Saw that at the cinema in Vegas while on holiday (I’m British) and I swear I didn’t realise that was Cruise until the credits rolled. Such a stellar cast yet he still managed to stand out.
There was a rumor of this a while back but I think it fell flat as of now.
To answer OPs question, I have never really enjoyed Tom Cruise as an actor, however I think he does a great job making others shine in his movies. I will say my favorite is The Last Samurai.
The scene where Tom screams into the phone then tosses it and says "find out who that was" fucking kills me every time.
I've mentioned this before but people need to watch the movie with the actor commentary. RDJ stays in character for whoever is on screen at the time. He also breaks Jack Black's balls for showing up late to the recording with McDonald's but he didn't bring any for anyone else. So funny.
https://youtu.be/oDn7KPMKJLE?si=QxkWFPRLthLbnqFH
That scene and Matt M ( don’t know how to spell his last name) reaction to it are priceless. That said I think every single line and his dance at the end are pure gold.
What is even more amazing is his star power was fading bc this happened when he went Katie Holmes crazy ( plus Scientology was looking horrible) and this IMO totally saved him.
RDJ is just fantastic, probably the only guy that can do blackface and no one has an issue with it.
“You never go full retard. Don’t believe me ask Sean Pean.” That and “ when you send I love the pussy are you thinking about dangling your dice on lance’s forehead”
Damn. Now I have to go watch it again.
Came here for this comment. Loved Tropic Thunder and Tom Cruise's role is just icing on the cake.
Also, Collateral because it's equally out of character for him.
Its my favorite too. He played an against type role, a silver fox cold blooded professional hitman but you can see little bit of humanity in him. Also michael mann is one of my favorite directors
I think he related to the man on the train in the story he was telling Jamie foxx. Not sure he was meaning no one cared about him. So I agree with the humanity part. Yes, Michael Mann is a hall of famer
Such a great soundtrack too. That Audioslave song, Shadow on the sun, when they stop the cab for the crossing coyote, gives me chills everytime. Lyrics match, and the vibe and beat just fit so well.
Also Jamie Foxx's character arc feels really believable, his best acting imo.
Jumping in here to say did you know he wrote HEAT 2? Apparently it’s being made into a movie. I’ve downloaded the audiobook and I’ve been glued to it for the last few days.
Yeahhh heat is one of my top ten movies of all time i am so excited for heat 2 . I read that he is considering adam driver as robert deniro and austin butler as val kilmer.
I thought I was the only one! It’s the only movie I can rewatch repeatedly since I turned 30
edit: I’ve seen some others 2-3 times but I’ve probably seen EoT 30+ times; haven’t done that w/ a movie since I was a kid
I binge watched all his films the past year and I have to agree besides The Mummy reboot all his movies are either amazing, good, or at least entertaining. It’s crazy he’s been able to keep his Movie Superstar status almost 40 years now.
His filmography really is incredible. I do wonder though if he’ll ever take a break from mission impossible long enough to make some more interesting dramas or other genres again. It’s easy to forget he used to be in those. And interestingly there were multi year breaks between the older MI films. Six years between 2 and 3 for example.
I think he's trying to really live it up with action movies while he's still got it, and will probably go back to interesting dramas when he starts to slow down
MI:2 is a steaming turd. Maybe not his fault, but I tried to watch it a few weeks ago and it was unwatchable.
Then again it's probably more of a case of my expectation for a Tom Cruise movie.
you know what? Im no Tom Cruise fan but what you just said is so true. He always makes ok or good or great movies but bad...I can only think of Vakirye. In his 40 year career he has always been between the movie star/ serious actor, can play both sides of the fence. A legend no doubt.
I’ve seen it so many times, I’ve done numerous freeze frames on two scenes: when he’s running through Times Square at the beginning and when he’s falling at the end and there are some crazy images that flash by. My favorite is a fake magazine cover of Rise magazine with Katie Holmes on the cover…4 years before they dated. Guessing Cameron Crowe was a fan of hers too.
Watched it dozens of times already. Hell, it was the catalyst for me losing like 60lbs. It was the scene where he was just witnessing the day to day life of the samurai, “from the moment they wake they dedicate themselves to whatever they pursue. I’ve never seen such discipline.”
It was just a light bulb in my head, the next day I was in the gym.
I am but a simple bitch for overacting, bartending, and late 80’s aesthetics happening all at once…. Cocktail.
