Actor Tom Hanks (1956)

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) is an American drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Eric Roth, based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer. Nine-year-old Oskar Schell, who lives in New York City with his parents Linda and Thomas Schell, has autism. He shares a special bond with his father, as they embark on missions to uncover clues in search of New York City’s ‘lost Sixth Borough’. These tasks push Oskar to explore his surroundings and engage with others, ...

The American romantic comedy film, Larry Crowne (2011), centers on middle-aged Navy veteran, Larry who is suddenly fired from his job at a big-box store. His termination is due to a lack of college education, despite his seniority and exceptional work ethic. Produced and directed by Hanks himself, the film’s screenplay was co-written with Nia Vardalos. The inspiration for the story comes from Hanks’ own experience studying at Chabot College. Facing unemployment and the potential loss of his home, Larry turns to ...

Toy Story Toons: Small Fry (2011) is an American computer-animated short film written and directed by Angus MacLane. One evening at the fast-food chicken restaurant Poultry Palace, Bonnie is disappointed to receive a Zurg belt buckle as her kids’ meal toy instead of the Mini Buzz Lightyear she was hoping for. This happened because the restaurant had run out of Mini Buzz toys. In a nearby display cabinet, a Mini Buzz Lightyear expresses frustration to a Mini Zurg about never being played with, but Mini Zurg chooses to stay put. After finishing her meal, Bonnie heads over to play in the ball pit with Rex and Buzz ...

Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation (2011) is an animated short produced by Pixar and directed by Gary Rydstrom. Three months after Toy Story 3, Bonnie has winter break and plans to go to Hawaii with her family. The toys are looking forward to a relaxing week, but Ken and Barbie secretly hitch a ride in Bonnie’s backpack, hoping for a Hawaiian adventure. However, Bonnie leaves them in her room instead, much to Ken’s dismay when he realizes their destination is not Hawaii. Barbie tells Woody that Ken had planned for their first kiss at sunset on a beach, inspired by a travel brochure of Hawaii.

Toy Story 3 (2010) is a popular animated movie by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures. The film follows Andy Davis, who is now almost an adult at the age of 17 and getting ready to start college. Having not played with his toys for many years, only a select few remain: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bullseye, Rex, Slinky, Hamm, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, the Aliens and three toy soldiers. Before leaving for school, Andy decides to bring Woody with him and packs up the rest of his beloved toys in a garbage bag to be stored in the attic. However, a mix-up occurs when Andy’s mother mistakes the bag for trash. The toys then find themselves on an ...

Angels & Demons (2009) is an American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman and David Koepp, adapted from Dan Brown’s novel of the same name. Following the sudden death of Pope Pius XVI, the Catholic Church prepares for the papal conclave to elect his successor in Vatican City. During this time, Father Patrick McKenna serves as temporary ruler of the Vatican as Camerlengo. Meanwhile, scientists Father Silvano Bentivoglio and Dr. ...

The movie The Great Buck Howard (2008) is directed by Sean McGinly. Troy Gable, despite his father’s disapproval, leaves law school to chase his dream of becoming a writer in Los Angeles. He lands a job as a road manager for fading mentalist, ‘The Great’ Buck Howard. Troy accompanies Buck on tours to smaller cities like Bakersfield and Akron, where he grows fond of the mentalist’s signature trick – finding a hidden fee from an audience member every night without fail (reportedly done 6,000 times with only nine failures by Kreskin). A reluctant publicist named Valerie Brennan is sent to join ...

The War (2007), a seven-part American television documentary miniseries, offers a unique perspective on World War II through the lens of the United States. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, written by Geoffrey Ward, and narrated primarily by Keith David, the program debuted on September 23, 2007. The Palace Theater in Luverne, Minnesota, one of the towns featured in the series, hosted its world premiere. Generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities ...

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), an American biographical comedy-drama, tells the story of Congressman Charlie Wilson and CIA agent Gust Avrakotos. The duo worked together to establish Operation Cyclone, a program aimed at supporting Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989). Directed by Mike Nichols and written by Aaron Sorkin, based on George Crile III’s book, the film follows Congressman Wilson in 1980 as he focuses more on partying than his legislative duties. His lavish lifestyle eventually ...

The mystery thriller film, The Da Vinci Code (2006), was directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman. It is based on Dan Brown’s 2003 novel of the same name. In the story, Jacques Saunière, a curator at the Louvre, is being pursued by an albino Catholic monk named Silas. Silas is determined to find the ‘keystone’ and destroy the Holy Grail. However, Saunière gives him false information before being tragically murdered. The police discover his body in a pose resembling Da Vinci’s Vitruvian ...

