BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?

Subject: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 May 08 - 10:04 PM

All those awards and war movies and documentaries? Is he at the the top? Would a Tom Hanks endorsement help a candidate?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 May 08 - 10:11 PM

Didn't he play fullback for Texas A&M? Or was it Rice?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 May 08 - 10:14 PM

Tom Rice?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 May 08 - 10:23 PM

I dunno who Tom Hanks is.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 08 - 11:06 PM

Splash, Forrest Gump, Toy Story, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle. . .

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 May 08 - 11:16 PM

It's hard to believe any actor's endorsement would mean much to a candidate's chances. I would hope people would base their support for a candidate on more solid grounds. But, of course, based on the past 8 years, I suppose that might be a hopelessly naive stance.

It's ironic that people talk about Obama as an empty suit--he's the opposite. And we've had quite a bit of recent experience with a real empty suit. As long as the empty suit is somebody you can imagine having a beer with at the bar, it seems to be fine with a lot of voters.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:10 AM

Apollo 13,
Philadelphia,
Saving Private Ryan,
Band of Brothers (Producer)
Da Vinci Code

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: heric
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:17 AM

I'm just gonna look up whatever Eddie Vedder says to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Teribus
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:19 AM

No

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: CarolC
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:05 AM

Eddie Vedder is endorsing Obama, heric (Google "Eddie Vedder" Obama).

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Amergin
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:53 AM

Well let's put it this way....Tom Hanks thinks he is the most influential actor....However everyone knows this is just not so....the most influential actor is really Mel Gibson....he after all speaks to god.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:57 AM

I am going to endores Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks for..er?..for whatever.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: frogprince
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:40 AM

I've been paying so little attention to what actors have been doing politically, I probably shouldn't bother to comment, but: : }

I haven't really seen anything of Hanks trying to push politics.

Clint Eastwood could probably still influence at least a significant segment of the population.

Brad Pitt is an example of a(still relatively) younger actor who is at least trying to exert some influence as an environmentalist, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:51 AM

I think that George Clooney has eclipsed Tom Hanks. Don't forget Big when listing Tom's great performances, though!

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: john f weldon
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:51 AM

Tom Hanks is pretty good, but I can never forgive him for Forrest Gump, the worst movie ever made.

Robert Downey has a few minor personal problems, but may be the best male actor these days.

But why does anyone care what actors think?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:53 AM

I was just funnin'. I knew Tom Hanks was an actor.

But I no more let an actor influence my vote than I would let an ex-athlete influence my choice of a rental car.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 May 08 - 09:55 AM

Can the same thing be said for folk singers? Would an endorsement by Pete Seegar or Joan Baez influence anyone here?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:23 AM

Brad Pitt is an example of a(still relatively) younger actor who is at least trying to exert some influence as an environmentalist, etc.

For more solid and useful environmental activism, look to Edward Norton. He has the credentials for it.

Hanks has done a lot of important work. I haven't watched his war movies (I don't generally watch war movies). He was the brains and the power behind the recent HBO production of John Adams that seems to have been uniformly well-accepted.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: john f weldon
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:45 PM

Since Pete Seeger is a writer as well as a performer, and is person who puts his opinions into song, one can take him more seriously than one who only performs the words of others.

In film-making, the creative "pecking-order" is Writer, followed by Director, followed by Actor. Logically, one should weight their opinions accordingly; however, in practice, the order is usually reversed.

There is no reason to think that the opinions of an actor are wiser than those of a plumber, but they do have more influence.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:18 PM

Rapaire told us:

But I no more let an actor influence my vote than I would let an ex-athlete influence my choice of a rental car.

If Tom Hanks, or Donald Trump, or Michael Jordan, or Oprah, or Tom Cruise, or Michael Jackson (etc. etc. etc.) endorsed a candidate, the mere source of the recommendation, however famous or good (or bad)at what he/she did, wouldn't influence me in favor of the candidate.   Or against the candidate.

The outstanding exception would have to be George W. Bush, who would poison my attitude toward the candidate. (Yes, I know that last is an argumentum ad hominem, but I'm afraid I would be susceptible to it.)

