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Tom Cruise picks his next project and it's perfect! LIONS FOR LAMBS!

Published at:  Nov 15, 2006 12:13:14 AM CST

Hey Folks, Harry here... You know - right after the split/firing/whatever you wanna call it... when Tom Cruise and Paramount split ways, I received calls from numerous publications trying to get me to kick at the alleged "cinematic cadaver" of Tom Cruise - and frankly, I just couldn't kick.

Why?

I've never met the man, but over the years his constant exquisite choice in who he works with has left me stunned in admiration. Here's a sample: J.J. Abrams, Spielberg, Michael Mann, Ed Zwick, Cameron Crowe, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, Neil Jordan, John Woo, Brian DePalma, Sydney Pollack, Rob Reiner, Ron Howard, Tony Scott, Oliver Stone, Barry Levinson, Ridley Scott, Paul Brickman, Curtis Hanson and Francis Ford Coppola. Look at that list of directors that have chosen to work with Tom, and who in turn Tom has chosen to work with. That list is a Who's Who of the greatest living directors - and that's what I told the publications that reached out to me, to kick Tom.

Well... A lot has been written about what his next move would be... and as an actor with 'all the right moves' he chose to work with a director he's yet to work with. ROBERT REDFORD.

Tom's first film out of the gate from running United Artists is going to be LIONS FOR LAMBS. According to Michael Fleming and Variety:

"Lambs" is a Matthew Carnahan-scripted drama that consists of three interconnected storylines: Cruise as a congressman who interacts with a journalist (Streep); Redford as an idealistic professor who attempts to inspire a privileged student in his class; and a third storyline about a pair of American soldiers wounded in enemy territory, one of whom is Redford's former student.


That's right, Streep, Meryl Streep is going to be co-starring. This is an ideal move by Tom. Just a great solid work, a piece of an incredible ensemble cast filled with some of the greatest actors and actresses of all-time. Great performers to bounce off of and a great director to trust his career with. Not another Cruise action-fest, but a film that gives him a role to bite into.

This is an excellent move. And LIONS FOR LAMBS sounds like it has all the makings of a great project. Looks like it'll come together for next year, round this time.



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:22:56 AM CST

    Its ok Panterarocks....

    by j-dizzle

    ...you can say you're first.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:23:04 AM CST

    Ditto that -

    by vadersabre

    Cruise delivers with ferocity. Let him do his job and this will be awesome with Redford at the helm and Streep beside.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:29:11 AM CST

    'exquisite choice/greatest living directors'

    by half vader

    Tony Scott?! Hahahahahaha. Too funny.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:29:37 AM CST

    I for one am excited..

    by danielkurland

    Glad you mentioned the directors he worked with, because I always do it myself. Some people may disagree with him as a person, but I think he is a great actor.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:30:41 AM CST

    Tom's back in a big way...

    by cruel_kingdom

    Those of you doubting the man, go back and watch his performance in MAGNOLIA... Nice move, Tom. The boy may have lost his mind, but a pairing with Streep and Redford -- directed by Redford? -- are you kidding me? Very nice move, Tom. Bang Katie once for me, bro. Maybe give her a dirty sanchez or two... And thanks in advance. :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:31:23 AM CST

    Ditto the ditto

    by anti-fanboy

    Fuck the status quo and American media drones! And hail great and terrible Xenu!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:36:10 AM CST

    Good choice on Cruise's part

    by ribbons

    Considering the public is wary of his "persona" more now than usual, it makes sense to portray a character who has aspects to him that are not particularly trustworthy. I'm sure some people aren't in the mood for the whole "kickass action hero Tom Cruise" schtick right now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:48:41 AM CST

    you forgot about...

    by bullumhead

    Martin Scorsese!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:04:37 AM CST

    he's a fucking batshit dipwad

    by occula

    and i'll never be able to see him on camera again without a)seeing him jump up and down like a junior high school girl b)hearing him try to bitch-slap matt lauer or c)seeing creepy pictures of him with a girl who used to have posters of him on her wall when she was 12. i guess guys don't care as much coz they just like to see tom blowing shit up or riding a motorcycle in slo-mo, but he's definitely lost his female audience.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:05:29 AM CST

    sounds like babel.

    by unctarheel0

    but better....great cast, and I still love Cruise, fuck what everyone says

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:09:21 AM CST

    ummm...what did depalma direct?

    by s0nicdeathmonkey

    i looked him up and none of their work matched.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:15:06 AM CST

    What Harry REALLY wants to know….

    by monkeybrains

    Harry: You know Yoko, “crunch, crunch’……..burp“, sitting here watching A Few Good “ BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP “ Men , I can‘t help but think about Tom ( pass the chili con carne, would you please) Cruise and his soon to be…………..plllffffffft (excuse me) wife Katie and wonder, can Scientology heal her hymen?


