Saturday Evening Movie Thread [moviegique]: Rental Family

If he hadn't had his career derailed by a series of mishaps and downright evil, Brendan Fraser would be alongside Tom Hanks in terms of being the modern equivalent of a Golden Age actor like Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda. The difference between the two is that I will go see a movie just because Brendan Fraser is in it, which is not at all true of Hanks.

The excesses of The Whale aside—and its director, Darren Aronofsky, whom Ken Russell calls from the grave to say "Settle down"—Fraser was terrific. A well-earned Oscar.

This is probably a double-edged sword in that we probably permit a character played by Fraser to get away with things he really shouldn't. In fact, despite the very strong marks for Rental Family, all I could see as the movie started rolling, was all the many, many ways this movie could go bad.

Gaijin on the train.

Fraser plays Phillip Vandarploeg, an American who moved to Japan seven years prior after becoming a sensation as the star of a toothpaste commercial, has fallen on hard times when he's called by his agent to play—well, I'm not going to say what, exactly, because while this movie doesn't have really big twists or surprises, the ones it does have shouldn't be spoiled. Despite not doing very well at the gig (because he's completely unprepared) he's approached by Shinji, the owner of a company called Rental Family. They need a token American.

Philip is obviously used to this, although I can't help but note that he's not a token at all.

You see, the business that Shinji has is that he supplies people to act out parts in other people's lives for various reasons. One of their most popular jobs is euphemistically called "Apology Services", where a woman (Aiko, played by Mari Yamamoto) pretends to be a man's mistress and apologizes to his wife for having an affair.

This is the important thing about this job: He's lying to someone, and he has considerable issue doing so. The first job he has seems relatively harmless. And he has a kind of nice one where he plays video games and acts friendly toward a shut-in. But the first big job he gets is pretending be a girl's father.

The girl's mother is trying to get her into an elite private school, and the school isn't interested in single mothers. The mom doesn't want to force the child to have to lie, so instead has Philip pretend to be her father to her.

Philip's inability to FAKE attachment is very American, and of course why we like him.

This, and another job, where Philip pretends to be a journalist interviewing an old, forgotten actor (played by Akira Emoto, who has over 700 credits to his name) are the ones where you can see the train wreck coming. As light a touch as the movie has, you just wanna yell "Don't do it! You're not cut out for this, Brendan Fraser!"

Because there are two main ways you can go with a story like this, right? You can pull a Rain Man and have your Tom Cruise character be a semi-sociopath/narcissist who learns a little something about being human.

But Philip is alone in Japan. He has no family. The only people we see him interact with are his agent (on the phone) and a prostitute. Professional relationships, in other words.

You know, immediately, that Philip is going to end up caring too much, and possibly caring in ways that are culturally inappropriate.

The director (the mononymic Hikari) handles this with a deft touch: Very light, very Japanese, able to clearly communicate the issues that arise from arrangements like these without being moralizing or heavy-handed. This might not be "true" on some level, I wouldn't know. But it makes for a pleasant and emotional experience that still manages to avoid being mawkish.

This gig, which happens immediately after Philip accepts the job, made me a bit nervous about what might come next.

Seriously, I look more for (and celebrate) movies avoiding pitfalls these days than achieving high aesthetic points. This does both. The cinematography of Japan is perfect in that sense: It shows lovely shots of Tokyo and the countryside—but it isn't a fairy tale like (e.g.) Amélie. The wonderfully scrubbed and saturated views of France worked perfectly for that film: This one looks like a Tokyo you could actually go visit.

Terrific acting. Good story structure. Strong ending. Highlighting the issues with these arrangements but still managing to pull out a happy ending.

It's an increasingly rare "general recommendation". If you like movies about people with humor and drama, the only negative (for the average moviegoer) is the use of subtitles. I would argue the film excels at that, too, though because there are just enough subtitles to make you remember where you are. There are a lot of excellent touches that enhance the fish-out-of-water feel, like Fraser being 6'3" and having a pot-belly. (Although Takehiro Hira is six-feet tall, Fraser is always bigger and taller and paler than everyone else.)

