B Movies and Couch Classics: That Thing You Do • Bound • On Golden Pond

THAT THING YOU DO

BOUND

ON GOLDEN POND

B Movies and Couch Classics

By Dan Mohn, Movie Merchants

Two time Oscar winner, Tom Hanks, has to be one of the hottest actors in Hollywood today, and in this great little film he writes, directs and co-stars. I know that most people would not consider this a "B" film, but it is one that people missed in the theater and are not sure what the film is about. The film depicts the overnight triumph of an Erie, Pennsylvania, band that has a hit song that zooms to the top of the record charts. The movie is set in the early 60’s and has a great Rock’N’Roll soundtrack. Tom Hanks stars as a play-tone record executive who discovers the band and tries to take them to the top. But as most bands do, the pressure of being on the road and the transition to becoming a star, breaks down the hometown friendship and relationships they’ve shared. The movie’s title song "That Thing You Do" was also up for an Oscar this year. This romantic comedy is for everyone from teenage years and up. It carries a PG rating and has to be one of the better date movies of the year, so far.

Wow! This movie is hot and it’s not for everybody. Sometimes you wonder why all the sex and violence is put into some movies. The plot would play out the same and it would not have to carry an R-rating. Well, there are some movies where I would agree with this; however, this is not one of them. "Bound" is about a love affair and mobster violence. Everything about this film is shown and it wraps the story into one strong package. I was surprised to see that Siskel & Ebert gave it "two very enthusiastic thumbs up" because it is a very controversial film. Again, I would not recommend this to anyone under 18 because it does push the R-rating about as far as it could go. Now that I’m done warning the weak at heart, for those who do like good mobster films, this is one you have got to see. Academy Award nominee, Jennifer Tilly, (1994 Best Supporting Actress) stars with Gina Gershon and Joe Pantoliano in this ultra-hip film by the Wachowski Brothers. This film has been renting strong for the last four weeks seems to be going strong.

Sticking with an Oscar theme, "On Golden Pond" has to be one of the best films of all times. This 1981 drama was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director. It did walk away with three Oscars, which included Best Actor (Henry Fonda), Best Actress (Katherine Hepburn) and Best (Adapted) Screenplay. While spending their 48th summer at their New England country home, an elderly couple (Fonda/Hepburn) learns much about themselves and their middle-aged daughter (Jane Fonda). This film is a classic for all to see.

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