Bridge of Spies

[CBStew]

This is the first movie I have seen since early November.  (Sitting for two + hours is a chore immediately following hip surgery.)   It was worth the wait.  I remember the incident from in 1957.  The United States exchanged a soviet spy, Walter Abel, for a downed U2 spy plane pilot, Gary Francis Powers.  If this comes as a spoiler, then shame on you, its in the history books.  Tom Hanks is absolutely perfect as the insurance defense lawyer who the U.S. recruited as its representative to negotiate the deal.  I wasn't surprised by how good Hanks is in this movie.  Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies.  This movie was made by Speilberg and the Coen brothers, so you aren't taking a big chance when you fork over the equivalent of an hour's pay before payroll tax deductions.  Much of the movie takes place in East Germany in the Winter, and they did such a good job you feel the chill in your bones.  (Forgive me, you may be reading this in Chicago during the Winter, so you don't need a description.)  You may ask, "What's to negotiate?  They wanted Abel, we wanted Powers, so nu?"  That's how good movies differ from the not so good.  The Russians had two prisoners that we wanted, we had only one that they wanted.  I am not going to tell you anymore, because that would be a spoiler.

[Tony]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

[Bort]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

[Quality Start Machine]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

Volunteers was worse than all his other bad ones combined.

[ChuckD]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

Volunteers was worse than all his other bad ones combined.

So we're trying to kill Tom Hanks now, too, huh?

[Quality Start Machine]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

Volunteers was worse than all his other bad ones combined.

So we're trying to kill Tom Hanks now, too, huh?

Before he becomes the next Thin White Duke.

[CBStew]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

Volunteers was worse than all his other bad ones combined.

So we're trying to kill Tom Hanks now, too, huh?

Before he becomes the next Thin White Duke.

You have to admit that he was great in "Castaway".    Of course with a supporting cast (Wilson) like he had in that movie trying to steal scenes from him he had to be at the top of his game.

[Quality Start Machine]

Except for a few stinkers (Joe and the Volcano) Hanks just doesn't make bad movies. 

Polar Express was creepy and weird.

As was Bosom Buddies.

Volunteers was worse than all his other bad ones combined.

So we're trying to kill Tom Hanks now, too, huh?

Before he becomes the next Thin White Duke.

You have to admit that he was great in "Castaway".    Of course with a supporting cast (Wilson) like he had in that movie trying to steal scenes from him he had to be at the top of his game.

Hanks had the second best performance that year, after Ed Harris in "Pollock".