    Yoko: …………………….. You are a fucking moron, fat man.
    Father Geek: Haven’t I taught you anything? Everyone knows that she was intravenously injected with L. Ron Hubbard’s sperm and gave birth to the child of the stars!!!
    Harry: Who ate the last Krispy Kreme, dammit!!...... Hey, you say something?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:17:39 AM CST

    Cameron Crowe's one of the "Great Living Directors?"

    by kintar0

    Get real.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:21:42 AM CST

    Another "interconnected drama"?

    by slder78

    I'm sick of this contrivance of a plot device. It was inspired in Pulp Fiction, fun in Go, surprising in Lost, but ludicrous in Crash, and now just tired. Movies like this are what would happen if Rube Goldberg decided to become a screenwriter.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:22:42 AM CST

    s0nicdeathmonkey

    by slder78

    He directed a little independent move called Mission: Impossible.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:37:06 AM CST

    CRAP

    by mooniewawee

    Crapshit. Most likely he will still be running in this movie. The dude likes to run so just let him! :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:37:30 AM CST

    CRAP

    by mooniewawee

    Crapshit. Most likely he will still be running in this movie. The dude likes to run so just let him! :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:39:43 AM CST

    Jerry MacGuire

    by gavdiggity

    = overrated piece of shit. But let's not forget Cruise's performance in the epic classic that was Losin' It.

    Fuck that guy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:45:54 AM CST

    Tom, ala Magnolia

    by the dum guy

    I just want to see him scream "Respect the Cock!" one more time on film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:50:14 AM CST

    Yeah...

    by myspoonistoobig

    Who gives a shit what actors do in their personal lives. It has never and will never bother me. I can still watch The Naked Gun not thinking about OJ stabbing anyone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:03:37 AM CST

    Smart move to appear in an ensemble

    by doc_mccoy

    Maybe this will be one of those unlikable dickhead roles Cruise used to do that suit him well, like in RAIN MAN. He's never been a very natural actor -- it always feels forced -- but in certain roles he can fake it pretty well.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:06:52 AM CST

    Viva Tom Cruise

    by franklin t marmoset

    I like this Tom Cruise, and I support him fully in his attempt to take over Hollywood. However, I do think this Robert Redford is a director who makes very boring, lifeless films (apart from Quiz Show - I liked that one). Also, they often have a shiny brown-ness that makes them feel as though they are very heavily varnished. There was a rumour going around that Mr Cruise was going to do a comedy film, which was a good idea, I thought. I hope that still happens at some point. Oh, well. Good luck with your brown film, Mr Cruise.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:16:04 AM CST

    Yeah, but...

    by gobofraggleuk

    that list of names could equally be taken as proof that even the best directors are pressured by studios to take a 'movie star' on board to get their projects off the ground... you really think Cruise was Kubrick's idea of a great actor? Or any of these directors? He's a 'movie star' and all directors need to hire one sometimes to put the box-office pressure onto somebody else's shoulders... Anyway, I'm sure Harry would get his scientology application approved on the back of this article.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:20:45 AM CST

    Doc_McCoy

    by gobofraggleuk

    "Maybe this will be one of those unlikable dickhead roles Cruise used to do that suit him well, like in RAIN MAN. He's never been a very natural actor -- it always feels forced -- but in certain roles he can fake it pretty well." .........I always wondered if he was good at dickhead roles simply because his acting feels forced and those roles don't require any acting from him. I liked him in War of the Worlds where he played an arrogant little cock who believes in aliens...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:30:50 AM CST

    Tom Cruise

    by ohdaesu

    Tom Cruise is an egomaniacal psychopath but it does not change the fact that he is a great actor. I may disagree with Tom's personal life and his pseudo-religion but I'm still a big fan of most everything he does.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:43:28 AM CST

    Kubrick said working with Cruise

    by deanamatronix

    and Kidman was one of the worst experiences of his life. He said he should never have cast 'movie stars.' Also, Meryl Streep annoys me. Her acting is too obvious. Rather than being the part, as most great actors do, she 'acts' every role, if you get me. She over-acts.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:44:45 AM CST

    You did not mention

    by kristian66

    Scorsese!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:44:54 AM CST

    Kristan

    by deanamatronix

    Scorsese and Cruise have never worked together, for chrissake

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:45:51 AM CST

    MCMLXXVI IS A WANKER

    by seph_j

    MCMLXXVI IS A WANKER.... and Tom Cruise is cool. Regardless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:46:53 AM CST

    Abrams and Cruise need to get the ball rolling on M:I 4

    by my ass smells

    Why you ask? Because M:I 3 was a fucking great action movie. Few bitched that it felt like an extended episode of Alias. Who the fuck cares? Any fan of Alias knows that Season 1 and 2 of the show was some of the best goddamn hours of television ever!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:04:27 AM CST

    Gay? Straight? Scientologist? Who Gives A SH*T?

