#HANX for the Memories: The Tom Hanks Podcast

Asteroid City (2023)

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:55:00 -0000

Last summer, Tom Hanks teamed up with Wes Anderson for Asteroid City, and now it's time to talk about it on #HANX for the Memories! After a brief explanation as to why this episode is roughly one year late, we talk about the fact that this is the first Wes Anderson movie either of us have covered for a podcast, how COVID impacted and inspired this film, and how father and grandfather roles seem to suit Tom Hanks pretty well. We talk about how Hanks handles the specific requests and needs of a Wes Anderson movie and what we'd like to see if Tom Hanks was the true star of a Wes Anderson project. We ask: did this movie not hit as well the second time around? Does the artifice in Wes Anderson's movies work anymore? How does Wes Anderson compare and contrast with Tim Burton? We look ahead to upcoming Tom Hanks movies.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:10:22 -0000

Now that A Man Called Otto is available on VOD, we stopped kicking the can down the road and decided to watch it. After sharing our pre-conceived notions of the film (and whether or not it lived up to them), we talk about the depressing trend of Hollywood's continual remakes of European films and wonder whether a movie with those tone plays better there than it does here. We also wonder why the movie decided to both cast a young Tom Hanks AND digitally de-age him in separate scenes, whether or not Hanks will return to comedy (or at least to the types of movies we prefer), and what's holding Hanks back from making more exciting movies. We try to manifest his upcoming film roles and share ways we could make A Man Called Otto better -- or at least more interesting.

Pinocchio (2022)

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:25:04 -0000

#HANX for the Memories is back for a semi-surprise dump of Pinocchio (2022) onto Disney+, featuring Tom Hanks as Gepetto. It's not the longest episode we've ever done, because, well... it's a movie we've seen before. We dive into the "quest for content" on all streaming services, the many adaptations of Pinocchio that have released in the past few years, and whether or not Robert Zemeckis's version does anything truly new. We talk about Tom Hanks's portrayal of Gepetto, the character found in this movie but not in the original, and whether or not the ending is a cop out.

Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022)

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 22:09:01 -0000

It's a Viva Pod Vegas / #HANX for the Memories special crossover event as we talk about Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, the Elvis Presley biopic! We discuss Austin Butler's portrayal of Elvis (and how he is the movie), Tom Hanks's portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker (and why he took the role), and Baz Lurhmann's novel take on the biopic via a new POV. We talk about Hanks's makeover and his level of "going for it," the movie's frenetic pacing and structure, and how it navigates around some controversy. We also wonder if Riley Keough would have fit in the movie and try to picture Tom Cruise as Colonel Tom.

Finch (2021)

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 21:26:26 -0000

After a brief hiatus, #HANX for the Memories is back and talking about Tom Hanks' most recent film, Finch! Available on Apple TV+, Finch tells the story of a dying man who builds a robot to take care of his dog after he's gone. In this episode, we talk about the complicated journey of bringing Finch to the big screen, the bizarre reality that this WASN'T filmed during the pandemic, the fairly outstanding performance turned in by Caleb Landry Jones, and our sort of frustration at a movie that we mostly liked but feel we should have loved. Also, we preview the (really, really) big year that Tom Hanks has coming in 2022!

064 News of the World (2020)

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 16:24:23 -0000

Tom Hanks wasted no time in getting the year (and Phase II of #HANX for the Memories) started off right with News of the World! The film sees Hanks re-unite with Paul Greengrass, which now marks two team-ups where Hanks plays a captain: Captain Phillips and News of the World. In this episode, we talk about "western Hanks," the pacing and structure of the movie, and the sort of surprise (yet inevitable?) ending. Also, we talk about the difference between character-based and atmosphere-based westerns as we try to figure out which of those styles this movie tried to hit -- and whether or not it was successful.

063 The Woodies: The Tom Hanks Awards

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

At long last, the time has come to (once again) don our tuxedos and roll out the red carpet. Welcome to The Woodies: The Tom Hanks Awards! All podcast long, we've talked about our favorite (and least favorite) parts of Tom Hanks's movies and TV roles, and we announced our official selections for the best and worst of what Tom Hanks's filmography has to offer and opened the voting to the public. Now, your votes have been tallied, our very special guest Bob Fischer has verified the results, and it's finally time to reveal our picks -- as well as the fans' selection -- for each and every category. Live, from the internet, it's The Woodies: The Tom Hanks Awards!

062 Ranking Tom Hanks's Movies

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Before we tally up the votes for the Woodies (The Tom Hanks Awards), we've got one more task ahead of us: we've got to rank Tom Hanks's movies! As always, there's a weird alchemy here that doesn't quite make sense, as we combine the movie's "quality" with Hanks's performance, add a dash of how much we like him in the movie, and toss in some other hints and touches of things we can't quite articulate, and wind up with a comprehensive list of his films and roles in an order that only makes sense to us.

061 The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Four short years ago, our hearts were captured by a haunted elevator, its peculiar operator, and his two friends. (Note: these relationships may not be canon.) A year later, that elevator operator returned, and his universe... kind of, sort of, maybe (?) grew a little bit. As we wrap up #HANX for the Memories and look ahead to the Woodies (voting still open!), we're remembering the reason for the season and talking about the David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special! Any questions?

