The Best of Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, The Terminal and many more!

Best of Tom Hanks -

Forrest Gump
The Green Mile
The Terminal
Splash
Charlie Wilson's War
Saving Private Ryan
The Lady Killers
Catch Me If You Can ( Along with Leonardo DiCaprio!)
You Have Got Mail

Let's get introduced to each movie one by one now.. :-)

This is unarguably the best of all Tom Hanks gem! :-)

And also one of the best movies ever too!

It's story is so simple, yet so inspiring and entertaining.. a combination seldom found in most movies..

It shows how Forrest Gumo overcomes his physical handicap and low IQ by doing only one simple thing - follow his mom's instructions and then his girl friend's without any doubt and with all of his heart!

What will stike us is that how a person despite his low intelligence or should i say BECAUSE of his low intelligence, manages to strike unprecedented success in his life... and that gets one thinking... HOW??!!

If one notices in the movie, it was because he did all the tasks with a single-minded dedication that he was able to master them and strike gold where his more talented mates failed!!

Because of his low IQ, Forrest never  doubted himself or questioned his superior's orders... and through this simple deletion. he managed to overcome his physical handicap, excel in military services, becomes amazingly rich, wins the heart of an amazing girl... run across america several times (quite literally!) and just enjoy life!!

A powerful life lesson to be learnt here,,,, it is quite amazing to see the unlimited potential of qualities like dedication and belief, through this entertaining movie! Through the story of Forrest Gump this movie tries to show how many a times just being simple-minded can help you succeed ! :-)

You have got to see it to believe what i am gushing about.. :)

The Green Mile

A truly unique emotional experience, is what this ultimate gem of a movie is!!!

Words are not enough to express the plethora of emotions we feel from the start till the end of the touching story of a beast of a slave who has the purest of all heart and magical god gift ....

This story is about false conviction, lies, cunningness, narcissistic ambitions vs. pure heart and intentions, good ol' human desire to do good unto others..... all packed in such an entertaining way that is sure to melt even the toughest of hearts ::-)

A must see!!! and i am sure once you see, you will agree with me that it is one of the best movies ever!!

The Terminal

I couldn't have described this movie better than what the poster on the right says... ::-)

There's a humanity in its humor, a sweet and delicate comedy, a film to take your breath away!

I confess i avoided this movie for a long time, believing that it must be a boring tale, much like the phone booth !

But i couldn't have been more wrong!!

The character, became a victim of a very unusual situation, owing to which he was trapped in the airport terminal....

How he makes the best of the situation with his gentle, but determined nature, is what defines this movie and makes it again -- one of the best movies ever :-D

I just can't help it guys.. Tom Hanks IS one of the best!!!  And of course, Catherine Zeta Jones looks vivacious !

Splash

And in this amazing movie, our hero Tom Hanks is seduced by a beautiful mermaid...

A seemingly common story, it is quite intelligently written, perfectly directed and with the perfect actors in this movie, it easily earns a place in the  Best of Tom Hanks collection! ;-)

A romantic movie best seen with your love (and when no one else in the house ;-)  ) on a lazy sunday afternoon or a saturday night, sipping hot chocolate from your favorite mug! :-)

And obviously the end will make you two do several naughty things - guaranteed ;-)

Charlie Wilson's War

A captivating movie that, through Senator Charlie Wilson's life, tells us how the US systematically created the Taliban. The movie very masterfully shows where the US went horribly wrong in it's calculations and that the single largest terrorist network that is pillaging this world, is actually a product of USA!!!

It's absolutely true ... for more on this topic, click here please.

Catch Me If You Can

Though not the protagonist, Tom Hanks has a significant role in this delightful movie which tells the true and fantastic story of Frank Abagnale Jr. a daring imposter who almost managed to gat away with his tricks...  I wont divulge any more of the story,,, you need to seriously see this movie!  :-)

An amazing entertainment! ::-)

Philadelphia

It's a  daring movie against discrimination towards HIV positive people... and also at the same time gripping. Both Tom and Denzel Washington have made it a brilliant film to watch!



