The Tom Cruise Lists

With American Made hitting theaters today it's time to revisit the storied career of our old friend Tom Cruise. He has starred in films for Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick. He's gone from a teen idol, to a bonafide superstar with 3 Academy Award nominations and 3 Golden Globe wins. Chris and I have grown up on his films and now we pay tribute with . . .

The Tom Cruise Lists

Dan's List

5. Risky Business

This is the departure point on the Cruise vision quest.
He is incredibly believable as the naive prep Joel.
Through the film you see his transformation and Cruise carries it off seamlessly.
In addition to his breakthrough performance, this film is just straight up awesome.
The writing and direction, by Paul Brickman, are something special.
It should have made him huge, instead, he basically walked away from the business.
Add in the stunning, "Love On A Real Train" by Tangerine Dream, and it's pure bliss.
Just ask the great Roger Ebert, who blessed it with a 4 Star Review.


4. A Few Good Men

Cruise pairing with one of the best writers in the business.

I love just about everything Aaron Sorkin has written.

From "The West Wing" to THE SOCIAL NETWORK, he always delivers quality dialogue.

While not every actor can handle his writing style, Cruise excelled with it.

The questioning of Colonel Jessep will live on in film history.

Jack Nicholson got an Oscar nomination and Cruise helped him get it.

This could have easily won Best Picture and I still think UNFORGIVEN is overrated.

3. Mission: Impossible

This was the start of Cruise's second career as an action star.
I went to see MISSION on opening day, when I got there, it had already started.

I walked into an amazing sequence with a helicopter and a speeding train.

What a way to open a film!

After, Cruise has coffee, The Cranberries kick in and then, end credits?

I had walked into the wrong theater and saw the ending of an earlier showing.

Luckily, I was 11 years old and psyched that I got to see the chase twice.

For my money, this is the best installment of the series.

You know, before it became Kickin Impossible.

2. Top Gun

The start of The Streak.

What is the Streak?

It's possibly the greatest run of successful features by an actor in film history.

Here it is, in order:

TOP GUN, COLOR OF MONEY, COCKTAIL, RAIN MAN, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, DAYS OF THUNDER, FAR AND AWAY, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE FIRM, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, JERRY MAGUIRE.

That's 12 huge, awesome movies, in a row, over a 10 year span.

And if you want to get crazy it can keep going:

EYES WIDE SHUT, MAGNOLIA, M:I 2, VANILLA SKY, MINORITY REPORT.

That's 17 years without a flop!

TOP GUN never gets old and is infinitely quotable.

Plus, I think it was on TV every weekend, of my entire life.

At least once a year I find myself popping it in the DVD, playing with the boys.

1. The Color Of Money

Cruise and Scorsese.

A match made in pool hall heaven.

Oh, and another guy you may have heard of, Paul Newman.

This film is a sequel to THE HUSTLER, but stands up on its own merits.

Cruise plays the flake so well in this movie.

He even plays the flake, who is playing a flake, well.

Got that?

And his hair was perfect!

Now I'm gonna need you to go ahead and Do It To 'Em Cruisey!

Chris's List 

I don’t dislike early Tom Cruise. He made some solid, entertaining films that many now consider classics. Risky Business, The Color of Money, even Cocktail and others had there moments. Likewise, I don’t dislike action hero Tom Cruise – I have enjoyed all of the Mission: Impossible films, Edge of Tomorrow, and more. I just like him even more when he steps out of those two comfort zone roles (cocky pretty boy/action star) that he plays over and over again.

#5 – Top Gun

Obviously picking this at my #5 completely throws all of what I previously said out the window, but there is just too much fun and nostalgia in this movie for me to leave it out.

#4 – Minority Report

I feel this is an overlooked sci-fi gem for both Cruise and director Steven Spielberg. My appreciation for it grows every time I watch it. Some great futuristic tech and production design mixed with a stellar cast and even some philosophical pondering, which all great sic-fi films should have.  

