2008 Woodie Awards
Former student, Hanks, should come by for a visit
Victor Nieto
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Opinion
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Yes, Sacramento State's very own two-semester student Tom Hanks.
Be it Saving Private Ryan (actor) or Band of Brothers (producer), Hanks has helped resurrect history, showing the plights of these men and women who gave their lives for their country. Most importantly, these productions emphasized the loyalty and brotherhood that many of our soldiers are fighting for now in Iraq.
With Hank's recent adaptation of David McCullough's novel "John Adams" (executive producer), we get a glimpse into the initial beginnings of our country through the politicians who helped create it. Namely, we see this through the eyes of John Adams, a key player in the initial stages of the Revolutionary War and the creator of our democratic government.
In grade school Adams seemed to be left out when recalling on our founding fathers or omitted in his position as General George Washington's vice president and role as the second United States president. Often his place in history is overshadowed by the aura of Washington, the wit of Thomas Jefferson, the brilliance of Benjamin Franklin or the signature of John Hancock. But in this series we get a chance to see what's going on behind the curtain of appearances as well as an introduction to one of his top advisers, his wife, Abigail Smith Adams.
It's a great series and great cast (Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney lead) with great emotional impact and insight regarding the life of John Adams, the rise of the Revolution and the character of a man oftentimes doing the right thing amid rapturous opposition.
But after watching the series and reflecting on Hanks' earlier work, I felt a bit unsatisfied. I felt a bit like Adams, myself being Sac State, being ignored or better put, overlooked, by our most famous fellow Hornets. I have a great admiration for all Sac State alumni, especially the ones who make it a point to give back to their school or show some sort of school spirit, but there are some things that money can't buy.
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JLS
posted 4/25/08 @ 2:29 PM PST
And you nailed it right on the head, didn't you? Hanks spent two semesters here finishing a theater arts degree. I don't feel that he has any special nostalgic feelings toward Sac State despite being able to call it his alma mater which is still pushing it, I think. (Continued…)
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