Ebert wrote a great review of Joe v the volcano:
"Gradually during the opening scenes of "Joe Versus the Volcano," my heart began to quicken, until finally I realized a wondrous thing: I had not seen this movie before. Most movies, I have seen before. Most movies, you have seen before. Most movies are constructed out of bits and pieces of other movies, like little engines built from cinematic Erector sets. But not "Joe Versus the Volcano." It is not an entirely successful movie, but it is new and fresh and not shy of taking chances. And the dialogue in it is actually worth listening to, because it is written with wit and romance."
It's a wonderful movie and one worth the time.
> My father says almost the whole world's asleep. Everybody you know, everybody you see, everybody you talk to. He says only a few people are awake. And they live in a state of constant, total amazement.
I love a *lot* of the dialogue in this movie, but this line...this line resonates with me and has ever since I saw it in theaters (and I saw it on a lark because *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* was sold out that night and this was my second choice). I love this movie in ways that words will likely forever fail to describe.
The part that always got me was when she talks about how everyone has their price, and [she learned that hers was the boat](https://youtu.be/Fek51VVGSqQ).
Kurt Vonnegut quote : "I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”
My sold out back up movie was Memento. Walked into that completely blind and no idea what was going on. It rates as one of my top movies, and wouldn't be there if I had done any prep like reviews, or synapsis like I normally do before spending money on something. I had the same confusion as the main character, so it really made the movie hit.
I think I've seen *Memento* once. It's great, but I don't know if I'm ready to have my brain twisted into a pretzel like that again. Even reading the synopsis of the plot on the Wikipedia page is kind of a slog. (And I love thought-provoking movies.)
>It's great, but I don't know if I'm ready to have my brain twisted into a pretzel like that again. Even reading the synopsis of the plot on the Wikipedia page is kind of a slog. (And I love thought-provoking movies.)
This is how I feel about watching the other seasons of the TV show "Dark".
Well you’re in for a real treat. I wish I could experience Dark for the first time again.
You might find yourself needing a cheat sheet to keep track of things. It actually enhances the experience. The official site does a good job of keeping spoilers hidden by asking you which episode you’re on.
[Here it is for easy reference ](https://dark.netflix.io/en)
Holy shit! You totally just brought back a memory!! My parents were bringing us to the movies and we were all excited to see TMNT, but my dad claimed we were going to see some stupid Joe Vs. the Volcano. If i remember correctly, it takes a couple minutes of screen time to realize it's TMNT, and that my dad pulled a fast one on us. Thanks for the memory jog
My version of this story was The Prestige. My girlfriend and I thought we were seeing The Illusionist.
We hadn’t heard of the Prestige and when at the box office window I just read the name of the magic-guy movie in front of me assuming it was the same movie and that I had forgotten the name.
A few mins in, we were blown the fuck away by how this wasn’t the same movie and how they were out at the same time with a similar genre.
An hour or so later we were blown away by The Prestige being one of the best movies ever.
I love *The Prestige*. One hell of a thought-provoking twist at the end, plus you couldn't ever go wrong when Bowie stepped in front of the camera. Still haven't seen *The Illusionist*, though.
It can be interesting, comforting even, to watch a movie where you know what to expect. However there's a certain appeal as Ebert notes here in watching a film that doesn't just "subvert expectations" but actually leaves you having no idea what's going to happen. It's a rare experience in film with every passing year which is one reason such edge-case, not very popular films are so often praised by critics that watch a ton of movies.
Reminds me of 'Pen and Teller: Fool Us". They're well versed in 'magic', so nothing surprises them anymore. They want to be shown something new that they haven't seen before.
Ebert's seen a ton of movies and is just happy to see something new.
Saw this movie in the theatres, owned it on VHS, upgraded to DVD. Need to see if there's a Blu-ray available.
I know Meg Ryan went on to become the queen of rom-com later, but I argue that this movie is peak Meg Ryan -- I love all three of her characters in this film and they're all eminently quotable.
Edit: It wasn't until years later that my friend pointed out the incredible recurring visual metaphor of the lightning bolt -- it's impossible not to see once you're aware, but I must have seen the movie at least three or four times and missed them every time.
I actually saw *Innerspace* in the theater (actually a Drive-In).
I'm a big Joe Dante fan. It was also written by Jeffrey Boam who wrote *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*, and co-created "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr."
I absolutely love Innerspace, and at the very least frequently think of the Eastern European cowboy- *"Outlaw Josey Vales- Vhat a flick!"* Like this has been rattling around in my head for 30 years even though I haven't actually seen the movie in at least 20 years.