    by drravenwoodinla

    Having had the opportunity to work with the man twice, I can say this: he's a genuinly nice guy. Very passionate about film, filmmaking and a great supporter of fellow cast members and of his crew as well. Your successes are his, and his, in turn, yours. While he's not the type of guy you "hang" with on set, he is rarely in his trailer... I mean, the guy even wants to do his own insert shots! That's dedication. Many top actors won't hang around for off-camera dialogue, much less inserts where you don't even see their face. His energy (which is evident in virtually every interview) is not only mind-bogglingly ever-present, but infectious. Did I ever get the impression that he was gay? Well. No. To be perfectly honest, there was never any indication of it on either set I worked - quite the contrary, actually. The first time I worked with him was on "Vanilla Sky," and he and Cruz seemed... very comfortable. Besides, if he does like guys? Who cares? So do tons of people in this town. As far as religion? While I missed out on the whole "War of the Worlds" Scientology tent thing (which, I'll admit, is a little over-the-top)... ultimately, who gives a rats ass?? So he made a mistake dumping Pat Kingsley and hiring his sister as his publicist - He's backed-off tough topics quite nicely lately. Regardless of anything else, the man has made some solid films. He involves... no... immerses himself in a project on every level, and he works with all of the top people above the line. And what of the whole couch jumping thing, you ask? Lemme boil it down. He's 42. She's, like, 25 or something and it's freakin' Katie Holmes. If I'm pushing 45 and nailing a hot 25 year-old? I might be inclined to jump on a couch too. It'd be the one in my livingroom and not broadcast to a million homes, but still. Anyway. Kudos to the MGM brass, kudos to Redford and kudos to Mr. Cruise... Paramount dropping him and Paula may end up being the best thing to happen to him in years, and I for one am looking forward to his future projects.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:09:46 AM CST

    The Color Of Money

    by franklin t marmoset

    Scorses and Cruise. Um... for chrissake.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:12:04 AM CST

    deanamatronix....

    by loafroaster

    Emm...The Colour of Money?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:12:06 AM CST

    Scorsese

    by franklin t marmoset

    Ahem. Marty lets me call him Scorses, but it doesn't feel appropriate in this forum. No, really, it was not a typo caused by my permanently crossed fingers (come on, Britney sex tape... come on, Britney sex tape...).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:13:43 AM CST

    Let's not forgot he worked with Scorsese also!

    by talkbacker with no name

    Color Of Money. One of the coolest movies of all time. I rate Cruise a lot, always have.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:23:49 AM CST

    AGREED.

    by board shitlez

    THE CRUISE BACKLASH BACKLASH STARTS HERE

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:26:40 AM CST

    deanamatronix. you're an idiot!

    by talkbacker with no name

    Not only should you do some research before bashing people but it's a lie Kubrick said that about Cruise! I suggest you watch the 'eyes wide shut' extras on dvd and the kubrick doc - life in pictures. Cruise and Kidman were very dear to him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:34:13 AM CST

    Kubrick one of the greatest living directors?

    by powereduppacman

    And here's silly me, thinking the guy was all dead 'n stuff. Duh...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:37:01 AM CST

    talkbacker with no name

    by myspoonistoobig

    I dunno about the documentary. R. Lee Ermey claimed Kubrick said Cruise and Kidman "had their way" with him. I haven't seen the doc but if there has ever been an authority figure about anything ever it's R. Lee Ermey. I would never ever argue with him. Even if he's wrong.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:38:42 AM CST

    I love it when it's Tom Cruise day here at aicn!

    by talkbacker with no name

    it's almost as fun as Peter Jackson day! George Lucas talkback day sucked last time. Mel Gibson day is always a hoot though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:47:26 AM CST

    myspoonistoobig

    by talkbacker with no name

    Yeah I read that also but R. Lee Ermey is a nutjob, mate. It's a fact Cruise, Kidman and kubrick were very very close. You should watch the doc.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:54:29 AM CST

    myspoonistoobig

    by franklin t marmoset

    I find this image of Tom and Nicole 'having their way' with Stanley Kubrick while R Lee Ermey watches from the shadows very disturbing and very funny. Also, oddly appropriate to that film. Thank you for that one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:55:40 AM CST

    According to Todd Field,

    by talkbacker with no name

    According to Todd Field, Kubrick's friend and actor in Eyes Wide Shut, Ermey's claims are slanderous lies. Field's response appeared in an October 26, 2006 interview with Slashfilm.com

    "The polite thing would to say 'No comment.' But the truth is that... Let's put it this way, you've never seen two actors more completely subservient and prostrate themselves at the feet of a director. Stanley was absolutely thrilled with the film. He was still working on the film when he died. And he probably died because he finally relaxed. It was one of the happiest weekends of his life, right before he died, after he had shown the first cut to Terry, Tom and Nicole. He would have kept working on it, like he did on all of his films. But I know that from people around him personally, my partner who was his assistant for thirty years. And I thought about R. Lee Ermey for In the Bedroom. And I talked to Stanley a lot about that film, and all I can say is Stanley was adamant that I shouldn't work with him for all kinds of reasons that I won't get into because there is no reason to do that to anyone, even if they are saying slanderous things that I know are completely untrue"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:02:51 AM CST

    deanamatronix is an idiot.

    by rearden

    He gave us the one-two punch of first making that stupid claim about EYES WIDE SHUT amd than completely forgets about THE COLOR OF MONEY. He's an eleven year old, isn't he?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:08:43 AM CST