#3 – Interview with the Vampire

I don’t know what it is about this film–maybe it’s my hometown Louisiana setting–but I love it. Cruise stands out in a rare villainous turn, and he looks to be having a blast as a blood-sucking blonde.

#2 – Magnolia

Leave it to Paul Thomas Anderson to coax out the best performance of Cruise’s multi-decade career. In a film full of towering performances (William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman), Cruise doesn’t get lost in the shuffle as he sheds his amped-up cocky persona for a few daddy-issue tears.

#1 – Collateral

Dan and I have never seen eye-to-eye on this Michael Mann crime classic. It didn’t even crack his Jamie Foxx Top 5 or Michael Mann Top 5, so no surprise he left it off of his Cruise list as well. A great, tense film that beautifully captures L.A. at night, as only Michael Mann can.  

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Check Out Our Other Best Of Lists:

Bill Murray - Brad Pitt - Robert Downey Jr. -  Denzel Washington - Robin Williams 
Christian Bale - Matt Damon - Johnny Depp – Jamie Foxx - Reese Witherspoon - Michael Mann
David Fincher - Wes Anderson - Ron Howard – Tony Scott – Michael Bay – Stanley Kubrick 
Space Movies – Movie Lawyers – Movie Bars – Concert Movies - Airplane Movies - War Movies
Badass Ladies - Baseball Movies – Films From 2000-Now – Movie/Video Game Combos - Kill Bill

Now Playing: American Made and Flatliners

Greetings from The North!
Here's The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week:


AMERICAN MADE

Official Synopsis: Barry Seal, a TWA pilot, is recruited by the CIA to provide reconnaissance on the burgeoning communist threat in Central America and soon finds himself in charge of one of the biggest covert CIA operations in the history of the United States. The operation spawns the birth of the Medellin cartel and almost brings down the Reagan White House.

North's Thoughts: 
AMERICAN MADE re-teams Tom Cruise and director, Doug Liman.

Previously, they paired for EDGE OF TOMORROW, which was a stellar sci-fi flick.

They will work together again, as EDGE is getting a sequel in the next year or so.

Cruise you know/check out of Best Of Tom Cruise.

He's possibly the biggest movie star in history with an absolutely incredible filmography.

And while Liman, may not be a household name, he should be.

MR. AND MRS. SMITH, and THE BOURNE IDENTITY ?

Both Liman.

GO and one of my all-time favorite films, SWINGERS ?

Liman again and again.

They guy is money, Baby!

With this much talent involved, I give AMERICAN MADE the benefit of the doubt.

It's got ripe source material, and top talent in front of, as well as behind the camera.

That's a recipe for a good trip to the movies.

Besides, what the worse case scenario?

Cruise goes over the top and it hits JACK REACHER levels of absurdity?

Well, then as a wise man once said, "Do It To 'Em Cruisey!".

Check Out The Trailer Here

FLATLINERS

Official Synopsis: Five medical students embark on a daring and dangerous experiment to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life. The bold adventure begins when they trigger near-death experiences by stopping their hearts for short periods of time. As their trials become more perilous, each must confront the sins from their past while facing the paranormal consequences of journeying to the other side.

North's Thoughts:

Julia Roberts.

Kevin Bacon.

Kiefer Sutherland.

In 1990, these actors were all poised to become superstars.

FLATLINERS helped them get there.

It also kept director Joel Schumacher's career rolling and is definitely a worth a watch.

These days any movie that once had a pulse (pun intended) is reboot fodder.

The concept of FLATLINERS is cool and the details are easy enough to freshen up.

I'm actually surprised it took this long to get a remake.

Will Ellen Page, Nina Dobrev and Diego Luna reach the heights of their predecessors? 

Doubtful.

Although we have seen great work from Page (JUNO) and Luna (ROGUE ONE).

Hopefully this version has as many thrills as the original.

If so, maybe someday we will be playing Six Degrees Of Nina Dobrev.

Check Out The Trailer Here

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Now Playing: Popstar: Never Stop Stopping, Me Before You, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2

The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week!