060 Tom Hanks Clip Show

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We may have covered every movie that stars or features Tom Hanks -- along with both seasons of Bosom Buddies, his three episode arc on Family Ties, and more -- but there's a whole lot more work that he's done that we haven't covered. Welcome to the Tom Hanks Clip Show! In this episode, we're working our way through guest starring roles in TV shows, his acceptance speeches for his two Academy Award wins, a Carly Rae Jepsen music video, one of his all-time greatest clips, some more of his directing work, and much more!

059 The Woodies: The Tom Hanks Award Nominations

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We've watched and podcasted about all 58 movies (and TV shows, and more!) that Tom Hanks has made so far. Each episode, we've talked about our favorite and least favorite moments, and we've ended each episode by nominating that movie (or show) for awards that showcase the very best (and very worst) that Tom Hanks's filmography has to offer. We've pared down our lists, and -- at long last -- the time has come to announce the official selections for the Woodies: The Tom Hanks Awards. Sit back, relax, listen to all of the films, shows, roles, moments, and actors nominated, then go to cageclub.me/bracket and cast your votes on who's taking home those sweet Woodies awards! (Voting closes on Wednesday, November 4.)

058 Greyhound (2020)

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We've made it. After traversing the treacherous waters of the Atlantic (i.e. the middle of the #HANX for the Memories run), we've finally re-gained air support (vis-a-vis the truly strong showing from the last handful of Tom Hanks movies). We finish Phase I of #HANX for the Memories with Greyhound, the Hanks-written World War II flick that dropped on AppleTV+ this summer. Joining us to talk about Greyhound is Dan "The Duke" Hayden. We discuss the film's tremendous soundscape, the tremendous supporting cast, and Hanks's return to the open sea. We also wonder why Elisabeth Shue took her very tiny role, and lament not being able to see this in theaters.

057 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Tom Hanks may have sworn off playing any more real people, but he taps that well once more (for the ninth time!) in his turn as Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. In this episode, we try to wrap our heads around making a Mr. Rogers movie that isn't really about Mr. Rogers, which fits in perfectly with the inherent weirdness found throughout. We also talk about whether there's a better casting option for Mr. Rogers than Tom Hanks, attempt to reconcile the two halves of the story, and explore all the stylistic flourishes that Marielle Heller lends to A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

056 Toy Story 4 (2019)

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We may have already covered Toy Story 4 on #KeanuClub to dive deep into the world of Duke Caboom, but now we're focusing (once again) on the franchise's star: Sheriff Woody. We're joined by two guests who are definitely not trash: Nico Vasilo and Kevo Risse (X is for Podcast, .html) to talk about Woody and Bo Peep, the toys with (and without) Woody, and the future of the franchise. In addition to talk about Toy Story 4, we also cover the Lamp Life short (available on Disney Plus), even though it's (gasp!) Jim Hanks as the voice of Woody, rather than Tom Hanks.

055 The Post (2017)

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Stop the presses! Well, actually, fire 'em up, because we're covering Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee in Steven Spielberg's 2017's film The Post. Joining our crack news team are Tobin Addington (The Contenders) and resident Meryl Streep expert Michael Domanico (Not Her Again). We talk about the superbly selected (and supremely stacked) cast, Steven Spielberg's incredible ability to turn procedure and process into something magical, and his ability to fill the screen with performances that won't let you look away. We also talk about how Tom Hanks led the newsroom in The Post, and also the ever-expanding reach of his family tree, which is now so grandiose that it almost doesn't feel realistic.

054 The Circle (2017)

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Before we reach the end of #HANX for the Memories, we needed to overcome one final obstacle: the one-two punch of Inferno and The Circle. At long last, the time has come for Mike to watch The Circle, a movie he mythologized to the nth degree (for what reason? unclear!), in spite of Joey's best efforts. Could it possibly have lived up to whatever hopes he had placed on it? Is it everything he ever dreamed it could be? Or will he wind up (like the rest of us) angry and disappointed? Joining us to find out is our resident literature expert Jessica "Montez" Collins, pulling double duty after last week's Inferno episode. Get ready for some anger and depression!

053 Inferno (2016)

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Seven long years after we saw Robert Langdon's second European caper (which was actually based on the first book in the series by Dan Brown), we're headed back "across the pond" in search of our missing Mickey Mouse watch (and our memories!) for the third and final (for now, anyway) Robert Langdon adventure, Inferno (which is actually based on the fourth book in the series). Still with us? Good. Today, we're joined by our resident religion expert John Brooks (Hard to Believe) and our resident literature expert (or, in this case, "literature") Jess "Montez" Collins, as they complete their Da Vinci Code trilogy punch cards. In this episode, we discuss not really knowing what Inferno was about before seeing the movie, whether or not this could secretly be the best movie in the trilogy, and why Felicity Jones's betrayal (spoilers!) was both sudden and inevitable.

052 Sully (2016)

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Another week, another Tom Hanks portrayal of an American icon. This week, we're making a water landing in the Hudson River as we talk about Sully. After a couple movies off the beaten path -- and before a couple based on pretty massive books -- Hanks is back in his sweet spot as Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the captain of US Airways Flight 1549. Jeremy Kelly joins us to talk about all things Pilot Hanks in what is... could it be... our first ever Clint Eastwood movie covered on the podcast network? Is that possible? It just may be!

