Movie Review: Toy Story 4

The old gang of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Mr and Mrs Potato Head and more are back for another installment and a whole adventure, one that has lasting repercussions on them all. This time, they reunite with a familiar face, Bo Peep, who departed the gang (unwillingly) nine years ago when the lamp she was part of, was given away to someone else.

Directed by Josh Cooley, this fourth installment is still fresh, and deeply emotional. The first film in the series, Toy Story (1995) was a game-changer in animation in so many ways. It laid the way for technological and superior innovations with computer generated animation and powerful storytelling to be melded together.

Each story of this saga has been well-received and even though we thought the chapter of this rag-tag toy gang had ended already, there was still more story to tell - Woody's. From the beginning of this series, Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been the man. New toy, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), may have the gadgets and heroics, but the heart of the story has been about Woody and his undying loyalty.

At the beginning of Toy Story 4, Woody has shifted his devotion to a new kid, Bonnie, after his original kid, Andy, grew up and went off to college. As we left them in Toy Story 3, the gang was settling in with Bonnie's toys into one big happy family, or so we thought.

Turns out Bonnie, who is about to start kindergarten soon, has lost interest in Woody. She plays with the rest of the toys, but poor old Woody has been relegated to the cupboard. But the loyal Woody isn't giving up on Bonnie, he accompanies her to orientation day at kindergarten where the shy little girl has a hard time fitting in and making friends.

Woody lends a literal hand and guides her to some arts and crafts supplies. Bonnie ends up making a new friend - Forky - out of the mishmash. The confused utensil (now a toy) comes to life and has a hard time adjusting to the fact that Bonnie is so attached to him.

When Bonnie's family sets off a short vacation in the RV before school starts, it's up to Woody to see that Forky (voice of Tony Hale) does not escape to the trash and Bonnie doesn't lose her only friend. But it only takes a moment and he escapes, leading Woody to helm a solo mission to bring him back.

On his return, he chances upon an old antiques stores, where he finds the old lamp of Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts) and is drawn to find his old friend again. Woody gets stuck in the creepy world of the antiques store, who is ruled by a dominating doll named Gabby Gabby. She wants something from Woody and holds Forky hostage to get it.

Meanwhile, Woody eventually does reunite with Bo Peep, the once feminine and docile character has turned into an adventurer of her own. With her three sheep, and a new friend named Giggle McDimples, she tries to help Woody save Forky and return back to Bonnie.

Try is the operative word here, as it wouldn't be a Toy Story film without everything and the kitchen sink thrown at the toys as they frantically try to restore order to their world. Along the way, the Toy Story universe introduces some new and memorable characters from Ducky and Bunny (voices of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele) to Duke Kaboom (voice of Keanu Reeves).

The true heart of Pixar films are the emotions that they bring out of unthinkable situations and subjects. Here, they've done it yet again. An aging, quite possible redundant, toy learns a lesson in moving on, and living for himself. Woody has become a beloved, iconic character for many and in movie and pop culture, so to imagine him adrift, leaves us adrift as well.

But the makers take Woody through the ringer and give him his happy ending, after all. It's a wonderful, emotional thing to see. I don't know how many of the young kids in the theater I watched it in got that, but I imagine they'll see the film with a different perspective once they are adults themselves.

If you want to spend time with some familiar faces yet again (and feel guilty about how you treated your own childhood toys), Toy Story 4 is the film to see. This might be the last time we'll see what the old gang is up to.

Directed by Josh Cooley; Story by Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes, Stephany Folsom, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Josh Cooley and Valerie LaPointe; Screenplay by Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom; Edited by Axel Geddes, Music by Randy Newman

Running Time: 100 minutes

Rating: 

Awards Season Trailers: Suffragette, Bridge of Spies, The Martian and more!

It’s June, you know what that means. It's time to roll out trailers for films releasing in the latter half of the year that could potentially have an awards presence. Hence, you’ll find Hollywood’s A-list Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Matt Damon all featured in the trailers for Suffragette, Bridge of Spies and The Martian respectively. The films below all come with good pedigree with award-winning and nominated directors, screenwriters, and actors showcasing their latest work.