The Ladykillers

A dark comedy which is a remake of a 1955 movie of the same name ... It lives up to the expectations and has a very apt end :-)




Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

A very apt description on the poster itself, it is indeed a poetic and moving film about a boy who was very attached to his father (tom hanks) and loses him suddenly in the horrid terror attacks of 9/11.

Tom Hanks was a wonderful father and his death triggers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the child who in a very mature manner ( that's how his father wanted him to be!) tries to deal with it....

Sandra Bullocks, as always, looks amazing :-)

Watch it wither alone or with someone mature enough to understand these kinda movies, and with zero disturbance... otherwise it's quite possible that you won't be able to connect with the movie and ultimately trash me! ;-)


Saving Private Ryan

Though mentioned at last, one of the best war movies, it is also one of the best Tom Hanks film too! :)

Set in Second World War and with Matt Damon and Vin Diesel, it is a movie which shouldn'y be missed at all! :--)



Cheers!!!










PS :-
Not included in this collection -- Cast Away and Da Vinci Code.... Didn't like the former when i saw it first... will have to see it again,... and as far as the latter goes, i believe that the novel and the movie both were hyped out of proportions!!

Highway

.... Hats off to Imtiaz Ali ..

For Movies that both entertain and highlight subtle issues that are often brushed under the carpet in our society...

First socha na tha

Then jab we met

Love aaj kaal

Rockstar

And now highway....

In all his movies, he tries to connect with the youth from different angles, different stories set in different eras, countries, locations. All these to convey one important message that many often fail to realise , until it's too late - it's nothing earth shattering or anything but actually so simple that it is often overlooked in today's world of bfs and gas...

N the message is

  Whom should one choose to spend our rest of our life with...

As I said nothing ground breaking . Nothing new even.. ( though the stories and the way in which he subtly conveys it is unique, entertaining and masterly!)

 I think 99% of us either choose to downplay it or simply avoid this very impt decision or go The conventional way of letting our parents decide for us ...

We have all too often seen our friends chosin someone just because he has Rich parents over someone who they truly fill connected to; or chose a beautiful girl/ handsome boy who their parents showed over someone with ordinary looks but understood their feelings like no one else in the whole fricking world, someone who can just by hearing your voice on phone cam tell that something's wron today,... Someone with whom you can spend hours sitting quietly and yet don't feel bored or need to do something else to kill time..

These are soul mates in the truest sense ...
Something that can't be achieved by all the money in this world or by extravagant photoshoots and 1 lakh Rs lahengha and booking a palace for Marriage...

We often have come across posters having motivational quotes written on it, sold on the road side. I bought one such poster that gave 10 ways to be real happy in life ...

And the very first point on this gem of a poster was something like this-

" 99 percent of your happiness is determined by whom you marry....."

I was so amazed by this gem of a wisdom which I got from a 50 Rs poster which international 'motivational' authors  miss in their expensive books ...

And do notice that it pegged, not10 or 50%, but 99% of your eternal and inner happiness on your life partner!!

Being lucky enough to experience this precious little fact with the love of my life I fully how true this line was and how he'll bent the society was against us getting together at the time of our marriage!

Like the protagonists in Ali's movies we come at major cross-road in our life when the time comes to choose our life partner.... We have several options in front of us .. As abhay deol in socha na tha or alia Bhatt in highway.

Alia ( veera in this movie) belonged to a rich family and she was about to go the conventional way of arranged marriage with a rich businessman's audi driving son ...

She was about to get all the material happiness this world can offer at her feet ... And yet she had this funny feeling ( that feeling we have when our subconscious mind trys to tell us that what we are gonna do is not right :) ) of something missing from this 'fairy tale ' marriage....

The latest iPhone 5s can make you fill importnant in the society, in front of your friends, but who will make you feel equally if not more important / adored/ wanted / invaluable when you are alone in your bed room at night on that imported bed from Belgium !