051 A Hologram for the King (2016)

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

While it's commonplace today, A Hologram for the King marked a special occasion: it's the first straight-to-VOD movie in Tom Hanks's filmography. To commemorate (?) the occasion (?), we're bringing in Christian Larson, who was our guest on #CageClub: The Nicolas Cage Podcast, when we covered Seeking Justice, Cage's first straight-to-VOD release. That's about where the comparisons end, though. In this episode, we talk about the tonal inconsistencies of A Hologram for the King and wonder what this movie's really trying to do. We also discuss its origins as a book, and its Eggers-connection to The Circle, which draws ever nearer.

050 Ithaca (2015)

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Ithaca is the elusive fourth (!) team-up between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, flying under the radar for both good and bad reasons. Ithaca also marks the directorial debut for Meg Ryan, who pulls double duty as the mother to a few boys (including her son in real life, Jack Quaid)... as well as widow to Tom Hanks (and therein lies the rub). In this episode, we talk about the protagonist issue of Ithaca, Tom Hanks as Ghost Dad, and whether or not the movie telegraphed its inevitable ending (or whether we've just seen far too many movies).

049 Bridge of Spies (2015)

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Feeling sad about the nearing end of #HANX for the Memories? Would it help if we told you we were talking about Bridge of Spies? In this episode, we welcome in Tobin Addington (The Contenders) to help secure the exchange of a lifetime as we talk about the fourth time Tom Hanks has acted in a Steven Spielberg movie. Does being exactly as good as you expect it to be make Bridge of Spies less interesting? It's up for debate as we discuss Hanks's penchant for history (and long movies), a Game Night pre-union, and the many award-nominated elements of this movie.

048 Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

How many mythic American figures will Tom Hanks play in biopics that aren't really about those men? The answer may surprise you! In a career filled with biopics, the comparisons between Walt Disney (in Saving Mr. Banks) and Mister Rogers (in our upcoming A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) are many. Today, though, we're focusing on Tom Hanks's portrayal of Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks, a tale about wooing the persnickety P.L. Travers (played by Emma Thompson) to get her to sign over the film rights to Mary Poppins. We talk about Hanks's portrayal of Mickey Mouse's dad, the best and worst parts of this movie, and how much fun it would be to go fly a kite. (Okay, maybe we don't talk about that last one, but the song's stuck in my head.)

047 Captain Phillips (2013)

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

After coming off the high of Cloud Atlas, we're grounded back to terrifying reality with Tom Hanks's titular portrayal of Captain Phillips. It's yet another installment in the ongoing "Tom Hanks plays a real person" -- and it certainly won't be the last -- but does it hold up as well on second viewing? Can the world-class acting overcome the rising and falling tension that you know will play out? Does Captain Phillips end with the greatest acting moment in Tom Hanks's filmography, or perhaps all of modern cinema? We're joined by Holly Gore to talk about all things Captain Phillips as we begin to move into the endgame of #HANX for the Memories and close in on modern day.

046 Cloud Atlas (2012)

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Last week's episode of #HANX for the Memories was painful, but this week more than makes up for it. We're spanning centuries and transcending all conventions as we dive into the six timelines -- and six Toms Hanks -- of Cloud Atlas. We're going solo bolo (on purpose) this episode so that we can each get maximum airtime talking about the movie that may wind up being both of our favorite Tom Hanks movies when all is said and done. We talk about each of his six incarnations, the journey of his character(s) throughout each of the stories, and how each of the parts of Cloud Atlas work together in miraculous ways to tell a grander story.

045 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We're just one week away from Cloud Atlas, which is one of the main reasons we began this entire endeavor. First, though, we're headed back in time to a year after The Worst Day to talk about Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, misery porn to end all misery porn. We're riding out the proverbial storm solo bolo style, since I guess no one wanted to re-live 9/11 through the eyes of a precocious and equally cloying and sociopathic young boy. In this episode, we try to uncover things we like about this movie, wonder what versions of this movie could have worked, and talk about how it feels like The Book of Henry without any sense of insane camp or charm.

044 Larry Crowne (2011)

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Tom Hanks pulls quadruple duty on #HANX for the Memories, as he's the writer, director, producer, and leading man in Larry Crowne. Joining us to talk about the "explosion of benign, muted joy" of Larry Crowne is Michael Domanico (Not Her Again), a past guest of the TomTom Club and an expert in all things Julia Roberts. In this episode, we talk about Hanks's second effort from behind the camera, the strange reality that this movie seems to inhabit, as well as the absolute and total lack of any real problems in this movie, which is almost exclusively inhabited by kind people. Also, stay tuned to find out what little moment in this movie may be Joey's favorite thing in any movie ever.

043 Toy Story Toons and TV Specials

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Within a few years of the release of Toy Story 3, five more Toy Story, uh, stories were released in the form of Toy Story Toons and TV specials. In this episode, we're working our way through three Toy Story Toons (Hawaiian Vacation (2011), Small Fry (2011), and Partysaurus Rex (2012)), as well as two Toy Story TV specials (Toy Story of Terror (2013) and Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)). Mike works double duty to recap five separate plots, we talk about our favorite and least favorite moments, our biggest disappointments, and our favorite surprise characters. Plus, of course, more talk about how Mr. Potato Head continues to defy the laws of physics and reality.

042 Toy Story 3 (2010)

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

How many Toy Story movies will wind up atop our list of favorite Tom Hanks movies? That's up for debate today as Cara Gael O'Regan (Wistful Thinking) joins us to talk about Toy Story 3. In this episode, we try to do the impossible task of comparing this to previous installments in the series, which came out 11 (!) and 15 (!!) years before this, while also looking ahead to the next sequel, which won't release for another 9 (!!!) years. We talk about the many references within Toy Story 3, try (once again) to get to the bottom of how sentience works in this universe, and admire Barbie as the presidential candidate we all need right now. Remember, kids: “Authority should derive from the consent of the governed, not from the threat of force!”

