That Thing You Do! [Blu-ray] [1996]

Tom Hanks' writing and directing debut is the Tom Hanks of films. Charming, witty, lovable, innocent, and funny. It has the feel of the early 1960s and does a good job on how a one hit wonder can happen, especially then. Thankfully the title track is extremely catchy as it is played a lot. Congrats to Tom and his cowriters on the music. Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler carry the film, but Steve Zahn steals most of his scenes. I used to own the DVD and bought this the day I saw Best Buy had it in the store. I didn't realize that the Blu-ray included an extended version of the film. Watch to theatrical version first. It is tighter, but some of the extended and additional scenes we're good additions. Almost all made sense to be cut though. Howie Long appears in that version and if his character is what is implied, my respect for the man has grown. Tom Hanks did a great job on the first try. Tom always comes across as this nice, warm funny guy and so does this film.

Tom Hanks stepped into the directors chair for this one, a fun film that any fan of music films (and certainly any fans of 60's music) will enjoy. It's the classic tale of a band that becomes nothing more than a one hit wonder. The blu-ray features both the theatrical (my preferred, but your mileage may vary) and Hanks' directors cut of the film. The video isn't going to win any awards for it's presentation, and to it's credit the inherent image would be soft due to the lenses used, but it's a pretty weak transfer even if still yet, looks better than a recent playing on cable. The audio is better, with a 5.1 surround track (presented in lossless DTS-HD MA) that does a great job with sound field separation concerning music and ambience and dialogue, and really pumps up the films many montage sequences that are set to tunes. There's also some additional bonuses for fans of the film, and overall I'd say it's worth it to them - but only at the right price (which it was at the time in-store at BB with a musically related films end cap).

That Thing You Do, the directorial debut of actor Tom Hanks, is the story of a band in the Erie area that recruits a talented jazz drummer and scores a hit single, launching them on tours to promote their song. But in predictable fashion, behind-the-scenes drama and obstacles threaten to derail the band. The Blu-ray release includes the original theatrical version, plus a director's cut that runs 40 minutes longer with additional scenes that develop the characters further. Sadly the Blu-ray transfer is rather weak and dated, and falls well below the quality someone would expect from a release on an HD format. One can only hope the movie gets the treatment it needs in the future. Many bonus features are ported over from the older DVD release. The film comes highly recommended although the disc itself is below average in the picture quality department. Pick it up if you can get it for a good price.

The song "That Thing You Do!" is likely to become lodged in your brain along with a slew of other very catchy tunes sung by the Wonders and other "faux" music acts featured in this Tom Hanks-helmed period comedy. The film is fairly light with no sense of danger, making it light and easy fare to take in during almost any mood. It is infinitely rewatchable. I could even watch it more than once in a week. Hanks gave Charlize Theron and most of the male actors their first big acting gigs. The Blu-ray includes the Directors Cut which adds a whopping 39 minutes to the total run-time of the film! None of the added footage really makes the film seem to end any less abruptly -- it seems like we're just getting started with the success of the Wonders and then the film is over -- but it does add a lot of character development and some fun scenes that definitely should have been left in the theatrical cut.

This movie gets no attention, which is ridiculous as it's a fantastic, fun film. Tom Hanks directing and acting at his finest. The entire cast is phenomenal. The film disappointed at the box office, but I think it may have been released at just an awkward time for cinema. These days films like this are taken in with a big heart, but in the middle 90's, movies were pretty much falling apart. The bluray is pretty good in terms of quality. Appears to be a new transfer instead of rehashing the DVD, but it wasn't filmed on prime stock film so it's hard to say.

This was a blind buy for me...I must say I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. I watched the extended cut and not once did I wonder when it was going to be over. The movie follows a band to their rise to fame...The Wonders..They had one hit...Hench the expression 1 hit Wonder. Acting was great, soundtrack was awesome..Kind of 50's 60's tone..Loved the movie so much I ordered the soundtrack and have listened to it quit a bit over the last two days... The audio on this disc is really good..However the picture quality really suffers. Granted I have seen worse, but this movie isn't going to awe anyone with its picture..Highly doubtful any movie company is going to spend too much time cleaning up a catalog title. But for $5 with the TU&S, definitely worth a purchase.

The director's cut of this movie improves the movie 100%! Guy's relationship with his girlfriend (Tina) and his friendship with Jimmy's girlfriend (Faye) are enhanced, and the "I am Sparticus" reference finally makes sense. Many other scenes that were originally cut to the quick are restored, improving the storyline. What surprised me is why Tom Hanks allowed the film to be so severely cut in the first place for its initial debut. However, It is a much better film now and deserves to be given another viewing. My only criticism is that in the bonus material no mention was made on the songwriting, and how they pulled it off without replaying actual song hits of the 60's. That too, is a big part of the charm of this movie.

This movie still holds true as being awesome. Yes, you may get annoyed with hearing the same song over and over again but this movie is so fun with such a great cast of people that you may have forgotten were in it. There is an extended version of the film included that features a lot more of Charlize Theron's character as well as bonus features that also remind you of the time when this was filmed. This was the least expensive and best version of the Bluray. I am very happy. Haven't even finished watching all of the bonus features. Great soundtrack, too.