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Reviews
Mission: Improbable (2000)
I never knew Ben Stiller was so attractive.
Seeing the two side by side (Tom Cruise and "Tom Crooze") I realize that they really DO look alike. It was spooky and funny. Very funny.
This short bonus/extra to the Mission Impossible II DVD was absolutely hilarious. It shows highlights of the 14 movie career of stunt double Tom Crooze, from Risky Business to Cocktail to Magnolia, and now to Mission Impossible II.
Ben Stiller is not only a gifted comic, he's a magical mimic. I loved every expression of his (he got the Tom mega-smile down, the Tom laugh, the Tom underwear dance, etc.), every body stance, every motion he made as "Tom" was just right on and so funny. The best scenes were the two men interacting side by side, dressed identically.
Tom (the real one) is sure a good sport to not only put up with this silliness but partake in it.
Favorite clip was Ben as the bartender in Cocktail. No, wait, it's his look at Frank Mackey in Magnolia.
You've got to see this.
The Firm (1993)
Years later, and I still enjoyed it!
I've recently become greatly enamoured of Tom Cruise (think "Last Samurai"), and I'm amusing myself by looking back over his lengthy filmography.
"The Firm" was a good one! I enjoyed seeing it in the theater when it first came out, I've enjoyed it on TV, and now I'm enjoying owning it on DVD. Mitch is a young top-of-his-law-class lawyer, who is seduced by the big money of a little-known Memphis law firm. They seem like nice folks. He grew up poor, and the megabucks and megaperks being offered dazzle him. He drags along his wife, Abby.
Things turn strange, and dark, and Mitch learns that all is not what it seems. He has to turn to his own ingenuity to escape the clutches of the evil firm, the FBI, the mob.
My favorite scenes involve Tom (of course!!). He is such an incredibly talented actor. I like the scene (SPOILER) where he is shown the sexpics by Wilfred Brimley. His shame is tangible. I like the scene (SPOILER) where he is dangling, sweating on the ceiling, with dripping sweat droplets causing danger of discovery. Obviously, lots of people liked that scene. He used it again later in the original "Mission Impossible."
I had forgotten the scene where he viciously attacks and kicks (and kicks and kicks) a prostrate Wilfred Brimley. That was a surprising and powerful scene. Many of Tom's characters have had a dark edge to them (think "Magnolia"). I can't wait for his new movie, "Collateral," where he plays a hitman. I'm expecting to be chilled.
"The Firm" is enjoyable. Holly Hunter was funny and lively. Gene Hackman (who I dislike) is really good as the sad Avery. The actor who played Mitch's brother, Ray, is good. Ed Harris as the slightly befuddled FBI agent is good. There are lots of good performances here. Good, not great.
The main draw of the film is Tom Cruise and his palpable charisma onscreen. Oh, and Grisham's story is all right, too. 3 stars out of 5.
The Last Samurai (2003)
Thoroughly Enjoyable--Tom Cruise's Best
I absolutely LOVED this movie. I've seen it three times, and I love it more with each viewing. Tom was robbed not to get the Best Actor nomination. In my book, this is the best picture of 2003, and 2002, and 2001.... You get the idea.
It's rich, it's full, it's got so much going on and all of it is good: a fascinating love story, war story, friendship story, clash of culture story, fleshed out characters, stunning visuals, exciting action sequences, the sets, the costumes, the music.... We're talking perfection of detail. In a word: WOW!!!!!
Tom has never been better and more appealing onscreen. When I'm watching a movie and I FORGET that it's "Tom Cruise," that's good acting. I wasn't watching Tom Cruise. I was watching Nathan Algren. And I sure liked the guy. Every emotion the character was experiencing was real, tangible and convincing. Tom was really, really just GREAT in this role. Ken Watanabe was super, as well.
This movie is definitely one to add to my collection. I say hurry to the theater to catch this one, if you haven't already seen it. I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Phone Booth (2002)
Knocked my socks off.
I loved this movie! It was a thrill ride extraordinare. I watched it last night and have been thinking about it nonstop. I want to go see it again, today. I think I will!
Colin Farrell is a brilliant, incredible actor, and dead-on convincing. I believed he was "Stu," every facial expression, every word, every reaction rang true. It was a wonderful, wonderful performance! Colin is riveting!!! I've loved him in every movie he's made, from the comedic turn as Bullseye, to Hart in Hart's War, to James, "The Recruit." I even liked him in that incredibly dull snoozer, American Outlaws. When he smiles, he lights up the screen.
And Keifer Sutherland is magnificent, too. His voice is utterly compelling.
The whole premise of a man trapped and forced into self-examination by a psycho was exciting and painful to watch, both. This movie is the best one I've seen all year, and I go to the movies weekly.
10 stars out of 10 Go, Colin!!!!