041 Angels & Demons (2009)

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Get ready for an adventure! We haven’t clawed our way through history in a few weeks, which means it’s about time to cover Angels & Demons! We’ve once again re-assembled our religious historical fiction team of John Brooks (Hard to Believe) and Jess “Montez” Collins. In this episode, we gain access to the Vatican Archives so that we can talk about the truths, half-truths, and lies of Angels & Demons; Tom Hanks’s new supporting cast (and the severe lack of Audrey Tautou); and all things God Particle and antimatter. We also compare this adaptation to the book and to the adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, and we look ahead to the confusing “which books will they turn into films” nature of the rest of the Langdon book series.

040 The Great Buck Howard (2008)

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Colin Hanks began his movie career with a cameo role in That Thing You Do!, but The Great Buck Howard is our first full-blown Colin Hanks vehicle on #HANX for the Memories! While Tom may not have a lot to do in this one, The Great Buck Howard is notable for the podcast because he and Colin (real-life father and son, in case you didn't know; thanks, IMDb trivia!) play father and son in the movie. In this episode, we talk about Hanks's two scenes and the father/son dynamic at play. Also, Joey tries to figure out why he watched this movie ten years ago (pre-Moviepass!), given that no one really talks about it.

039 Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Fri, 29 May 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Are politics fun? Or would anything fueled by cocaine and attractive women fawning over your every move seem fun on screen? That's probably not *the* core question at the heart of Charlie Wilson's War, but it's one of the many we're tackling on today's episode of #HANX for the Memories. In this episode, we're joined by Tobin Addington (The Contenders) to talk about all the Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman you can handle, as they all shine and excel in this Aaron Sorkin-penned screenplay. Even more, Charlie Wilson's War features TomTom Club crossovers galore, including Amy Adams (back from Catch Me If You Can) and Emily Blunt (crossing over from Edge of Tomorrow)!

038 The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Fri, 22 May 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Tom Hanks is an actor known for playing an incredibly diverse array of roles, but across all of his films, only Sheriff Woody pops up more often than Robert Langdon, the intrepid hero of Dan Brown's books and Ron Howard's movies. Even though The Da Vinci Code was not the first Robert Langdon story, it was the most popular book in the world at one point, and it serves as our entry point into the world of... historical crime solving? We're tackling The Da Vinci Code from all angles in this one, and we've assembled our team to work through all three of these stories: John Brooks (our resident theologian and the host of our newest podcast, Hard to Believe) and Jess "Montez" Collins (our resident literary expert). Can we crack the case together?!

037 The Polar Express (2004)

Fri, 15 May 2020 04:01:00 -0000

There's no better time for a Christmas movie (like The Polar Express) than a Friday in May when we're all stuck in quarantine! Joining us on this nonstop train to the North Pole (a train that's out of season and out of time) is Dan Hayden, who used to be our "Year 2000 Action Movie Expert," but is now our... mid-2000s animated children's movie about believing in Santa Claus expert? In this episode, we're talking about Tom Hanks in each and every one of the many roles he plays in The Polar Express on today's #HANX for the Memories, so make sure you've got your round trip ticket in your pocket and hop aboard!

036 The Terminal (2004)

Fri, 08 May 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Is The Terminal the strangest Tom Hanks movie we've covered so far in #HANX for the Memories? It just may be! But is that a bad thing? Since we've completed Hanks's "golden mile," we've bounced from one strange project to the next. To help us make sense of The Terminal, we're joined by returning guest Zack DeZon. In this episode, we talk about finding love in an airport terminal... as well as scavenging for food, finding a job, and becoming a folk hero. We also wonder if any part of this movie could possibly happen, and we debate whether it'd be more difficult to live on a deserted island or in a terminal at JFK.

035 The Ladykillers (2004)

Fri, 01 May 2020 04:01:00 -0000

We're all in agreement on two things about The Ladykillers: Tom Hanks is the best part about this movie, and this movie is the worst Coen Brothers movie. (But that's not a bad thing!) In this episode, we're joined by Bob Fischer (Tub Talk) and Dan Colon to take a deep dive into the first Tom Hanks movie to release since his "Golden Mile" of movies ended. We talk about the similarities found in all Coen Brothers movies, whether or not The Ladykillers was a movie they had envisioned from its inception (or if they joined later on in production), and the many ways in which things don't quite seem to gel in the way that they do in nearly every one of their other movies. (Also! Scheduling update: #HANX for the Memories is now weekly!)

034 Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 04:01:00 -0000

After weeks and weeks of podcasts spanning Tom Hanks's best movies, Catch Me If You Can marks the end of the "golden mile" on #HANX for the Memories. Things may be about to take a downturn, but at least we're going out on a high note! While Catch Me If You Can isn't quite a "Tom Hanks movie" as much as it is a showcase for Leonardo DiCaprio's endless charm, it marks one of his best films to date and another wildly successful collaboration with Steven Spielberg. In this episode, we talk about Hanks's role as buzzkill, his interplay with Leo, and his endless desire to prove to the world (and to himself) that he can always get his man.

