Cinecast Mailbag (7/27)

A couple of quick dips into the Mailbag regarding our Top 5 Screen Duos list from Cinecast #22...

I know this is entirely subjective, and what I love you might hate, but how in the world did Woody and Buzz not make the top five???? I know its easy to forget them due to their cartoon origins, but over two Toy Story flicks, they have had the kind of repartee that few live action characters ever find. Who would have ever thought that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen could be such a strong pair? The comic timing between both is impeccable. The strengths and weaknesses of each character acts a catalyst for growth in the other. And most importantly, you truly believe the evolution of the two as friends. By the end of Toy Story 2, you really do believe the two will, in a metaphorical way, ride into the sunset together. Without a doubt, they would have been at the top of my list. -- Stuart Kazanow, Reisterstown, MD

Stuart, you weren't the only one to suggest Woody and Buzz deserved a spot in the Top 5. You won't get much of an argument from me. I liked "Toy Story" even before I had children, but I appreciate it even more now that I have a 3-year-old son who spends at least half his day pushing an imaginary button on his chest saying, "Come in Star Command, Star Command come in. Do you read me? They don't answer!" A few weeks ago our babysitter told him he was lucky because we were going to a baseball game that night. His response: "Lucky? Are you shrink-wrapped? I'm missing my arm!" When I think of great duos, I ask myself whether I could imagine anybody else in those roles. And I can't imagine anybody else but Hanks and Allen as Woody and Buzz. Hanks' aw-shucks, nice-guy persona is perfect, as is Allen's over-the-top bravado.

Hey guys, How could you live in/near Chicago and not put "The Blues Brothers" on the top of your top 5 buddy movies list. I guess you're just saving it for the top of your top 5 'undisputable best movies ever' list. This is MY desert island movie. I know you guys get a lot of these types of emails and you'll probably be saying that this was number 6 or something, but it doesn't make me feel better. It really deserves NUMBER 1! Anyways... great job on the show. Makes my commute a lot more enjoyable. -- Jim Altieri

Well Jim, since we can't really provide any solace, I'll simply admit that your email left me feeling very, very ashamed. If ever there was a no-brainer duo -- particularly coming from two Chicagoans -- this was it. Oh, please, don't kill us. Please, please don't kill us ... It wasn't our fault!