Bridge of Spies: Tom Hanks Does it Again: A Movie Review

You don't need me to tell you that Tom Hanks is one of the best actors of all time.  I mean come on.....Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Castaway (just to name a few)...I rest my case.  Whatever your thoughts may be, I highly recommend this movie.  Tom Hanks plays the role of an insurance lawyer selected by the government to defend a captive member of the Soviet Union due to his integrity.  However, it is his integrity that leads him down a very dangerous path.

James Donnovan takes his role as a lawyer seriously, so when asked to defend a prisoner of the court system who happens to be from the Soviet Union in order to follow due process, he gives it his all.  This is not what the government had hoped for.  Which I find ironic, because they chose him based on his good nature,yet they were surprised when he actually gave a full defense.  Donnovan even went as far as to appeal at several levels in order to protect his client.  Unfortunately for his family, this involves drive by shootings at the windows, constant glares from community members,and an outrage of how he can be so "anti- American."

This doesn't stop Donnovan though.  He is a smart guy and is able to negotiate his clients sentencing to not include the death penalty.  It is that negotiation that creates a new scenario for Donnovan to encounter.  You see, a U.S. pilot crashed and was captured in the Soviet Union and the only way to return him safely is to return their man, Donnovan's client.  So now our dedicated insurance lawyer is off to the Soviet Union to negotiate with some not so trustworthy gentlemen.  I don't want to give it all away but Donnovan's integrity and good character get him into such a complex situation that there are three prisoners involved, the Soviets, the Germans, and the CIA. The question is, who can he trust and will he be able to protect all he is fighting for?  Including his client.  You must see to find out!

This movie will have you in suspense throughout as you are constantly in awe of what this man goes through to do what he feels is right.  I highly recommend it and would see it again.

Steve Jobs:The Other Side

Do you remember the Steve Jobs movie that came out in 2013?  I remember  leaving that movie thinking that all of the negative viewpoints I had previously heard about Steve must have been misunderstood as he was just a creative genius who knew what he was doing.  Then I saw the previews for the latest movie with a different portrayal of the guy who gave us the iMac and much more.  I obviously didn't know him personally, but do think if I put both movies together, I just might have a close depiction based on those who knew him,  Needless to say, it was an enjoyable movie with raw scenes that showed the other side of Steve Jobs.

Our movie begins before a major launch where Steve is about to show the world the Macintosh.  Unfortunately, this is also where his previous mistress decides to ask for money so he can support her and the daughter he refuses to claim.  He also has a glitch that he must work out before launching and makes it happen by threatening the integrity of one of his only friends.  Several intense encounters continue before Steve is finally able to launch his computer.  Little does he know that it will fail and his path will take a different direction.

The movie continues with this pattern of showing Steve, minutes before the launch of a new product, with a litany of angry visitors.  Steve wasn't always successful but the guy would not stop until he put something valuable into the hands of consumers.  It was an interesting  as you were able to see the constant conflict Steve had with everybody else as well as himself.  This movie portrayed him as someone who thrived on control,especially when it involved what he held so close.  Fortunately, he was able to slowly see what changes to make, especially with the relationship with his daughter.

Overall it was a decent movie.  Whether you feel Steve Jobs was lacking in the treatment of others category or not, he was an innovative person who left a major impact several generations and this movie gives you one account of his life.