VinylGuy vs. Monkey_Driven -- MONKEY_DRIVEN WINS

[Mickey]

Again, we seem to be confusing great movies with great actors. Sure, he has great charisma and work ethic and people love him. But it can be helpful to ask yourself if you can imagine other decent actors in those roles, where they're as good or better. There aren't a lot of Tom Hanks roles I can't do that with.

Yep, exactly. The majority of that list, including his award winners, is absolute pablum, but more central to the argument is the fact that I've basically never seen a Tom Hanks movie where I was like, "damn, no one can do what he did for this role." The closest you get is probably his voice work for Toy Story.

[Anders]

Both his Oscar wins were absolutely outstanding.

[Mickey]

Probably going to have to agree to disagree here, bud--I think Forrest Gump is a Crash-level movie, absolute dogshit from start to finish.

[Anders]

I like Crash.

But Forrest Gump is a five star movie any day. One of the best ever.

[Mickey]

Probably going to have to agree to disagree here, bud

[Anders]

Maybe we can agree on his outstanding role in Philadelphia.

[tree_]

Yeah, Forrest Gump is entertaining on some levels, but a pretty messy movie. Philadelphia is the one big Tom Hanks movie I haven't seen.

[Monkey_Driven]

Again, we seem to be confusing great movies with great actors. Sure, he has great charisma and work ethic and people love him. But it can be helpful to ask yourself if you can imagine other decent actors in those roles, where they're as good or better. There aren't a lot of Tom Hanks roles I can't do that with.

Yep, exactly. The majority of that list, including his award winners, is absolute pablum, but more central to the argument is the fact that I've basically never seen a Tom Hanks movie where I was like, "damn, no one can do what he did for this role." The closest you get is probably his voice work for Toy Story.

So many actors would have overacted in roles like Cast Away. He carried that film and brought a humanity to it that few actors of that era could.

Even a scene like meeting his son in Forrest Gump. That scene is incredibly moving because he connects to the audience on an emotional level.

[tree_]

I'm pretty sure you have a tendency to mistake great acting for overacting, what with your take on DDL and all.

[Monkey_Driven]

I'm pretty sure you have a tendency to mistake great acting with overacting, what with your take on DDL and all.

Apples and oranges.

[tree_]

Yeah I suppose it comes down to preference and you appear to like more grounded natural performances.

[Mickey]

Again I am going to insist on agreeing to disagree, since I think Tom Hanks carried Cast Away straight into the toilet where it belongs.

[Monkey_Driven]

Yeah I suppose it comes down to preference and you appear to like more grounded natural performances.

I am naturally drawn to more grounded performances, but the film ultimately determines what is needed. For example, I love Keaton's Beetlejuice and it is completely over the top and "showy".

[Anders]

Robin Williams was often over the top, but also excellent.

[Mickey]

I can name precisely one movie Robin Williams was excellent in.

[Anders]

Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, The Birdcage, Garp and Awakenings.

[Mickey]

Nah none of those

[Mickey]

I mean GWH is good but that's not the one I had in mind.

[tree_]

I can’t really imagine anybody else in Mrs. Doubtfire. Its a Robin Williams vehicle

[Monkey_Driven]

Robin Williams was often over the top, but also excellent.

Right!