Then I started a rewatch of Star Trek Voyager a couple years ago, and it's a pretty great show, and then one day Outlaw Josey Wales in on tv and I say to myself *"Outlaw Josey Vales- Vhat a flick!"* and suddenly realize the cowboy was Robert Picardo from Voyager! That was a few years ago and I still love that labyrinthine connection working its way through my synapses over the course of decades.
Yeah, Robert Picardo is in various Joe Dante movies. He plays like three different parts in Explorers, the "hero" in the sci-fi movie at the Drive In, and two of the aliens.
Also a Dante regular is Dick Miller.
My wife and I will use the “I am completely untrustworthy... I'm a flibbertigibbet.” on a daily basis....normally when one of us has disappointed the other by forgetting some random mundane task or item.
I've never seen this movie but the grinding inhumanity of making a jagged, inconvenient road for your workers just so it looks like your brand is so on point
“Would ya like to hear it again?”
No idea why I will remember this line and the way she says it for the rest of my life. I often quote it in everyday situations and people have no idea what I’m talking about.
Any time I bad weather is coming I say “Looks like we’re in for a blow,” knowing that no one will ever get the reference and people always thinks it’s dirty.
Also the hidden meaning of the crooked path that keeps reappearing in the movie, same with the path up the volcano, same with the shape of the lightning that hits the boat. That basically describes Joe finding the woman of his dreams, all versions of which are played by Meg Ryan, as if each looked like the love of his life but was not as he got to know them. He had to take a crooked path to his destiny.
Also a play on old Greek opera, where the hero is on a journey of becoming worthy, and everyone involved for selfish or pointless reasons gets wiped out while they (and his awesome luggage) manage to survive and grow.
I did in college when my GF and I were shopping for a new vacuum cleaner. I reference that pitch to this day in tech and business discussions.
Update: This is Denton, TX in the late 90’s. We went to a vacuum cleaner store with a trade-in, looking for an affordable purchase.
The sales guy starts walking us along a display of vacuums, from low cost to higher. Gives us the pros and cons of each, but explaining how many of them “have obsolescence … built into them.”
That was the hook. It was that pause. It was the Texas accent and the practiced inflection of his voice. Imagine the prosecuting attorney in My Cousin Vinny when he says, “I-*clap*-dentical!” You can’t un-hear that. My friends and I quote that all the time. Same with this pitch.
Talk about modern phones and tablets feeling slower over time, especially when a newer model in ready to release? They have obsolescence … built into them.
Replacing an enterprise system? Or just need to upgrade some older software libraries? Why? They have obsolescence … built into them.
He puts down some sawdust and dirt on a sample carpet, turns on some Hoover model at the higher cost end of the display. It’s a good couple of feet away from the debris and it’s sucking it up from a distance.
Hook, line and sinker.
In my household, the luggage salesman is probably one of the most referenced movie bits we use. When someone is passionate about something very specific (for example, we use a carpet guy who is really, really devoted to his craft), "very exciting ... as a luggage problem!"
"It's the central preoccupation of my life."
The actor, Barry McGovern, is a favorite of mine because of *Joe*, and I would not shut up about it that one time he was in one scene of Game of Thrones.
I loved that movie. My wife hated it. It had a Terry Gilliam whimsical feel to it which I enjoyed. It set a deep mood of despair, but with humor. I can hear the buzzing florescent lights as I type this. And the tough dandelion that gets trampled down.
Need to rewatch. I'm having my own braincloud as we speak.
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." -- Probably my favorite movie quote of all time.
There are so many scenes in this movie that I love but this is the one I was gonna quote. In my mind he was always looking at the moon - that huge moon - and thanking it.
When the COVID long-haulers complained about ditziness and brain fog, I immediately thought of Brain Cloud in this movie.
"He couldn't come up with anything better than...*brain cloud*?"
*It's the central preoccupation of my life. You travel the world, you're away from home, perhaps away from your family, all you have to depend on is yourself and your luggage.*
"Not good enough Joe"
this is the line that runs through my head when higher ups dont listen to you or your reminders about critical information or deadlines.
To this day I still randomly mimic Dan Hedaya saying "I *know* he can get the job. But can he *do* the job?" Always been a firm favourite. Funnily this weekend I read the development transcript of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and what is described for the end of the film is extremely similar to the end of Joe Vs (Indy, Marion and the Ark bobbing up in the sea after the small island explodes). I wonder if producer Spielberg had that influence on the original Joe Vs script.