POPSTAR: NEVER STOP STOPPING

Official Synopsis:

Childhood friends Conner (Andy Samberg), Owen (Jorma Taccone) and Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) found fame and fortune after forming the hip-hop group the Style Boyz. Owen and Lawrence faded into the background when frontman Conner left the band to launch a successful solo career. Now, the egotistical singer decides to film a documentary about his life while he's still on top. When his second album flops, the camera is there to capture his world come crashing down.

North's Take:

Can't wait!

Andy Samberg is one of the funniest people on the planet.

I loved 2007s criminally underrated, Hot Rod, and tune in to watch "Brooklyn Nine Nine".

Now him and the rest of his comedy group, The Lonely Island, are back with Popstar.

The Lonely Island have made a career skewering the music business with parody songs. 

The irony is that their "comedy songs" are often legitimate, fire jams.

I was at a club in Montreal and "I'm On A Boat" got played, the crowd went berserk.

Hopefully this film will continue to showcase their comedy and musical talents.

ME BEFORE YOU

Official Synopsis:

Young and quirky Louisa "Lou" Clark (Emilia Clarke) moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Will's cynical outlook starts to change when Louisa shows him that life is worth living. As their bond deepens, their lives and hearts change in ways neither one could have imagined.

North's Take:

Emilia Clarke is most know for playing The Khaleesi on "Game Of Thrones".

That character will no doubt be remembered and beloved for years to come.

Will the quirky Louisa "Lou" Clark join her?

Only time will tell.

This film's legacy will be built on what happens after it leaves theaters.

If it becomes a "must watch after a breakup" flick, we may never see the last of it.

After reading the wikipedia for the novel, I am now versed enough to know:

This is gonna be a tear-jerker.

That's a step in the right direction for The Mother Of Dragons to add to her legend.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2

Official Synopsis:

The turtles face a new challenge when Shredder escapes from custody and joins forces with Baxter Stockman, a mad scientist who plans to use a serum to take over the world. Along for the ride are Bebop and Rocksteady, two dimwitted henchmen who provide plenty of muscle. Luckily, the turtles have their own allies in April O'Neil, Vernon Fenwick and Casey Jones, a hockey-masked vigilante. As the pizza-loving heroes prepare for battle, the notorious Krang also emerges to pose an even greater threat.

North's Take:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II is an absolutely great film.

Of course, I'm talking about the 1991 sequel, Secret Of The Ooze.

The live action Turtles had a charm about them that just can't be duplicated:

Especially not with CGI.

Alas, we are in for a second iteration of the digital Turtles and sidekick Megan Fox.

Maybe kids nowadays love these graphically enhanced versions, but I just can't abide.

In some ways, I am still that little dude with a cassette recorder pressed against the TV.

How else was I ever going to get a copy of this song?

T-U-R-T-L-E POWER! 

Last Week (No Post): X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS 

Still Playing: NEIGHBORS 2, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, THE NICE GUYS

Still Playing: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

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Now Playing: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, The Angry Birds Movie, The Nice Guys

The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week!

NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING

Official Synopsis:

Life is good for Mac Radner (Seth Rogen) and pregnant wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) until the unruly sisters of Kappa Nu move in next door. As the loud parties threaten the sale of their home, the couple turn to ex-neighbor and one-time enemy Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) for help. Now united with the former college student, the trio devises schemes to get the wild sorority off the block. Unfortunately, the rebellious young women refuse to go down without a fight.

North's Take:

Neighbors was the funniest film of 2014 and the sequel has great potential.

Rogen, Byrne and Efron are back, and along with the sneaky-funny, Chloe Grace Moretz.

They will need the extra firepower to pull off the seemingly impossible task:

a comedy sequel that is better than the original.

You can recycle characters, but once you use jokes over and over, it's a slippery slope.

Don't count on this besting the original, but if it can get to 75% of the funny, I'll be happy.