    BRAVO Talkbacker w/ no name!!

    by rearden

    You're a man who has done his research. Thank you. Bravo! Score one for the good guys.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:13:39 AM CST

    Yep he's great at arrogant little cock roles

    by half vader

    They're the only things I can believe him in. Too bad he never learned his acting lesson when Hoffman and Newman tried to slap some sense into him, and the only thing he learned/misunderstood from his time with Kubrick was that attention to detail means micromanagement. Usually I would agree that the person is not the actor but he's so damn mannered even at this age. At least he's got one extra expression besides 'the smile' now - that weird-arse wide-eyed creepy crying thing he does. I think it's actually supposed to mean 'intense' but it just creeps me the fuck out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:17:37 AM CST

    Damn you Michael Bay

    by mcmlxxvi

    Damn you Michael Bay

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:37:10 AM CST

    Er, Harry? Greatest directors ever? Did he work with...

    by silentbobafett2

    Scorsese? :-)oopsies :-)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:07:39 AM CST

    WELL

    by the knight

    I can feel the hate from this Talkback already....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:09:01 AM CST

    SEP_J is a TWAT

    by the knight

    SEP_J is a TWAT

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:21:17 AM CST

    His best movie was 'A Few Good Men'

    by bender7

    "Should we or should we not listen TO THE ADVICE OF THE GALATICALLY STUPID!!!!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:22:29 AM CST

    I heard about that Redford movie with cruise

    by emeraldboy

    Redfords response was something like" not gonna happen". or words to that effect. Either way redford and Cruise are not going to be working together. and that is it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:26:31 AM CST

    cruise is a fine actor, but that flaming mo...

    by colonel kane

    just needs to come out...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:46:03 AM CST

    Good actor

    by sithmenace

    But we all know he had Kubrick murdered.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:59:33 AM CST

    emeraldboy, the strange thing is this...

    by talkbacker with no name

    Variety broke this story last month to which Redford said "Forget it. Don't listen to the trades," Redford told Access Hollywood, adding there "just isn't anything to talk about." Now Variety are running the story again so does this suggest that there is something to talk about now? at no point did he say "not gonna happen" or words to that effect.
    jesus, these talkbacks are like the UK tablod 'The Sun'. Doesn't anybody get any facts before posting?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 6:00:06 AM CST

    PERFUMED PONCE!!

    by thomas cromwell

    That is all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 6:15:36 AM CST

    ahem..

    by smylexx

    The carrot has mystery!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 6:34:48 AM CST

    If Kubrick were alive, he'd be turning in his grave

    by dalius

    I'm sure there are a few more superlatives that could be squeezed into this article.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 6:47:11 AM CST

    Cruise's perfect project would be Battlefield Earth II.

    by jackpumpkinhead

    "Man-animals? I am Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, the ridiculously short leader of FREE MEN! Praise the Ron!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:37:43 AM CST

    Meryl Streep?

    by spandau belly

    You mean that chick who was in 'Stuck On You'? I'm so there!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:41:15 AM CST

    there has got to be a least one scene

    by emeraldboy

    where cruise grabs redford and says "look at me....look at me". will the no looking tom in the eye rule apply on this film. Such a rule exists I have heard. In fact, While working on the Last Samurai, Billy conolly had heard of this rule and one day while shooting a riding sequence Connolly on horseback sidled up to cruise and cruise's says whats with the sunglasses, come on man take them off. To which connolly replies well I was told not to look you in the eye!.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:42:09 AM CST

    re:sithmenace

    by emeraldboy

    Kubrick Murdered. some people will think anything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:45:24 AM CST

    emeraldboy

    by franklin t marmoset

    I thought it was Val Kilmer who didn't like people looking him in the eye?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:47:07 AM CST

    How many scientologists posting here?

    by drathan

    You know, whenever I see a bunch of newbies in any forum all spewing the same favorable talking points about anything, it gets my plant-alarm ringing. And Scientology has been known to stage things like this in the past, for instance, buying all the "Battlefield Earth" books, then recycling them to the store only to buy them all over again (and again) so it makes it to the Best Sellers list, or buying massive amounts of tickets for MI3, etc. Hmm. Suspicious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 7:49:13 AM CST

    Sorry emeraldboy. I mistook you for someone who...

    by talkbacker with no name

    made sense. Your own story about 'the eye rule' suggests no rule exists. Billy was messing about with Tom and his public image! The fact I have to spell this out to you is very sad, mate.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:11:23 AM CST

    This is a good move

    by filmcoyote

    I've always hated Cruise. Hated him in the 80s, hated him in the 90s and hate him now. The guy can't act. But he's a star and he does make some interesting choices. Harry is right about that list (except maybe Tony Scott!) and as has been pointed out Scorsese could have been on there too. Plus Cruise has backed as a producer some interesting projects like Narc, so much as I don't like the guy as an actor I respect him as a star who - much of the time, when his personal life doesn't intercede and cloud his judgment - uses the power that affords him well. I hope this a good film and one of the very very few films he's mad (like Magnolia) that give him some depth as an actor. It'll probably reinvent him a bit - he'll get an Oscar nod again because all the voters will watch it because of Streep - and do wonders. Now he just needs to dial down his personal quest to turn the world into scientologists.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:35:32 AM CST