It probably won't get a lot of award nominations, but it should.

Oh, there is a theoretical negative that filled me with dread: The idea that somebody would remake this movie, but base it in America, and have it star, I dunno, Kevin James and Adam Sandler. Or Vince Vaugh and Chris Pratt.

One of the best movies of the year and a rare mix of award and box office bait. You know, what used to just be known as "a good movie". And one of three in 2025 I would recommend for general audiences—which, honestly, is two or three more than I'm able to recommend in the past few years. The other two are Mission: Impossible 8 - The Final Reckoning and The Naked Gun reboot.

Destined to be crushed by Wicked, Zootopia and Five Nights at Freddy 2, and to under-perform Bugonia, Heart Eyes, Chainsaw Man, the re-release of Wicked—all of which serve as a challenge of my ability to estimate what "general audiences" will go for.

It's nice to see small businesses thriving in Japan. Even if they're fundamentally very weird.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I am your host, Mr. Roarke.

Welcome to the Saturday Evening Movie Thread.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at December 06, 2025 07:31 PM (asXVI)

2 That great Celtic man, Ricardo Montalban.

(I don't care, but I think it's funny.)

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at December 06, 2025 07:32 PM (asXVI)

3 I loved The Mummy, more that I expected to.
The chemistry between him and Rachel Weiss was amazing. (And Rachel Weiss was so hot…wait til you see her in a snug, tight plaid pencil skirt…

Anyways, this was the one and only time I remember seeing Brendan Frasier in a movie.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 06, 2025 07:35 PM (4786I)

4 Damn autocorrect…has it never heard of Rachel Weisz? Really?

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 06, 2025 07:35 PM (4786I)

5 They're talking sequel to that franchise. I would be down for it, if ... nervous.

Check out Fraser in "Blast from the Past". Hell, he's good in "Encino Man," which is just a goofy, dumb teen comedy.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at December 06, 2025 07:37 PM (asXVI)

6 I like Brendan Fraser more than I will ever like Hanks.

Forrest Gump was the only thing Hanks was remarkable for in his appearance and he just seemed a natural.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at December 06, 2025 07:38 PM (w6S0H)

7 Yeah with fraser it comes almost as innocent

Sort of a variati9n on lost in translation

Hos integral rachel was to rhe plot wss when they replaced here with maria bello for the third film

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:40 PM (bXbFr)

8 Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems is the train wreck you see coming movie I found hard to watch though it was written, acted and directed fantastically

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:41 PM (KDPiq)

9 That's a good summary of "Uncut Gems".

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at December 06, 2025 07:42 PM (asXVI)

10 I, too, like Brendan just because he seems like a nice guy. He has an open face. Which probably limits the kind of rolls he can take.

And I, too, have no idea what the GenPub likes, because I'm a bit of a weirdo.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:44 PM (kpS4V)

11 I used to sort of liked Tom Hanks at the beginning of his career but started not to care for his acting or able to suspend belief seeing him as a leading man.

Though I think Nothing in Common with Jackie Gleason is an underrated Hanks film.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:45 PM (KDPiq)

12 With hanks after a point, its like they were forcing us to like him

Fraser is more like chris pratt to which chsrm comes natural

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:46 PM (bXbFr)

13 "If he hadn't had his career derailed by a series of mishaps and downright evil, Brendan Fraser..."

What does this mean?

Posted by: Lyford at December 06, 2025 07:46 PM (gb+vr)

14 Loved Fraser in Bedazzled

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Texas, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at December 06, 2025 07:46 PM (SRRAx)

15 Fraser was great in the TV sitcom , Scrubs for the 2 or 3 episodes he did playing the brother of Dr Cox's wife.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:47 PM (KDPiq)

16 8 Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems is the train wreck you see coming movie I found hard to watch though it was written, acted and directed fantastically

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:41 PM (KDPiq)
----

I had the exact same reaction. You could not derail this bulletin train of bad choices.

I tried to see it first in a theater but the volume was cranked to Monsters of Rock levels and I had to flee, thinking I hated the film. I later saw it at home and liked -- well, admired -- the story.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:47 PM (kpS4V)

17 I like movie but I do not know movies.

PS 2.17.26 there will be a release of a remastered Star Wars.