033 Road to Perdition (2002)

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 04:01:00 -0000

It's been the better part of a decade since one of our guests, Kyle Reinfried (Foodie Films), told Mike to watch Road to Perdition. At long last, the time has come. Joining Kyle on this episode is Jessica Collins, who's with us as we all go back in time to 1931 and find a new type of role for Mr. Tom Hanks: mob muscle! In this episode, we discuss whether or not Hanks continues his streak of being America's Dad, the film's tremendous ensemble cast, and whether or not the ending works. Also, there's a weird connection between Road to Perdition and Mazes and Monsters that maybe only Mike cares about... but it's a good one!

032 Cast Away (2000)

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 04:01:00 -0000

"WILSON!" We've entered a new decade, a new century, and a new millennium in #HANX for the Memories, but Tom Hanks is still out here, acting his little butt off and winning awards for Cast Away. Joining us on this FedEx plane to the middle of nowhere is returning guest Zack DeZon. In this episode, we talk about the film's many set-ups and pay-offs, whether or not we could survive on a desert island, and our ideal spherical companions. We also talk about the storied history of the name "Wilson" in Tom Hanks's life, and admire the radical bodily transformation he had to undergo in order to get ready for Cast Away. Once again: "WILSON!"

031 The Green Mile (1999)

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 04:01:00 -0000

It turns out that Tom Hanks has acted in a lot of really, really long movies. Not only does The Green Mile mark one of Hanks's longest movies to date (or maybe ever!), but it's also one of his best. To help us break down the three-hour-plus epic, we welcome in Dan Colon, a big Stephen King fan and self-admitted Green Mile sobber. In this episode, we talk about another Tom Hanks trip back in time, his role as a no-nonsense (okay, a little nonsense) prison guard, and his dynamic with Michael Clarke Duncan. We also debate where The Green Mile ranks among Stephen King adaptations (specifically, among Frank Darabont adaptations of Stephen King work), and how much we love that dang mouse Mr. Jingles."

030 Toy Story 2 (1999)

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Is Toy Story 2 the best Toy Story movie? Is Toy Story 2... the best Tom Hanks movie? It's time to figure out where Tom Hanks's first sequel ranks! Joining us on this episode of Woody's Roundup is John Brooks. We're talking about the leaps in animation from the first movie, all of the new characters, and the perfect series of heists and rescue missions that make up Toy Story 2. We also talk about the movie's award nominations, run through the Tom Hanks-related trivia, and get in way over our heads with all of the existential questions that this movie raises. Plus, we probably cry a bunch when talking about "When She Loved Me."

029 You've Got Mail (1998)

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 04:01:00 -0000

We've still got miles to go before we sleep on #HANX for the Memories, but we've reached the third and final (for now, anyway!) Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan pairing in You've Got Mail. We're joined by Cara Gael O'Regan of Wistful Thinking and Liam Underwood to head back in time to an era where waiting for your dial-up modem to connect brought with it a sense of breathless anticipation. In this episode, we talk about the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan rom-com connection, the way this movie manages to stack soon-to-be-outdated plot device upon soon-to-be-outdated plot device, and the strange power dynamics at play in the back half of this movie. We also discuss whether or not Tom Cruise would fit in the world of You've Got Mail, and whether or not Tom Hanks does anything in this movie to damage his reputation as America's Dad.

028 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 04:01:00 -0000

What better way to follow-up the poppy joy of the Oneders on That Thing You Do than with the gritty brutality of war in Saving Private Ryan? (Get your neckbrace ready for even more tonal whiplash between episodes, too, as we're heading to You've Got Mail next episode.) To talk about all the tactical maneuvers of Saving Private Ryan, we're bringing in our Year 2000 Action Movie Expert, Dan Hayden, and we ask you to forgive us for jumping the gun and bringing him on two years early. In this episode, we talk about our favorite moments, the film's wonderful ensemble casting, and all of its little human moments in between the spectacles of war. We also try to find any flaws in this movie, since that's a segment on our show, even though it's wildly difficult to do here.

027 That Thing You Do! (1996)

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 04:01:00 -0000

Two years ago, we did a deep dive into the world of That Thing You Do! for our Charlize Theron podcast, Watch The Theron. We learned that there was a director's cut -- especially noteworthy here, as this movie was written and directed by Tom Hanks! -- that added nearly 40 minutes of new footage, specifically around the "before she was mega famous" Charlize role. It didn't make a ton of sense for the movie, but we ate it up, because more Tina meant more for us to talk about. Fast forward to #HANX for the Memories, and the extra 40 minutes of That Thing You Do! don't work nearly as well for the story. In this episode, we talk about Hanks's debut as a feature film writer and director, compliment the selective use of his character in the story, and talk about the weird Hanks familial dynamics on display.

026 Toy Story (1995)

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 04:01:00 -0000

You've got a friend in us! This week, on #HANX for the Memories, we're headed all the way back to talk about the first appearance of Sheriff Woody in Toy Story. Joining us to try to frame this movie within the proper contexts (in Hanks's career, in this franchise, and in the history of animation) is Zack DeZon. In this episode, we discuss the heady philosophical questions that the Toy Story movies pose, admire this movie for appealing to both children and parents alike, and debate the proper way to describe this movie's computer animation. We also look ahead to the rest of the movies in the series, think about the actors almost cast as Woody and Buzz, and wonder whether or not Woody was secretly the villain in Toy Story all along. Plus, of course, a connection to the Fast and the Furious.

