Tom Hanks

MEG RYAN HAS A LOT ON HER MIND RIGHT NOW

Meg Ryan leaving her hotel in NYC

Meg Ryan looks a bit thin and stressed, but also happy in New York. She’s in the final preparations to start filming the first movie she’s ever directed – “Ithaca” – on location in Virginia. Based on a novel by William Saroyan, it’s about life in a small California town during WWII and centers on a 14 year old telegram delivery boy and his family. Meg’s friend Tom Hanks is producing and has a role in the film so she REALLY wants to do a good job. Meg’s son Jack Quaid also has a part in the film. Melanie Griffith was originally set to costar but it looks like she dropped out and Meg will replace her.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

IF YOU LOVE HOLLYWOOD, YOU’LL LOVE “SAVING MR. BANKS”

Walt Disney is high on our list of Most Admired People so we were itching to see “Saving Mr. Banks.” Although it isn’t really ABOUT Walt Disney, it’s a great story and really entertaining. There are many delicious and colorful Los Angeles scenes at LAX, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and Disneyland in the glorious early 60’s. We’ll take Tom hanks as Walt Disney over Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips any day…

TOM HANKS HAS THE WALT DISNEY LOOK DOWN PAT

Walt Disney has always been one of our heroes, and who better to play him in a movie than Tom Hanks? That explains why Tom has been promoting “Cloud Atlas” with that peculiar mustache. “Saving Mr Banks” is the story of Walt’s 20 year pursuit of the film rights to author PL Travers’ (played by Emma Thompson) novel “Mary Poppins.” Disney’s daughters adored the book and he promised to turn it into a movie. He developed an interesting relationship with Travers through the years of negotiation. We look forward to seeing vintage Disneyland. (Above are some photos from scenes filmed at Disneyland.)
Photos via: Collider.com

TOM HANKS WILL MAKE A “SPLASH” ON BROADWAY

Tom Hanks hasn’t had a hit movie lately so he’s making the logical move to Broadway. He’s been waiting for the right property to come along and this seems like a good fit. The brilliant Nora Ephron, (who wrote Hanks’ hit “Sleepless in Seattle,”) has written a new play, “Lucky Guy,” about a New York tabloid reporter who flourished in the 80’s and 90’s, which is considered the end of the era of newspaper dominance. It’s based on the real story of NY crime reporter Mike McAlary, who had a noteworthy career and died young at 41. This will be Tom Hanks’ Broadway debut.

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOM HANKS?

We used to look forward to seeing Tom Hanks movies because they were as likeable as he seems to be in real life. But since the absurd and dull Da Vinci Code movies we’ve lost faith in Tom and expect the worst. Even though he has a small role, the worst is what we got tonight with “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” It’s a pretentious movie about a self- centered boy whose father died in the Twin Towers and because he happens to be quite intelligent his obnoxious behavior is accepted. This meandering book should never have been made into a movie – it’s too long, it’s maudlin, and the characters are unlovable. Maybe we shouldn’t blame Tom for this mess, but maybe we should…

IN DEFENSE OF LARRY CROWNE

To no one’s surprise, “Transformers” trounced “Larry Crowne” at the boxoffice this weekend. The Julia Roberts/Tom Hanks recession dramedy’s reviews weren’t great, but the movie experience is actually quite pleasant. Granted, Tom Hanks is a rather pedestrian director, but he plays “everyman” to perfection. The script was sprinkled with predictable situations and familiar characters, but there were surprisingly special moments and Tom and Julia’s presence makes up for a lot. It’s a sweet well-intentioned movie and you’ll walk out of it with a good feeling. Which is more than you can say about Transformers.

TOM HANKS AND RITA WILSON CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE EVENING TO BEGIN



Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Tom Hanks is dolled up like Fred Astaire in a white tie and tails and Rita Wilson put on an evening gown to attend a huge event in London. They were invited to a very exclusive state banquet at Buckingham Palace with 171 celebrities and dignitaries plusPresident Obama and Queen Elizabeth. Certainly this Hollywood couple will add some sparkling conversation to the table. And the Obamas have never looked better!

THIS IS WHAT TOM HANKS GOT FOR 26 MILLION DOLLARS?

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

We’ve been told this is a photo of the 26 million dollar house that Tom Hanks bought and we have to admit we’re more than a little disappointed. The Architecture from this angle seems pedestrian at best, and not at all inviting. The pool area is flat and dull with no relief from the sun. The landscaping is far from lush and there seems to be no shaded outside area for entertaining. Imagine a three story house this size with only four bedrooms! We have to say the outside of the house, which is very important in California, doesn’t live up to the astronomical price. (Click on photo to enlarge)

TOM HANKS BOUGHT HIS DREAM HOUSE FOR 26 MILLION

Who would have guessed that TOM HANKS would be the buyer of the most expensive residence sold in California so far this year? The “Big” star spent over 26 million dollars on a swanky ultra-modern 14,500 sq ft Pacific Palisades compound. Since his two sons with Rita Wilson are almost grown up, it might sound surprising that Tom is moving from a 7000 sq ft house into such a big one. Actually he IS downsizing in a big way. The new home has only four bedrooms and five bathrooms. You can imagine how LARGE the rooms are! And the bonus rooms must be spectacular. We assume Tom has put a lot of thought into this purchase – our favorite movie of Tom’s is “The Money Pit.”