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 07:48 PM (gbOdA)

18 I thot 50 First Dates was great.
It has about 50 layers.

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 07:50 PM (gbOdA)

19 There are some evil people in hollywood

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:50 PM (bXbFr)

20 And apparently there's gonna be a third Mummy movie and Brendan and Rachel Weisz are penciled in.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:50 PM (kpS4V)

21 Apollo 13 and Road to Perdition were good Hanks movies that could have been just as good or better (Perdition) with a different actor.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:51 PM (KDPiq)

22 Promethius

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 06, 2025 07:52 PM (Kt19C)

23 Over on Kickstarter, there's a campaign for a documentary about "The Final Sacrifice," an old, indy-produced Canadian movie. The film is best known for being featured on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and, in my humble opinion, it made for the single best episode in the 13 seasons of MST3K! It had the best of both worlds; there was a competent script and memorable characters, so the story of movie is enjoyable in-and-of itself, but the lack of budget and just the oddness of some of the characters made the movie eminently mock-able!

Anyways, the reward tiers for the documentary are a little bit steep, but....considering how often I've watched that movie, I don't have too much hesitation throwing a bit of cash their way.

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 06, 2025 07:52 PM (Lhaco)

24 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 06, 2025 07:52 PM (Ia/+0)

25 He played kind of an antihero in that dc version of the avengers

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:53 PM (bXbFr)

26 Alien earth (retired thr prize)

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:53 PM (bXbFr)

27 I honestly haven't seen much of Brenden Frasier, but The Mummy was better than it had any right to be, and he's a star just based on that performance!

It's nice to see him have a career resurgence, even if I'm not terribly interested in the new movies he's making.

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 06, 2025 07:54 PM (Lhaco)

28 ROWZDOWER!!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:54 PM (kpS4V)

29 Loved Fraser in Bedazzled
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Texas, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at December 06, 2025 07:46 PM (SRRAx)

Yes. Wife and I love that movie.

And the two Mummy movies. As someone mentioned, he and Rachel Weisz had crazy chemistry. A rare thing in cinema.

Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at December 06, 2025 07:55 PM (0aYVJ)

30 Speaking of Adam Sandler , one of his other serious movies that I think is really good and would recommend is Funny People. I even liked Seth Rogen a lot in the movie which is very unusual for me.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:56 PM (KDPiq)

31 The film is best known for being featured on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and, in my humble opinion, it made for the single best episode in the 13 seasons of MST3K!
---

It's great, but it's no "Space Mutiny" or "Alien From L.A.". I do love all the hockey hair and Canuck jokes.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:56 PM (kpS4V)

32 Yeah that was a good one with liz hurley

Some what less plausible than the original with dudley moore

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:57 PM (bXbFr)

33 So many many years ago my best friend had to work and his sister (1 year and 1 grade older) wanted to go see
a movie she had won tickets to.
So low and behold I am at his house with duct tape hemming up he Gloria Vanderbuilt jeans (she had bought that day) to go see Bee Gees St Peppers.
North Park Mall Dallas Tx must have been summer of 78.

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 07:57 PM (gbOdA)

34 Castle Guy at 27

I'll second that.

If memory serves, Fraser starred with Michael Caine in a remake of The Quiet American. Never saw either version, but heard good things about both -- will get to them Real Soon Now.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 06, 2025 07:58 PM (q3u5l)

35 Both Vaughn and Sandler have more range than just comedy. It's just that few of the projects they are on bother to use that range.

Posted by: ravenshrike at December 06, 2025 07:58 PM (16udA)

36 Speaking of Adam Sandler , one of his other serious movies that I think is really good and would recommend is Funny People. I even liked Seth Rogen a lot in the movie which is very unusual for me.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:56 PM (KDPiq)

Me too. Very well done.

Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at December 06, 2025 07:58 PM (0aYVJ)

37 there will be a release of a remastered Star Wars.
Posted by: r hennigantx

With the true story of Solo shooting first!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 06, 2025 07:59 PM (z/7Ah)

38 I even liked Seth Rogen a lot in the movie which is very unusual for me.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 07:56 PM (KDPiq)

Me too. Very well done.
Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at December 06, 2025 07:58 PM (0aYVJ)

I am taking a lot of rhino penis
please dont call me that in public

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 07:59 PM (gbOdA)

39 Yes rogen should be taken in small doses like idocaine

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 07:59 PM (bXbFr)

40 Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 07:57 PM (gbOdA)

I liked The Bee Gees a lot and don't hate the Beatles but that movie was really bad Earth Wind and Fire's Got to Get You Into My Life was the only saving grace.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:00 PM (KDPiq)

41 With the true story of Solo shooting first!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 06, 2025 07:59 PM (z/7Ah)

original

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 08:00 PM (gbOdA)

42
Tom Hanks is kinda hated, yes?

He's no James Stewart.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:00 PM (DJUFe)

43 I liked The Bee Gees a lot and don't hate the Beatles but that movie was really bad Earth Wind and Fire's Got to Get You Into My Life was the only saving grace.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:00 PM (KDPiq)

I think the fifth beatle played that one too.

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 08:01 PM (gbOdA)

44 Phrasing (or perhaps not)

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (bXbFr)

45 Evenin', all,

I'm back from the Christmas (Weihnachten) fair at the local German-American Center. No National Socialist night, but lots of outdoor booths with crafts -- mostly for women and children -- and some food and mulled wine. Miss Linda got a pic with Krampus, her favorite Christmas icon.

The good: The city has paved the road in front of the center, and the live band, w/ Xmas music of course, was not ear-shatteringly loud. The bad: the prices! $8 for a cup of mulled wine, $5 for a big pretzel, and one booth wanted $15 for a loaf of Stollen bread. And they wanted $5 to park in their lot. (I dodged the last two.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (wzUl9)

46
He's no James Stewart.
Posted by: Soothsayer
Can't hate a Brigadier general.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (z/7Ah)

47 Is this going to be the original version of Star Wars with no CGI Jabba the Hutt?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (kpS4V)

48 Both Vaughn and Sandler have more range than just comedy. It's just that few of the projects they are on bother to use that range.
Posted by: ravenshrike at December 06, 2025 07:58 PM (16udA)

Vince Vaughn was awesome in Brawl in Cell Block 99.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (KDPiq)

49 13 "If he hadn't had his career derailed by a series of mishaps and downright evil, Brendan Fraser..."

What does this mean?
Posted by: Lyford at December 06, 2025 07:46 PM (gb+vr)

He was blacklisted after accusing the head of the HFPA of sexual assault after the guy groped him at a luncheon.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer at December 06, 2025 08:03 PM (gUs21)

50 Wolfus, I've sent out Krampus cards for Christmas,

My favorite has a cute Krampus glowering and saying "You. In the bag".

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 08:04 PM (kpS4V)

51 from what I read pure star wars

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 08:05 PM (gbOdA)

52 Been a while since I watched it, but I don't recall Vaughn being bad in Dragged Across Concrete either. And yes, he was awesome in Brawl in Cell Block 99.

I didn't even think Vaughn was all that bad in the van Sant remake of Psycho. Not up to Perkins maybe, but who would have been?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 06, 2025 08:05 PM (q3u5l)

53 Tom Hanks is kinda hated, yes?

He's no James Stewart.
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025

***
No, nor is he a Jack Lemmon. But he has taken the *kind* of roles that JL would have during his career, going from light comedy to drama and back again. I can imagine a 1960 Jack doing a film like Cast Away, for instance, or You've Got Mail, in his case w/ Shirley Maclaine. And Hanks in a film like The Apartment -- though I'm not suggesting he would be as good as Jack was.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:06 PM (wzUl9)

54 Vince Vaughn was awesome in Brawl in Cell Block 99.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:02 PM (KDPiq)
----

Also in "Dragged Across Concrete", which is great but a tough film to watch, like "Bone Tomahawk".

