That Thing You Do! (2007, DVD)

I was browsing through the cast page of a Lord of the Rings website recently and was disappointed to discover that whoever compiled the list of film credits for each actor neglected to mention Elijah Wood s role as Huck Finn, the character with which I always identified him prior to LotR. Now he is most widely recognized for portraying one of the greatest characters in British literature, but I would have thought one of the greatest characters in American literature would have been worth mentioning as well. My disillusionment was further exacerbated when my scanning of Liv Tyler s bio...

Ah, the 60's; the age of hippies, JFK, and great pop music. Even though I was born nearly three decades after the 60's ended, I'm able to get a glimpse at one of the best of the times in music with Tom Hank's film, That Thing You Do!.. The film, released in 1996, marks Hank's directorial debut, and went on to be nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. The movie tells the story of a fictional rock band created in 1964, though it all begins with four friends from Erie, Pennsylvania, who have the hopes of becoming a successful band. There's Jimmy Mattingly (Jonathon Schaech), the.

This is one of those movies that I just have to watch at least a couple of times a year. Indeed, my old VHS tape of this has been run through the mill, but it still holds up just fine. I initially saw this in the theater and just had to buy the thing when it was released on video. This 1996 release was directed by Tom Hanks, who also played the part of Mr. White -- a kind of producer/agent type for the mythical Play-Tone record label. Our story starts out with a local band (called the Oneders initially, but switched to the Wonders later on so as to avoid confusion) that talked Guy Patterson ..

Last night our local cable station ran a "Tom Hanks Marathon." This marathon consisted of Forrest Gump, Punchline (reviewed at http://www.epinions.com/content_9957904004) and That Thing You Do! It is fitting that this last film was included as it demonstrates Tom Hanks talents not only as a performer, but also as writer and director. The best word to describe this movie is inconsequential. It is light and sunny with no real message. What this movie evokes is an era when life was simpler, when the young folks of Erie Pennsylvania could concern themselves with making to and listening to music...