As for the Best Comedy Sequels Ever, here a quick Top 5:

5. Vegas Vacation (For the record Christmas Vacation is AWFUL!)

4. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

3. Wayne's World 2

2. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1. Back To The Future II (This is probably cheating, but like I said, it's a tough genre)

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE

Official Synopsis:

Flightless birds lead a mostly happy existence, except for Red (Jason Sudeikis), who just can't get past the daily annoyances of life. His temperament leads him to anger management class, where he meets fellow misfits Chuck (Josh Gad) and Bomb. Red becomes even more agitated when his feathered brethren welcome green pigs to their island paradise. As the swine begin to get under his skin, Red joins forces with Chuck and Bomb to investigate the real reason behind their mysterious arrival.

North's Take:

The Angry Birds mobile game franchise has hundreds of millions of downloads.

With a built-in audience like that, this film has endless box office potential.

The game itself doesn't have much of scrpit, but that shouldn't matter:

They've brought in some great comedic talent in Jason Sudeikis and Josh Gad.

Gad helped Frozen become an instant classic with his charm.

Sudeikis is hilarious, and has the edge needed to be the angriest bird.

Make no mistake:

This could become your kid's favorite movie.

THE NICE GUYS

Official Synopsis:

Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a down-on-his-luck private eye in 1977 Los Angeles. Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is a hired enforcer who hurts people for a living. Fate turns them into unlikely partners after a young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley) mysteriously disappears. Healy and March soon learn the hard way that other dangerous people are also looking for Amelia. Their investigation leads to some dark places as anyone else who gets involved in the case seems to wind up dead.

North's Take:

Is this the start of the Russell Crowe comeback tour?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Crowe was inescapable:

He was nominated for three consecutive Best Actor Oscars, winning for Gladiator.

Aside from playing Superman's Dad, we haven't seen Crowe in a big flick since 2012.

Now he's starring opposite Ryan Gosling in the latest from writer/director Shane Black.

Color me excited.

Shane Black has already done this film successfully.

Multiple times.

Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Those films show that Black is a master of the violent/dark, but comedic, action genre.

Gosh, he practically invented that genre.

I also really enjoyed what he did with Iron Man 3, so we know Black still has the goods.

If Crowe is back to form and Gosling is still his awesome self, we are in for a real treat.

Last Week: MONEY MONSTER, THE DARKNESS

Still Playing: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

Still Playing: KEANU, MOTHER'S DAY, RATCHET AND CLANK

Still Playing: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR

Still Playing: THE JUNGLE BOOK, CRIMINAL, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT

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Now Playing: Money Monster, The Darkness

The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week!

MONEY MONSTER

Official Synopsis:

Lee Gates (George Clooney) is a Wall Street guru who picks hot stocks as host of the television show "Money Monster." Suddenly, during a live broadcast, disgruntled investor Kyle Budwell storms onto the set and takes Gates hostage. He tells Lee that he lost everything on one of his tips. As Gates tries to plead with Kyle, he's also using an earpiece to communicate with his longtime producer (Julia Roberts) in the control room. Together, they must figure out a way to defuse the situation and disarm the angry young man.

North's Take:

Clooney.

Roberts.

These are two of the biggest names in film history.

And they obviously have great chemistry.

Throw in the fact that Jodie Foster is directing and you've basically got an all-star team.

Money Monster looks like a thriller in the style of Inside Man (which starred Foster):

Slick looking, with twists and turns all but guaranteed.

I'm hoping that the script can live up to the talent on screen and behind the camera.

THE DARKNESS

Official Synopsis:

A supernatural force terrorizes a couple (Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell) and their two children after they return home from a vacation to the Grand Canyon.

North's Take:

With a synopsis that short, the tagline should be:

"This is a scary movie starring Kevin Bacon."

Here's the trailer.

