Joe Versus the Volcano (1990 John Patrick Shanley & scr)

It had been a long time, and probably the first we saw it in its proper Panavision ratio. It's a slightly patchy affair, with one or two moments which flag, but much to enjoy with Tom Hanks, three Meg Ryans (perhaps in a nod to Blimp), Lloyd Bridges, Dan Hedaya (who's in every American film of this period), Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda (The Godfather), Amanda Plummer, Ossie Davis (a cool tax driver) and even a glimpse of a Nathan Lane. In fact the moment where he goes shopping had me really excited as I thought I was finally on to that film that's been bugging me for years in which triple-stitched suits feature, but it was not to be.

A colourful affair, nicely designed and beautifully shot by Stephen Goldblatt, kinda old-fashioned and slightly reminiscent of Last Holiday - the subtext about wasting lives and taking the courage to jump does not go unappreciated.