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Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is dying, or at least he thinks he is. He’s a hypochondriac convinced that there is something terminally wrong with him, probably due to all the fluorescent lights at his job. He’s miserable in his work, is alone and doesn’t really feel that life has anything to offer him. So when he goes to a new doctor, he gets the diagnosis he’s been waiting for–a “brain cloud”, a terminal disease that will kill him within five months. Joe is actually kind of happy. Feeling strangely liberated, he even asks out the office secretary (Meg Ryan) that … Continue reading →

Big (1988)

“Big” was one of the first movies I ever saw starring Tom Hanks, who, I must say, is a comic genius. Josh Baskin is a thirteen-year-old boy who has a crush on an older girl. When he tries to get her attention, she’s not impressed. Placing a token into a fortune-telling machine, Josh makes a wish. “I want to be big,” he says. When he wakes up the next morning, his wish has come true. When his mother sees him (now played by Tom Hanks) she chases him out of the house, and he turns to his best friend Billy … Continue reading →

That Thing You Do (1996)

Set in Pennsylvania in the 1960’s, “That Thing You Do” is the story of four friends who dream of making it big in the music industry. Our main character is Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) a young man who works in his father’s appliance store by day and plays drums at night, listening to jazz great Del Paxton for inspiration. His friends Jimmy and Lenny are in a band and their drummer has broken his arm, and they’re short a drummer for their appearance at a talent show. They ask Guy to fill in, and he agrees, but kicks up … Continue reading →

What About Bob? (1991)

Bob Wiley is . . . different. He’s beyond nervous, he’s beyond neurotic. The man needs serious professional help, and when he comes to see Dr. Leo Marvin, that’s what he thinks he’s getting. Dr. Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) is sure that with regularly scheduled office visits, he can get Bob (Bill Murray) on the right track, but he’s on his way to the lake for vacation. He’ll take care of Bob when he gets home. What Dr. Marvin does not expect is for Bob to follow him out to the lake, get himself invited to stay with the family, and … Continue reading →

You’ve Got Mail

Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) is the son of the owner of one of the largest book chains in the United States, Fox Books. His company is opening their newest location in New York City, which just happens to be right around the corner from the “Shop Around the Corner” a beautiful one-of-a-kind children’s bookstore owned by Kathleen Kelley (Meg Ryan). Kathleen is utterly distraught (though she keeps a brave face) that she might lose her store, which her mother had opened and operated until her death. When they finally meet in person, they immediately can’t stand each other. Joe is … Continue reading →

Back to the Future Part II

“Back to the Future Part II” takes place right where the first movie left off. Marty returns home and is met immediately by Doc, who tells him that Marty has to go to the future and that Jennifer, Marty’s girlfriend should come as well. Seems their future children are in big trouble, as are future Marty and Jennifer. So Marty, Jennifer and Doc take off to the future where the mess really begins. Marty must figure out how to stop his son from being arrested his family from falling apart (which ironically all stems from an incident yet to take … Continue reading →