Who will wipe your tears with the tenderness only two  people can have on this earth - a mother and a soul mate ... Surely not the 50,000 bucks iPhone 5s nor the Audi parked in your drive way...!

Who will Spoon you in the bed not just during the honeymoon period of your marriage, but till the last breath... I m sure it won't be the millionaire, solitaire-gifting husband, who is busy finishing his business deals or worry about them! It will be your average earning soulmate of yours, who will prefer the warmth of his / her beloved anytime over a hundred business deals ...

She is then rudely made aware of what she is Actually missing when she is Kidnapped by Randeep Hooda ( Mahavir ) ...

While on the scenic road trip which they unwittingly undertake , she realises the missing link in her life...

The forced road trip gradually makes her realize that life is
 but in the small things!

She realises that life is in the small things that we come across .. And not the extravagance of expensive gadgets and cars..

That a trip through India in an uncomfortable truck can give a 1000 times more pleasure than a trip to the expensive hotels of Switzerland !!

Through her realisation we ALSo become aware of this wonderful perspective of life that we tend to lose surrounded by the superficial and pretending media and people.

She is gradually attracted to Mahavir, who completely  lacked the sophistication, wealth or etiquettes of the rich boy she was going to marry but had some precious values like chivalry, protecting a lady's honour, and a primal instinct of what is right - qualities that are becoming so rare nowadays! under all that anger and crimes he had committed, he had a pure heart and a will to be good, Which he hid under a veil of anger amd toughness from the cruel world to which he had been exposed  from early childhood.

 He had A simple code of behaviour - to do what his heart tells him to do... Something alia was missing terribly in her rich neighbourhood ...

And these qualities in Mahavir attracted her... and made her to avoid returning home..

After a very cruel separation , whenshe is brought back to home, she is overwhelmed with dislike for the superficial behaviour and vanity of her friends and family alike ... And sorely misses the humility, transparency , pureness and simplicity in thoughts of Mahavir ...

She returns to the natural beauty and purity of the mountains , which was what she actually wanted from her husband/ love ...

We could plainly see in her eyes, on returning to the mountains, the look of pure happiness and calm - a state of mind that can come only in a similarly pure environment amd ppl who lack any trace of superficiality or artificialness.

 This is another eye opening story which tries to educate us in the impt life lesson of what to look for in your future life partner - a crucial link to 99 percent of our life's eternal happiness...

But that is if you watch it with a truly open mind which is always eager to learn life's little lessons ....and of you believe in love and soulmates ...:-)

Saving Mr Banks

Since I was a kid, I absolutely enjoy watching movies. When I was in college, I used to watch 2 or sometimes 3 movies back to back ... all sort of ones- from action to romantic to dramas to comedies to thrillers to biographies.... my mom used to nag about these movie marathons. She couldn't understand what pull I felt for these movies .. 

She wouldn't know that through movies like Forrest Gump or the Green Mile or the Aviator , I lived a thousand lives in one life.. I could witness a thousand life lessons, which i believe, shape our character...

  And I  I think, those out there like me, very well know what I am talking about...

  There's a wonderful quotation I came across for books... "

" I believe the same holds true for certain movies too....

And Saving Mr Banks is one such movie....

Based on true incidences and characters, the movie packs quite a powerful message within it... Through the lives of Walter Disney (no one could have handled his character better than Tom hanks) and the whimsical writer, P. L. Travers (The wonderful Emma Thompson) we learn a nice life lesson .. Let me try to share it with you , if u don't mind . :-)

The writer with which Walt Disney was trying to make a movie was proving to be exceedingly difficult  ... Walter is initially confused by her almost rude behaviour ... We too often come across several ppl who are downright rude without any provocation... But he tries to understand why she behaves so...

In a very  emotional scene with her towards the end of the movie, Walt  explains to the sad writer that most people have a sad past .. A  sad incidence or childhood that shall remain in our memory for the rest of our life.... 

He tells her that he too had a very troubled childhood... Thanks to an overbearing father.