025 Apollo 13 (1995)

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 04:01:00 -0000

This week on #HANX for the Memories, we look to the night sky and hope we don't run into any issues as we cover Apollo 13! Joining us to talk about all things Hanks and outer space is Tobin Addington of The Contenders podcast. In this episode, Joey tries to figure out why he didn't quite connect with this movie, we all heap tons and tons of praise upon Ed Harris, and we wonder whether or not Ron Howard made another movie that was better than this. (I ask, though, if you like my hat, Shannon.) We also wind up comparing Apollo 13 to Ad Astra a whole bunch, reflect back on the previous times we'd each seen this movie, and build out our metaphor of tracking Tom Hanks as he slowly becomes America's Dad.

024 Forrest Gump (1994)

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Life is like a box of... well, you know how the rest of that line goes. The time has come, at long last, for Forrest Gump: the movie that Joey and Mike have been dreading since the launch of #HANX for the Memories. Joining us is Austin Wolf-Sothern of Cinema Stories on YouTube as we discuss whether or not we were right to be wary of this movie, whether or not Forrest Gump should be held in high esteem, and (of course) the second of back-to-back Academy Award wins for Best Actor for Mr. Tom Hanks. We also talk about how Gump sat alone on a bench in the park, "My name is Forrest," he'd casually remark. Waiting for the bus with his hands in his pockets, he just kept saying life is like a box of chocolates.

023 Philadelphia (1993)

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 04:01:00 -0000

The Golden Mile of #HANX for the Memories continues with Philadelphia, the first of back-to-back movies where Tom Hanks would score an Academy Award win. In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Rodriguez of High School Slumber Party to talk about Hanks’s performance, the performance from Denzel Washington that’s nearly as dynamic, and the importance of Philadelphia within a historical context, both societally and cinematically.

022 Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Our run through the golden era of Tom Hanks's movies continues with our second Hanks/Meg Ryan (and our first Hanks/Ryan/Nora Ephron) team-up: Sleepless in Seattle! We're joined by Cara Gael O'Regan of Wistful Thinking (who watched this twice in two days!) to talk about this cozy blanket of a movie that none of us had ever seen before. In this episode, we talk about Sleepless in Seattle as the Rosetta Stone for Mike's enjoyment of the romcom genre, Joey's incredulity at that mind-boggling statement, and Cara's attempts to bridge the gap between the two. We also talk about Meg Ryan old-timey computer sleuthin', the return of Rosie O'Donnell and Rita Wilson, and where on the precocious kid scale of adorable to annoying the two child actors in this movie fall. Also: is Meg Ryan a ghost? Maybe!

021 A League of Their Own (1992)

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 04:01:00 -0000

There’s no crying in podcasting! The war is on and we’re taking to the field with the rest of the Rockford Peaches to talk about A League of Their Own! To field out the rest of our lineup, we’re joined by Cara Gael O’Regan of Wistful Thinking, as well as Dan Hayden. In this episode, we talk about why grumbly Hanks is angry all the time, celebrate a wonderful Geena Davis performance, and count up the number of times that this movie made us cry. We also celebrate, at long last, our emergence into the run of all-time great Tom Hanks movies. We’ve made it through the rocky waters, and it’s smooth sailing for a good long while!

020 Radio Flyer (1992)

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 04:01:00 -0000

We are so close. We're so close, you guys. In just one episode, we're going to cover A League of Their Own, which kicks off a run more than a decade long that is exclusively filled with unimpeachable Tom Hanks classics. (Or, so we think for now. We'll see!) Before we get there, though, we have to take to the skies (to avoid our fathers?) in 1992's Radio Flyer. We spared our friends the confusing pain of sitting through this muddled message movie of an abusive man who maybe kills his stepson, causing the boy's brother to enter a state of delusion and forcing him to commit mail fraud, one postcard at a time, all while Dr. Melfi did nothing to stop it. It's a happy-go-lucky kids movie, you guys! Really fun times to be had.

019 The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Is The Bonfire of the Vanities one of the worst movies of all-time? That’s the question we’re trying to answer on today’s episode of #HANX for the Memories. Joining us to dive deep into this adaptation is Austin Wolf-Sothern of Cinema Stories on YouTube. In this episode, one host stands firmly (and perhaps surprisingly) in defense of this movie, while the other comes down on the other side of the fence. Who will Austin side with? If it helps, you can imagine he’s playing the role of bald Morgan Freeman in this movie, with even more sass… if that’s even possible. There are a mere two movies to work through before we get to Hanks’s undisputed run as King of Hollywood in the 90s and early 2000s. Could The Bonfire of the Vanities sink our ship before it truly sets sail? Listen and find out!

018 Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 04:01:00 -0000

For the second week in a row, the gods of the TomTom Club have delivered for us. After entering Phase II of #CruiseClub last week with Mission: Impossible, is it possible we’ve done the same with #HANX for the Memories and Joe Versus the Volcano? Joining us to talk about Tom Hanks’s best movie to date is Greg MacLennan of the Alamo Drafthouse, making his #HANX debut! In this episode, we discuss the supreme weirdness of this world, admire the wonder and awe that is Meg Ryan in this movie, and talk about where Tom Hanks’s career is about to go. We’re still a few movies away from his undeniable string of all-time classics, but will we survive Bonfire of the Vanities and Radio Flyer before we get there? Come back next episode and find out!

