Saving Private Ryan (1998)

 

Still one of the most epic opening battle sequences after all these years. The cinematography is something else. They do an excellent job of showing the brutality and senselessness of warfare. What a waste of human life. Some scenes felt heavy handed. Holds up as one the great war films though. 

Rating: B

The Green Mile (1999)

 

I struggle to give high ratings to sad movies. The Green Mile is a very good, but quite depressing film. Performances are excellent, especially from Michael Clarke Duncan, who should have at least received an Academy Award nomination. Criminal. 

Rating: B

Finch (2021)

 

In this sequel to Castaway, Tom Hanks replaces Wilson with a robot to watch his dog after he dies of radiation in a post-apocalyptic hellscape. 

Rating: C

News Of The World (2020)

Living in the Old West sucked. Traveling in the Old West really sucked. It’s like a 50/50 chance you’ll get killed or raped each trip; at least according to all the Westerns I've seen. 

Cable newsman of his times, Tom Hanks, travels from town to town reading old newspapers for dimes. It’s a living. Along the way he picks up an orphan German-Squaw girl. It’s a road trip movie, but with a terrible soundtrack. Hanks sports a really sweet jacket. The girl eats chili with her hands. It’s gross. 

Rating: C

Greyhound (2020)

A mostly benign WWII sea battle movie filled with navy jargon and dramatic music. Character development was nil. What was the point in casting Elisabeth Shue as the token female on the production?

Quite forgettable.

Rating: C-

Top 10 Tom Hanks Films

Top 10 Tom Hanks Films

Rank	Title	Year	Grade
1	Saving Private Ryan	1998	A-
2	The 'Burbs	1989	B+
3	Big	1988	B+
4	Toy Story	1995	B+
5	Cast Away	2000	B
6	The Green Mile	1999	B
7	Forrest Gump	1994	B
8	Joe Versus The Volcano	1990	B
9	Philadelphia	1995	B
10	Cars	2006	B

 

Toy Story 4 (2019)

Cute and fun. Watched with my nieces and nephews. I wasn’t bored.

Rating: C

Sully (2016)

I was too caught up in my own life the day Sully landed on the Hudson to realize what a big deal it was, so this retelling was both entertaining and informative.

Rating: B-

The Great Buck Howard (2008)

I'm still in shock that someone was bold enough to make an indie drama that's rated PG. I can't remember the last time that happened. Engaging story, often funny, and well acted.

Rating: C+

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

A few laughs here and there, just like the show. Not being a die-hard fan of the sitcom, I was hoping they'd knock it out of the park on the big screen. That didn't happen. It's been one day and I can barely remember what happened.

Rating: D+

Bridge Of Spies (2015)

A relatively quiet spy thriller that was lacking in the thrills department. Makes up for it with acting and a solid 1950s recreation.

Rating: C

The Polar Express (2004)

One of the worst animated features of all time. Period. It's a train ride straight to hell. You've been warned.

Rating: F

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Spielberg, Hanks, and DiCaprio. Hard to go wrong. Based on an amazing true life story, this movie was pure fun to watch. Leonardo is solid as usual, Hanks is very subdued, but perfect in his role. It's a fun piece of escapism.

Rating: B-

Volunteers (1985)

Thought I’d watch this since I was joining the Peace Corps and going to Thailand. I think I learned more about the Peace Corps watching The Hangover III  than I did from this movie. Funny at times, but mostly stupid.

Rating: D

Captain Phillips (2013)

Tom Hanks is a fine actor and this was somewhat gripping at times, but I didn’t get swept up in the story like I did with Greengrass’ United 93 or Bourne films. I enjoyed that recent Dutch movie about piracy more.

Rating: C+

The Terminal (2004)

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are a solid combination. You may have to suspend belief with some of the plot points, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the film.

Rating: C+

Cloud Atlas (2012)

I read somewhere that Cloud Atlas was a book that nobody thought could be made into a competent film. I didn’t read the source material, but I felt the movie succeeded on many levels. Several complicated narratives taking place throughout different times and places in history were interwoven into one tale. The same themes were conveyed in each one.

The same troupe of actors were transformed via make-up and costumes in order to play a vast array of disparate characters. The sets and cinematography were very impressive. The film held my attention and kept me fully engaged throughout its lengthy runtime.

Despite all these positives, the movie didn’t blow me away or strike me as something I’d want to immediately tell others to see. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. My reviews are generally based upon how entertained I was. And with that in mind, Cloud Atlas earns a…

Rating: B-

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Entertaining once again. Loved the Ken & Barbie scenes. Story was a little weak, but it was just backdrop for the fun and familiar characters to work their magic.

Rating: B-

Road to Perdition (2002)

With Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law starring, and Sam Mendes of American Beauty fame directing, this was a sure bet. And it paid off. Very well done - gripping from start to finish.

Rating: B-

The Ladykillers (2004)

Reminded me of Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks" and Welcome to Collinwood, only not as funny as those. Great cast, weak writing. The visuals were nice, but the rest of the film did not support them. Skip it.

Rating: D+