    Re talkbacker with no name

    by emeraldboy

    I did hear something about extras being kicked off or escorted from the set of a tom cruise movie possibly the last Samurai. That is where it came from, something to do with toms er, stature. The net is full of BS. Hollywood is a strange place. so what i read is that extras arent allowed look tom in the eye. Could be complete crap.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:39:33 AM CST

    The Tom Cruise Dichotomy

    by itchy

    He is such an obviously crazy douche, but I can't help but generally like most of his movies. He is eminently watchable and is just great at picking projects that involve talented people and play to his strengths. In this way, he is the total Anti-Winona-Ryder (who always works with schleps and picks horrible projects). Cruise is one of the few people out there where I can rest assured that I will at least be entertained by the movie, if not outright like it. Even War of the Worlds was watchable with him in it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:43:04 AM CST

    I don't know if I'd call it perfect...

    by neo con snake plissken

    Total horse shit yes, perfect, no. With Redford and Streep involved, you know it will make the Military out to be:

    A. Stupid
    B. Bloodthirsty
    C. Savage
    D. All of the Above

    Who gives a fuck. Another film in a long line of horse shit I won't be bothering to see.

    I would be more interested in seeing "Battlefield Earth II: Back in Disco Moon Boots" than this excrement filled propaganda.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:51:34 AM CST

    I have the perfect vehicle for Tom:

    by mr incredible

    Jerry Macguire 2: The Quickening. Seriously, who cares what the guy does next. He has enough moolah to live fine for the rest of his life. Unless... he gets a divorce, and Katie takes half and the Scientologists take the other half.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 8:54:32 AM CST

    Granted most Hollywood stars are so up themselves...

    by talkbacker with no name

    ...that I'm sure a lot of what is said is true. But in Cruise's case I haven't read a bad word said about him from anyone he was worked with. If he's respected by the likes of Spielberg, Michael Mann, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, Neil Jordan, Brian DePalma, Sydney Pollack, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott, Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, then that's good enough for me.

    I admit I haven't enjoyed every movie he has been in but think his performances in Risky Business, Taps, The Outsiders, The Color of Money, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, Interview with the Vampire, Jerry Maguire, Eyes Wide Shut, Magnolia, Minority Report and Collateral are very impressive!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:09:03 AM CST

    The United Artists takeover is brilliant.

    by mister man

    The guy's always annoyed the hell out of me, but I give him his due. Smart film choice, as well.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:17:16 AM CST

    Babel Lite...

    by jazzbox2

    This sounds like another flick in the new, now-tired genre of "important" films like Babel, Syriana, 21 Grams, etc., with several stories adding up to a less than satisfying finale...yawn.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:25:11 AM CST

    Cruise is always at his best...

    by childe roland

    ...when playing a sleazebag. If that's the route this film takes him, I'll check it out. But his heroes bore the ever-loving fuck out of me. It's like he punches them all out of the same mold (Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Mission: Impossible, etc.). If he pulls a Magnolia or a Rain Man here, I'll be there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:32:18 AM CST

    I'm Cruised out...

    by abominate

    ...even his best movies are just so-so. I dislike him personally because of his anti-psychiatry scientology rant, and because he parades around with his new chick like Nicole Kidman never happened--and she's WAY hotter. I mean, enough already.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:48:56 AM CST

    He really is a great actor

    by godzillasushi

    I mean I love most of his movies. He just has a lot of misunderstandings. MI:3 was pretty sweet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:06:53 AM CST

    If you think Cruise barmy listen to this

    by emeraldboy

    Shirley McClaine sits in a tent in her backgarden and waits for the UFO to visit her at 10.30 pm every night. The aliens sent her a sign and told her to wait..... dyan cannon has a padded cell in her home and has what he called a getting wild session. She was married to Cary Grant. All his wives went into therapy. He drove them all mad. All of this was reveled when his last wife took him to court and everything came out in the wash.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:11:47 AM CST

    Mr incredible

    by emeraldboy

    according to those in the know and i am talking legal experts here, stated that way the prenup is written is written. in case of divorce Katie will only receive 33million dollars.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:19:59 AM CST

    When Mission Impossible came around

    by emeraldboy

    Cruise was on the verge of bankruptcy. To quote the late Bob Monkhouse" when I said to people that I wanted to be comic, they laughed. There not laughing now"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:20:09 AM CST

    United Artists

    by nohubris

    Cruise is a great decision maker and a shrewd business man (i.e. his dealings with Paramount. Brother-man got PAID) with respect from his peers - and more importantly the money people - who is doing something about some of the issues fanboys and others have had with the studios. It looks like this won't be another Dreamworks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:20:22 AM CST

    Why is Harry giving Tom credit....