And here's a quick list of Bacon's Top 5 Performances:

5. A Few Good Men

4. Apollo 13

3. Footloose

2. The River Wild

1. JFK- Willie O'Keefe can play for my squad any day. (Warning: Foul Language!)

Last Week: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

Still Playing: KEANU, MOTHER'S DAY, RATCHET AND CLANK

Still Playing: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR

Still Playing: THE JUNGLE BOOK, CRIMINAL, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT

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Now Playing: Captain America: Civil War

The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

Official Synopsis:

Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side.

North's Take:

One year ago we ranked all of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Then, all hell broke loose in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Now, our heroes are splitting into two camps and deciding on career paths:

Via a super-fight.

I don't care what the title of the movie is, I'm Team Iron Man all the way.

Tony Stark has seen the future.

He knows that they must band together for survival, but things can never be that easy.

Captain America isn't exactly pleased with what happened to his best friend.

And suddenly, the world's most perfect soldier doesn't want to follow orders.

I never thought I'd see Tony Stark become the establishment and Cap, the rebel.

But I can't wait to see who is left standing on the big screen!

Last Week: KEANU, MOTHER'S DAY, RATCHET AND CLANK

Still Playing: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR

Still Playing: THE JUNGLE BOOK, CRIMINAL, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT

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Now Playing: Keanu, Mother's Day, Ratchet And Clank

The Rundown On What's New In Theaters This Week!

KEANU

Official Synopsis:

Recently dumped by his girlfriend, slacker Rell (Jordan Peele) finds some happiness when a cute kitten winds up on his doorstep. After a heartless thief steals the cat, Rell recruits his cousin Clarence (Keegan-Michael Key) to help him retrieve it. They soon learn that a thug named Cheddar (Method Man) has the animal, and he'll only give it back if the two men agree to work for him. Armed with guns and a gangster attitude, it doesn't take long for the hapless duo to land in big trouble.

North's Take:

If you don't know about Key and Peele, click this link and get ready to laugh.

They've had a TV show for 5 seasons and are easily the best comedic duo around.

When I heard they had a movie coming out, I was stoked.

Then I heard it was about them becoming gangsters to retrieve their cute cat:

And I was even more excited.

Funny is funny.

This concept, in the hands of lesser comedians, could become Corky Romano 2.0.

With Key and Peele at the helm, rest assured: There Will Be Laughs!

MOTHER'S DAY

Official Synopsis:

Intertwining stories revolve around a television host (Julia Roberts), a divorcee (Jennifer Aniston) looking for love and a woman (Kate Hudson) who wants to strengthen her relationship with her mother.

North's Take:

Director Garry Marshall is a straight-up, Hollywood legend.

In his fifty plus years in the business, he created famous TV shows and classic films.

I doubt there is anyone who has never heard of "Happy Days" or Pretty Woman.

Mother's Day, which follows Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve, is simple in concept:

Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston and Kate Hudson have feelings about life.

I'm sure there is more to the film than that, but this is right in Marshall's wheelhouse.

He's been making audiences weep for years, from Beaches to The Other Sister.

I don't know if this film is destined for greatness, but I know Marshall has it in him.

RATCHET AND CLANK

Official Synopsis:

Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy lombax who grew up without a family. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. After stumbling upon a weapon that can destroy entire planets, they join forces with a team of do-gooders known as the Galactic Rangers. Together, they must stop the evil alien Chairman Drek from utilizing this dangerous technology. Along the way, Ratchet and Clank learn valuable lessons about heroism, friendship and discovering one's own identity.

North's Take:

Back in 2013, I ranked the Best and Worst Movie/Video Game Combinations.

It will be a hard list to crack, but Ratchet And Clank has the potential:

Video games have basically become feature films and the transfer is much easier.

I doubt we will ever see a truly great film become an unplayble game. 

The days of E.T. on Atari 2600 are long gone.

And I don't see them screwing up a film version of a great game series like R&C.

Can this combo make its way onto the list?

You'll have to go to the movies this weekend to find out.

Last Week: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR

Still Playing: THE JUNGLE BOOK, CRIMINAL, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT

Still Playing: HARDCORE HENRY, THE BOSS, DEMOLITION

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