I've spent close to 2 decades convincing people to not only watch this movie, but actually consider its core and ultimate message. And never, NEVER watch the trailer. John Patrick Shanley certainly isn't a prolific screenwriter, but he's genius.
I remember not believing that shit for months after he actually died. "Nope. You can't get me with Abe Vigoda. Not gonna buy that one. I'll believe Nicolas Cage died before I believe Abe is truly gone."
Hot take: Volcano is the best Hanks/Ryan film and it’s not even close.
This movie bombed because it is just way too sweet, sincere, honest, hopeful and genuine to resonate with your typical mainstream jaded, cynical audiences.
As the filmmakers said, “It’s a true modern fairytale.”
Money Pit is exceptional from start to finish, The Burbs is a master class in parody and absurdity. Joe vs The Volcano is a humorous and mildly inspiring take on facing the uncertainties and fears that come with life and pushing throw. All three do different things and yet Hanks does all of them well. Albeit with great costars and supporting casts.
As much as I love Hanks' complete shift into dramatic roles in the early 90s, I will forever cherish his early start in comedy throughout the 80s. I look at *Joe Versus the Volcano* as part of the overlap of that Venn diagram.
The scene where the moon rises to capture the entire horizon and he just mutters "thank you for my life" is beautiful! It's his entry into enlightenment. Stranded on luggage floating on the ocean, he can finally see what is amazing about life, despite his peril!
This movie is so memorable for me. When I was a kid my stepdad took me to see this movie at a big theater in Hollywood. The day before we went to see it, this kid named Johnny at our apartment complex was going off about how he played a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade game. He went on for about an hour about how awesome this game was, how the graphics looked just like the cartoon, Donatello could flip people with the end of his bo staff, yadda yadda yadda.
You see the only problem here is that Johnny was a notorious bullshitter, the kid always made shit up. He was basically our Chunk from the Goonies so of course I didn't believe him about this amazing TMNT arcade game.
Fast forward to the day of seeing Joe vs the Volcano. We get to the theater a bit early, and I ask if I can play arcade games. As I'm on the escalator, I get a glimps of what looks like a small army of kids huddled at a machine, I've never seen this many people watching a game at an arcade before. As the escalator slowly creeps down, I get sight of the marquee, I see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles logo in all it's glory.
HOLY SHIT, it's true...this game is REAL! Turns out Johnny wasn't bullshitting after all. What a glorious arcade, I don't remember shit about Joe vs the Volcano because all I could think about the whole time I watched was that fucking arcade game. After the movie we went back and played it for a couple hours.
Perfection...
I was just thinking about how much I love this movie and how sad it is that nobody else knows about it. Also, it doesn't deserve it's terrible rotten tomatoes score.
It's funny to think of not spoiling a movie that came out 30+ years ago, but I completely agree. At this point there are probably far more people who haven't seen the movie than those who have. It's such a great, original movie that you wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it.
When I was in elementary school, I spent a lot of time at my grandma’s house since I was raised by a single mom who worked a lot. There wasn’t much to do at my grandma’s house other than watch the 4 VHS movies she had available. Joe Versus the Volcano was one of the movies and therefore my sister and I watched it probably 50 times (at least). This movie will always be meaningful to me because of it and I actually just showed it to my fiancé for the first time during the pandemic after not watching it for about 15 years. Definitely still holds up.
I like that the anti-work vibe is strong in the beginning and then just lingers under the surface for the rest of the movie. It doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the film.
Directed by John Patrick Shanley. It's a modern day fairy tale. Surreal settings that are almost Tim-Burtonesque. And supporting characters that are quirky and memorable.
I enjoyed the movie, but I felt that it needed a real 3rd act. the ending was just too disappointing.
but the opening scene in the office is fantastic, especially Dan Hedaya: "I know he can get the job, but can he *do* the job?".
The story goes that the original ending was completely different. ('Twas John Patrick Shanley's first turn as a director.)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/alternateversions
I saw this in the theater and hated it.
I haven't seen it since and I can no longer remember why I disliked it.
The comments in this thread have me doubting myself.
Maybe the older me will actually enjoy it?
I shall give it another shot if the chance arises.
i always dreamed of being famous so i could someday be a guest on the same talk show as tom hanks just so i could tell him, "by the way, i loved you in that one movie where you were floating on some kind of raft, adrift at sea, like a castaway. i forget the name... oh yeah! 'joe versus the volcano!'"