    by wave motion gun

    ...for making a safe choice? We all know Tom needs a hit movie to make up for the hurt done by his behaviour over the last 12 months, and it sounds like he's picked a movie to star opposite 2 hollywood legends. Seriously, that's about as safe a choice as you can make. Why is Harry acting like this reflects Tom's wonderful decision making skills? Am I missing something here?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:25:19 AM CST

    Not a Tom hater

    by myspoonistoobig

    If Kubrick loved Tom then he loved Tom. And it's hard to argue that R. Lee Ermey is not crazy. But yeah, that's just what I heard. I also heard that Scarlett Johansson was weirded out by Cruise's attempt to get actors to join Scientology when she visited the set of War of the Worlds, while she was in the running to be in M:i:III. If it's true, that is pretty fucking weird. Either way M:i:III was one of the most unfairly maligned blockbusters of 2006, and hopefully it makes bank on DVD when people realize they were stupid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:35:50 AM CST

    High School Dropout Talking about

    by veritasses

    Psychiatry and psychopharmacology? This guy with no HS diploma, no college degree, no graduate degree, no years doing research, no years as a medical intern, no years practicing medicine thinking he knows a thing or two about chemistry and biology because he “reads” stuff???? So all those people in medical school wanting to become doctors should just drop out and read the hand outs that Hubbard’s syndicate passes around? I’ve known kids who threw away their education and for some reason I wouldn’t trust any of them to tell me something as basic as how water evaporates let alone what goes on inside the human brain. Maybe it’s just me. But people aren’t shunning Cruise because he’s a stupid idiot - Hollywood isn’t exactly home of the intellectual elite – people are turned off by him because he abused his position as an influential celebrity to try to get people to ignore the Global medical community and instead follow the beliefs of a cult… I mean “church.” He’s clearly a poor, crazy nut job with a bad case of hubris that he would never have had if he weren’t a good looking, charismatic guy and huge movie star. And that type of arrogance isn’t exactly going to be rewarded with showers of love and praise. And working with big name directors and being a big box office draw doesn’t give him a get out of jail free card. It just means that he’s worked with talented people in his field. And there’s no reason for anyone to feel sorry for this guy either. He brought it all upon himself. He should’ve just kept his mouth shut and his crazy behavior out of range from the cameras and microphones. Also keep in mind that he and his (poor) wife and (poor) kid can live in obnoxious levels of luxury without making one cent more in box office receipts or dvd rentals or having to work a single day doing anything for the rest of their lives so he’s not exactly hurting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:38:28 AM CST

    streep is the best

    by reckni

    always highly watchable.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:50:48 AM CST

    To give Flatley his due he has worked hard and

    by emeraldboy

    He too has a talent. The mans gift for self promotion is unbelivable. But he built a casino in his own image, produced one of the funniest hagiographies in years. We the poor Irish public nearly Micheal Flately the movie. Flatley doesnt have to open his mouth he has Irelands gerry Ryan speak on his behalf. I listened to the former miss Ireland Andrea Roche who said Micheal is a great ambassador for Ireland we should be thankful that he has chosen Ireland to get Married here. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that fluff. That would be like a cruise-bot saying that Cruise is wonderful ambassador for Italy and that the Italians should grateful etc....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:52:09 AM CST

    It looks like bond 21 will

    by emeraldboy

    the best action film of the year. Welcome back james.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:54:07 AM CST

    List of Directors that would never work with Cruise

    by r.c. the "wise"

    James Cameron, Martin Scorcese, Peter Weir, Peter Jackson, Spike Lee, Nancy Meyers, Sam Mendes, and Steven Speilberg again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 10:56:09 AM CST

    Streep is the greatest actor of all-time

    by r.c. the "wise"

    Over Olivier, over Brando, and over Nickelson. It's hard to believe but it's true. She's the best.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:08:25 AM CST

    emeraldboy, who the hell are you talking to?

    by talkbacker with no name

    who said anything about that little tweerp - Micheal Flately?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:09:54 AM CST

    R.C. THE "WISE"

    by the knight

    Scorsese already worked with Cruise fool... "The Color of Money".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:12:26 AM CST

    R.C. the "Wise"

    by talkbacker with no name

    Cruise has already worked with Scorcese (as you would have seen if you had to bothered to read any of the posts here or had seen the amazing 'color of money'). And why won't any of those directors ever work with Cruise? Are you talking shit again?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:15:08 AM CST

    R.C. the "UnWise"

    by sequitur

    Your list of Directors, who would never work with Cruise, is quite flawed. he has already worked with Martin Scorsese in "The Color of Money", he was worked with Spielberg TWICE and they admitted good friends. Plus he is putting together a movie project with Spike Lee called "Selling Time".
    Do some research before calling yourself "the Wise"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:34:24 AM CST

    Cruise is wise about...

    by doc_mccoy

    ...the directors he chooses to work with. He does have the luxury of choosing. Matt Damon is another actor that is really smart about the directors he chooses to work with.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 11:54:22 AM CST

    He didnt invite Oprah.

    by dr.bulber

    Whats the deal with that?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:18:37 PM CST

    Dear Tom: How can I get rid of the Thetans in my brain?

