Rating: 
Summary: A subtly wonderful rare gem.
Review: From a glance at the title and video cover, no one in their right mind would probably rent this. Early advertisments misrepresented this film as a slapstick comedy ,which it most certainly is not. The film is VERY funny, but in a quiet manner that might escape some. Symbolism is used throughout the film, but not in a way that any average movie-goer could not pick up on, and this in no way detracts from the film. Meg Ryan gives her best performance in any movie I've seen and solidified (at least in my mind) herself as a truly talented actress. For those who are weary of the same Hollywood formula movie again and again, this is truly a priceless find. END
Rating:
Summary: Joe Versus the Volcano
Review: This has quite possibly the best opening sequence I've ever had the privelege to see. It rocks; the song, the situation, and the set work perfectly. But, further along with the review. It's about a hypochondriac named Joe Banks. He had had a job before, putting out fires, but for the past several years he's had a job shipping out catalogues for a medical parts company. He uses up basically all of his salary on doctors' bills, because, being the hypochondriac he is, he won't rest until he finds something wrong with himself. And- wonder of all wonders- one doctor FINALLY tells him he has an uncurable disease- a 'brain cloud' that will kill him in the next six months. Joe feels great about that; quits his job, and takes out the secretary he had to dinner. (played by Meg Ryan) After she dumps him (he tells her he's about to die), he is visited by a very rich man who is willing to give him any amount of money that he can spend in the next few days in exchange for him voluntarily jumping into a volcano. On his way to accomplishing that goal, he meets the man's two daughters (both played by Meg Ryan). Wonderful performance by Tom Hanks (as usual) and a wonderful show of acting by Meg Ryan. The voices, costumes, and mannerisms for each of the three women she plays are completely different from each other. I loved all the Tom Hank/Meg Ryan movies, and this is no exception. Great movie, great acting, great plot... great reasons to see it. :)
Rating:
Summary: Marooned Without You - Lit in Joe
Review: This is a film. Such a film!
Nevertheless, it ties in literature wonderfully, foreshadowing events and themes later revealed in the movie by the three books that Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) takes with him as he quits his dead-end job: "Robinson Crusoe", "Romeo and Juliet", and "The Odyssey".
"Robinson Crusoe", of course, is the perfect foreshadowing for the shipwreck; "R+J" for the romance and sacrifice of life in fulfillment of the demands of love (particularly on the overlooked courage of Patricia (Meg Ryan), who like Ruth in the Bible goes where Joe "goeth"); and "Odyssey" for the overall theme: Courage and an Existentially-Satisfying Life must go hand in hand.
Okay, maybe that's not exactly the theme, and maybe that's not how I would put it upon further reflection, but I'll end by pointing out one odd thing: Homer, Shakespeare, Defoe - these ancients understood courage and masculinity far better, apparently, than any more recent author, and that's why Shanley chose them.
With John Eldredge's "Wild at Heart" (completely unrelated to David Lynch's) spreading in popularity, perhaps this is a very good movie for Christian men to watch to reinforce Eldredge's points.
Rating:
Summary: I'd forgotten how big
Review: I love the fact that other reviewers have mentioned that the moon scene is a favorite...it should be. "Oh God, whose name I do not know, thankyou for my life....I'd forgotten how big..." What a beautiful scene. If you haven't seen the movie, I won't describe the scene in great detail other than that...I'd hate to spoil it completely for you. This is a movie that works well on a lot of levels. This is a movie that helped ruin me (along with Kerouac, the music of David Wilcox, etc) for finding happiness in a lot of soul sucking jobs I've had...but gave me something to laugh about when I found myself stuck under a blinking fluorescent light listening to a boss rattle on about things that wouldn't matter to me in a million years. This movie is like Office Space, It's a Wonderful Life, and maybe one of the Austin Powers movies (kidding...couldn't think of another one) all rolled into one. It's hopeful and encouraging and whimsical and clever and really pretty funny. I like to watch it when it feels like the "brain cloud" is getting terminal...and it always helps to lighten things up. Watch this movie when you are desperate to change careers or direction...it's a good one.
