Hey ardent readers! This time, rather than a review, I want to give information about one of my favorite actors. Why? Well actually, tonight I was watching a TV program where a new state-of-the-art film from Robert Zemeckis was introduced. The name of the film is "Polar Express" (…will be at cinemas soon). Surprisingly, the Academy Award-winning team ("Forest Gump"--directed by Zemeckis with Hanks performing the leading role--won 6 Oscars at the 67th Academy Awards) is back with a brand new movie. While I was watching the program, I realized that the prospect of seeing a new Hanks movie definitely makes me feel excited. So, I thought it would be nice to write a few words about Tom Hanks, who is one of the world's most admired and respected actors.
Tom Hanks’s acting background started with the high school plays he took part in. He continued acting while at Cal State, Sacramento. His first experience on the silver screen was a low-budget movie shot in 1980 called "He Knows You Are Alone." He then moved to Los Angeles and worked in various TV series and programs. After being cast in several movies, he earned wide respect when he won his first Oscar (Best Actor in a Leading Role in "Philadelphia") in 1993. Following this success, in 1994 he won another Oscar (Best Actor in a Leading Role) for his performance in "Forest Gump." This gave Hanks' career a significant boost. He proceeded to play roles in a number of films from different genres. In each movie, Hanks exhibited a different style of acting. Besides his serious roles in movies like "Philadelphia," "Forest Gump," "Apollo 13," "Saving Private Ryan," "Green Mile," "Cast Away," and "Road to Perdition," we have also seen Hanks as a romantic lover in two movies with the same partner, Meg Ryan: "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) and "You've Got Mail" (1998). After these movies, Hanks in a sense increased the tempo and started to take part in more comic movies like "Catch Me If You Can" and "The Terminal." Now, he will be acting as a digital image in the upcoming movie "Polar Express."
Incredible, isn't it? Well, I guess it's not surprising to learn that Hanks has won various awards, which include the following ones from notable festivals and societies: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, twice; Berlin International Film Festival Best Actor, once; Golden Globe Best Actor, four times; L.A Film Critics Association Best Actor, twice; National Board of Review Best Actor, once; and New York Film Critics Circle Best Actor, once. I believe what makes him special is the way he looks while he acts. He looks at the camera in such a concentrated way that it seems as if he even forgets that he is acting. There are many movies in which the audience simply feels that the actor/actress is just looking at the camera rather than acting. This is not the case in the movies Hank plays in. Besides, as I mentioned above, he acts in various types of roles, showing how capable he is of characterizing different personalities. Such acting leaves an incredible impression on the audience. Isn't he great?
I wish I had the chance to tell him, "Thanks for doing it." Hehe…
Anyway, I have to go now… Have fun and stay cool.l

Atilla Karakurum (IE/IV)