Who’s today’s Favorite Movie Icon? A nice guy who’s never, ever finished last.
He’s won back-to-back Oscars. Five People’s Choice Awards.
He’s extremely passionate about everything from World War II to the NASA Space Program.
He’s one of the most popular actors on earth; he’s also written, produced, and directed any number of movies and TV shows.
His is one of the most easily recognizable voices in the world.
He was first introduced to American TV audiences dressed in drag.
Wondering about our fifth and final Favorite Movie Icon Nominee? It’s Tom Hanks. He joins Harrison Ford, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and George Clooney. Not a bad bunch. BTW, which of these guys would you most like to have lunch with, if it was totally off the record/one-on-one and you could discuss anything under the sun? I realize it’s a tough choice.
Tom Hanks has been captivating people with his acting chops and everyman demeanor since 1980. Known in Hollywood as an ‘actor’s actor’, he’s also reportedly one of the most well-liked guys in the business – not particularly easy to be in Tinseltown. In fact, he’s made zillions of dollars playing nice guys who accidentally wind up where most nice guys fear to go. Frequently with Meg Ryan.
Who remembers Bosom Buddies? I recall thinking it was hilarious but feeling vaguely uncomfortable recommending it to people in front of my mother with its racy title. In 1984 Hanks made Splash (and allegedly he was originally singled out to play the wisecracking best friend – a role that ultimately went to John Candy). This solidified his place in comedy, and of course Big really secured it; he soon became known for crowd pleasers like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle – which brought in the romantic comedy job offers.
Then, in 1993 Hanks’ career took a dramatic turn when he starred in (and won an Academy Award for) Philadelphia, which suddenly changed everything. His portrayal of a gay lawyer who sues his own law firm was the very first mainstream movie to address homophobia in corporate America – it’s been credited with bringing a much-needed awareness of AIDS and AIDS-related issues in this country ever since.
Meanwhile Hanks had decided to tackle a screenplay based on a book that had been languishing for ten years in need of a director and star. The director who ultimately materialized was Robert Zemeckis, and the movie was Forrest Gump. Hanks nailed it and won a second Oscar, becoming synonymous with boxes of chocolate and a kind of innocent American dream that touched millions and millions of viewers. Really and truly – do you know a lot of people who didn’t like Forrest Gump? Sure it won a bunch of Oscars, but in my mind it’s one of those movies you can show to your great-great-grandchildren on whatever weird cyber-device they’re all using, and it will still hold up as a great chronicle of American life. Speaking of great American entertainment, here are two more Tom Hanks words to consider: Toy Story. All of them.
At Christmas we’ll get to see Hanks’ latest film, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – a post 9/11 drama which is also rumored to be a major Oscar contender. Never content to just act, he also decided early on to start producing too, which is why we have mini-series like From The Earth To The Moon, The Pacific and John Adams (the guy’s allegedly a pretty serious history and war buff). In my mind, anyone who could get these projects off the ground having also starred in guilty pleasures like The Money Pit and Bachelor Party is a major renaissance man. But that’s just me. Is Tom Hanks your favorite Movie Icon? Let us know and cast your votes for this year’s awards. Now to his movie poll – and remember, we only have space to list four films, so feel free to add your favorites if they’re not here!
Today’s poll:
1) Forrest Gump
2) Big
3) The DaVinci Code
4) Toy Story (1-3)
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Wow- too many to choose from!
But I love Big, and Forrest Gump, and Toy Story!
Forrest Gump by a mile because it makes you believe in the little guys of this world-that they can truly accomplish great things by simply being themselves;
Green Mile shows the complexity of evil vs good in the world
Apollo 13 came out to soon after Forrest Gump to get its true ado, but it shows how men can ban together in a crisis and practically perform miracles to overcome intense adversity
Too hard to pick a favorite! Another great Tom Hanks classic is The Terminal. Is there a role this guy can’t play?
the green mile its the best hes ever done and i like every movie hes done one of my all time favs
Forrest Gump – best of the four you have categorized…
however if Castaway was on that list, I would’ve chosen that as my number one choice.
December 2, 2011
It’s gotta be – Joe versus the Volcano!
We watch it a several times a year. It always makes us happy.