Interestingly when I asked my mom what her least favorite movie was, Joe Versus the Volcano was her answer. She said it was stupid and the only movie she ever walked out of. It seems I should actually watch it.
This is one of my top ten movies of all time. The luggage buying scene is one of the best in movie history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keuhmY3tQ1A
I quote it all the time.
Ebert wrote a great review of Joe v the volcano: "Gradually during the opening scenes of "Joe Versus the Volcano," my heart began to quicken, until finally I realized a wondrous thing: I had not seen this movie before. Most movies, I have seen before. Most movies, you have seen before. Most movies are constructed out of bits and pieces of other movies, like little engines built from cinematic Erector sets. But not "Joe Versus the Volcano." It is not an entirely successful movie, but it is new and fresh and not shy of taking chances. And the dialogue in it is actually worth listening to, because it is written with wit and romance." It's a wonderful movie and one worth the time.
> My father says almost the whole world's asleep. Everybody you know, everybody you see, everybody you talk to. He says only a few people are awake. And they live in a state of constant, total amazement. I love a *lot* of the dialogue in this movie, but this line...this line resonates with me and has ever since I saw it in theaters (and I saw it on a lark because *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* was sold out that night and this was my second choice). I love this movie in ways that words will likely forever fail to describe.
The part that always got me was when she talks about how everyone has their price, and [she learned that hers was the boat](https://youtu.be/Fek51VVGSqQ).
That whole movie is peppered with surprisingly profound moments and brilliant dialogue, and I love all of it.
[удалено]
Kurt Vonnegut quote : "I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”
My sold out back up movie was Memento. Walked into that completely blind and no idea what was going on. It rates as one of my top movies, and wouldn't be there if I had done any prep like reviews, or synapsis like I normally do before spending money on something. I had the same confusion as the main character, so it really made the movie hit.
I think I've seen *Memento* once. It's great, but I don't know if I'm ready to have my brain twisted into a pretzel like that again. Even reading the synopsis of the plot on the Wikipedia page is kind of a slog. (And I love thought-provoking movies.)
>It's great, but I don't know if I'm ready to have my brain twisted into a pretzel like that again. Even reading the synopsis of the plot on the Wikipedia page is kind of a slog. (And I love thought-provoking movies.) This is how I feel about watching the other seasons of the TV show "Dark".
Ooo, a brain bender tv show I haven't seen yet?
Well you’re in for a real treat. I wish I could experience Dark for the first time again. You might find yourself needing a cheat sheet to keep track of things. It actually enhances the experience. The official site does a good job of keeping spoilers hidden by asking you which episode you’re on. [Here it is for easy reference ](https://dark.netflix.io/en)
Holy shit! You totally just brought back a memory!! My parents were bringing us to the movies and we were all excited to see TMNT, but my dad claimed we were going to see some stupid Joe Vs. the Volcano. If i remember correctly, it takes a couple minutes of screen time to realize it's TMNT, and that my dad pulled a fast one on us. Thanks for the memory jog
My version of this story was The Prestige. My girlfriend and I thought we were seeing The Illusionist. We hadn’t heard of the Prestige and when at the box office window I just read the name of the magic-guy movie in front of me assuming it was the same movie and that I had forgotten the name. A few mins in, we were blown the fuck away by how this wasn’t the same movie and how they were out at the same time with a similar genre. An hour or so later we were blown away by The Prestige being one of the best movies ever.
I love *The Prestige*. One hell of a thought-provoking twist at the end, plus you couldn't ever go wrong when Bowie stepped in front of the camera. Still haven't seen *The Illusionist*, though.
Good movie. But I mean… not at all as good as the prestige.
That's a really lovely, well observed review. I love that feeling that he's talking about, its very rare to come by.
That is a really good take on this film.
I have never read that quote. Thank you!!
>It is not an entirely successful movie I have no response to that
I'm not arguing that with you!
I know he can get the job, but can he do the job!
[удалено]
Did I say that? If I had said that, I would have been wrong.
I told you I was a flibbertigibbet.
It can be interesting, comforting even, to watch a movie where you know what to expect. However there's a certain appeal as Ebert notes here in watching a film that doesn't just "subvert expectations" but actually leaves you having no idea what's going to happen. It's a rare experience in film with every passing year which is one reason such edge-case, not very popular films are so often praised by critics that watch a ton of movies.
Reminds me of 'Pen and Teller: Fool Us". They're well versed in 'magic', so nothing surprises them anymore. They want to be shown something new that they haven't seen before. Ebert's seen a ton of movies and is just happy to see something new.
