As you have probably heard, “Joe Versus the Volcano” (1990) is lousy in many ways. Tom Hanks with a floppy mullet. Schmaltzy and sitcommy throughout (even the end credits, they look like a “Bewitched” ripoff). But it’s also cute and funny at times. Hanks’ mullet. Occasional clever dialogue. Meg Ryan chewing the scenery. Remember, just as a big pile of horse manure can yield a beautiful garden, this movie set the stage for “Sleepless in Seattle,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and, to a lesser extent, “Cast Away.” So the next time someone makes fun of it, don’t reflexively agree. Be kind.
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011) is an extremely poignant but incredibly hard-to-watch object lesson on trying to find meaning from tragedy. The payoff is minimal given the emotional effort the viewer has to put forth, making it seem too much like work and not enough like entertainment. I don’t go into every movie expecting to be served ice cream, but I also didn’t deserve this monster helping of broccoli. I would recommend it for someone who feels guilty that they did not suffer enough from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This movie is heavy, but my conscience is not.
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