Also, Elizabeth Shue is a dreamboat, so there’s that.
Live Die Repeat/Edge of Tomorrow needs more love here
It’s one of the coolest movies I’ve ever watched & I can rewatch it more than once a year
Groundhog Day mixed with Independence Day
Not going to say it's my favorite, but God damn, Oblivion is a slept on movie. I never watched it because it had bad reviews, but I finally did and damn, it's just good Sci fi. There's not enough love for that movie out there, so just wanted to put it into this conversation.
My thought exactly. Like, are you not entertained!!!!
It was just what I want for sci fi. The negative reviews say it was great visuals and light in the plot...but what I saw was a movie that used its visual to tell a story, which is peak storytelling.
I feel like Rain Man is where he showed he could really lose himself in a role and really ACT. The way he came around on Dustin Hoffman’s character just felt really organic and believable.
I know it’s not widely considered his best era but I loved that whole late 90’s-mid 2000’s run - Magnolia, Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, and especially Collateral.
I think objectively A Few Good Men is his best movie and I think one of the best courtroom movies ever.
My personal favorite from childhood is Far and Away I love how it has three distinct locations for each act with the first act in Ireland the second act in Boston and the third act in Oklahoma territory.
Definitely Top Gun: Maverick. You could argue that others have better performances, or better plots, or better characters, but for overall entertainment value, nothing tops Maverick for me.
It was a phenomenal performance. Sure, the action sequences were great, but to me the depth to which he displayed emotions like his angsts, demons, doubts, regrets etc. is what stuck to me the most about this movie.
Edit - reworded
I'm always going to lean towards Born on the Fourth of July. That was the first time I saw him as an actual actor and not just a face. Close second is Rain Man
I think his best acting was in Born on the 4th of July.
My favorite would be hard to say, I enjoy so many of them. I’m happy that such a big star does good sci fi movies.
My fave sci fi of his is Edge of Tomorrow. So damn good.
Vanilla Sky
INTERVIEW W A VAMPIRE! When I first heard Tom playing Lestat, I was very surprised… That not seem like a part he could play well. He was brilliant in that movie. “ Claudia, you’ve been a very, very naughty little girl.” 😏
Tropic Thunder, we will never capture lightning in a bottle for Tom Cruise doing comedy in this vein ever again.
We need a Les Grossman origin story.
First, take a big step back... and literally, FUCK YOUR OWN FACE!
We do not negotiate with terrorists
Find out who that was.
Best line in the movie.
Saw that at the cinema in Vegas while on holiday (I’m British) and I swear I didn’t realise that was Cruise until the credits rolled. Such a stellar cast yet he still managed to stand out.
There was a rumor of this a while back but I think it fell flat as of now. To answer OPs question, I have never really enjoyed Tom Cruise as an actor, however I think he does a great job making others shine in his movies. I will say my favorite is The Last Samurai.
A Few Good Men and Risky Business
That movie was all about him and RDJ. Everyone else was fine but they literally killed every second they were onscreen
The scene where Tom screams into the phone then tosses it and says "find out who that was" fucking kills me every time. I've mentioned this before but people need to watch the movie with the actor commentary. RDJ stays in character for whoever is on screen at the time. He also breaks Jack Black's balls for showing up late to the recording with McDonald's but he didn't bring any for anyone else. So funny. https://youtu.be/oDn7KPMKJLE?si=QxkWFPRLthLbnqFH
That scene and Matt M ( don’t know how to spell his last name) reaction to it are priceless. That said I think every single line and his dance at the end are pure gold. What is even more amazing is his star power was fading bc this happened when he went Katie Holmes crazy ( plus Scientology was looking horrible) and this IMO totally saved him. RDJ is just fantastic, probably the only guy that can do blackface and no one has an issue with it. “You never go full retard. Don’t believe me ask Sean Pean.” That and “ when you send I love the pussy are you thinking about dangling your dice on lance’s forehead” Damn. Now I have to go watch it again.
Just watched it for the 80th time but love it so much I need to watch it again
Oscar worthy performance for sho—He nailed it next-level!
Came here for this comment. Loved Tropic Thunder and Tom Cruise's role is just icing on the cake. Also, Collateral because it's equally out of character for him.
I came here to say this. Up you go!
And who here is the key grip?