The early struggle of the British women’s suffrage moment and their fight for equality is the focus of director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane) and screenwriter Abi Morgan (The Hour). The mostly British cast, minus Meryl Streep, of Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Whishaw and Romola Garai show how dangerous and brutal a fight the feminist movement had to have an equal voice. Streep, who plays British activist Emmeline Pankhurst, can be counted as an honorary Brit, after all, she did win her third Oscar for portraying the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Come awards season, Suffragette could land potential nominations for best film and lead and supporting nominations for its actresses. The film releases in theatres on October 23, 2015.

James Marsh’s 2008 documentary Man on Wire on Phillippe Petit’s daring walk between the World Trade Towers already won the Best Documentary Oscar. Now, director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) is retelling Petit’s story from his book, To Reach the Clouds. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Petit and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley, The Walk recreates his famous 1974 walk in breathtaking 3D and will be showcased on the large screen IMAX format. Best of all, the film gives Gordon-Levitt the chance to show off his French accent. The self-confessed Francophile has been a fluent French speaker for years. Take that, Bradley Cooper! The Walk, with Zemeckis’s previous Oscar and Golden Globe wins, might gain best film, director and lead actor nominations for Gordon-Levitt. It releases in theatres on October 2 and will have its premiere as it opens the New York Film Festival on September 25, 2015.

Based on writer Jon Krakauer’s (Into the Wild) book Into Thin Air, Everest details the 1996 fatal climb to Mount Everest. A strong ensemble cast of Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal take us throw the harrowing expedition which takes a turn for the worse once a severe snow storm hits. Directed by Baltasar Kormakur (2 Guns) and co-written by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) and William Nicholson, Everest also features a score by Oscar-winning composer Dario Marianelli (Atonement). Lately, most true life stories get recognized for their screenplay and direction, Everest too could like be nominated for the same. I have a feeling it could also squeeze through the technical categories, especially for VFX, if all the superhero films don’t crowd it out. Everest releases in theatres on September 18, 2015.

This is collaboration number 124578 between director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks. No, not really, but the Spielberg-Hanks partnership goes way back to 1990 when they first worked together a little film called Joe Versus the Volcano. (Sidebar: This ‘little’ film is a gem, do watch it if you can.) Based on the true life story of the 1960 incident when an US spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace, Bridge of Spies is also adapted from the book of the same name by Giles Whittell. Co-starring Mark Rylance, Amy Adams and Alan Alda, this Spielberg-directed cold war thriller could land plenty of nominations during awards season. The prolific Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, have contributed to the screenplay and composer Thomas Newman could earn his 13th Oscar nomination for the score. Could the 13th time be the charm? Bridge of Spies releases in theaters on October 16, 2015.

We just saw Matt Damon play a stranded astronaut in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. He’s back to repeat the experience, this time on the red planet, Mars, closer to home. Directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator) and featuring a screenplay by Drew Godard (World War Z), The Martian is based on the popular novel by Andy Weir. The film costars Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara and Chiwetel Ejiofor in this intense story of a man surviving and trying to find his way back to Earth. Damon could find himself once again competing for lead actor and this film, like Everest, will feature prominently in the technical categories like sound and VFX as well. The Martian releases in theaters on October 2, 2015.

These are just five of the many award hopefuls releasing in the second half of the year. What film are you most looking forward to?

Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks

John Lee Hancock's Saving Mr. Banks is more than just the story of the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Walt Disney Studios' Mary Poppins (1964).  The film also gives a personal glimpse of the woman behind the creation of literature's most famous nanny, P. L. Travers. 

By now, most of us movie buffs are aware of Julie Andrews's performance as Mary Poppins and those instantly hummable songs, 'A Spoonful of Sugar' and 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious', but did you know that they were so close to never have been in existence at all if Travers had her way? Walt Disney (played by all-around nice guy Tom Hanks) pursued the author for over 20 years on a promise to his daughter Diane that he would adapt the book for her.  P. L. Travers (a vulnerable Emma Thompson), despite her financial woes, is reluctant to hand over the rights to her books and characters she holds most dear to her heart. 