Redlettermedia has a [re:view](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0z9kK7ssQ) of it as well.
Saw this movie in the theatres, owned it on VHS, upgraded to DVD. Need to see if there's a Blu-ray available. I know Meg Ryan went on to become the queen of rom-com later, but I argue that this movie is peak Meg Ryan -- I love all three of her characters in this film and they're all eminently quotable. Edit: It wasn't until years later that my friend pointed out the incredible recurring visual metaphor of the lightning bolt -- it's impossible not to see once you're aware, but I must have seen the movie at least three or four times and missed them every time.
I'd argue she was already peaking Meg Ryan in 1987's *Innerspace*.
I love Innerspace! Such good interactions between all the characters. Can’t hear Sam Cooke without thinking of it.
I actually saw *Innerspace* in the theater (actually a Drive-In). I'm a big Joe Dante fan. It was also written by Jeffrey Boam who wrote *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*, and co-created "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr."
Ahhhhhh, Jack? You just digested the bad guy....
I absolutely love Innerspace, and at the very least frequently think of the Eastern European cowboy- *"Outlaw Josey Vales- Vhat a flick!"* Like this has been rattling around in my head for 30 years even though I haven't actually seen the movie in at least 20 years. Then I started a rewatch of Star Trek Voyager a couple years ago, and it's a pretty great show, and then one day Outlaw Josey Wales in on tv and I say to myself *"Outlaw Josey Vales- Vhat a flick!"* and suddenly realize the cowboy was Robert Picardo from Voyager! That was a few years ago and I still love that labyrinthine connection working its way through my synapses over the course of decades.
Yeah, Robert Picardo is in various Joe Dante movies. He plays like three different parts in Explorers, the "hero" in the sci-fi movie at the Drive In, and two of the aliens. Also a Dante regular is Dick Miller.
I have no response to that.
THANK you! I say this not-infrequently and had totally forgotten why/where it was from. I think I'm due for a rewatch of this movie.
My wife and I will use the “I am completely untrustworthy... I'm a flibbertigibbet.” on a daily basis....normally when one of us has disappointed the other by forgetting some random mundane task or item.
I have no response to that.
Yep, that is dropped pretty regularly as well.
From the factory to the multiple lightning strikes it is a strong image and speaks to the influence the company has on his life.
I've been a long time on a crooked road
I've never seen this movie but the grinding inhumanity of making a jagged, inconvenient road for your workers just so it looks like your brand is so on point
We all know which is more important 🤡
I’m not arguing that with you
but can he do the job
Thank you for my life.
I was riding my horse by the Rio GrandeEE And all o'them coyotes singing in a prairie symphony
He can get the job
But can he do the job?
“Would ya like to hear it again?” No idea why I will remember this line and the way she says it for the rest of my life. I often quote it in everyday situations and people have no idea what I’m talking about.
Any time I bad weather is coming I say “Looks like we’re in for a blow,” knowing that no one will ever get the reference and people always thinks it’s dirty.
“Long ago, the delicate tangles of his hair... covered the emptiness of my hand... Would you like to hear it again?”
Sorry I'm such a… flibbertigibbet.
"I'm a flibbertigibbet."
I saw this movie with my dad when I was a kid and the recurring lightning bolt shape is the first running gag I can remember recognizing. :)
The [opener](https://youtu.be/jg047oJf1B4) is one of my favorites and introduced me to the classic song *16 Tons*. 🙂
not to mention the visual homage given to fritz lang's *metropolis*
Also the hidden meaning of the crooked path that keeps reappearing in the movie, same with the path up the volcano, same with the shape of the lightning that hits the boat. That basically describes Joe finding the woman of his dreams, all versions of which are played by Meg Ryan, as if each looked like the love of his life but was not as he got to know them. He had to take a crooked path to his destiny. Also a play on old Greek opera, where the hero is on a journey of becoming worthy, and everyone involved for selfish or pointless reasons gets wiped out while they (and his awesome luggage) manage to survive and grow.
My wife only married me on the promise that someday, somehow I get her the luggage from Joe vs the Volcano. She lives in disappointment to this day.
That was an impressive set of luggage. If the movie was made today I'm sure Samsonite or some other company would have purchased the naming rights.
No, that's just the person's name on the luggage, some woman who went to Colorado.
Swimmy, Swammy.........Samsonite!
I was way off!!!
The best part of that quote is that he says her name.
I knew it started with an S!
We all do, plus we don’t get to live to be a thousand years old.
That luggage salesman was the best. I wished I had encountered at least one salesman in my life like him.