017 Turner & Hooch (1989)

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 04:01:00 -0000

A few episodes ago, we talked about Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd, a mismatched police duo in Dragnet. But Tom Hanks and a dog in Turner & Hooch? Now we've seen everything! Joining us on this wacky canine adventure are the Hoff-Bros: Brian Rodriguez (now of High School Slumber Party) and Kyle Reinfried (now of Foodie Films). In this episode, we talk about this movie's connection to Toy Story and (sort of) Cast Away, a personal nightmare scenario as depicted by this movie, and Brian's professional ties to this movie. Plus, learn what pets we all grew up with! (If that's not enough to get you to listen to an hour-long podcast, I don't know what is.)

016 The 'Burbs (1989)

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 04:01:00 -0000

It's been a rocky road so far for #HANX for the Memories, but we're starting to turn a corner... and find ourselves deep in The 'Burbs! We may not be out of the weeds just yet, but we're certainly getting close. Joining us on our journey to this terrifying cul-de-sac are Nick Jenkins of Reel Bad and Lindsay Gibb of Winona Forever. In this episode, we talk about the movie's finest comedic sequences, discuss whether or not the movie holds up under the scrutiny of life in 2019, and wonder if Bruce Dern was ever *not* an old man. We also try to imagine Tom Cruise as the lead in this movie, try to make sense of the film's many alternate endings, and marvel at just how truly incredible Carrie Fisher is in this, and in everything.

015 Punchline (1988)

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Punchline is a disappointing movie for many reasons, but possibly none more so than for the fact that it came out the same year as Big, the best Tom Hanks movie to date. Weíre joined by Jordan Polan-Clarke of Wistful Thinking to talk about watching what is very clearly a Sally Field movie through a Tom Hanks lens, how nearly zero of the stand-up jokes in this movie hold up 30 years later, and why Hanks's character may be the biggest problem with Punchline.

014 Big (1988)

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 04:01:00 -0000

It’s taken a little bit of time, but we’ve gotten to our first big (pun intended) winner on #HANX for the Memories: 1988’s Big! To celebrate and talk about the first time Tom Hanks was nominated for an Academy Award, we welcome in Holly Gore and Walt Hickey. In this episode, we discuss the immense differences between the theatrical and extended cuts, how this movie can be both sweet and creepy at the same time, the classic “reverse Big scenario,” and what we’d tell our best friends to convince them that it’s really us in a body swap situation.

013 Dragnet (1987)

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 04:01:00 -0000

We stayed up all night and went to sleep watching Dragnet. Were the Beastie Boys rapping about the TV series or this movie? Who can never be sure? Regardless, in this episode we’re talking about the 1987 Dan Aykroyd/Tom Hanks cop comedy Dragnet. Joined in spirit (but not on this episode) by Mike Flynn, we talk about Dan Aykroyd’s deadpan delivery, his and Hanks’s shared Donna Dixon connection, and whether or not this film’s depiction of women is more positive or negative. (It’s the 1980s, so we’re off to a bad start, but there’s some unexpected characterization that feels refreshing!) We’re pivoting toward an uptick in Tom Hanks movies, and it couldn’t come quickly enough.

012 Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986)

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Every Time We Say Goodbye isn't Tom Hanks's worst movie so far, but it's certainly his most milquetoast. When will this trend end? In what may wind up being our shortest episode of #HANX for the Memories, we debate whether or not Hanks's dramatic chops are working in this movie, and struggle to come up with things to discuss as we long for a version of this Romeo and Juliet story that is even remotely interesting. We also pull out the proverbial Calendar of Hanks once again to find out how many more movies we have until we get to his unimaginable string of greatness (spoiler: too many!) and wonder what movies between now and then will offer us a respite. Tom Hanks, if you ever read this, I'm sorry. We love you. We just don't love these early movies.

011 Nothing in Common (1986)

Fri, 31 May 2019 04:01:00 -0000

The early stages of #HANX for the Memories haven’t been smooth sailing, but it felt like The Money Pit may have helped us turn a corner. Little did we know that the corner we turned would be right into a messy, confused brick wall of dramedy. What do you get when you mix a lighthearted workplace romp with three depressive existential breakdowns? Nothing in Common! In this episode, we discuss Tom Hanks’s dramatic acting chops, more of his useless (but fun!) on-screen skills, and his most sex-crazed character yet. We also wonder if this is a spiritual sequel to Bosom Buddies and talk about how Joey’s hair blindness returns in a wild new way.

010 The Money Pit (1986)

Fri, 17 May 2019 04:01:00 -0000

While #HANX for the Memories has proven to be a mostly fruitless affair so far, The Money Pit is Tom Hanks’s best movie so far. Could it be our turning point? We’ll have to wait to see what the next few movies hold. Joining us to talk about this movie is Christian Larson from Monkey Club. In this episode, we try to dodge the broken step as we talk about this film’s role as the nexus of all things CageClub Podcast Network, its Die Hard connection, and Tom Hanks’s propensity to suddenly get kicked out of apartments.

009 Volunteers (1985)

Fri, 03 May 2019 04:01:00 -0000

As we continue our journey through #HANX for the Memories, we’re just two short weeks away from one of Tom Hanks’s most beloved movies. But before we get there, we have to take a Peace Corps detour to Thailand for Volunteers, a strange film that is filled with goodness and badness, nearly in equal measures. Joining us to break it all down is Walt Hickey of Numlock News. In this episode, we discuss the on- and off-screen coupling of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, John Candy’s return to #HANX for the Memories, and the life and adventures of George Plimpton. We also talk about Jeopardy (and James Holzhauer) for a while, but since Joey is writing this and Mike edits it, it’s a real mystery as to how much of this will wind up in the show!