And to hear Tennessee Ernie Ford singing “16 Tons, Whatta you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.”
It’s great.
Big.
Big
What, Road to Perdition is not on this list? WAYT? Better performances than any of the Toy Story movies — and I like the Toy Story movies.
Wow, I don’t want to pick a favorite but if I have too….Forest Gump, but then in no particular order, A League of Their Own, “There’s no crying in baseball!”, Apollo 13, Toy Story and not to be forgotten Turner and Hooch! Such a gifted actor and he seems to be so everyday normal. He is the one I would choose to have lunch with.
To limit this list is torture! Big is one of my favorites, just as Forrest Gump and Philadelphia. Those would be my top three.
BIG-FILADELFIA-FORREST GUMP-MIL VECES ADIOS-Y TODAS LAS DEMAS!
Forrest Gump without a doubt.Tom transforms himself to a completely different character from his own yet retaining true humility and downright integrity.
My favorite Tom Hanks movie was Forrest Gump.
Saving Private Ryan Is the very Best Movie he has done!
FORREST GUMP
I can’t choose just one. My top five are (in no particular order):
1. Nothing in Common
2. Cast Away
3. Green Mile
4. A League of Their Own
5. Philadelphia
Tom Hanks is one of the most talented actor in Hollywood and has earned his place along with the elite of all famous actors.
FOREST GUMP… the story of how…GOD…uses the foolish
things of this life to confound the WISE-GUYS,and the weak
things of this world to confound the things which a mighty
1ST COR 1;27……….THOM..does GOOD..at times
BIG
fORREST GUMP
GREEN MILE
How about none of the movies on your list! The problem with the PEOPLE’S CHOICE is that it always about box office. Just because a movie makes a ton of money, it doesn’t mean it’s good. THE DAVINCI CODE was a huge box office success, but nobody loved it, precisely why nobody showed up for the far superior ANGELS AND DEMONS.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
APOLLO 13
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
THE GREEN MILE
CAST AWAY
Forest Gump – Ruuunnn Forest….Ruuuunnn!!!! Such a classic and timeless movie. Everytime I find it on TV I am sucked into it all over again and love it just as much as the first time I saw it in the movie theater!
1. Forrest Gump
2. Sleepless in Seattle
3. A League of Their Own
4. Apollo 13
1. Saving Private Ryan
2. Forrest Gump
3. Big
4. Sleepless in Seattle
I don’t know they’re all great I guess if I had to pick I think Forest Gump he did a wonderful job in that role, as he always does.
Joe vs. The Volcano – One of the sweetest fairy tales ever done.
I too love Forrest Gump. But there is another movie with
Tom Hanks that is hardy ever mentioned and I think is a
lovable, cute romantic story. It’s called Every Time We
Say Goodbye. If anyone can find it, enjoy it.
Love Big and Forrest Gump …. can’t say I ever saw him in anything I didn’t love except “Castaway”.
You guys forget “Road to Perdition” ?
Sleepless in Seattle, Big, Charlie Wilson’s War
Cast Away hit me the hardest,because in the end his wife casted him away,real life is hard
The Burbs!
I still watch it to this day!
Love all of his movies, but the top three are definitely Philadelphia
Forrest Gump
Castaway (should have won an Oscar)
“Joe vs. The Volanco” – waaay underrated. One of the funniest movies ever. I felt bad that after a good opening weekend, then critics (many who initialy LIKED it) turned on it and labeled it as one of the worst of the year. THEN Hanks and others who starred also trashed it. Only Meg REyan had the guts to say she liked it. Anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to and if you have – see it again. Set up like a theater play from the opening to the close. Abe Vigoda is priceless as the island chief and Meg Ryan plays three roles. Awesome.
My choices for best Tom Hanks films are as follows: Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia, Apollo13. It was a hard decision. All his films are great!
Favorite? ONE??!! I don’t think so. Tom is great in every movie he’s ever been in, and every movie he’s ever been in is great because he’s in it. Or directed it. Or produced it. John Honermann was spot-on when he said Tom Hanks is “the Jimmy Stewart actor of this era.”
Top of the heap:
PHILADELPHIA! His acting was above and beyond. I think he is someone I’d love to meet and just talk to. I hope I’m right when I think he would be someone that you could talk to without looking down on another person. He and his wife Rita Wilson seem to be very down to earth; which is also refreshing.