    by uberman

    I had a negative thought today. If I cough up a couple grand, could you help me to get 'clear' from the aliens, or 'Thetans' as you 'Science' tologist call them? I for one will see everything you ever do, because I know that any money I put into your pocket will help the world to get clear of the Thetans. God lord, they're everywhere! Damn you, ghosts of aliens blew up inside of volcanoes by hydrogen bombs. And thank you, L. Ron Hubbard, for having the courage to tell the world the truth.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 12:21:23 PM CST

    Oh god, another "Interconnected Storylines" movie...

    by bigtuna

    They are so played out!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:23:15 PM CST

    My Ass Smells

    by chilli815

    Alias was good because, despite having a likeable lead character, it was not ALL ABOUT HER. Other characters had beats, stories, and history. In MI:3, it's the Tom Cruise variety hour with cameos from actors who want a quick pay-check.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:26:16 PM CST

    Good for Him!!!

    by darfurontherocks

    I believe that Tom Cruise was simply getting too powerful for a studio like Paramount to accept. Therefore, they got rid of him, stating that his so-called antics cost the studio $150 million USD. My question to the boneheads at Paramount: How much money did Tom Cruise make for you overall?!!! The chap is entitled to his own beliefs. So whatever his take on psychiatry or whatever, he has a right to believe and to talk about those subjects. It is interesting how we can forgive Russell Crowe beating people up, but somehow are enraged with Tom Cruise. Personally I am more outraged with Harry's exposition about that Cheerleader actress from Heroes, than any couch-jumping by Maverick.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:42:20 PM CST

    Scorsese...

    by viola123

    I know. I read Harry's list at least five times to see if I missed him or something. LOL, then I had to search the Talk Back, because surely someone would've mentioned it and *phew*, you did. Harry! Marty!! Marty and Tom, and Paul Newman. How can we ever forget?!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 1:44:21 PM CST

    interconnecting plotlines! they never end!

    by spandau belly

    I love Cruise and Streep, but agree with Big Tuna! I'm sick of these interconnecting plotlines movies! Babel, Magnolia, Bobby, Crash, blah, blah, blah... Is this something to do with quality of plotlines being compensated for with quantity? Stories are not made better by connecting with other stories.Still, Cruise is reliable as a dramatic actor. I never really enjoy him in his "action guy" mode.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:01:37 PM CST

    dudes, tom's not business-savvy

    by occula

    don't you know where the money comes from? if one dug deep enough into those hedge funds, who do you think would pop up? those who don't live in LA or work in the industry are a bit removed from how truly powerful the scientologists are here. it's not a joke cult, it's for real. in terms of the old tom...i love his work too. i even love the cheese whiz like 'cocktail.' but pat kingsley was my boss for 2 years so i know the truth about tom cruise. those who say nice things about him aren't lying, he is a nice person. that's because he's a powerful hollywood player and being nice is his JOB. it's when you look into the details that the facade fractures. oh, and about the 'not looking in the eye' thing? when tom and nicole had work done on their mansion x number of years ago, nicole called my boss to tell her that the workmen were looking at her one day and that tom had directed them not to look at her or the children. so, you do the math.

    and, last but not least, tom cruise said derogatory things about women who suffer from post-partum depression and he never apologized for it (he apologized to brooke shields, but big deal, she's one of millions). maybe when one of you guys actually lives with a woman who is suffering from that, you'll back off about saying you don't care that he thinks that way. there is no excuse for somebody slamming a condition in people that a)they can't control and b)will never physically happen to the person doing the slamming.

    and now i'm all worked up about something so frakking bullshit i can't even believe it, so i'm going to go over to cuteoverload and relax.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:10:41 PM CST

    Far be it for me to give career advice to Cruise

    by orbots commander

    but him starring in a broad comedy would do a lot to let people know that he has a sense of humor. The public will take it easy on the guy if they can see that he can laugh at himself in a Ben Stiller-ish Farrelly Brothers type comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:38:26 PM CST

    occula you talk some shit

    by talkbacker with no name

    You think we believe one word of that tosh?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 2:51:09 PM CST

    'tis true!

    by occula

    alls i can tell you is it's not a lie...and it was such a miserable job that fabricating it would be silly. i was a publicist's assistant and i worked under pat kinglsey on tom, richard gere, winona ryder, michelle pfeiffer and a bunch of other arrogant motherfuckers. actually, richard gere's not arrogant, or at least not since he became best buds with the dalai lama. anyhow, ask anybody who's worked as an assistant in the industry, and you'll think they're lying about the stories they tell too. it's a nasty business.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:00:54 PM CST

    'exquisite choice/greatest living directors'

    by elwin

    He didn't work with VERHOEVEN (yet)
    ...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:05:18 PM CST

    In other words, occula

    by talkbacker with no name

    You were one of the many that worked for PMK. Office rumours and other such nonsense about Cruise to fill the boring days? And on the subject of workmen looking at his wife and kids, I bloody well agree with him! I wouldn't want workmen looking at my family! I'd rather they got on with the job and fucking built something!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:49:13 PM CST

    Apparently, from what I understand.......

