In addition
to my annual dynamic lists, I thought it would be fun to zero in on specific
entertainers and analyze the best and worst moments of their career. And I couldn’t think of a better person to
start with, than two-time Oscar winner (five-time nominee) Tom Hanks.
The rules
are simple: I’m going to simply rank
order Tom’s films from best to worst… and provide a little commentary along the
way.
1. Big
(1988)
Hands down, the best Tom Hanks film EVER! And although it is incredibly difficult to
rank Tom Hanks films, mainly because he is a solid entertainer in just about
everything he does, I ranked Big #1
because the film should never have worked on premise alone: “a young boy who
makes a wish "to be big" to a magical wishing machine and is then
aged to adulthood overnight.” Come on…
it sounds stupid… however, it was remarkable and earned Tom his first Oscar
nomination.
2.
Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Oscar
Nomination
3.
Road to Perdition (2002)
4.
Splash (1984)
5.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
6.
Apollo 13 (1994)
7.
Philadelphia (1993) – Oscar Win
8.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
9.
The Green Mile (1999)
10.
Forrest Gump (1994) – Oscar Win
11.
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
12.
A League of Their Own (1992)
13.
Punchline (1988)
Coming out
the same year as Big, Punchline is a film most people
don’t think of when talking about Tom Hanks, however, it is a great film. Co-Starring Sally Field, John Goodman, and
Damon Wayans.
14.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
(2011)
15.
Dragnet (1987)
Why they
never made a sequel to this film I will never know. There is still time!
16.
Toy Story (1995)
17.
The Terminal (2004) – Oscar
Nomination
18.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
19.
Castaway (2000) – Oscar Nomination
20.
The Man with One Red Show (1985)
This movie
is hilarious! Co-Starring James Belushi,
Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, and Carrie Fisher… how can you go wrong?
21.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
22.
That Thing You Do! (1996) – also
Director
23.
Cloud Atlas (2012)
24.
Mazes and Monsters (1982) – TV Movie
Wikipedia: Mazes and Monsters came out in
the heyday of the RPG Dungeons & Dragons (the novel's title is a
thinly veiled reference to the game) and was seen by some as a warning to
parents about the dangers of RPGs. It came out at a time when Dungeons
& Dragons(D&D) was being attacked by groups who alleged that
it promoted Satanism and other forms of occult activities.
Although,
this movie is supposed to be serious, it is so bad it’s hilarious. The film follows the true story of Michigan
State University student James Dallas Egbert III who disappeared, allegedly due
to his obsession with the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons.
This film co-started
Wendy Crewson, who played Tim Allen’s ex-wife in The Santa Clause series.
25.
The Money Pit (1986)
26.
Bachelor Party (1984)
27.
The Great Buck Howard (2008) - Cameo
Tom has a
really nice moment in this movie as Mr. Gable, father of Troy Gable (played by
Tom’s real life son Colin).
28.
Angels and Demons (2009)
29.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
30.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
31.
The ‘Burbs (1989)
32.
Turner & Hooch (1989)
Okay… I’ll
admit it. If Turner & Hooch is on
TV… I’ll stop everything to watch it.
33.
Radio Flyer (1992)
34.
Larry Crowne (2011) – also
Writer/Director
35.
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
36.
Polar Express (2004)
37.
The Ladykillers (2004)
I know! I love
Tom Hanks… and I love the Coen Brothers… however, I think this film is
unwatchable. I couldn’t stand it. And I know there are some Coen Brothers
loyalists out there that will hate me for this and question why I didn’t rank Joe
Versus the Volcano in last… but hey… get your own list.
Haven’t Seen:
·
He Knows You’re Alone (1980)
·
Nothing in Common (1986)
·
Volunteers (1986)
·
Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986)
·
The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
·
Vault of Horror I (1993) – TV
Movie/Director
·
Elvis Has Left the Building (2004) –
Cameo
·
Captain Phillips (2012)
·
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
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