For me, no other performer has demonstrated the exceptional acting, versatility, persuasiveness and likability that Tom Hanks has. He's a terrific actor because he's believable in every role he plays. He works super-hard at his craft. You hardly ever see parodies of his acting because it's so distinguishably captivating. On top of all that, he's very humble.

These are my top 10 Tom Hanks movies, ranked on both his acting and the movie as a whole.

10. The Green Mile (1999)

"The Green Mile" is a prison movie about an unusual inmate named John Coffey suspected of brutally murdering two girls. The guards, including Hanks' character, Paul, begin to realize that maybe Coffey, albeit an intimidatingly large man, is innocent. The guards notice how sensitive and caring Coffey is. Without spoiling too much about Coffey, the film — based on a Stephen King serial novel — involves healing, a miracle and a supernatural power. This is deep, rich storytelling with a couple of surprises along the way. Hanks does a fine job as an intrigued prison guard who is looking for the truth about his inmates, and he mimics the Southern accent maybe a little too well.

9. Philadelphia (1993)

"Philadelphia" really kicked off Hanks' movie career, since it was one of the first films to stress the seriousness and consequences of contracting AIDS. It was also Hanks' first Academy Award win. He plays Andrew Beckett, an up-and-coming lawyer in Philadelphia, who also happens to be a gay man with AIDS. Beckett's illness gets noticeably worse, and his boss fires him from the law firm. In search for a lawyer to fight the firm in court, Beckett finds Joe Miller, played by Denzel Washington. Initially someone who dislikes homosexuals, Miller realizes that the discrimination Beckett faces is no different than the racial discrimination he has had to deal with and decides to put his best foot forward in representing Beckett. If that's not beautiful writing and character development, I don't know what is. Powerful performances highlight this picture with a few memorable emotional scenes. Hanks handles the challenge of playing an ill gay man with ease. The audience sympathizes with his problem, and it brought attention to important social issues. Get your tissues ready for this one.

8. Big (1988)

An early Hanks classic, "Big" tells the story of a young boy whose wish of becoming a grown-up comes true after a seemingly normal encounter with a carnival fortune teller. It's astounding to see Hanks perfectly pull off playing a 13-year-old in an adult's body. This character highlights Hanks's charm and silliness, as well as his restraint in not overplaying the ongoing joke that he's really a little boy inside an adult's body. The film is sweet, funny and fun for all ages, and its message about enjoying your youth while you still have it, is an admirable, if not overused, one still incorporated in movies today.

Fun Fact: "13 Going on 30" was loosely inspired by this Hanks classic.

7. A League of Their Own (1992)

Geena Davis and Tom Hanks square off as star baseball player and arrogant head coach, respectively, in the sports hit "A League of Their Own." Part baseball story, part nostalgia trip and part female equality statement, "A League of Their Own" has a lot to offer for many audiences. Geena Davis gives a commanding performance as Dottie Hinson, talented (and married) baseball catcher and older sister of Kit Keller, portrayed by Lori Petty. Though Hanks isn't the main character, his performance does showcase what is arguably his most range to date. He plays Jimmy Dugan, a lousy, crude drunk, in debt, retired baseball player-turned head coach of one of the first female baseball teams. Initially in it for himself and completely ignorant of the female talent on his baseball team, Hanks shows little sympathy for his players. This was the first movie I've seen where Hanks convincingly plays a jerk. But as his team begins to win some games and his players make some impressive plays, including a split catch by Davis, Hanks lightens up and starts to see them as real ball players and not just stereotypical girls. He talks with his players more, encourages them, and even comforts them in emotionally tough times, becoming a changed man. This was the first character Hanks played that really made him stretch as an actor and show the many depths of acting he's capable of.

And yes, your eyes don't deceive you, that is indeed Madonna on the movie cover, playing one of Hank's players.

6. Apollo 13 (1995)

"Houston, we have a problem." Tom Hanks delivered this famous line as his portrayal of Jim Lovell, one of three astronauts to fly in the Apollo 13 mission. Based on a true story, Apollo 13 is about the 1970 American space crew's flight to the moon that goes horribly wrong when a spacecraft malfunction causes the whole NASA team to showcase their ingenuity, if these astronauts are to return home in one piece. The film has a tense atmosphere and hooks you into the terrifying scenario of being stuck in space with limited oxygen, supplies and power. Co-stars Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton go through outer space hell with Hanks in this gripping story. Hanks manages to maintain the character of a down to earth family man and resourceful astronaut, and "Apollo 13" remains a worthy, though sometimes overlooked, entry in his acting repertoire.

