Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition is a 2002 American crime thriller that I put off watching for years for many reasons. One was that I found it hard for Tom Hanks to be believable in this type of role. Another was the name of the movie – it did not grab me. Even more unappealing to me is the fact that it sounded like it was an overly violent and graphic movie – and it was to an extent. After hearing some co-workers talking about the movie and how great it was, I finally decided to give it a chance. I absolutely loved it! It was brutal with a lot of killing, but not overly gory or grotesque. The storyline and bond surrounding the father and son was convincing. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Max Allan Collins. It stars Tom Hanks (lead role), Paul Newman (in his final live-action film role), Jude Law, and Daniel Craig – a blockbuster cast! Newcomer Tyler Lee Hoechlin (age 14 at the time) got his big break starring as Tom Hanks’ son.

              

The plot takes place in 1931, during the Great Depression, following a mob enforcer and his son as they seek vengeance against a mobster who murdered the rest of their family.

Filming took place in the Chicago area. It was released on July 12, 2002, and eventually grossed over $180 million worldwide. The cinematography, setting, and the lead performances by Newman and Hanks were well received by critics.

If you have never seen it, you must. If you have seen it, maybe it’s time to watch it again. Check out the trailer.

Some Roles these Actors were Born to Play!

Above we have Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela in the movie “Invictus.”

Next we have Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone in “The Godfather”

Who can forget the wonderful Christopher Reeve playing the dual role of “Clark Kent” and “Superman!”

How about the late Heath Ledger playing the maniacal “Joker” in the movie “Batman” – very disturbing!

Let’s not forget Ben Kingsley playing Mahatma Gandhi in the movie “Gandhi.”

Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs in the movie “Jobs” released in 2013.

And last but not least (more to come), the piece de résistance for “Roles these Actors were Born to Play” would be Daniel Day Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln in the movie “Lincoln!”

A League of their Own

This is a comedy-drama film from 1992 that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that came about when World War II threatened to shut down Major League Baseball. It is supported by a large cast of well known actors and actresses.

Check out this clip with the memorable quote “There’s no crying in Baseball!”

Here is the movie trailer that will give you good look at the story line…

bzinkowski@comcast.net