Through wonderful flashbacks which tell a whole another story altogether, of a young girl and her unshakable admiration of her father, the pieces start to fall into place of why Travers is so opposed to the adaptation of her book. The film is, of course, referring to Travers's own relationship with her father, a man who couldn't properly support his family and lived in his own world at times. But young Ginty (Annie Rose Buckley) views her father (Colin Farrell, in a strong supporting role) with the singular focus of one who can do no wrong. 

The highlight of the film is that one emotional scene between Disney and Travers where Walt finally appeals to Pamela not as the head of a studio but instead as a fellow creator whose ownership of a character is very personal indeed. This along with the scenes set on the lot of Walt Disney Studios especially an impromptu rendition of 'Let's Go Fly a Kite' are the best parts for film fans. 

Thomas Newman's score is a standout as are the trio of B. J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman as brothers Robert and Richard Sherman and Bradley Whitford as Don DaGradi who all worked tirelessly to make the movie.  But the film belongs to Emma Thompson who gives us a look at Travers's fears and regrets.  I didn't really buy Hanks as Disney, he wasn't onscreen too long to connect with.  However, if you have fond memories of Mary Poppins, then do give Saving Mr. Banks a try and stay tuned for the end credits where the actual audio recordings of P. L. Travers play out. She had a opinion on everything.  

Directed by John Lee Hancock; Screenplay by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith; Cinematography by John Schwartzman; Editing by Mark Rivolsi; Music by Thomas Newman

Additional cast: Paul Giamatti, Ruth Wilson, Kathy Baker, Rachel Griffiths

Rating: 

News Update: Marvel's Ant-Man, Harry Potter, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and You've Got Mail at 15!

• I'm a big fan of Marvel superhero franchises and I even enjoy the TV series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  But I have to say I have no interest in its upcoming Ant-Man which is joining the overcrowded field of blockbusters releasing in 2015 (Star Wars! Avengers! Batman!) even though they've cast the very likable Paul Rudd (I Love You Man, This is 40) in the lead.  The film will be directed by Edgar Wright, who has been attached to the project for many years now and is due to release on July 31, 2015!

• Speaking of July 31st, it's the birthday of a very famous literary bespectacled wizard who had a great run at the press and the big screen and now Harry's heading to the stage.  J.K. Rowling isn't done surprising us as yet.  She's co-producing and bringing forth a new play based on Harry Potter's life before he became a wizard and lived with the Dursleys.  The play will debut on the West End in 2015.  Please keep surprising us like this forever Ms Rowling!

(Photo: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Facebook)

• What can't Joseph Gordon-Levitt do? The actor-writer-director is also turning producer for the big screen yet again (He also produced Looper last year) with author Neil Gaiman's Sandman.  He'll also be voicing the character of Jiro Horikoshi in the English language release of Hayao Miyazaki's last feature as director, The Wind Rises.  (PS- The resemblance is uncanny!)
• And finally, just for fun, let's revisit the trailer of You've Got Mail which celebrated its 15th anniversary two weeks ago.  Remember dial-up? Or typewriters! Or *sob* bookstores!  Contrasted with 2013's Her in which a character now falls in love with the OS on his phone, the story of two people falling in love over e-mails sounds so old-fashioned, doesn't it?

TV Movie Review: Toy Story of Terror!

Toy Story of Terror!, Pixar's first television special goes forward from the feature films and shorts in the Toy Story universe. This time around, the toys are on the road with their owner Bonnie, watching scary films on the DVD player in the car when a flat tire causes them to stay overnight at the Sleep Well motel.

The gang is spooked already with Pricklepants (voiced by Timothy Dalton) ominously cluing in the toys of the impending doom that faces characters that get stranded overnight in any story.  First, Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles) disappears and the toys have go after him. Then one by one, they too are taken by a mysterious being until Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) is the only toy left standing.

She comes across Combat Carl (voiced by Carl Weathers), who is all too aware of what lays ahead for the toys who have the misfortune to stay at the motel.  I think he's my favorite addition to the Toy Story universe, he's totally focused on his mission and loves referring to himself in the third person. And don't get me started on Combat Carl Jr. Just. Too. Adorable.