As the title suggests, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005) is a captivating IMAX 3D documentary film that follows the monumental journey of twelve Apollo astronauts as they become the first humans to set foot on the moon. This project features talented filmmaker Mark Cowen at the helm, with assistance from co-writer and producer Tom Hanks. Through stunning visuals and quotes directly from those who experienced it, this film aims to transport viewers to the lunar surface and provide a romantic and inspiring glimpse into the astronauts’ awe-inspiring expedition.

The black comedy film, Elvis Has Left the Building (2004), directed by Joel Zwick features a star-studded cast. Kim Basinger plays a cosmetics saleswoman who unknowingly ends up killing multiple Elvis impersonators while on her way to a convention in Las Vegas. The role of her love interest, an advertising executive, is portrayed by John Corbett. A surprise cameo from Tom Hanks as one of the deceased Elvis impersonators adds to the comedic tone. In her final role before 2024, ...

The film adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved children’s book, The Polar Express (2004), was directed by Robert Zemeckis and co-written by William Broyles Jr. On Christmas Eve, a passenger train called the Polar Express stops outside a young boy’s house. Feeling doubtful about Santa Claus, the boy boards the train after being invited by the conductor. He meets two other children on board – a spirited girl and a know-it-all boy. The conductor then stops to pick up another boy named Billy, who ...

The Coen brothers‘ film, The Ladykillers (2004), features an unlikely group of characters. When stern and devout widow Mrs. Marva Munson rents a room to Professor Goldthwaite Higginson Dorr, she has no idea he plans to use her root cellar for rehearsals with his early music ensemble. What Mrs. Munson doesn’t realize is that this “ensemble” is actually a gang of criminals. Led by Dorr, the group includes Lump, a not-so-bright football player serving as their muscle; Garth Pancake, an overconfident movie effects technician with IBS; the crude and disheveled Gawain McSam as their inside man; and ...

The film, The Terminal (2004), was both produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. Viktor Navorski, a Krakozhian traveler, arrives at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to discover that his home country has experienced a coup d’état. As a result of the United States’ refusal to recognize the new government in Krakozhia, Viktor’s passport is deemed invalid and he is unable to enter the country or return home. His passport and return ticket are confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leaving him stranded at the airport with only his luggage and a can of Planters ...

Catch Me If You Can (2002) is an American biographical crime comedy-drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg. In 1969, FBI agent Carl Hanratty travels to Marseille, France to retrieve a prisoner named Frank Abagnale Jr., who has become ill due to the prison’s poor conditions. Six years prior, Frank lived with his parents Frank Sr. and Paula in New Rochelle, New York. Growing up, he learned various cons from his father but their family eventually had to downsize due to his father’s tax issues with the IRS. During this time, Frank discovers that his mother is having an affair with Jack Barnes, a ...

Road to Perdition (2002) is an American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by David Self. It is based on the first volume of the graphic novel series, also titled Road to Perdition, by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. The story takes place in 1931 during the Great Depression. The main character, Michael Sullivan Sr., was taken in and raised by Irish Mob leader John Rooney in Rock Island, Illinois. Despite being feared as an enforcer for ...

Cast Away (2000), an American survival drama film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis, follows the story of Chuck Noland. Chuck is a FedEx systems analyst who travels the world fixing productivity issues. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his girlfriend, Kelly Frears. The couple discusses marriage but their plans are repeatedly interrupted due to Chuck’s work demands. This begins to strain their relationship. During a Christmas dinner, Chuck receives an urgent call to resolve a problem in Malaysia. Before leaving, Kelly gives him her grandfather’s pocket watch containing a photo of her and he gives ...

The Green Mile (1999), an American fantasy drama film based on the novel with the same title by Stephen King, was written, directed and co-produced by Frank Darabont. In 1935, at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row, nicknamed ‘The Green Mile’, retiree Paul Edgecomb served as an officer. Whilst watching the film Top Hat in 1999 at a Louisiana assisted-living home, Paul begins to cry. His companion Elaine becomes concerned and he explains that it reminded him of events he witnessed during his time as an officer. He worked alongside corrections officers ...

Toy Story 2 (1999) is an animated feature created by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. In this sequel, Woody and Buzz Lightyear have become the co-leaders of Andy’s beloved collection of toys. However, during a playtime mishap, Woody’s arm gets damaged and he is accidentally left behind on a shelf. While exploring his new surroundings, Woody finds Wheezy, a penguin toy who has been sidelined due to a broken squeaker. Shortly after, Wheezy gets taken to a yard sale by Andy’s mom. Determined to save his friend, Woody jumps into action but ends up getting stolen by Al McWhiggin – the greedy owner of Al’s Toy ...