On the other hand, if a celebrity (you supply the name) used his/her prominence to put forward a convincing case for "Candidate X", I'd be willing to be swayed by a well-thought-out argument. But no "positive argumentum ad hominem, thank you.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:29 PM

Not a chance, Jack. William Shatner is the most influential actor. Any fool knows that.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:47 PM

A performer's support of a candidate or issue is only meaningful to fans of that performer. Personally, I don't care what Tom Hanks says on the political spectrum because I don't think he's that great an actor. He's competent. He gets high profile roles because of his popularity, not his talent. If I cared what any actor had to say, it would be Sean Penn. Not because his views are any wiser or more valid than Mr. Hanks, just because I think he's a far better actor.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:53 PM

Oh, I can think of actors who would turn me AGAINST a candidate by endorsing them (those religious nuts Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson come to mind...) but not of any who would change my mind FOR someone...

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: heric
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:31 PM

okay Obama it is. But. . you know - I may be slightly susceptible to Cate Blanchett.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: CarolC
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:39 PM

Cate Blanchett doesn't seem to be endorsing anyone, heric. She's an amazing actress, though. Or maybe you were saying you would like to vote for her for president.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:52 PM

I should have been more specific: a well-reasoned argument, presented by anyone, will catch my attention. I may disagree with it, but it will catch my attention. On the other hand, if fame were a guarantee that the person or thing shilled for was the ne plus ultra, Satan would be in charge (and perhaps he is).

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 May 08 - 06:01 PM

Homer Simpson might make a difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:01 PM

I don't think William Shatner has offered his official endorsement to any of the candidates yet...but when he does, my mind is made up!

Cate Blanchett is simply too good for president of the USA. I would not wish such punishment upon her.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:35 PM

I'd more likely be influenced by John Lennon (were he still with us, God rest his soul) or Paul McCartney who probably wouldn't want to get involved.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 May 08 - 12:12 AM

I'd listen to John on Politics, Paul on how to write pop songs and not on how to marry.

Bono and Springsteen are thoughtful men.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 07:51 AM

And if anyone needs an explanation of how the US democracy was lost, well...this thread offers plenty of evidence.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:34 AM

Perhaps it was never found in the first place? Possibly it is a myth? Consider that.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:39 AM

Corruption has been with us forever, in the US and everywhere.

But a democratic society can sustain the blows, so long as it maintains   integrity.

We the people of the US have proven more than once that it is possible to beat back the corrupt influences of money, to maintain the integrity of our political system.

No, this isn't a historic myth of democracy at work, Little Hawk. But I can agree it is most certainly a contemporary one.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:48 AM

But isn't there SOME way we can tie this thread to Natasha Richardson's panties, which I just learned about googling this inane and stupid Tom Hanks story?

Apparently, Tom Hanks worship of his own egomania knows no bounds--he actually videotaped himself giving Obama his Hollywood endorsement.

What, nobody asked how he would be voting on the red carpet, so he had to stoop to this for publicity?

Who in Hollywood isn't for Obama? The Hollywood elite, more than anyone on the planet, know how to hitch their star to the cult of personality wagon.

I mean, there is money to be made being on "the right side" after all...and by Obamamania standards--the sky is the limit for pandering to corporate interests who throw their bad money after bad politicians with greater frequency than they throw their bad money after bad movies.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:40 AM

Who the hell is Natasha Richardson? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: frogprince
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:44 AM

"Apparently, Tom Hanks worship of his own egomania knows no bounds--he actually videotaped himself giving Obama his Hollywood endorsement."

Good grief, Fantasma: I don't even know if Hanks is an egomaniac or not, but that tape isn't the proof that he is; his whole wording and tone indicates his own awareness that a celebrity endorsement is something of a joke; that he just felt like making the statement for whatever it is or isn't worth.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 11:01 AM

Fantasma's sheer hatred of Obama (or Obamamania?) has her so worked up that she tends to see things only through that one prism....thus Hanks must be doing something disgusting like "worshipping his own egomania"... ;-)

It could've been worse, Fantasma. Way worse. He could have spat upon and danced on a photo of Ralph Nader while endorsing Obama. That would have really done the trick, eh?

Look, anyone can put a video on Youtube and say they endorse Obama. Anyone at all. And many have. Most of them aren't famous. Why get pissy about it when an actor does it? Does being someone famous mean that you must never publicly endorse anyone, because it would simply be evidence of how you worship your own ego?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: van lingle
Date: 07 May 08 - 04:44 PM

Who are Natasha Richardson's under garments endorsing? Whoever it is has my vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 07:21 PM

Because he can't act.

I don't hate Obama any more or less than I hate Clinton or McCain or Bush. But Obama is the only one with Mudcat minions who are trying sell us something.

