Apollo 13 1995 PG, 145 min. Genre: Adventure / Drama
Director: Ron Howard Cast: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Emily Ann Lloyd, Joe Spano, Xander Berkeley, Miko Hughes, Max Elliott Slade, Jean Speegle Howard, Tracy Reiner, Chris Ellis
Often, real life is better than fiction. This true story of the ill-fated, 1970's Apollo 13 space mission that suffered an explosion in the command module, is gripping from beginning to end. "Houston, we have a problem" is the message sent from the astronauts–mission leader Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton)–while on their lunar landing mission. At Mission Control, leader Gene Kranz (Ed Harris) and the original mission commander Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise) work together with technicians and scientists to bring the crew home alive. The film won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Sound and had several nominations, including Best Picture and Supporting Actor (Ed Harris).
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Big 1988 PG, 104 min. Genre: Family / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy / Romance
Director: Penny Marshall Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton, Robert Loggia, John Heard, David Moscow, Jon Lovitz, Mercedes Ruehl, Rockets Redglare, Tracy Reiner, Josh Clark, Kimberlee M. Davis, Oliver Block, Allan Wasserman, Gary Howard Klar
Annie Spielberg (Steven's talented sister) co-wrote the good screenplay about 13-year-old Josh (David Moscow) who goes to a fortune-telling machine and makes a wish to be "big." Upon waking the next morning, Josh (now played by Tom Hanks) finds that his wish has come true, and he must now cope with the responsible world of adults until he can become a kid again. Tom Hanks is great and was nominated for an Oscar.
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A League of Their Own 1992 PG, 124 min. Genre: Drama / Comedy
Director: Penny Marshall Cast: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell, Megan Cavanagh, Tracy Reiner, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Tea Leoni, Jon Lovitz, Bitty Schram, Don S. Davis, Ann Cusack
During World War II, the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League was formed to make up for the dearth of men playing the sport. This is the story of one team in the league, the Rockford Peaches, and centers on Oregon sisters Dottie and Kit (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) who come to Chicago to play ball. Other players who also make the team include Mae Mordabito (Madonna), Doris Murphy (Rosie O'Donnell), and Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh). The team's owner (Garry Marshall) picks ex-baseball star Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), who ruined his career with alcoholism, as the manager. Training begins, Dugan stops drinking, and the underdog team works hard and gains success.
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Masque of the Red Death 1989 R, 83 min. Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Larry Brand Cast: Adrian Paul, Clare Hoak, Patrick Macnee, Jeff Osterhage, Tracy Reiner, Kelly Ann Sabatasso, Maria Ford, Paul Michael, Michael Leopard, Daryl Haney
This remake of Roger Corman's 1964 film is about the evil prince who enjoys pleasures in his castle while peasants die of the plague. It is still a Corman production, but not at all as good as the earlier version.
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Nothing in Common 1986 PG, 118 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Garry Marshall Cast: Jackie Gleason, Tom Hanks, Eva Marie Saint, Bess Armstrong, Hector Elizondo, Barry Corbin, Sela Ward, John Kapelos, Tracy Reiner, Dan Castellaneta
This film combines insight and comedy into a difficult situation. After a long marriage, a son's parents are divorcing because they have nothing in common–except for the son from whom they both expect attention.
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| 1. Apollo 13 (1995)
2. Big (1988)
3. A League of Their Own (1992)
4. Masque of the Red Death (1989)
5. Nothing in Common (1986)
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