IW002 - Cast Away
Remember when Tom Hanks seemed to be in every movie?
He was in 13 movies just between 1990 and 2000, culminating with the release of Cast Away. His stardom meant carrying the 2 hour 23 minute movie almost entirely by himself. But he was never alone. The island was there for him, and the island is what we are here for too! To listen, click below.
We’ve got another Island Watch Picnic Pick exclusive for you this week.
But first, grab your beverage of choice, and get ready for Island Watch’s Cast Away drinking game. If drinks aren’t your thing, then instead of a shot, do a sit-up, or lovingly squeeze your dog / cat / ferret, or donate to a local charity. Whatever your action, you won’t believe the simplicity of this game. Just do your thing every time you see the Fed-Ex logo (including in Russian. You will be kept veeeeeeeeeeeeery busy indeed.
Now, back to snacks! If you’re watching our show-of-the week, a bowl of popcorn is adequate. But why not level up your sense of being on the island?That’s why we are all here, right? To bring you even more island per visit, we’ve created customized picnics for each show.
Island Watch Picnic Picks
for Cast Away
Candied Yams: Chuck Noland’s (Tom Hanks) last big meal pre-castaway is a Christmas Eve feast. I mean, you could roast a whole turkey and make all the fixins, but these are movie snacks we’re talking. Yams suffice.
Coconut Water: In one of his solo castaway rambles, Chuck calls out Gilligan - yes, the very same from our last episode - for not sharing the info that coconut milk can have a laxative effect. You can follow Chuck’s lead and opt for plain water. Just be sure it’s rain or dew captured in a leaf.
Crab: Preferably cooked Chuck’s endorsement: “You gotta love it.”
Fish: Only if freshly speared and roasted on a fire.
Sushi: Oh mercy, the irony of it. One of the feasts Chuck is treated to on his return to civilization. Giant crab legs: Ditto.
Coffee: Ah….sweet, sweet rejuvenating hot bean juice.
Licensed through Unsplash
Island Hopping
We got curious. Did the actors from Cast Away go on to act on other island shows, post-Cast Away?
Chuck Noland: Tom Hanks has made a number of water-based movies (Captain Phillips, Sully) since Cast Away, but nothing beats his real-life purchase of a villa on a peaceful Greek island. No reports if he takes Wilson along for the r&r. Uh ... that’s Wilson the volleyball, not Rita Wilson, his wife. That’s a given.
Kelly Frears: Helen Hunt appears in 2011’s Soul Surfer, playing the mom of the title character. Once again, a great island challenge affects her loved one. This time, it’s a shark attack. Based on a true story; get your tissues ready. Hopefully, the third time is a charm and Helen gets to be the headliner in an island movie of her own one of these days.
Photo by Abbie Bernet. Licensed through Unsplash.
Ratings
Because you asked... we now have ratings for all the shows and movies we watch.
To make sure you can find exactly the island show that's right for you, we answer two questions for each show:
Does this show make me feel like I’m actually on the island? That's our specialized Island Rating. No other show gives you that!
Do we recommend this show? Our Star Rating lets you know if we loved a show or not, regardless of the island.
***
Island Rating
Gemma: Splashing In The Surf (5 out of 5)
Once you're past the first 30 minutes of snow and non-ironic ugly Christmas sweaters, the island becomes one of the film’s characters.
Dave: Splashing In The Surf (5 out of 5)
The cinematography and sparse soundscape really create a sense of being right there, cast away, on the island.
Star Rating
Gemma: 3 out of 5
At 2 hours and 23 minutes, it's good if you want a long winter's evening film. For me, I'd fast-forward to the island scenes to increase my rating here.
Dave: 4 out of 5
It's a solid movie, with a superb performance by Tom Hanks.
Licensed through Unsplash
Find The Island: This week’s puzzle features an island home to both high fashion and some of the world’s best noodles.
Our next island: After two south Pacific islands, we head for the north Atlantic’s Newfoundland, and watch The Grand Seduction. It’s a sweet and funny tale you won’t want to miss.
Messages in a Bottle: The best way to get in touch with us is by email. Send your questions and comments to us at islandwatchpodcast@gmail.com