But the character who gets shine (and rightly so) is Jessie who has to overcome her greatest fear of being put away forever in a box.  It was a nice touch referring back to Jessie's storyline from Toy Story 2 and give a nice emotional moment amidst the short feature. Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen) take a backseat and put faith in Jessie to save the day.

Toy Story of Terror! has some great laugh out loud moments and features some of your favorite characters from the series as they go through the movie cliches of any horror film. All G rated of course!  It seems that these toys have an awfully hard life with the threat of being separated from the owners always hanging over their head.

But I must say I enjoyed this Halloween preview immensely and plan to watch it again and again.  And I'm putting the request out there for a short only on Combat Carl and Combat Carl Jr.  I just want him to see Billy again.  Pixar, please make that happen!


Written and Directed by Angus MacLane; Editing by Axel Geddes; Music by Michael Giacchino

Rating:

Movie Review: Captain Phillips

Whenever I see the tagline, 'Based on a true story,' my interest is always peaked.  Captain Phillips is based on the experiences of Captain Richard Phillips in his book A Captain's Duty.  In April 2009, en route to Mombasa on a routine voyage as captain of Maesrk Alabama, Phillips faced a hijacking attempt that lead to him being held hostage by four Somali pirates.

I should point out that playing the role of Phillips is Tom Hanks who played the everyman hero before in films.  His portrayal of a captain trying to protect his ship and crew is the main reason to watch the film. The second is leader of small band of pirates, Muse (Barkhad Abdi) who has real purpose in his actions from the first moment we see him onscreen.  He holds real malevolence his eyes as he has a determination to prove himself and really hijack the American ship. 

The standoff between him and Phillips as they both try to accomplish their goals is fascinating. Captain Phillips tries to get him to see reason while Muse indirectly gives his backstory while they talk.  He's also trying to get by and make something of his life.  These sequences had the most impact in this story for me.

The film opens well with parallel storylines of Phillips and Muse building towards that eventual meeting on the ship when the Somali take over the ship.  The tension builds and builds until the standoff where eventually Phillips is taken hostage in the lifeboat by the pirates.  Here I felt the sequences went on a little too much for me. It could also be that because of director Paul Greengrass' documentary style of jerky shots and closeups in the tight space of the lifeboat became too claustrophobic and I had quite the headache afterwards. 

With much of the action on the choppy seas and the moving camera did not gel well together for me.  In fact, when the action moved to the US Navy and the SEALs getting involved, the movie began to shift focus again. The film is strongest when it features on Abdi and Hanks.  Many will be surprised to find sympathy towards the pirates in certain scenes as well.

There are many such instances of piracy that get featured on news stories in television and newspapers. But seeing it unfold over the screen is a bit of shock as how these pirates in small boats can overpower a ship as big as the Maesrk Alabama. Just as shocking is the way in which the hostage situation eventually ended.  Tom Hanks delivers yet another strong performance in his career, if you see the film, it should be for his and Abdi's performances. 

Directed by Paul Greengrass; Written by Billy Ray; Based on the book by Richard Phillips and Stephan Talty; Cinematography by Barry Ackroyd; Editing by Christopher Rouse; Music by Henry Jackman

Rating:

Around the World in Posters: X-Men, Saving Mr. Banks, How To Train Your Dragon 2 and more!

 I would watch any movie of Rooney Mara's, I find her choice of movie roles fascinating. 

 Here she is in Ain't Them Bodies Saints.

 

How do I get myself one of those T-shirts? 

Keri Russell plays out the ultimate Jane Austen fantasy in Austenland.

 I love this busy comic poster of The To Do List.



Beautiful poster of Saving Mr. Banks with Walt Disney and P.J. Travers
alongside their creations, Mickey Mouse and Mary Poppins.

 More posters of X-Men, Don Jon, Saving Mr. Banks, Diana and more after the cut!

New Saving Mr. Banks Trailer

Yesterday, a first look with a photograph surfaced and today, we have the first official trailer of Saving Mr. Banks starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford and Jason Schwartzman. It's our first look at Tom Hanks' take on Walt Disney (he seems rather jovial) as he gets reluctant author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to allow him to make the film version of the popular Mary Poppins' novels.

