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Summary: Joe vs The Volcano
Review: This is the best movie ever to show how past and current life experiences affect your health. This is my second review. The first failed to adequately show the films significance. It is Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks first movie together. Joe suffers from Post Traumatic Stress from events that occurred in the fire department. His trauma led him to a dead end job in the catalog department of a medical equiptment manufacturing plant. "Home of the Rectal Probe". There is so much symbolism in this movie I could never cover it in a review. When Joe is confronted with his hypochondria he is diagnosed with a "Brain Cloud" that will kill him in six months. This is also symbolic. Joe sets out on an adventure that helps him re-create his life with the help of Meg Ryan who plays 3 separate roles. If you watch this movie without figuring out it's symbolism it is still a wonderul funny movie. If you do figure out the symbolism it may change your life. I use it for all of my patients. I practice medicine in Boise Idaho. I have a web page "At Ease Medicine" I recommend several great books available at amazon.com to my patients for diet, stress relief, and just for fun. Please buy this movie and watch it over and over. I still learn something every time I watch it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great ones.
Review: This is a cult film. In the same vein as many other cult films, you will either "get it" or you will not. I suspect that if you enjoy this film, you are a highly romantic individual, capable of dreaming, wondering, and at the same time, not taking yourself too seriously. To put it directly, this movie is a tragicomedy about life and our attitude towards it, particularly in difficult times.Joe Versus the Volcano showcases Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as actors that have really come into their own. It is a marriage of writing and acting that is rarely seen on the silver screen. True, there are bits and pieces that are a bit rough, and a few things I would have edited out in the final take. On the whole, however, it is spectacularly rich film with scenes that you will want to watch over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Joe vs The Volcano
Review: This is the best movie ever made to show how past stresses and bad day to day living affects our health. I practice medicine and have a web page devoted to well being. I recommend this movie to all of my patients. You have to look through the superficial story line. I love this movie. Buy it and watch it over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Most underrated movie of all time
Review: An hilarious movie and somehow poignant without one single hint of being a downer... I have been trying to find the soundtrack for years. There's a version of Ole Man River by (I'm almost certain) Ray Charles that I have been unable to track down, which is just beautiful. From Joe to the guy who hires him to jump into the volcano, to Mr. Whatouri, to the limo driver and the luggage salesman, each scene is a delightful vignette. Meg Ryan plays three different characters and is at her best with each of them. If I say any more I'll start giving too much away.
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Summary: The Best Movie Ever Made
Review: Joe v the Volcano is, in my opinion, the best movie ever made. The storyline is simple yet deeply symbolic. The film doubles as wonderful comedy and excellent drama. It is a warning to us all to live the lives given to us. Many people miss the depth of Joe Versus the Volcano for its silly exterior, but those who look below the surface can find an amazing well of social commentary, contemplative introspection, and personal encouragement. How many of us truly live until faced with our own mortality? Joe Banks has a lesson for us all: don't let your circumstances rise above you; you rise above your circumstances. It is not until Joe finds a cause larger than himself that he is able to brave the risk of emotional involvement, the waves of the sea, and the certain death of the volcano. The oppression that follows him from his job to his home to the sea to the island of Waponi Woo cannot keep him from fulfilling the duty he has taken on to serve others in spite of his own well being. We can all follow in his footsteps as he acts on his doctor's advice: "You have six months of perfect health left. My advice to you is 'live it well.'" In all, Joe Versus the Volcano is a piece of art crafted with the best of materials. Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda, and others give this exquisite story a cast worth watching. It truly is the best movie ever made.
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Summary: DVD Anyone?
Review: I have loved this movie since i first saw it in theatrical release. i would love to see a DVD of this film with an audio commentary from the director. Joe vs. the volcano is so far above typical hollywood fare that it almost falls into a different category of film. I hope WB realizes how wonderful a film they have in their catalog and relese it on DVD soon!
Rating:
Summary: Bombed at the box office, but it's a hit at home
Review: I remember when this movie came out about a decade ago. There was a lot of hype about this movie, but it really bombed at the box office. Then I remember the movie hitting the video stores -- again, not much action. It was only after I saw this film on broadcast TV (I didn't see it at the theater or on video) that I realized that, well, it wasn't all that bad. In fact, it's quite fun. Hanks plays Joe Banks, a hypocondriac stuck in a dreadful job, working for an intolerable boss when he learns that he has an incurable disease. Soon thereafter he is approached by a wealthy businessman who recruits him to jump into a volcano on a remote Pacific island. Well, why not, I'm dying anyway. And that's when he starts to live. Travel, adventure, and watch for Meg Ryan in three different roles in the movie! This is one fun show. Why do I like it? I'm not quite sure. Do I like it though, yes, absolutely. It has aspects of romantic comedy, drama (sort of), misadventure, and a realization of the importance of life and of living it. For some reason it took me the longest time to catch the message of the movie, "...along a crooked road." Watch for Abe Vigoda as the native chief. A talented cast has great fun with this story line that to some appears to have no point. If you don't see a point in it...so what! It's fun. And if you do see a point in it, it's still fun. Give this often overlooked movie a try. I think you'll like it. It contains hints of the market appeal of future Hanks-Ryan romantic comedies such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've got Mail." I'm not quite sure why, but this movie gets 5 stars in my book. Give it a try and see what you think.
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Summary: Glad to see others appreciate this fine film
Review: Ive spent some time searching the Internet and there seems to be a common thread that Joe Versus the Volcano is a seminal, life changing movie. Now the Internet is a big place with lots of umm...interesting opinions but im going to agree that Joe is one of the most wonderful movies ever made, if you see it and connect with it, you will never forget it. Someone once said that the heart breaks because it imagines something that it could be doing but doesnt end up doing. Joe versus the volcano is that kind of movie as it makes you want to sail away...as Meg Ryan says..."away from the things of man."
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Summary: Praise from another fan.
Review: I am so excited to see that so many people have the same love for this "flop" of a movie. It is absolutely a see it more than once film. I hope that we will see it released on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Please, Please, Please, DVD!
Review: I could write essays on why this is the greatest, most underrated film of all time. Please, someone find out if it will ever be out on DVD. I know there is an alternate ending, and a deleted scene with DR. Ellison. Does anyone know who I have to beg?
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