Every so often, I post something not related to economics or investing. It is good to have a life other than money, don’t you think?

After recently rewatching “Sleepless in Seattle” for maybe the fifth time, I am once again struck by how Tom Hanks is the greatest actor of all time. We who saw him in Bosom Buddies knew right then that a star was born (anyone who can pull off cross-dressing and keep a series going 3 years with that strange premise). Only Jimmy Stewart can be mentioned in Hanks’ company in terms of character range, creating sympathy, a wonderful light comedic touch that is never “over the top” even in roles where it would have been easy to overplay (Gump). Other adjectives that describe a typical Hanks role: sincere, vulnerable, dignified, righteous, understanding, caring, courageous, humble, trustworthy. Everything that any woman or man would want in a best friend or spouse. This is his magic.

1. Forrest Gump (Won Best Actor Oscar) – he turned this simple and fanciful story into a movie for all time and a star vehicle (Sally Fields no. 2 performance after Norma Rae for which she won Best Actress Oscar; career launcher for Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan)

2. Saving Private Ryan (Nominated for Best Actor Oscar) – an epic movie with many Oscar awards, but a movie that many good actors could have done well. Such serious movies with so many tragic situations are easier for an actor to emote than something simple like Forrest

3. Sleepless in Seattle (my own sentimental favorite, though not nominated for anything) – another very simple movie that brought out the best in Meg Ryan (her best performance followed by “When Harry Met Sally”)

4. Big (Nominated for Best Actor Oscar) – How does this simple “boy meets girl through time warp” movie even get a nomination? Tom Hanks. He also elevates Elizabeth Perkins to her best performance (did she ever do another movie that anyone can remember?) This elevation of leading actress is a common theme in Hanks’ career

5. Philadelphia (Won Best Actor Oscar) – again, it is a great acting job, but with a subject that is destined to win Oscars: AIDS and homosexuality. Great acting about a tough subject in a sympathetic way that is the mark of Tom Hanks

I will go another five since almost all Hanks movies are worth multiple watchings. None of these are Oscar-worthy performances, though he helps turn the films themselves into Oscar nominees or winners

6. Green Mile – unlovable Hanks

7. Splash! – Hanks as innocent (something he does so well); elevates Daryl Hannah to the best performance of her career (never to be surpassed)

8. Road to Perdition – Hanks as pathetic

9. A League of Their Own – Hanks as unlikable

10. Castaway – claustrophobic and psychotic

Notables (worth another watch):

Apollo 13, Bachelor Party, Youve Got Mail, Bonfire of the Vanities, Davinci Code, The Burbs, Turner and Hooch, Money Pit, Dragnet (really, Dan Akroyd’s vehicle) and any of the Bosom Buddies TV series

In and interview today on CNBC, Pickens outlined his case for Natural Gas and cutting in half the need for American imports of foreign oil within 7 years.

Pickens went on to say

I am a long term fan of Natural Gas and have posted pro-nat gas articles on this website in the past. It is weak now due to its “junk energy” status during an economic downturn. It is highly leveraged to the economy and does very well in a strong economy and very poorly in a weak economy. This is due to its primary use as an industrial energy supply and its seasonal use for building heating.

If (when) nat gas becomes a primary transportation fuel source alongside gasoline and diesel, its utility and value will soar. I think that time is coming soon. The easiest way to achieve a significant global reduction in green-house gas is by a conversion of transportation systems from gasoline to nat gas and electric power from coal to nat gas. This hasn’t happened in the past for two reasons: (1) lack of distribution infrastructure (i.e. nat gas fuel stations on every corner); and (2) perception of uneven supply across the geography (nat gas is expensive to transport other than through a pipeline due to its low density as a gas). A third issue is the cost of the conversion of vehicles from gasoline to nat gas powered, but this is a manageable economic issue that can be addressed with tax policy, and is not a technology issue.

I see the Obama administration addressing the greenhouse gas problem through policies that favor nat gas. He will announce the framework of those policies today (Tuesday). Nat Gas is a good solution to provide energy independence and a cleaner environment. It provides a technology bridge to developing renewable energy sources like solar and hydrogen fuel cells. It will happen and should be the cornerstone of every portfolio.

The nat gas ETF, UNG, is flawed, but is the only pure play on nat gas pricing. The premium in the ETF due to a moratorium on adding futures to the ETF is down from 20% to 5%. That premium is manageable and makes UNG once again a decent way to play nat gas. North America energy producers are the other way to play nat gas: CHK, XTO, LINN, PWE, PVX, MRO, PGH are some of the stocks one can use to gain exposure to nat gas.

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