DVD Collectors Online

Forrest Gump, a review by Jon

1994
Forrest Gump
4 out of 5



Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is the most innocent of figures and we see a generation of America develop through his eyes.

Criticising Forrest Gump is like kicking a puppy in the face. Well pucker up, Pooch! I’m gonna have a go… oh what’s the use? That’s the thing about Gump. To continue the puppy analogy, he just keeps coming back until he eventually makes you laugh by leaving a turd on the carpet or trying to hump your leg. It is a lovable film that has many good points, but it’s as dumb as its hero when it comes to delivery. Maybe that’s the point though. That it is in all respects, a simple, unassuming tale, representing something much bigger than its hero. Black Beauty then. Sorry, first puppies, now horses. Keeping up?

Tom Hanks is marvellous as Gump, but Oscar worthy? He was for Philadelphia, but considering the incredible talent he was up against, here I’m not so sure. As I said once before though, Oscar loves the afflicted and they obviously see being thick as a disability! Best Film no excuse though because I should have been watching The Shawshank Redemption tonight. It’s the first time I think the Academy truly lost all common sense.

Although as subtle as a sledgehammer, it is fundamentally clever. Gump has nothing but an iron clad sense of right and wrong instilled in him by his “momma” (Sally Field) and that’s how he sees everything good and bad America has to offer through several decades. Told in flashback as he sits on a bench waiting for a bus, his habit of simplifying huge events is endearing and unavoidably stark. Some of the effects work when he appears in original footage is incredible (though the John Lennon sequence was misjudged). His effect on people is wonderfully uplifting, tempered by a strong sense of irony that crops up occasionally. The best sequence is in Vietnam and can represent the entire film; he barely has any idea of why he’s there or why anyone’s there. He’s just dealing with it, along with his friends, the equally dumb Bubba, whose stories about shrimp are hilarious, and the brilliant Gary Sinise (whatever happened to him?) as soon to be disabled Lt. Dan. EDIT: As Jimmy reminded me, the soundtrack throughout is amazing, evoking the perfect mood for each era. I wouldn't normally edit a review because of comments, but it really is that good and so important.

The other big influence on his life other than his mother, is Jenny (Robin Wright), the little girl who is the only one to show him kindness and whose life runs parallel to Gump’s. While he is like the feather at the start, just letting the breeze take him everywhere, she seems constantly in search of something, always refusing his devotion. I thought this was the films weakness, because like everything else, you have no idea where she’s going to end up, which in itself is fine, but then they kind of shoehorn in the last chapter. I didn’t like how she came across and I didn’t like that it was almost an afterthought. It was too much to tack on as an epilogue when the rest of the film was on the bus stop bench.

The bad points are largely inconsequential. You’ll love it or hate it, regardless. It is an original film with a good heart and a fiendish sense of humour. By the end, I was sold on the character and even the theme stopped annoying me!

However: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Read the card, you pillock.


(From Jon's Best Picture Oscar Marathon on February 18th, 2009)

Toy Story 3, a review by dfmorgan

Toy Story 3

Year: 2010
Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
OverviewWatched: 24th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: Wow another magnificent film from Pixar. Just superb. I loved all the little touches. I knew that a Totoro appeared but it was nice that it smiled as well, just as in its original film My Neighbour Totoro.

My Rating: Has to be 5

Dave

(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on November 24th, 2010)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"Animal Pragmatisrn"
Original Airdate: February 10, 2000
When Phoebe's friends use a book of spells to turn animals into men, Phoebe's attempt to reverse the spell goes horribly wrong.

My Thoughts:
This episode is nothing more then a done for fun Valentines Day episode. And yes it is a fun episode. I did like how they got around normal people pulling off a spell that only a witch could do.

"Pardon My Past"
Original Airdate: February 17, 2000
Phoebe risks her life by travelling back in time in order to reverse the past in which she was seduced by an immortal warlock to give into the dark side of her power.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... another one where we are reminded that Phoebe could turn either good or evil.

"Give Me A Sign"
Original Airdate: February 24, 2000
When criminal mastermind Bane Jessup (Antonio Sabato, Jr.) narrowly escapes an attack by a powerful demon, he kidnaps Prue and forces her to use her powers to save him.

My Thoughts:
Nothing really special about this episode. Bane is back... no big deal to me... I didn't care for him the first time. Piper stress over if she should be with Dan or Leo.

"Murphy's Luck"
Original Airdate: March 30, 2000
When Prue rescues a woman who has been driven to attempt suicide by a Darklighter, she finds herself his next tormented victim.

My thoughts:
This is a good episode... but not great. Prue goes hunting for a job as a photographer. Saves girl being tormented by a Darklighter... Darklighter turns his wrath on Prue.  The only really big thing for this episode is not only does Piper make up her mind who she wants to be with... but Leo becomes a whitelighter once again.

(From Charmed Marathon on March 2nd, 2008)