He then explains that There are two ways of looking at our past .:. Something that dictates our future or 

Stop let it govern our action and create a bright future for ourselves despite the past - as he did :-) 

As we all know , Walt Disney started from an absolute zero and followed his heart and passion - art. And the rest Is history!....

The lady realises that he was indeed correct and at that very moment , the world around her stopped being so gloomy and one could notice the weight that was lifted off her shoulders.... 

A nice life lesson in there guys ...  

PS - you need to watch it either alone or someone who can understand these kind of movies to be able to really enjoy it!

Eight Below

For all ye pet lovers out there, this is the movie for you.... It has got an amazing story and some really great looking Siberian Husky (I love their angry look and blue eyes , pity they can't live in hot weather :( )  dogs who will surely make any dog lover's heart skip a bit and shed a tear (even if you aren't a big fan of dogs, rest assured you will love the movie :--) )!

Adding to the wow factor is the Fast & Furious star Paul Walker. (he recently died in a terrible car crash :-( ) I watched it just after his death, sort of a farewell tribute to him ...

SPOILER ALERT--

The first thing that came to my mind on watching it's poster was, another loyal-dogs-save-master story... but I couldn't have been more wrong! It has got a moving story and what happens is the exact opposite... Won't reveal much lest it spoils your appetite :-) Set in Antarctica, and focused on those cute, brave dogs, it's a wonderful entertainer... go for it this weekend :) you wont regret it! :-)

Two Weeks Notice

An absolute gem of a movie, I wonder how i missed it till now!

Two wonderful actors Sandra Bullocks (The Proposal) and Hugh Grant (Notting Hill, Music and Lyrics, Love Actually, About A Boy.......) have joined hands in this delightful movie for guys and gals who love to watch a romantic comedy on a quiet Sunday afternoon sitting on a couch, preferably with a sweet heart besides them holding their hands! :-)

Sandra Bullocks is at her dominating best and Hugh Grant at his mumbling best!!!;-D and the result is a absolutely delightful movie that is Two Weeks Notice...

Hasee to Phasee..

If you like your bollywood movie to have a good story, some foot-tapping songs in the background and a lot of humor (the one that really is funny!) then this is the movie for you!

Once again, Parineeti doesn't disappoint us at all. Siddharth Malhotra also looks and acts great ;-D and the supporting cast all perform their roles perfectly... I think it is probably because Karan Johar is a producer and not Director of this movie ;-)

The thing is - if you liked Shuddh Desi Romance,
you will definitely like this movie, and even think it's better... if you didn't, then well ... watch it anyways.. it's good! :-)

SPOILER ahead..

I and my wifey, particularly liked the take home message... marry someone with whom you can be a great friend rather than by just going for the looks and all that comes with it :-) of course if the two come together in a package, it's always welcome but prefer former than latter is what this movie says and we like! :-)

Lone Survivor (2014)

Based on a true story, Lone Survivor is a thought provoking, emotional, action-packed  movie that is also a superb entertainment.

 The cast ( Mark Wahlberg, Eric Bana - the hulk fame, , Ben Foster)  picturesque cinematography, the palpable thrill of the true story and literally stunning scenes in the movie make sure that you are firmly rooted to your seat for the entire movie! :-)

 The movie  in a very telling manner, drives home the message that terrorism has and knows no religion... They have only overshadowed the religion, using it to enforce and spread it's propaganda ...
The Muslim extremists tried to take their lives and ppl of the same religion also manage to save Mark.

The movie also highlights that the mistakes of thoughtless, short-sighted and incompetent politicians and commanders are largely responsible for the death of soldiers - who, after all, are mere mortals likes us ,with beloveds and Children, left shattered and rudderless by their death.  The brutality and cruelty of war will hit you right in the face, making you think of the futility of wars.

If you like this movie, i think you would also love to watch-

1. A Movie that might throw some light on how it all began - 'Charlie Wilson's War', starring Tom Hanks
















2. A nice movie movie that will throw some light on how Islam began - 'the Message' and  you can know what was the original message of the founder and how it is misinterpreted by Jihadis!