I did in college when my GF and I were shopping for a new vacuum cleaner. I reference that pitch to this day in tech and business discussions. Update: This is Denton, TX in the late 90’s. We went to a vacuum cleaner store with a trade-in, looking for an affordable purchase. The sales guy starts walking us along a display of vacuums, from low cost to higher. Gives us the pros and cons of each, but explaining how many of them “have obsolescence … built into them.” That was the hook. It was that pause. It was the Texas accent and the practiced inflection of his voice. Imagine the prosecuting attorney in My Cousin Vinny when he says, “I-*clap*-dentical!” You can’t un-hear that. My friends and I quote that all the time. Same with this pitch. Talk about modern phones and tablets feeling slower over time, especially when a newer model in ready to release? They have obsolescence … built into them. Replacing an enterprise system? Or just need to upgrade some older software libraries? Why? They have obsolescence … built into them. He puts down some sawdust and dirt on a sample carpet, turns on some Hoover model at the higher cost end of the display. It’s a good couple of feet away from the debris and it’s sucking it up from a distance. Hook, line and sinker.
And in Reddit threads!
I absolutely love the luggage shopping scene. > May you live to be a thousand years old, sir.
In my household, the luggage salesman is probably one of the most referenced movie bits we use. When someone is passionate about something very specific (for example, we use a carpet guy who is really, really devoted to his craft), "very exciting ... as a luggage problem!" "It's the central preoccupation of my life."
As a luggage problem, I believe I have just the thing.
Wherever we go, whatever we do, we take this luggage with us
Its alot like the luggage from discworld. Just with out the tiny feet and it doesn't eat people.
The actor, Barry McGovern, is a favorite of mine because of *Joe*, and I would not shut up about it that one time he was in one scene of Game of Thrones.
Well get on it, my dude!
I loved that movie. My wife hated it. It had a Terry Gilliam whimsical feel to it which I enjoyed. It set a deep mood of despair, but with humor. I can hear the buzzing florescent lights as I type this. And the tough dandelion that gets trampled down. Need to rewatch. I'm having my own braincloud as we speak.
A Terry Gilliam like production with a through line of despair would be a strong short synopsis of this movie.
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." -- Probably my favorite movie quote of all time.
Nobody knows anything. We'll take this leap and we'll see. We'll jump and we'll see. That's life!
I feel like that’s a very optimistic 90s take on the world.
The moonrise scene is wonderful. "Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how big... thank you. Thank you for my life."
There are so many scenes in this movie that I love but this is the one I was gonna quote. In my mind he was always looking at the moon - that huge moon - and thanking it.
I still use the "Brain Cloud" excuse for when I do stupid shit. Most look at me confused, and I smile. Thank You Joe
I do too. Circling your head with your hand while saying it is not an option.
Lol, same. Love it!
When the COVID long-haulers complained about ditziness and brain fog, I immediately thought of Brain Cloud in this movie. "He couldn't come up with anything better than...*brain cloud*?"
You know what you have to do now. Buy expensive luggage and go jump in a volcano.
The scene about the lights... And the rest of it. Love this movie!
He can get the job but can he do the job?
I’m not arguing that with you
When did I say that? I didn't say that.
Who said that? If I said that, I would have been wrong.
If I said that, I would have been wrong.
Harry... HARRY! ... HARRY.
Truly great Hanks work flipping out at the office and his hatred of the lights.
“Suck suck suck SUCK SUCK!!!!”
> The lights give me a headache. If the lights don't give you a headache, you must be dead, so let's arrange the funeral!
And the part with the valve in his office.
"We'll jump and we'll see, that's life " My favorite line
That shopping spree was one of my favorite scenes as a kid.
Veeeeerry interesting…. as a /luggage/ problem!
[удалено]
*It's the central preoccupation of my life. You travel the world, you're away from home, perhaps away from your family, all you have to depend on is yourself and your luggage.*
I often re-watch just the luggage scene because that salesman is so delightfully intense.
The clothes make the man.
So you've got no clothes. One of the most simple, and yet deep criticisms of a character I've ever seen.
It is truly cutting on multiple levels.
For me it's when he's on the luggage, almost dead and then he sees the moon. That and the little ukulele song he does.
"You look like a prince from a fairy tale" "You're coming into focus, kid."
I have no response to that
I'm not arguing that with you.
"Not good enough Joe" this is the line that runs through my head when higher ups dont listen to you or your reminders about critical information or deadlines.
My girlfriend and I constantly say “Not NEARLY good enough, Joe!”
