Finally…

got to see “Angels and Demons” this weekend.  I wasn’t as disappointed by it as I thought I would be.  I figured with a book that good, no movie could live up to it.  Well, in my opinion, it did.  Of course, there’s a few things I would’ve changed.  But I liked how the movie ended better than the way it ended in the book.  I thought there could’ve been more conflict between Langdon and the Hassassin and they could’ve worked Langdon into his death, like the book did.  Nope.  They did it Hollywood style and had to send him out with a car bomb.  I knew when he got in the car it was going to blow.  No suspense there.

I could go on but it would be fruitless.  It’s just unfortunate that such a great story has to be twisted downwards to fit a two hour and twenty minute movie.

I also know I’ve been watching too much of my “Bosom Buddies” DVD because each time I saw Hanks all I could keep thinking was “it’s Buffy”!

“Angels and Demons”

I figured since I’m planning to see the movie “Angels and Demons”, I’d better read the book.  All 700 pages of it.  Remarkably, it only took me three weeks.  Good thing Dan Brown is a fantastic author and his writing moves smoothly.  I have read many books in my time but I have to state right here that “Angels and Demons” is the best book I have ever read.  Better than “The DaVinci Code”.

I’m already expecting to be disappointed by the movie “Angels and Demons”.  That is only because the book was so damn good.  As great a director as Ron Howard is, it’s going to be interesting to see how he jams 700 pages into two hours.  I loved “The DaVinci Code” as well but came away disappointed by the movie.  So much from the book was missing in the movie and I’m afraid that’s going to happen with “Angels” also.  But I guess that’s Hollywood, right?

If you haven’t read the book, I suggest you do so before seeing the movie.  I will not do a review of the book here, as it is too long and detailed to give the kind of review it deserves.  All I will tell you is that it has to deal with the fight between science and religion.

Tom Hanks IS Robert Langdon

In honor of the latest Ron Howard/Tom Hanks release “Angels and Demons”, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss some of my favorite Hanks characters and movies from years past.

It was difficult to decide who my absolute fave character was.  After much pondering and reminiscing of all the Hanks’ films (I have seen almost every single film he has done), I had to go with Forrest Gump.

I realized a long time ago that the really great actors are those that begin in comedy (maybe even TV sitcoms), then prove themselves with a dramatic role–winning an Oscar in the process.  Tom Hanks is one of those actors.

I think the reason why Gump is my favorite Hanks character is because Hanks combines both his comedic and dramatic skills in his performance.  Of course sometimes when Gump is serious he actually ends up being funny without really meaning to.

As for my favorite Hanks movie, that was a tougher choice.  I enjoy the dramas as well as the comedies, right down to “Toy Story”.  I have to go with “Philadelphia” as my overall fave.

Broken down into dramatic fave, “Castaway” is my pick.  The comedies were a harder choice but I narrowed it down to “The Money Pit”.  As for “Sleepless In Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail”, once I get past Meg Ryan, I can really enjoy those cute romantic comedies as well.

And I’ve finally been able to watch the infamous “Bosom Buddies”.  I was a kid when that show was first on and was not allowed to watch it (although I wanted to!).  Some of it is stupid but a lot of the episodes really get me laughing.  I just have a hard time beliving that none of those women ever figured out Buffy and Hildegard’s real identities.  Couldn’t they see the resemblance to Kip and Henry?  Uh…how about those Adams apples, ladies?