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 08:07 PM (kpS4V)

55 If he hadn't had his career derailed by a series of mishaps and downright evil, Brendan Fraser would be alongside Tom Hanks

---

"George of the Jungle" was bad, but evil? Come on now.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at December 06, 2025 08:07 PM (kDHiw)

56 Vince Vaughn was awesome in Brawl in Cell Block 99.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025

***
He always surprises me -- in a good way -- when I see him in a film.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:08 PM (wzUl9)

57 I didn't even think Vaughn was all that bad in the van Sant remake of Psycho. Not up to Perkins maybe, but who would have been?
----

The trouble was, Vaughn seemed quietly psychotic from the get-go. Not like that nice young man Anthony Perkins!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 08:09 PM (kpS4V)

58 Speaking of Adam Sandler , one of his other serious movies that I think is really good and would recommend is Funny People. I even liked Seth Rogen a lot in the movie which is very unusual for me.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025

***
I didn't go to see Just Go With It for him, or Jen Aniston either, but for Nicole Kidman. But both Adam and Jen did well and had nice chemistry.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:09 PM (wzUl9)

59 And Hanks in a film like The Apartment -- though I'm not suggesting he would be as good as Jack was.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:06 PM (wzUl9)

Agree . I think Hanks would have been a good casting choice if they had done a remake.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:09 PM (KDPiq)

60 Another example of on-screen chemistry is Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer.

Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at December 06, 2025 08:10 PM (0aYVJ)

61 >>11 I think Nothing in Common with Jackie Gleason is an underrated Hanks film.

It was a path Hanks could have taken to become a serious actor. He didn't. That said, in spite of its myriad appalling flaws, Joe vs the Volcano is a wonderful flick.

Posted by: Nazdar at December 06, 2025 08:11 PM (NcvvS)

62 Forrest Gump was the only thing Hanks was remarkable for in his appearance and he just seemed a natural.

----

I actually didn't think Hanks was that good in Forrest Gump; Gary Sinise was really good in that one. I did think Hanks was great in Apollo 13 though.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at December 06, 2025 08:13 PM (kDHiw)

63 Speaking of mummy movies, The Mummy's Tomb is on Svengoolie.

Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025 08:13 PM (vFG9F)

64 I first noticed Hanks, like a lot of people did, when he was in the TV sitcom Bosom Buddies. I'd thought it would be a one-joke show, but it was written quite well and was often very funny.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:13 PM (wzUl9)

65 Yeah that one rang thrue and still holds up

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:14 PM (bXbFr)

66 Another example of on-screen chemistry is Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer.
Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at December 06, 2025 08:10 PM (0aYVJ)

You reminded me of one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Actually I think it's really good and don't feel guilty.

Blended.

And as you say the chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore is great.

Speaking of Drew Barrymore, if you're looking for a RomCom to watch, I would highly recommend Going the Distance.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:14 PM (KDPiq)

67 Maybe because of the ensemble

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:15 PM (bXbFr)

68 I never got over Tom Hanks in a dress.

Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025 08:15 PM (vFG9F)

69 Maybe fraser might be able to do what cruise did with top gun maverick

His mummy film wasnt god awful like hatbours hellboy but it wasnt good

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:17 PM (bXbFr)

70 Flash Gordon is the greatest movie ever

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 06, 2025 08:17 PM (Jj1OR)

71 I liked Tom Hanks in 'Road to Perdition'. A very un-Tom Hanks movie. It's not the best gangster flick ever, but it's good.

Kind of like Kevin Costner in 'Mr. Brooks'. He plays a serial killer. He actually does creepy normal very well. Again, not the best serial killer movie but a good one. (Citizen X and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer are the best ones)

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (DqJmd)

72 68 I never got over Tom Hanks in a dress.
Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025 08:15 PM (vFG9F)

I don't need you to worry for me 'cause I'm alright
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone

Posted by: r hennigantx at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (gbOdA)

73 I never got over Tom Hanks in a dress.
Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025

***
His character and Scolari's only wore the female getups when entering or leaving the residential hotel for women they had been forced to live in -- everything else in NYC, even in 1980, was too expensive, was the setup. They didn't dress as The Girls at work, for instance.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (wzUl9)