008 The Man with One Red Shoe (1985)

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Mike and Joey are going solo bolo style to talk about The Man with One Red Shoe. It wasn't intentional, but it's a happy accident; no guest should have to subject themselves to the overall "lack of movie" that these 92 minutes add up to. In this episode, we talk about how the movie isn't bad, per se, but just aimless. We wonder why there isn't more Hanks (or Jim Belushi) in this movie, while Mike gets disappointed by Dabney Coleman and Joey fails to recognize Carrie Fisher. We're slowly making our way through Hanks's early work, and keep counting our blessings that we're cutting these movies with Cruise's early successes because these 80s comedies are... pretty rough. But don't worry: good stuff is coming very, very soon! (We can't wait for it, either.)

007 Bachelor Party (1984)

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Can we enjoy watching Bachelor Party in 2019? That's the question on everyone's mind as we welcome back Christian Larson to chat about this Tom Hanks classic. In this episode, we navigate around the 80s humor that doesn't quite hold up to point out the Bosom Buddies connections, the rise and fall of Tawny Kitaen, and Tom Hanks's pivot from bachelor bro to America's Dad. Join us as we rent a hotel room, borrow a donkey, and try to avoid the contemptuous glares of our soon-to-be in-laws!

006 Splash (1984)

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Splash (or, as Mike calls it, Splash!) represents an interesting balance between wonderful character/acting moments and absolutely icky 80s movie tropes. Joining us to talk about the movie is Cara Gael O’Regan of the Wistful Thinking Podcast, who’d honestly be rather talking about just about any other mermaid movie, especially The Lure. In this episode, we wonder if the rumored gender swap remake could work, lament the fact that Tom Hanks’s first starring role doesn’t really hold up by 2019 standards, and chat about how Daryl Hannah was born to play this role.

005 Family Ties (1983-1984)

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Just a few short years after Tom Hanks starred in 37 episodes of Bosom Buddies, he guest starred as Uncle Ned in three episodes of Family Ties. Spanning from the middle of the first season to the middle of the second season, these three episodes showcase a story arc of a man who has everything, loses everything, then needs to get help. Joining us to talk about these three episodes is Matt Delhauer of The Ginger Geek Pod. We talk about Hanks' role as a guest star, the limitations (once again) of the 24 minute sitcom, and Michael J. Fox's likeability.

004 Mazes and Monsters (1982)

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 04:01:00 -0000

We're donning our robes and heading down to the caverns to talk about Tom Hanks' first leading role in a movie in Mazes and Monsters, which tells the story of a town gripped by panic over kids playing a Dungeons and Dragons-esque game. Or… at least the story of four dumb college kids who are all way too attractive to be spending all their time playing a game like Mazes and Monsters. Joining us on this quest are two brave souls: Chris Podcasts of Now and Again and Austin Wolf-Sothern of Cinema Stories on YouTube. Will the four of us make it out of this quest alive? Will we begin listening to disembodied voices and begin giving away our personal belongings? Will we murder one another? You'll have to listen to the episode and find out!

003 Bosom Buddies: Season 2 (1981-1982)

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 04:01:00 -0000

Bosom Buddies began as a buddy comedy dressed (pun... intended?) in a show where men are forced to dress like women to secure housing in an affordable NYC building. Season Two just about abandons that premise altogether and doubles down on the crazy. In this episode, we welcome back our resident TV expert, Brian Rodriguez of High School Slumber Party, to talk about a season in which Kip and Henry open their own business, re-live their high school years, nearly die, gamble away a fortune in Monte Carlo, water balloon Richard Nixon's car, date a satanist, aid the mob, fake Hildy's death, and nearly die again. Whew!

002 Bosom Buddies: Season 1 (1980-1981)

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 04:01:00 -0000

From bit part in a cheesy slasher to leading man in a network sitcom in the same year, Tom Hanks had quite the ride in 1980! Over the next two episodes, we're covering both seasons of Bosom Buddies: a show where Tom Hanks (and Peter Scolari) had to dress like women to score a cheap apartment in NYC. On this episode, we're joined by Aislinn Addington of The Contenders and Brian Rodriguez of High School Slumber Party to discuss all nineteen episodes from the show's first season: the highs, the lows, and the surprisingly low amount of drag!

001 He Knows You're Alone (1980)

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 04:01:00 -0000

He Knows You're Alone kicks off #HANX for the Memories with a simultaneous bang and a thud. It's rare that we get to cover a horror movie on any of our podcasts -- let alone a slasher! -- so it's a shame that this movie falls flat in so many places. That doesn't matter too much, though, as Tom Hanks emerges with a pretty sizeable 'fro and a head full of Freud as he psychoanalyzes his girlfriend's (?) friend, who's actively being chased by a killer, while also demanding candy from the victim's little sister. It's not the Hanks we know, but it's a Hanks we love! This movie has more questions than answers, so sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride because we are beginning our journey into the Tom Hanks portion of the TomTom club!

Introducing #HANX for the Memories!

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 04:01:00 -0000

Joey and Mike have covered the ups and downs of the careers of Nicolas Cage, Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, and more. Then, they had an epiphany: why not watch good movies? In January 2019, they'll start watching every Tom Hanks movie, whose hits far outweigh his misses. Join them! The first episode drops January 11, 2019!