I’ll never forget screaming aloud in the theater during the dancing scene when I realized it was him
Collateral
Yes ! He was an awesome villain
It’s like he’s not even trying to act like a sociopath!! So believable
Its my favorite too. He played an against type role, a silver fox cold blooded professional hitman but you can see little bit of humanity in him. Also michael mann is one of my favorite directors
I think he related to the man on the train in the story he was telling Jamie foxx. Not sure he was meaning no one cared about him. So I agree with the humanity part. Yes, Michael Mann is a hall of famer
Such a great soundtrack too. That Audioslave song, Shadow on the sun, when they stop the cab for the crossing coyote, gives me chills everytime. Lyrics match, and the vibe and beat just fit so well. Also Jamie Foxx's character arc feels really believable, his best acting imo.
Jumping in here to say did you know he wrote HEAT 2? Apparently it’s being made into a movie. I’ve downloaded the audiobook and I’ve been glued to it for the last few days.
Yeahhh heat is one of my top ten movies of all time i am so excited for heat 2 . I read that he is considering adam driver as robert deniro and austin butler as val kilmer.
My vote too. He really should do more villain roles.
The scene where he double taps the guy in the alley is phenomenal.
Underrated movie
Edge of tomorrow/oblivion are a couple of the most rewatch able movies I can think of
Edge of tomorrow was really cool.
I love Edge of Tomorrow but then the last 20 mins of the movie are, for some reason, too dark to see wtf is going on.
Just watch it in the dark repeatedly like I did & it’s fine :)
probably trying to maintain the pg-13 while having a scene where a creature rips Emily Blunt into pieces.
They’re my cleaning the apartment movies.
Are you me? I’d say Oblivion is great more bc of the M83 soundtrack than Cruise, but definitely great falling asleep movies.
Are we all falling asleep to the same movies every night? I wonder if we all have the same dreams
I’ve watched edge of tomorrow probably 20 times. Definitely edge of tomorrow>oblivion Tip of the spear, edge of the knife, crack of my ass!
I can watch Edge Of Tomorrow over and over and over and over and over and over
I thought I was the only one! It’s the only movie I can rewatch repeatedly since I turned 30 edit: I’ve seen some others 2-3 times but I’ve probably seen EoT 30+ times; haven’t done that w/ a movie since I was a kid
Same, such a fun movie.
It really is a toss up for me between those two.
Say what you want about his personal life but this man doesn’t make a bad movie. It’s either just okay or really really good. No way I could pick one.
I binge watched all his films the past year and I have to agree besides The Mummy reboot all his movies are either amazing, good, or at least entertaining. It’s crazy he’s been able to keep his Movie Superstar status almost 40 years now.
His filmography really is incredible. I do wonder though if he’ll ever take a break from mission impossible long enough to make some more interesting dramas or other genres again. It’s easy to forget he used to be in those. And interestingly there were multi year breaks between the older MI films. Six years between 2 and 3 for example.
I think he's trying to really live it up with action movies while he's still got it, and will probably go back to interesting dramas when he starts to slow down
For real, I bet he enjoys doing his own stunts
Was going through this list like "damn, not a single bad movie"
Only one I can think of is Jack Reacher 2. It was so bad I couldn't finish it.
Facts
MI:2 is a steaming turd. Maybe not his fault, but I tried to watch it a few weeks ago and it was unwatchable. Then again it's probably more of a case of my expectation for a Tom Cruise movie.
Nah, I appreciate it for the vibes John Woo gives
I said that today while my son and I were watching American Made, which was great!
you know what? Im no Tom Cruise fan but what you just said is so true. He always makes ok or good or great movies but bad...I can only think of Vakirye. In his 40 year career he has always been between the movie star/ serious actor, can play both sides of the fence. A legend no doubt.
A Few Good Men
You can’t handle the truth!!!
You want me on that wall, You need me on that wall!
My fave as well
Def his best movie. Also my favorite.
One of those movies where if you’re flipping through the channels and find it, you have to stop
My two favorites are Legend, w/ Mia Sara & Tim Curry, & Interview with the Vampire
Darkness!!!
Sunlight! Is! My! Destroyer!
I was looking for both of those in the comments. Legend is well, legendary!
My favorite is the one where he runs really fast!
I just watched that last night!
🏃🏻♂️
Someone had to have made a list right? I always picture him running in The Firm
Vanilla Sky is his best role and most suitable. Movie is very underrated. Edge of Tomorrow and Eyes Wide Shut follow.