74 70: the soundtrack was great anyway.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (DqJmd)

75 Hanks did a good job playing Mr Roberts in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (KDPiq)

76 What was the film with Sandler and Tea Leoni? Was that Blended?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:19 PM (wzUl9)

77 Neil Breen has a new one

https://dire-duplicity.com/

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 06, 2025 08:20 PM (f0sNM)

78 31
It's great, but it's no "Space Mutiny" or "Alien From L.A.". I do love all the hockey hair and Canuck jokes.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 07:56 PM (kpS4V)

"Alien From LA"? There's an episode that doesn't get talked about much...I do enjoy it (how can I not, with Kathy Ireland as the star?!) but it's not on my list of favorites. Ironically, I wanted the miner guy (Gus?) to be a bit more over-the-top and a bit more featured...Basically, I thought the movie/episode would have been better had he been more like Rowsdower!

As for "Space Mutiny," I have nothing bad to say about Space Mutiny! It is easily on my Top-10 list, but I just personally love "The Final Sacrifice" more.

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 06, 2025 08:21 PM (Lhaco)

79 Without a doubt

The camp factor was dialed to eleven

Its a whole de laurentis held the studio afloat for so long

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:21 PM (bXbFr)

80

I like Bad Monkey tv series, a lot, and I think it got a 2nd season.

But if you don't like Vince Vaughn, you will hate Bad Monkey, because it's Vince Vaugn being Vince Vaughn the whole time -- he never lets up.

(btw, I still hate fucking monkeys, and this show does not change that fact)

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:21 PM (DJUFe)

81 With the king kong remake and fjnally dune

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 06, 2025 08:21 PM (bXbFr)

82 Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 06, 2025 08:18 PM (DqJmd)

I thought Road to Perdition could have been much better with someone other than Hanks. I liked it anyway though I could not see Hanks as a tough guy gangster.

Mr Brooks was really really good and Costner nailed the role. Demi Moore is who almost ruined it.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:22 PM (KDPiq)

83 What was the film with Sandler and Tea Leoni? Was that Blended?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:19 PM (wzUl

Blended was Drew Barrymore

Posted by: the way I see it at December 06, 2025 08:23 PM (KDPiq)

84
NOBODY looks back at ANY Tom Hanks role and thinks fondly or warmly at that character. He is not, nor will he ever be a "George Bailey."

Not even Forest Gump, which is not a great movie. It's okay. I was original, I'll say that. Forest is not some lovable character -- he's a pathetic dolt in which the audience feels pity, mostly.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:24 PM (DJUFe)

85 "His character and Scolari's only wore the female getups when entering or leaving the residential hotel for women they had been forced to live in --"

Oh yeah sure they were totally not gay.

Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025 08:24 PM (vFG9F)

86 77 Neil Breen has a new one

https://dire-duplicity.com/
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 06, 2025 08:20 PM (f0sNM)

Well, well, Merry Christmas to everyone who has a YouTube channel devoted to watching/reviewing B-movies!

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 06, 2025 08:24 PM (Lhaco)

87 OT, For Shame Ohio State. Street punk tackle on Indiana QB.
Game should be forfeited. A real coach would take them home.
Lousy crooked cheating SOB's.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 06, 2025 08:25 PM (zdLoL)

88 For several work-and-recreational reasons, never saw Bosom Buddies. The movies Hanks did during the mid-to-late 80's were pretty good. He was not ever going to be James Stewart, but would like to come up with a comparable actor who did light/romantic comedy and historical fiction, with some drama included in the mix. He was never going to be Lord Olivier, but he was capable within his realm.

Posted by: Nazdar at December 06, 2025 08:26 PM (NcvvS)

89 "His character and Scolari's only wore the female getups when entering or leaving the residential hotel for women they had been forced to live in --"
*
Oh yeah sure they were totally not gay.
Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025

***
Not sure about Scolari's character, but Hanks's was besotted with the tall Marilyn-like blonde. (The actress later married Dan Aykroyd.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:26 PM (wzUl9)

90
Speaking of "great" actors...

that goofy idiot Gene Simmons is receiving a Kennedy Center award from Our Favorite President, tonight.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:27 PM (DJUFe)

91 NOBODY looks back at ANY Tom Hanks role and thinks fondly or warmly at that character. He is not, nor will he ever be a "George Bailey."