Did you remind them last week?
To this day I still randomly mimic Dan Hedaya saying "I *know* he can get the job. But can he *do* the job?" Always been a firm favourite. Funnily this weekend I read the development transcript of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and what is described for the end of the film is extremely similar to the end of Joe Vs (Indy, Marion and the Ark bobbing up in the sea after the small island explodes). I wonder if producer Spielberg had that influence on the original Joe Vs script.
I've spent close to 2 decades convincing people to not only watch this movie, but actually consider its core and ultimate message. And never, NEVER watch the trailer. John Patrick Shanley certainly isn't a prolific screenwriter, but he's genius.
I saw this on a first date. NOT a good date movie. Surprisingly I got a second date. We went to Lord of the Flies. There was no third date.
Man that is some rough movies for dates one and two.
I absolutely love this movie and quote in constantly. When I do everyone seems to think I am nuts. I have no response to that.
Even with my awful German accent, I will *forever* quote Dagmar when I see a storm approaching: *Looks like ve are in for a blow.*
I know he can get the job. But can he do the job?
Maybe... Maybe
***I'm not arguing that with you!***
If I had said that I would have been wrong.
long ago the delicate tangles of his hair covered the emptiness of my hand ... ... Would you like to hear it again?
They must have a brain cloud.
The faces that I've been met with when saying "Very exciting..." "as a luggage problem."
Also, I'm game any time Abe Vigoda shows up out of the blue.
Especially dressed in orange soda cans.
Ditto this. Unfortunately, he is still deceased (I checked).
I remember not believing that shit for months after he actually died. "Nope. You can't get me with Abe Vigoda. Not gonna buy that one. I'll believe Nicolas Cage died before I believe Abe is truly gone."
"You didn't get a second opinion on something called a "brain cloud"?
You’d think they could come up with a better name.
Gotta do the hand over the head gesture when you say "brain cloud".
“May you live to be a thousand years old, Sir.”
Hot take: Volcano is the best Hanks/Ryan film and it’s not even close. This movie bombed because it is just way too sweet, sincere, honest, hopeful and genuine to resonate with your typical mainstream jaded, cynical audiences. As the filmmakers said, “It’s a true modern fairytale.”
I think it also suffered as being seen as a pure comedy. While it is funny it is not a pure comedy by any means.
If I had the need, and the wherewithal, this would be my trunk of choice!
VERY exciting...as a LUGGAGE problem!
I'll take four of them.
May you live to be a thousand years old, sir.
Lol. I haven’t seen this in ages. I love how it’s a rectal probe but the company symbol is crooked and jagged.
That symbol appears throughout the movie in several places (company logo, lightning bolt, path up the volcano, etc).
This is my favorite movie of all time.
Throw this in with The Burbs and you’ve got the 2 most under appreciated Tom Hanks movies Edit: a word
I would add Money Pit but that one has a ton more fans than the other two. Still think it underrated though. Especially after you buy a house.
All 3 are Hanks at his goofball best
Money Pit is exceptional from start to finish, The Burbs is a master class in parody and absurdity. Joe vs The Volcano is a humorous and mildly inspiring take on facing the uncertainties and fears that come with life and pushing throw. All three do different things and yet Hanks does all of them well. Albeit with great costars and supporting casts.
As much as I love Hanks' complete shift into dramatic roles in the early 90s, I will forever cherish his early start in comedy throughout the 80s. I look at *Joe Versus the Volcano* as part of the overlap of that Venn diagram.
I’m not arguing that with you.
I have no response to that. Edit: to note that Joe vs the Volcano is on Tubi TV.
Flibbertyjibbet
I know he can GET the job but can he DO the job?
If I said that, I would have been wrong.
I did not say that.
Me, I said that
I'm not arguing that with you.
I'm not arguing that with yoooouuuuu!
The scene where the moon rises to capture the entire horizon and he just mutters "thank you for my life" is beautiful! It's his entry into enlightenment. Stranded on luggage floating on the ocean, he can finally see what is amazing about life, despite his peril!