    by doc_strange

    Redford was asked whether he'd be directing Cruise in a new film. His answer, "Don't be rediculous."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:50:11 PM CST

    Yesh! So I forgot about about Color of Money. My bad

    by r.c. the "wise"

    besides, he wasn't the star of that film, Newman was. That film took place long before a "Tom Cruise" film occured. You know, when the actor's name is above the title and no matter how large the costar's are they won't appear anywhere but the fine credits at the base of a billboard... I'm still wise just uncertain with Cruise...that smuck.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:50:51 PM CST

    I'm still right about Streep!

    by r.c. the "wise"

  • Nov 15, 2006 3:53:19 PM CST

    REZE11EVEN: I met a Klansman once. He was nice also.

    by uberman

    Thats good enough for me:). Aside from that, consider this: Scientology is a vast criminal enterprise, investigated by the FBI in the '70s for operating a gigantic spying ring. One is their explicit goals IS! the taking over the government. Hear that? Also, they are actively engaged in a plan to gain political power through subversive means. For further insight, GOOGLE for information about their infiltration of the IRS and how they used that to protect themselves. People too often think that cult critics are criticizing the cults for their wacky beliefs. It's rather that they operate on blackmail, coercion, and intimidation of their enemies. Check out Xenu.net.
    Second is their explicit objective to harass all critics to the point of suicide. They have actively and maliciously engaged in smear campaigns and even violence in an attempt to silence all criticism. SCIENTOLOGY(TM)uses the courts as a blunt tool to silence, bankrupt, bully, and otherwise destroy critics. When was the last time you heard of someone getting a Ceist and Desist from the Pope? Seriously. When have you heard that? They abuse low-level culties. The upper echelons actively and maliciously use violence, torture, and other physical punishment to force their followers into submission. They encourage followers to use illegal or immoral means to pay mega-bucks to the cult. Unlike the other established religions, Scientology not only has a caste system, that caste system also has a pri$$$ce list associated with it. No-one ever became an Operating Thetan for free!!! If I want to be a Christian or Muslim, all I have to do is SAY I AM ONE. Viloa! and I is one! They also spend millions trying to get their NARCONON(TM) Program into public schools. NARCONON(TM) teaches things like the made up fact that drugs stay stored in fat indefinitely until "cleansed". Guess who does the cleansing for a fee? Hmmmm. Check out Xenu.net.




    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:00:35 PM CST

    It's not Scientologists people should worry about......

    by doc_strange

    It's the damn Freemasons. These fuckers rule the world and they built Washington DC very precisely, like a huge pentagram. Apparently, they are also devil worshippers.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:21:08 PM CST

    Meryl Streep = Overrated

    by jimmy_009

    Really, she's not that great an actress. Or at least hasn't been for two decades.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:25:53 PM CST

    well, curiously jealous-sounding Talkbacker...

    by occula

    it's not a rumor when i'm speaking with with nicole kidman. whatever, you can keep living in your people.com world - the more celebrities i work with, the more i know they're fucking lunatic dumbasses. uberman - i love your xenu.net shout-out. anybody wanting some good quick background, read the rolling stone article, xenu.net links right to it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 4:51:25 PM CST

    Re: emeraldboy

    by sithmenace

    Kubrick died in his sleep? Some people will believe anything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 5:12:53 PM CST

    I just re-read the title of this talk-back...

    by abominate

    ...and it reads as if whoever wrote it wants to, ahem, perform, ahem administratively for Mr. Body Thetan XXVII Cruise. "He just picked his next project--and it's JUST PERFECT!!" Yay. We're talking about a guy whose life is already too perfect in every way. I'm like most of you, in that I like some of his stuff, and can tolerate most of it, but nothing memorable. He has had no iconic pictures like a Harrison Ford (SW, Indy) or even a Tom Hanks (Gump). Yay. Tom Cruise urinates champagne. Tom Cruise heals sick children with his touch. You know what would really be great? If kate Holmes got postpartem depression and insisted on meds. I'd love that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 15, 2006 9:44:44 PM CST

    Tom Cruise is a loser

    by rupee88

    His recent films have only made about $400 million each WW at the box office. If he didn't jump on the couch, he would made more.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 16, 2006 1:05:53 AM CST

    um, I think he was joking

    by badmrwonka

    coming on BringingSexyBack...step lively

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 16, 2006 9:12:04 AM CST

    Cruise is a good actor . . .

    by nice marmot

    . . . and I could care less about his personal life. But Redford is pretty damn hit or miss as a director. Cruise is gambling by teaming with him for his comeback.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 16, 2006 10:18:13 AM CST

    I Won't Be Hailing Xenu Anytime Soon

    by captdanielroe

    But I dislike religious intolerance. None of which has anything to do with his movies which are an entirely separate issue and I enjoy one once in a while.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Nov 16, 2006 12:52:05 PM CST

    Want to stop feeding the SCIENTOLOGY PR machine?

    by uberman

    Then hold it in and Do Not see this robots movies. By enabling Cruise, your giving money to the church of Scientology.

    Reply to Talkback

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