Not even Forest Gump, which is not a great movie. It's okay. I was original, I'll say that. Forest is not some lovable character -- he's a pathetic dolt in which the audience feels pity, mostly.
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025

***
What about the film, can't think of the title, where he plays a young boy cast into adult form? There's a scene or several at F.A.O. Schwarz.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:28 PM (wzUl9)

92
livestream of Kennedy Center honors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPgHy7hpr1I

rewind 10 minutes for Skillvester Skallone

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:28 PM (DJUFe)

93
What about the film, can't think of the title, where he plays a young boy cast into adult form? There's a scene or several at F.A.O. Schwarz.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

BIG?

Yeah, it was okay.
Don't know if it stands up today.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:29 PM (DJUFe)

94 And Wolfus said at @53 what my thoughts were - only more cogently. *doffs cap* sir.

Posted by: Nazdar at December 06, 2025 08:31 PM (NcvvS)

95
President keeps saying "tape" instead of film.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:31 PM (DJUFe)

96 What about the film, can't think of the title, where he plays a young boy cast into adult form? There's a scene or several at F.A.O. Schwarz.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
*
BIG?

Yeah, it was okay.
Don't know if it stands up today.
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025

***
That's it. For some reason I was thinking the title was Restless!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:32 PM (wzUl9)

97 The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, and Road to Perdition were also good Hanks movies.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 06, 2025 08:32 PM (L/fGl)

98 that goofy idiot Gene Simmons is receiving a Kennedy Center award from Our Favorite President, tonight.
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 06, 2025 08:27 PM (DJUFe)
----

LOL I momentarily conflated him with spastic imp Richard Simmons.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 06, 2025 08:33 PM (kpS4V)

99 I can't watch more than the first 30 minutes of Saving Private Ryan anymore, Hanks doesn't help it

Posted by: Skip at December 06, 2025 08:34 PM (Ia/+0)

100 The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, and Road to Perdition were also good Hanks movies.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 06, 2025

***
I think I've seen the first (and read King's novel), but not the others.

Hanks has had good luck -- his costar Peter Scolari was as talented when they were on Bosom Buddies, but he hasn't had the big-screen fortune that Hanks has. And since he became a big name, TH has picked good material on the whole.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 06, 2025 08:35 PM (wzUl9)

101 NOBODY looks back at ANY Tom Hanks role and thinks fondly or warmly at that character. He is not, nor will he ever be a "George Bailey."

Not even Forest Gump, which is not a great movie. It's okay. I was original, I'll say that. Forest is not some lovable character -- he's a pathetic dolt in which the audience feels pity, mostly.

Posted by: Soothsayer

---
Tom Hanks peaked during Bosom Buddies. I hated Forrest Gump. He was a producer of Band of Brothers which I really like and a worthwhile program.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at December 06, 2025 08:35 PM (6p0Jv)

102 Never saw Big, but saw trailers for it when his 'colleague' wanted to sleep with him, Hanks wanted the top bunk. :-)

Posted by: Nazdar at December 06, 2025 08:37 PM (NcvvS)

103 Lo these many years ago, I saw Hanks in the screwball comedy Bachelor Party and he was good.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 06, 2025 08:38 PM (L/fGl)

104 The soccer ball was more charismatic than Hanks in whatever movie that was.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at December 06, 2025 08:38 PM (6p0Jv)

105 The Green Mile was a bit too long. It was OK.

Saving Private Ryan, after the first 20-30 minutes, was meh.

Road to Perdition was pretty good. Hanks was good in a non-Hanks like role. Paul Newman was great. I believe it was his final role before he died.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 06, 2025 08:39 PM (DqJmd)

106 I never knew mummies were such good climbers.

Posted by: fd at December 06, 2025 08:41 PM (vFG9F)

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