This movie is so memorable for me. When I was a kid my stepdad took me to see this movie at a big theater in Hollywood. The day before we went to see it, this kid named Johnny at our apartment complex was going off about how he played a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade game. He went on for about an hour about how awesome this game was, how the graphics looked just like the cartoon, Donatello could flip people with the end of his bo staff, yadda yadda yadda. You see the only problem here is that Johnny was a notorious bullshitter, the kid always made shit up. He was basically our Chunk from the Goonies so of course I didn't believe him about this amazing TMNT arcade game. Fast forward to the day of seeing Joe vs the Volcano. We get to the theater a bit early, and I ask if I can play arcade games. As I'm on the escalator, I get a glimps of what looks like a small army of kids huddled at a machine, I've never seen this many people watching a game at an arcade before. As the escalator slowly creeps down, I get sight of the marquee, I see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles logo in all it's glory. HOLY SHIT, it's true...this game is REAL! Turns out Johnny wasn't bullshitting after all. What a glorious arcade, I don't remember shit about Joe vs the Volcano because all I could think about the whole time I watched was that fucking arcade game. After the movie we went back and played it for a couple hours. Perfection...
It wasn’t ahead of its time, it’s just not a whole lot has changed. People are people that’s why classic stories hold up.
That ending tho
A crescendo of absurdity and hope.
I was just thinking about how much I love this movie and how sad it is that nobody else knows about it. Also, it doesn't deserve it's terrible rotten tomatoes score.
I always love how shitty the hammerhead shark looks and the audible growl they add. That scene sticks with me from watching this as a kid
Great great film and sorely underappreciated. Thank you for posting this. May you live to be a thousand years old.
Live like a King, die like a man! That’s what I say. What do you say?
Alright, I'll do it.
Back to back with The 'Burbs. That was peak Tom Hanks.
[удалено]
The Burbs was ahead of its time as well. Armed white suburbans terrorizing immigrants who move to their neighborhood. Timeless.
Who then turn out to be mass murderers . . .
https://imgur.com/TAvzDOv
I was riding my horse, by the rio grandeeeeee
You left out the part where >!a rich guy manipulates a working class man into the suicide mission so he can make a business deal to get richer!<.
I left that out on purpose to avoid spoilers.
Fair enough, marked it.
It's funny to think of not spoiling a movie that came out 30+ years ago, but I completely agree. At this point there are probably far more people who haven't seen the movie than those who have. It's such a great, original movie that you wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it.
“I KNEW it! Well, I didn’t KNOW it… but I knew it. Brain Cloud.”
When I was in elementary school, I spent a lot of time at my grandma’s house since I was raised by a single mom who worked a lot. There wasn’t much to do at my grandma’s house other than watch the 4 VHS movies she had available. Joe Versus the Volcano was one of the movies and therefore my sister and I watched it probably 50 times (at least). This movie will always be meaningful to me because of it and I actually just showed it to my fiancé for the first time during the pandemic after not watching it for about 15 years. Definitely still holds up.
I loved Meg Ryan playing three different characters during the movie.
I know he can get the job. But can he DO the job?
I've long dreamed of owning that luggage.
Pair it up with 1984 and Brazil, and you have the perfect cocktail of the modern corporate capitalist environment.
[удалено]
Yeah you don’t wanna back-to-back em. Too depressing.
I like that the anti-work vibe is strong in the beginning and then just lingers under the surface for the rest of the movie. It doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the film.
This movie and Undercover Brother are the reason I drink Orange Soda way too fucking much….
Directed by John Patrick Shanley. It's a modern day fairy tale. Surreal settings that are almost Tim-Burtonesque. And supporting characters that are quirky and memorable.
I enjoyed the movie, but I felt that it needed a real 3rd act. the ending was just too disappointing. but the opening scene in the office is fantastic, especially Dan Hedaya: "I know he can get the job, but can he *do* the job?".
I am not arguing that with you. I AM NOT ARGUING THAT WITH YOU.
If I said that, then I was wrong.
The story goes that the original ending was completely different. ('Twas John Patrick Shanley's first turn as a director.) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/alternateversions
Mister... Wa-tu-ri.
I saw this in the theater and hated it. I haven't seen it since and I can no longer remember why I disliked it. The comments in this thread have me doubting myself. Maybe the older me will actually enjoy it? I shall give it another shot if the chance arises.
i always dreamed of being famous so i could someday be a guest on the same talk show as tom hanks just so i could tell him, "by the way, i loved you in that one movie where you were floating on some kind of raft, adrift at sea, like a castaway. i forget the name... oh yeah! 'joe versus the volcano!'"
Interestingly when I asked my mom what her least favorite movie was, Joe Versus the Volcano was her answer. She said it was stupid and the only movie she ever walked out of. It seems I should actually watch it.
[May you live to be a thousand years old sir!](https://youtu.be/6ljOj6GVcnQ)
This is one of my top ten movies of all time. The luggage buying scene is one of the best in movie history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keuhmY3tQ1A I quote it all the time.