CHUD.com Community › Forums › SPECIFIC FILMS › Films in Release or On Video › That Thing You Do! (1996)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

That Thing You Do! (1996)

post #1 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 
It's excessive use of the title song is one of the most insidiously evil things I've ever encountered within a movie.

Not a good movie, at all, but breezy enough that I sort of understand the strange sort of cult following it has (I know about 3 people who have seen this movie 40+ times). Sort of. It's fitting that the lead's name is Guy because he's just about the most blank character I've ever seen lead a movie. He's like Kirk Cameron's less talented younger brother. Also, the magical negroism on display here is impressive. Two magical negroes! Two!

At least this film exists as the world's greatest illustration of Steve Zahn's talent. Every moment he's on-screen is wonderful.

Too bad he isn't around to elevate the wet fart of an ending this movie has.

I have a theory that this was written and directed by Colin Hanks, in disguise. Because I really don't want to hold this movie against Tom.
Reply
post #2 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
On the bright side, the DVD menu has one of the most delightful easter eggs I've ever seen.
Reply
post #3 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:49pm
I was literally talking about this movie in the B-thread about 2 hours ago, since I just this past weekend bought the "Tom Hanks Extended Cut" and I hadn't seen it since the theater back when it came out. I like how "nice" the entire movie is. It's like a movie that really came out in the early 60's.

Steve Zahn is pretty great in the movie, and I love the bit where he's asking for money for his Vegas trip, and Jonathan Schaech says "Ask Guy, he's a sucker." and when Guy appears he says "Sure how much?" cracked me up.

Really wish that Hanks had done a commentary. I want to know how he came up with the awesome name Cap'n Geech And The Shrimp Shack Shooters.
Reply
post #4 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:50pm
It's a very modest film. I don't think I've thought about it much since seeing theatrically, but Zahn has a great line about their influences (is it "something something shrimp shack?") and Scaech has that great "I quit... I quit" moment.

I think my problem with this is that the formula is just so pat and disingenuous.
Reply
post #5 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Tom Hanks named the beach band (Capn' Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters) after two seafood restaurants near Beaufort, SC, where many scenes in Forrest Gump (1994) were filmed. Capt. Geech's was on Lady's Island but is now closed. The Shrimp Shack is still open for business on St. Helena Island.
I am excited to see if Tom Hanks' new movie, about a middle aged man (himself) who goes back to college, is as "nice" as this one. It'd be great if it were a Harold Lloyd type college experience, with pennants and sweaters and propeller beanies. Maybe even cramming some fellas in a phone booth and flag-pole sitting!
Reply
post #6 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:54pm
That song is indeed horribly catchy, and I like the rest of the movie. It just feels... sweet. The actors (save for Schaech, who's wonderfully jerky) are all likable and funny, and Hanks directs with a clear eye and brisk pacing.

It's a minor film, sure, but it's a thoroughly enjoyable one.
Reply
post #7 of 15
7/26/10 at 8:59pm
The influences and when Zahn says into the microphone "Cap'n Geech And The Shrimp Shack Shooters" and Mr. White looks at him scoldingly is hilarious.

Also great is that Ethan Embry doesn't have a name in the movie. He's just "T.B. Player"
Reply
post #8 of 15
7/26/10 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll View Post
I am excited to see if Tom Hanks' new movie, about a middle aged man (himself) who goes back to college, is as "nice" as this one. It'd be great if it were a Harold Lloyd type college experience, with pennants and sweaters and propeller beanies. Maybe even cramming some fellas in a phone booth and flag-pole sitting!
I'm looking forward to it mostly because he'll be reuniting with Peter Scolari.

I like the movie well enough, if I happen to catch it on TV I'll watch it to the end.
Reply
post #9 of 15
7/26/10 at 11:47pm
It's a cute movie. Nothing outstanding or super memorable but it's easy to see why some people consider it cinematic comfort food.
I do really like the scene where the band hears their song on the radio for the first time. It's been done a billion times before but I still fall for it.
Reply
post #10 of 15
7/27/10 at 12:41am
One of the things I appreciate about this film is that it has songs that actually sound like they could have come from the period instead of random pop songs desperately trying to fit in (hello, Dirty Dancing).
Reply
post #11 of 15
7/27/10 at 2:09pm
Yeah, I love the songs they give to the various performers at the State Fair ("Mr. Downtown" is great).

Otherwise, echoing: sweet, fun film that is just trying too hard to be liked, with a nondescript performance at its center, and an unconvincing love triangle. But Zahn is pure gold all the way, and a shoutout to Alex Rocco who manages with almost no screen time to convey an utterly loathsome character. And who doesn't love "Uncle Bob": Isaak's dry delivery never fails to crack me up.
Reply
post #12 of 15
7/27/10 at 2:18pm
"We're the Oneders."
"That says O-NEE-DERS."
Reply
post #13 of 15
7/31/10 at 2:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll View Post
(I know about 3 people who have seen this movie 40+ times)
Add one to that.

I figure it was a good effort for a first project. Beyond that, you really can't judge it too much in the "movie" category. The cliches are about what you'd expect for a first movie.
Reply
post #14 of 15
8/11/10 at 8:15pm
I love this movie but two things always bothered me. First they never talk about the money they are apparantly making. They just kind of ignore this aspect of having a hit song. And when the little guy just takes off with the Army guys. It always leaves me scratching my head.
Reply
post #15 of 15
8/11/10 at 9:38pm
I don't think the movie needed a montage scene with David Krumholtz talking on the phone exclaiming how much money The Wonders are making. Plus the movie frequently implies how much of their band is out of their hands, including money. As for the Bass Player leaving, it was that part of the movie where things need to fall apart, so they did.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Films in Release or On Video
CHUD.com Community › Forums › SPECIFIC FILMS › Films in Release or On Video › That Thing You Do! (1996)