Tom Hanks is awesome. Its hard to choose.
1. Green Mile
2. Sleepless in Seattle
3. You’ve got mail
4. Castaway
1) Money Pit
2) Punchline
1.You Got Mail
2.Sleepless in Seattle
3.The Green Mile
4.Toy Story 1-4
5.Terminal
of course I could also add “A league of there own”
and the DaVince Code
Has everybody forgotten “The Money Pit”? That’s my choice.
Everyone always forgets about Road to Perdition. That movie is extremely underrated. If you are a Hanks fan, you need to watch this movie. Beautiful cinematography, emotional storyline, chilling score and fantastic acting. You can’t go wrong with Hanks, Paul Newman and Daniel Craig all playing gangsters.
The Green Mile is a close second. I love Catch Me if You Can, Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan as well. Tom Hanks is such a talented actor.
You got mail! Green Mile! Sleepless in Seattle! Castaway! Apollo 13! Philadelphia! A League of Their Own! Saving Private Ryan! When Harry Met Sally! I Love Him!
What’s wrong with you picking the 4? They’re Not My Favorites! Your List is Too Limited! Tom Hanks Best? The Man is Spectacular! My Favorites weren’t on your list. Oh Yeah, Big for sure is one of my favorites! Um Yeah, and Forrest Gump, and I suppose Toy Story really has to be too,,,but I can’t say The DaVinci Code is, but it Was great! How could anyone possibly choose! XOXO Tom! All Your Movies Are The Best!
1. Saving Private Ryan
2. The Green Mile
3. Apollo 13
4. Cast Away
5. Forrest Gump
Apollo 13
Tom Hanks, one of the best, the Jimmy Stewart actor of this era in cinema.
1 Forrest Gump
2 Big
Turner and Hooch
That Thing You Do
My favorite is “Apollo 13″. Even though we all know how it ends, it still brings tears to my eyes when the capsule splashes down safely.
The Green Mile, the best!
1. PHILADELPHIA. HE WAS MORE THAN EXCELLENT.
2ND PLACE: SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Can’t remember the Title of the movie, but it was with Jackie Gleason. Early days of his movie career, but he really brought out the emotions between a father and a son. Followed by… Forrest Gump! Of course.
My favorite Tom Hanks movie is “Saving Private Ryan”. In that movie, Hanks was the very definition of nobility. He made you truly feel that his concern was for the men under his command & completing the mission he was assigned to do. He portrayed an ‘ordinary guy’ who was inserted into extraordinary situations by the hellishness of war, & yet he managed to maintain his humanity while serving as prime example of leadership & devotion to duty. He was exceptionally believable in this role, & made audiences care, not merely about the excitement of the mission (& special effects), but about character of the man. I think this role was one of his finest performances.
Saving Private Ryan
The Green Mile
Forrest Gump
Big
These are first four I thought of. But I can’t think of any he did that I wouldn’t love to see again..over & over.
Forrest Gump
“Because you told me to, Drill Sargeant!”
Philadelphia is a close second.
I would have to say Forrest Gump.
Forrest Gump.
Forrest Gump!
Forrest Gump.
what about Apollo 13? If I am limited to these 4 I would vote for the DaVinci Code….but I don’t think it is his overall best movie.
Forest Gump
Toy Story
Joe vs. the Volcano (cheesy but loved it!)
How can you guys exclude Philadelphia from this list? What’s wrong with you?
Just watched it again other night for the 100th time, Forrest Gump. I probably could recite the script verbatim.
forrest gump because life is like a box of chocolates
A league of their own (There’s no crying in baseball..)
That thing you do.
Forrest Gump.
Teminal is probably the the most overlooked Hanks movie…
‘Forest Gump! Mama always said, stupid is as stupid does, sir!
Out of these four titles, “BIG” is my top favorite, followed by “Toy Story” and “Forrest Gump”.
Out of the 4 above, I would say, Forrest Gump was the best.
Cast Away
You’ve got mail
The green mile
Philadelphia was his best. Out of these four, I would say The DaVinci Code.
Terminal
Catch Me if u can
Cast Away
and more Missing …