben Stiller. Besides being funny, it’s also a bit scary at times, in a satirical way. Robert Ebert actually included the film on his list of the worst films of 1996. Well, it’s on my favorites list.
 

From Dusk Till Dawn
After his worldwide success with “Pulp Fiction” screenwriter/ director Quentin Tarantino was given the opportunity to film previously rejected scripts after all. “From Dusk Till Dawn” was one of them. Brothers Seth and Richie (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) think they can find peace in Mexico’s nightclub the Titty Twister after a bank robbery and a hostage situation. But it’s going to be another long night Critics saw “From Dusk Till Dawn” as an offer of weakness and slammed it for its lack of coherence, bad taste, misogyny and excessive violence (it surely isn’t for the faint of heart). I, for that matter, love it. And with me many others, making “From Dusk Till Dawn” a cult classic in the pulp, B-movie type of genre. 

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 4

Round 4: Guy Patterson (“That Thing You Do”), Ian Malcolm (“Jurassic Park”) and Jerry Dandridge (“Fright Night”)

 

Marry: Guy Patterson is husband material, very caring and loves his music. I think we would have a lot of fun going to concerts and music festivals together.

Kiss: I know he’s an evil vampire, but can’t you blame me for thinking this? Just look at him!

Cliff: I really like Ian Malcolm, but he’s a mathematician. He would drive me nuts.

DVD Collection Update (3)

Five new Dvd's in my collection.

A guy on youtube keeps talking about this movie, so I just needed to check it out. "Warrior" with Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte. Where was I when this movie came out, because it's amazing! It's also a steelbook so it looks great in my collection.

"That Thing You Do" is a movie I saw a lot of times, but I hadn't seen it in a while. I want to own everything with Tom Hanks in it eventually, so bumping into this film was just pure luck. Oh, and I don't get annoyed by te song they sing over and over again in this movie.

This movie never hit the theaters in my country, but I did know about it. Some great actors in this movie: Sam Worthingtn, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jessica Chastain, Chloë Grace Moretz and Stephen Graham. I actually watched "Texas Killing Fields" last night and it's pretty good.

I'm in love with the show "Sherlock". Or as fans call it: I'm Sherlocked! I just love the concept of a modern day version of the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are both perfectly cast. Season 2 is now on my shelve and I'm damn proud of it!

Haven't seen this one yet, but looking forward to watching both Ryan Gosling and George Clooney in "The Ides of March". Just the movie poster is amazing.