I hate corporate puppets in general.

And Tom Hanks qualifies as one of those too, actually.

Or as the Robin Williams joke goes, he saw a homeless actor standing on a street corner in Hollywood, holding a sign that said "will work for Disney".

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 07 May 08 - 07:35 PM

I think anything featuring/starring Tom Hanks is worth watching. The man is a genius.

'and that's all I got to say 'bout that'

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 07 May 08 - 07:53 PM

You forgot "the green mile" and "the man with one red shoe" from his filmography.

I've always thought he was overrated. His way of conveying emotion of any sort, whether humour, anger, sadness or courage, seems consistently comparable to the look of shock one might exhibit upon discovering a live rodent in ones rectum.

He'll be remembered, but no one will quite remember why.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:09 PM

I am similarly unimpressed by Tom Hanks' acting, lox, and I think you have expressed his way of conveying emotion almost perfectly. ;-)

I honestly think William Shatner has considerably more acting range than Tom Hanks, and I am not joking when I say that! I've never been able to figure out what the fuss was about regarding Tom Hanks or why people think he's a great actor. I think it just depends on whether you like his style/appearance or not, and you could say that about a lot of actors. When I see him I am always reminded of 2 well-known oldtime comic strip characters:

1. Henry
2. Popeye...if you remove the pipe and sailor's cap and the eye squint and make him a lot more innocent.

But specially Henry! Tom Hanks IS Henry, after Henry grew up. He has the same odd, gormless expression on his face most of the time...like he wasn't quite sure what the heck was going on, but he's not quite ready to come right out and ask someone. Nope, he's going to remain silent and try to puzzle it out all by himself.... ;-)

However...I don't mind him endorsing Obama if he wants to. Fine with me.

Fantasma - I understand your feelings about corporate puppets perfectly. ;-) Yep, sure do.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 09:13 PM

Well, Tom Hanks is in great company today with the Obama celebrity endorsements. I just read Rush Limbaugh endorsed Obama today too.

Even Limbaugh is a better actor than Tom Hanks, IMO.

So, now that I think about it, I think I may hate Tom Hanks more than Republicrat Horse Race Revue and Travelling Road Show.

Which obviously poisons my view, as I am only able to see through one prism regarding Tom Hanks, too. Which is fine, considering what a one dimensional actor he is, I suppose.

No votes for Natasha Richardson's panties, then?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: heric
Date: 07 May 08 - 09:35 PM

I thought William Shatner invented Hamster Method acting, didn't he?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:35 PM

Shatner actually can act...it's just that he doesn't really bother to in some stuff...specially if the script is really lousy or not too demanding. ;-) That pretty much of applied to a lot of the Star Trek shows he did, to say nothing of the abysmal T.J. Hooker! But now and then Shatner does act quite well in a movie or TV series. It depends on the material, I guess, and what he wants to do with it (or not).

I still have no idea who Natasha Richardson is, and it's more fun not knowing than to just look her up on Google. ;-D

Along that line, a friend of mine desperately wants a pair of Angelina Jolie's panties. He would pay anything for them. I do know who she is.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:47 PM

Robert Duvall..........remember Tender Mercies? THE best -- and I don't care who he endorses (or doesn't)....

I don't think Tom Hanks is an egomaniac -- he was wonderfully self deprecating on 'Wait Wait don't tell me...' a few months back......

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:56 PM

I don't know who the most influential actor is (aside from William Shatner, I mean), but I do know who is a VERY good actor. Daniel Day-Lewis.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: frogprince
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:08 AM

I haven't followed D D-Lewis that much apart from the excellent job he did in "My Left Foot"; I know his reputation is way up there. Whoever is "best", Duvall has to be on the short list. When you look at what he's done, going back at least to the original repugnant Frank Burns in the movie version of MASH, through Lonesome Dove, Tender Mercies, and how many more...
But I've also seen him turn up as an honored guest on the 700 club; I'd rather see him influence acting, not politics.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:10 AM

I don't watch much TV -- is the 700 club right wing? One of his all time best performances, (and best movies I thought) was The Apostle......he was brilliant.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Tom Hanks the Most influential Actor?
From: frogprince
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:20 AM

The 700 club is dipstick-televangelist-lunatic-right-fringe Pat Robertson's regular broadcast. Robertson's gems of wisdom range anywhere to suggestions as to what world leaders should be assassinated to his admonition that Christians really shouldn't engage in oral sex, since that's something homosexual people do a lot.