There are some funny digs made towards what the film turned out to be but eventually Saving Mr. Banks wants us to believe in the famous, magical Disney charm that most of us grew up on. There's also a great longread in The New Yorker titled 'Becoming Mary Poppins' that I suspect might give a slightly different perspective and it's worth checking out before watching the film. Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, The Rookie), the film seems a perfect holiday release this December. And yes, we do get an answer to why the film is titled Saving Mr. Banks.

First Look: Saving Mr. Banks

(Photo: TIME)

Time Magazine has the first look of Disney's Saving Mr. Banks, the story behind Mary Poppins adaptation to the big screen.  Tom Hanks plays the iconic and legendary figure, Walt Disney while Emma Thompson is P.L. Travers, the author and creator of the Mary Poppin novels.  As you can see, she does not look happy to be at Disneyland. One of the very few, I'd imagine. The film releases December 13, 2013.

Blast from the Past: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Let's just call June 'Tom Hanks' month' because we've hit yet another anniversary celebration of his film with the eternal rom-com, Sleepless in Seattle.  Co-written and directed by the late Nora Ephron, the film cleverly refers to another romantic class, An Affair to Remember (1957), starring Cary Grant and  Deborah Kerr and features the Empire State building in a supporting role. The film became one of the best romances of the 90s.

On Christmas Eve, young Jonah Baldwin (Ross Malinger) calls up a radio call-in show to ask for a new wife for his widower dad Sam (Tom Hanks) unbeknownst to him.  Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) who lives on the other side of the country in Baltimore, happens to listen in and finds herself intrigued.

Impulsively and inspired by An Affair to Remember, she writes to Sam and Jonah telling them to meet her on top of the Empire State building on Valentine's Day.  Amongst the hundreds who write to the Baldwins, Jonah feels a kinship towards Annie and feels this is the one for his dad.  Sam, of course, doesn't know it yet and from thereon the film is delightful journey to the two lovers meeting atop, yes, the Empire State building.

The film is perennial favorite of mine and I usually watch it once a year at Christmas. The supporting cast is stellar and features director Rob Reiner, Victor Garber, Bill Pullman, Rosie O'Donnell and Hanks's real life wife,Rita Wilson.  And even though Hanks and Ryan are only in the film for about two minutes, those two minutes are absolute magic and crackling with their chemistry.  They only did three movies together (the hilarious Joe Versus the Volcano and the Sleepless in Seattle follow up by Ephron, Hanks, and Ryan in You've Got Mail) but it seems like much more because when they were together onscreen, you knew their characters were meant for each other.  Even after 20 years, you can fall in love again with the characters and unforgettable dialogues.  I know I will. 

Blast from the Past: Big's 25th Anniversary

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, today on June 3, 1988, a little movie called Big released that made everyone, kids and adult alike want throw away abandon and go crazy in a toy store. The film was star Tom Hanks' second big success and director Penny Marshall became the first female ever direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office. That actually was a Jeopardy question once, I recall.

Can you imagine that Robert De Niro was also offered the role? I can’t visualize anyone but Tom Hanks and his infectious smile in the role of Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old who, while visiting an amusement park, isn't tall enough for the ride. Who hasn't experienced that heartache in front of friends you want to impress?  Depressed, he makes a wish at magic machine named ‘Zoltar’ and utters the famous words, ‘I wish I was big!’

Suddenly, he's an adult who has to get a job (albeit the coolest one), an apartment and navigate the tricky business of having a co-worker (Elizabeth Perkins) who's interested in him.  I remember watching the film as a young child with my cousins (all teenagers) at home on a VCR (remember those things?) and being so glad to be allowed to hang out with them.  It's one of my earliest movie memories and I recall the scenes in grown up Josh's apartment quite clearly.

And of course, who can forget the famous scene in FAO Schwartz with Robert Loggia and Tom Hanks banging out a melody on that giant piano?  Visiting FAO Schwartz held a special memory for me after the film as well. The movie is extremely nostalgia and bittersweet for me to watch.

There was great talent behind the screen as well.  Big was written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, sister of Steven Spielberg and produced by James L. Brooks.  The film obviously cemented Penny Marshall's craft after a successful acting career.  Big even made it onto Broadway in 1996 and was even nominated for Tonys for its actors and choreographer Susan Stroman.