5. Captain Phillips (2013)

"Captain Phillips" is the true story of an American captain and the hijacking of his ship by a small crew of Somali pirates. An edge-of-your-seat thriller, "Captain Phillips" has a straightforward story line, but is completely absorbing. The pirates are dangerous and convincing, and Hanks plays Captain Phillips and tries every trick in his bag to prevent these pirates from hurting his crew any further. But once the pirates take control of his ship, things for Phillips get worse, and you'll be trying to guess every possible way he'll be rescued or escape. Hanks again masters the accent, this time a heavy New England one. He also plays the part as superbly as his other various roles, conveying the appropriate fear in his situation. The audience, yet again, is rooting for Hanks to come out alive, as Hanks forces his audience to sympathize with the situation. Suspense, drama and action! Don't miss this modern Hanks biopic.

4. That Thing You Do! (1996)

Quite possibly the most underrated and unknown Tom Hanks movie, "That Thing You Do!" is a picture about The Wonders, a fictional band, and their rise to fame. Hanks wrote and directed the movie, crafting together a lighthearted little film reminiscent of his childhood. "That Thing You Do!" is incredibly true to the music of the time and the way the band becomes famous. This is another film that engages all ages groups and gets you tapping your feet to the catchy tunes written by Fountains Of Wayne bassist, Adam Schlesinger. Steve Zahn helps carry the film, adding humorous moments, while Tom Everett Scott, the drummer, and Johnathon Schaech, the singer and guitarist, make the band feel real with realistic musician character depth. Hanks plays the band's manager and does a solid job, but the real credit lies in his ability to put this movie together as the director. The movie was a sleeper hit at the time of its release, perhaps because of failed marketing techniques to cater to the 90s kid who knows little about 60s music. But if you're into the oldies and Tom Hanks, this film can become your next gem of a movie and instill hilarious quotes in your head.

It's a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, seeing as the main character is a stud drummer, and I'm a (stud) drummer as well ...

3. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

One of the best war movies ever made and my personal favorite, "Saving Private Ryan" is very violent and stays gruesomely accurate to the Normandy Landings and WWII in general. We watch Hanks as Captain John Miller lead his squad to seek out Private James Ryan to bring him back home after his other brothers have died in the war. The great thing about this war story is how you get to know each of these soldiers as people. They each specialize in different tactics and help each other in their mission of returning Ryan in one piece. There are a few scenes where the soldiers get emotional and talk about their lives back home and their beliefs. Hanks is commanding in his role, and Matt Damon is great in one of his first big movies as well.

2. Cast Away (2000)

A tale of survival and the triumph of the human spirit, "Cast Away" has Hanks in another believable common-man role, this time in a struggle of staying alive on an island after a freak plane crash. As the sole survivor of the crash, Hanks befriends a volleyball (that was on the plane) that he calls Wilson, named after the Wilson sports company. He's faced with multiple challenges from learning how to make fire to finding food to figuring out a way off the island. "Cast Away" is more than a mere island story though, as Hanks' long-term girlfriend's life has changed back home, and the ending is anything but a Hollywood cliche. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll be rooting for Hanks all the way to escape this frightening scenario.

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." Yes, Forrest Gump is the grandaddy of them all — the No. 1 Tom Hanks movie. Gump finds Tom Hanks at his dramatic best, playing a caring, slightly slow, simple man who lives anything but a simple life. Gump does whatever he feels is right and makes sense, playing football at the University of Alabama, enlisting in the army to fight in Vietnam, becoming a national ping pong champion and owning a boat and shrimp company. Filled with poignant moments, character-driven humor, one-liners and historical touchstones, this box office hit and winner of Best Picture Oscar is sure to touch the hearts of all those who watch it. We watch Forrest become a part of major historical events, in addition to pursuing the struggling Jenny, his only childhood friend and love of his life. Forrest meets some amazing people to help him along his eventful journey, including Lieutenant Dan, portrayed by the wonderfully gifted Gary Sinise (also in "Apollo 13"). Lt. Dan favors the destiny view of life, where we all have a purpose we must live up to, while Forrest's mother, portrayed by Sally Field, stresses to Forrest that we have to make the best with what God gave us. Forrest modestly reaches a beautifully thought out conclusion from these two characters and his adventures in general that, without giving too much away, lead him to believe that BOTH viewpoints are definitely feasible. This story is one that makes you think about spiritual, romantic, philosophical and character-related themes. A timeless classic in cinema history, "Forrest Gump" gets two big thumbs up!

And that's all I have to say about that.