3. A movie which is on similar lines of Lone Survivor, but this time the plot unfurls in Iraq - The Hurt Locker

Prisoners (2013)

Drama, thriller, suspense,,

My wife and i were jumping up and down when the thrill and suspense became unbearable during the movie. Need i say any more? :)

You must see the brilliant portraying of the characters by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal- probably their career best!,,,

In fact I believe that, besides 12 Years A Slave, it should be leading contender for Oscars in Best Actor, Best Drama, Best Supporting Actor category for 2013!! And I kid you not.... It is a way better movie than American Hustle and Wolf of Wall Street. Even the background is perfectly selected for the story...

The story will draw you to it and the suspense will become intolerable... with a dramatic end, we fully enjoyed the movie and I am very sure that you will too! :-)

12 Years A Slave vs. American Hustle & the Wolf of Wall Street (WOWS)

Let me begin by stating that I'm a huge fan of Martin Scorsssse, Leonardo Dicaprio and Christian Bale... I avidly anticipated their movies ( WOWS, American Hustle) where as 12 years a slave's actors and directors were complete strangers to me and had it not been nomnated for Oscars, i probably wouldn't have seen it soon as it was released...

After watching all the three and also reading their reviews by critics and viewers, I found something disturbingly strange....  

As you might have noticed in the title i have bunched WOWS and American hustle together... this is because though both the movies have a different story, they share a common kind of direction... Both have monotonously endless, pointless dialogues - to the point that several members of the audience around me, including my wife literally dozed off in several scenes! N yet they didn't miss the story -- reason being, an hour / hour and a half long story were stretched to almost 3 hours !! To the point that it often made me wonder whether they had all together forgotten to edit the movie!! :-D

And yet these two movies bordering on boredom received rave reviews and I saw the critics going Ga Ga over the movies...
American Hustle even won Golden Globe award for best comedy (!!!). I'm pretty sure even the director didn't expect it to be labelled as a comedy... :-D May be it could have won the most comical flop of thee year award in a completely different award function ... n anyways i was laughing more during wolf of wall street than  American Hustle...
And is the jury in bed with Jennifer Lawrence? Because only that would explain her winning a Golden Globe for best supporting actress in American Hustle! :)
I accede that Christian Bale and Leonardo acted wonderfully,  but I think Dicaprio had and performed a more demanding character than Christian bale... I admit he didnt have to go all paumchy and bald, but what about sheer expressions and acting out as a completely different person than what one really is... Dicaprio justifies these two way better than Bale... N yet it was later who won A Golden Globe for best actor :)

And I have still not touched the fact that 12 Years A Slave was a 100 times better than either of these two in any category, hands down. ma y it be drama, acting, direction, cinematography,,, You have to see it to believe it... 

And yet, ladies and gentleman, WOWS made 104 million $, American Hustle 144 million $ while 12 years a Slave made just 44 million dollars!! 

I guess such is the way of life... often the most deserving fail to be noticed because-

1) They appear less attractive/ cool,
2) Marketing or rather the lack of it.. Nowadays this is one of the biggest decisive factor in the game...
     marketing creates an artificial aura of greatness and 'coolness' around a subject. this false aura reaches a large section of society rapidly via the platform of social media... 

Now comes into play the new generations' lack of individuality logical thinking,and need to conform with what is the latest 'in' thing to do/ eat or watch. 

If a person fails to comply/ conform with an ideology, he is systematically targetted/ boycotted/ isolated/ ridiculed by the society.. fearing this he dares not to come out and say that the movie was boring or that the 'coolest' restaurant had a very mediocre food!

So if in the social circles if WOWS and American Hustle are considered 'epitome of art' most of the young generation dare not oppose this opinion, lest he shall be isolated' ridiculed or worse labelled an ignorant buffoon/ simpleton.

3) people deliberately/ subconsciously tend to avoid an ugly/ unpleasant issue..