25 years! And still going strong... have a look at the trailer for Big.  What do you most like about the film?

Mega Post of Movie News: Spiderman, The Hobbit, Lincoln, and The Dark Knight Rises

I've been a bit behind lately with the news posting mainly because real life has been catching up and since it's the end of the year there are many things to finish up.  Here's a massive news post of all the goings-on of note in the last month.

• Lots of news to report from the Spiderman reboot/prequel but sadly, still no title.  You're killing me here.  Decide already!  

-Dennis Leary will play the father of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

-Campbell Scott and Julianne Nicholson are in talks for the parents of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield).\

-Irfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire, Namesake) is being considered for a 2nd villain.  Hmm, I wonder who he'll play.

• The Hobbit has its music composer: Howard Shore
• It's confirmed.  The voice cast for the new Cars 2 movie  I'm so excited that Michael Caine is voicing a character and it's an Aston Martin.  Pixar brilliance!
• My favorite director, Christopher Nolan, is set to receive the first ever Visionary Award from the Visual Effects Society (VES).
• Both Christian Bale and Chris Nolan say that the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises would be "it" for the Batman Saga.  Never say never!
• Daniel Day-Lewis will star as Lincoln in the long in the making biopic to be directed by Steven Spielberg. This coming as the same time as the other Lincoln movie, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  Coincidence, I think not.
• Were you amazed by the gorgeous animation of "The Tale of the Three Brothers" in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1?  It was an outstanding little short film within a film and the director, Ben Hibon, is getting the recognition he deserves.  Hibon will direct Pan, a very dark take on the Peter Pan tale.  Kudos!
• This past March, Tom Hanks presented Kathryn Bigelow with Best Film Oscar for The Hurt Locker.  I'm sure he must have whispered to her backstage, Hey, Congratulations and keep in mind for your next film!" What do you know? He's in her next film.  The good stuff goes down only at the Oscars. 
• Hans Zimmer will be the composer for the new Superman: Man of Steel reboot.  It's going to be tough to top John Williams iconic score but I'm sure that Zimmer is up to the the task.  I'm actually curious as to how he'll tackle it.  
• Ricky Gervais and Emily Blunt are the newest names to cameo in the Muppets Movie.  Does anyone remember when Ricky visited Sesame Street?  Keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat.  
• The newest show to get a movie update? That would be 21 Jump Street, and the undercover cops posing as high-schoolers will be Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.  When did this become a comedy?  
• J.J. Abrams Star Trek was a big hit and everyone is keen to find out what is the next one going to be about.  The writers reveal that they are looking to get inspiration from some old Star Trek episodes for the sequel.  

Finally, the awards update of the week, the Golden Globe nominations are already in the mail and will be announced on December 14th.  What movies and actors do you think will be named?

Article of the Day: A must-read Vanity Fair article on Johnny Depp by Patti Smith.  He discusses Jack Sparrow and how Disney executives were all nervous by his take on the character.  

First Image from Tom Hank's Larry Crowne

Tom Hanks is forever tweeting about what a good time he's having on the Larry Crowne set.  And it's not hard to see why, he's starring with Julia Roberts again after Charlie Wilson's War and he's directing this one.  Also in the cast are Taraji P. Henson, Bryan Cranston and Rami Malek.  Here's a first image and synopsis from Collider.

When appealing everyman LARRY CROWNE (Tom Hanks) is inexplicably fired from his job as a big box store clerk, he realizes it’s time for some meaningful change in his life.  Deeply in debt and without direction, he returns to college where he befriends a group of scooter-riding students and eventually develops a real affection for his beautiful speech class instructor, MERCEDES TAINOT (Julia Roberts).

Charming and smart, LARRY CROWNE reminds us of life’s small surprises.  Sometimes clouds really do have a silver lining.  It’s also about the power of new beginnings like the time Larry Crowne, an ordinary man with a gentle heart, was forced to downsize his world…and ended up expanding his life.

Does Julia Roberts frequent the Fountain of Youth or something?  Still looking great.