Vanilla Sky and Eyes Wide Shut are both really great films. I need to watch Edge of Tomorrow
If you like sci-fi and/or video games, Edge of Tomorrow is a necessity.
I can re-watch Vanilla Sky over and over. I even got the soundtrack on Vinyl. Cameron Crow did really good with “abre los ojos”
“I am Frank! And Frank must go, I bid you good evening..” Top 3 greatest movies ❤️
“ I good you a bid evening “ lol that’s why he makes that funny face at the end of it lol
Take it you’ve seen the “Prelude to a Dream” making of as well? Masterpiece, all of it..👌
Yes! It was with the DVD I got in highschool.
https://youtu.be/9G68CbT8qcs?si=hkjtV2J62_mHtNNr
I’ve seen it so many times, I’ve done numerous freeze frames on two scenes: when he’s running through Times Square at the beginning and when he’s falling at the end and there are some crazy images that flash by. My favorite is a fake magazine cover of Rise magazine with Katie Holmes on the cover…4 years before they dated. Guessing Cameron Crowe was a fan of hers too.
The Last Samurai
ALUUUUUUUGREN
FEASOME NENEMMY
Watched it dozens of times already. Hell, it was the catalyst for me losing like 60lbs. It was the scene where he was just witnessing the day to day life of the samurai, “from the moment they wake they dedicate themselves to whatever they pursue. I’ve never seen such discipline.” It was just a light bulb in my head, the next day I was in the gym.
…perfect……. They are…. All…. *Perfect*…
I will miss…our conversations
Agreed. That movie was my obsession when I was a kid. I even bought the soundtrack and listened to it constantly.
This is correct
Hans Zimmer gets an assist on this one. I’ve listened to that soundtrack many, many times while working.
Minority report
Possibly my favorite movie
I think this movie is a largely forgotten gem. It’s about time for people to revisit, I’d say.
21 years later and the futuristic tech presumptions still hold up well.
That's probably my favorite too. That and Jerry Mcguire. "Show me the money!" I can't hear you, Jerry! "SHOW ME THE MONEEEEEY!"
Vanilla Sky
I agree. What’s your favorite scene?
I like the club scene where Sophia leaves him and he does shots with the bartender.
The Firm
Jeanne Tripplehorn...
Color of Money. Young Tom Cruise + mature Paul Newman.
I think that it’s probably objectively the best film here. Problem is that it’s much more a Paul Newman film then a Tom Cruise film.
I am but a simple bitch for overacting, bartending, and late 80’s aesthetics happening all at once…. Cocktail. Also, Elizabeth Shue is a dreamboat, so there’s that.
Magnolia, 100%
Top 5 movie all-time for me, doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
Denise. Denise the piece.
quiet marvelous terrific longing thumb drunk squalid hard-to-find modern bear ` this message was mass deleted/edited with redact.dev `
Live Die Repeat/Edge of Tomorrow needs more love here It’s one of the coolest movies I’ve ever watched & I can rewatch it more than once a year Groundhog Day mixed with Independence Day
Vanilla Sky Eyes Wide Shut Jerry Maguire (Magnolia and Interview With a Vampire are some of his best roles however)
Vanilla Sky is the definition of underrated
One of my all time favorites! It’s also fall so it’s time to give it another watch soon lol
The Mission Impossible movies are a blast especially Ghost Protocol on.
MI4 is my favorite too and I don't see it get much appreciation
Interview with the vampire
Do you still want death? Or have you tasted it enough?
When he dances with the dead woman (Claudia’s mother) while singing Mozart kills me 😂 “There’s still life in the old lady, yet!”
Damn.. these are all great movies.
Not going to say it's my favorite, but God damn, Oblivion is a slept on movie. I never watched it because it had bad reviews, but I finally did and damn, it's just good Sci fi. There's not enough love for that movie out there, so just wanted to put it into this conversation.
That soundtrack is unreal
Is that the one that m83 did?
It was great. Just the whole vibe of the movie was top notch sci fi.
no idea why it got mediocre reviews
My thought exactly. Like, are you not entertained!!!! It was just what I want for sci fi. The negative reviews say it was great visuals and light in the plot...but what I saw was a movie that used its visual to tell a story, which is peak storytelling.
I adore Oblivion! Glad not to be alone…
Tropic Thunder
Honestly? MI7
Born on the Fourth of July
vanilla sky
Definitely Collateral.