Rating:
Summary: Best surprise I ever had in a movie theater
Review: I saw this movie 15 years ago because the movie we went to see was sold out. Talk about a great surprise! We all thought it would be stupid because of the commercials, yet instead we were taken in by the film's sweetness and thoughtful nature. The ending was a little over the top, but who cares?!? "Are those your clothes? You ain't got no clothes."
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful Sleeper
Review: Tom Hanks gives one of his best comedic performances here as Joe, a hypochondriac who's led to believe he's dying from a "Brain Cloud." So he strikes a bargain in which he gives up his humdrum existence working for an artificial prosthesis factory with loud, buzzing flourescent lighting, to live a life of luxury for several weeks until he is forced to become a human sacrifice by hurling himself into a volcano to appease the gods of an island populated by orange soda drinking natives of a bizarrely comical multi-ethnicity. Somehow it all pulls together.
Meg Ryan - whom I normally cannot tolerate - here is charming in three different roles.
The great Ossie Davis has a small role as a chauffeur, and, charmer that he is, nearly walks off with the entire movie.
A delightful sleeper that passed under most people's raider. Worth a second look.
Rating:
Summary: An intriguing movie with the most beautiful MoonRise scene
Review: This movie really touched me. The story looks like a mere comedy when it has deep roots about Life and the smallness of the humans.
The MoonRise scene is my favorite, but the Jump scene has a very special meaning to me.
I recommended this to a very dear friend of mine whom I deeply love and hope one day she really watches this movie and understand what I tried to tell her...
One of the best movies starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Worth having it.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate Hanks/Ryan teaming
Review: This is also the first teaming of the two and it really gives the characters they play something to think about. The reason this film is the best of them all is because it's not really a romantic comedy, it's a comedy about a man's existence in general. Although every relationship with Ryan's three characters has a romantic overtone to it, the film is a little more deep in it's understanding of what makes a relationship work because Joe doesn't end up with two of the characters Ryan plays. Other reviewers have found the movie has homages and allusions to other famous and classic literature and film; This doesn't surprise me considering it's the only film both written and directed by the intelligent modern playright, John Patrick Shanley. He also includes various symbols within the film that are incredibly obvious and easy for a general audience to catch, but I can imagine many people not noticing them and thinking the film is a strange, simple, dumbed down, romantic comedy. The way I look at the film is that it should work for all audiences, but for those who are studious enough to catch the humorous homages, it can be extremely funny. I don't know what the line about the doll being the chief's soul is about, but it gets me every time. I think it might just be how the exchange between the two that works so well: Joe-What's that? Chief-It is my soul. Joe-Oh, well then I hope you don't lose it. Chief-So do I!
This movie is just so goofy. I hope if you're reading this review that you at least go out, rent the movie, and have seen it. Then you can say that you've experienced it because I feel that this film reaches a creative peak and individuality that most Hollywood films don't get to. I have not seem a movie since this one that surpasses it in creativity and quirkiness while still remaining the epitome of mainstream.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and original
Review: Joe Vs. The Volcano is a unique, funny and heart touching little movie. I highly reccomend it. It may be regarded as a massive mistake, but either the people who think that haven't seen it or they have no tolerance for magic. This movie is artistic and fairy tale-ish, but it's themes are true and human.
Rating:
Summary: Just For Fun!
Review: Joe Banks, played by Tom Hanks is in a dead-end job. His life is the pitts and it is about to get worse as he finds out he has a 'brain cloud' and is going to die. A very wealthy man finds out about Joe's condiction and offers him a proposal. How would he like to live like a King for a few weeks and then sacrifice himself to a volcano god? Interesting.
Joes decides to go for it, but on hi journey he meets Meg Ryan who gives him a reason to live. Does Joe throw himself in the Volcano?
This is just a fun story and with Tom Hanks you know it will be worth your time to see. Don't expect some deep hidden agenda, but just sit back and wait to be entertained. That's what you'll receive in ths flick. A great relaxer leaving you with a smile.
Shirley Johnson
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