Jerry Maguire
Days of Thunder
Rubbins racin son
Came here for this
Vanilla Sky, Legend, Top Gun, and Interview with a Vampire
Oblivion & Minority Report are my faves.
Risky Business is dope AF
Had to scroll way to far for the correct answer. Lana : So, how're we doin'? Joel Goodson : Looks like University of Illinois!
Mission Fallout
Vanilla sky.
Vanilla Sky
Risky Business
Minority report
Tropic thunder
Minority Report. Seen it many times over and still enjoy the hell out of it. Pre-cog/murder-mystery wrapped in a sci-fi bow? Love it.
Collateral for me, that movie just hits different
I feel like Rain Man is where he showed he could really lose himself in a role and really ACT. The way he came around on Dustin Hoffman’s character just felt really organic and believable.
Magnolia or Collateral
A really good one, which is my father's favorite, Edge of Tomorrow\[2014\]
I just realized how American this man is.
Metal Gear Solid
MI: Rogue Nation. Great story, and Tom and Rebecca Ferguson have great chemistry.
I know it’s not widely considered his best era but I loved that whole late 90’s-mid 2000’s run - Magnolia, Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, and especially Collateral.
Vanilla Sky
Interview with a vampire
I think objectively A Few Good Men is his best movie and I think one of the best courtroom movies ever. My personal favorite from childhood is Far and Away I love how it has three distinct locations for each act with the first act in Ireland the second act in Boston and the third act in Oklahoma territory.
Far and Away
Where’s Vanilla Sky?
Tropic Thunder - it’s not close. He’s a force is nature in that movie and hilarious all at the same time
Edge of Tomorrow... something about watching him die over and over makes me really enjoy that flick.
Edge of tomorrow , Minority Report .
“Hey homie is that my briefcase?” - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oEFPcljAXgs
Edge of Tomorrow.
Tied for me with Edge of Tomorrow & Oblivion.
Taps and Collateral.
Hands down, Magnolia. Listen he was over the top great in Tropic Thunder but Magnolia he’s a tour de force.
Vanilla Sky
The Outsiders
MI:1 is a banger.
I really like the Color of Money
Tom may be a weirdo but that dude makes some great flicks!
Legend. A few good men. Vanilla Sky. Tropic Thunder.
Eyes Wide Shut
Definitely Top Gun: Maverick. You could argue that others have better performances, or better plots, or better characters, but for overall entertainment value, nothing tops Maverick for me.
It is the difference between the 1986 Maverick and the older more, mature Maverick in 2022.
It was a phenomenal performance. Sure, the action sequences were great, but to me the depth to which he displayed emotions like his angsts, demons, doubts, regrets etc. is what stuck to me the most about this movie. Edit - reworded
Reacher I & II
He runs fastest in Far and Away
All the Right Moves.
Collateral
Oblivion for me. Such a cool movie.
Best 4 for me are: Top gun 2 A few good men Jerry McGuire Collateral Hard for me to pick 1 between those 4. They are all amazing
No love for Legend???
No love for "The Firm"?
Should have won an oscar for born 4th of july
I watched Oblivion on mushrooms the first time I ever watched it and i dont know why but that movie is one I could watch 1000 times and still like.
Vanilla Sky
vanilla sky, interview with the vampire and legend. no other tom cruise movie exists for me 😂
Vanilla Sky!!!
Jerry McGuire. I used that phrase like a madman when I am trying to get out of sticky situations. “SHOW ME THE MONEH!”
I'm always going to lean towards Born on the Fourth of July. That was the first time I saw him as an actual actor and not just a face. Close second is Rain Man
I think his best acting was in Born on the 4th of July. My favorite would be hard to say, I enjoy so many of them. I’m happy that such a big star does good sci fi movies. My fave sci fi of his is Edge of Tomorrow. So damn good.
Eh, he’s not as good an actor as Jon Heder, but he’s ok.
Vanilla Sky.
What happened to Austin powers
Vanilla Sky INTERVIEW W A VAMPIRE! When I first heard Tom playing Lestat, I was very surprised… That not seem like a part he could play well. He was brilliant in that movie. “ Claudia, you’ve been a very, very naughty little girl.” 😏
American made was awesome
eyes wide shut or vanilla sky
I like most of his movies but my all time favs are Collateral and Vanilla Sky
Vanilla Sky
It would probably be easier to ask which movie is your least favorite. He has such a good catalog of movies.
Say what you will… what a career!!!
Vanilla Sky