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Borat
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What Lies Beneath
Film credit
Tom Cruise
Also referred to as Cruise, Cruz, Digger Cruz
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 20
- Movies in this archive
- 18
Rewatchables episodes featuring Tom Cruise’s films
Eyes Wide Shut
1999 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin
Aired August 15, 2023
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
2018 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Craig Horlbeck
Aired December 27, 2022
Displaying episodes 1 - 12 of 20 in total
Mentioned in discussions
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Hanks as Borat; Tom Cruise as Azamat
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:26Read transcript
- Tom Hanks is selected as more capable of playing Borat — Kyle Brandt
- Tom Cruise in a Les Grossman-style suit is proposed for Azamat — Kyle Brandt
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Cameos, careers, and a modern target
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:59:17Read transcript
- The discussion asks why more major stars do not take brief comic roles like Cruise's.
- Brandon T. Jackson's later career and the limited leading opportunities for Black actors are questioned. — Joel Anderson
- Possible modern satire targets include superhero films, prestige A24-style films, and celebrity podcasts. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:52:22Read transcript
- Cruise is the choice; the discussion notes his episode lead and debates films from his less-popular period.
Half-Assed Internet Research
Hawaii production and promotional details
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:51Read transcript
- The production is said to have filmed on Kauai, followed by discussion of Hawaii as a filmmaker family destination. — Bill Simmons
- Stiller, Downey, and Black promoted the film on American Idol; Rick Baker created Downey's makeup; the makeup reportedly took up to two hours. — Bill Simmons
- A Quint-like reveal for Four Leaf was reportedly rejected as one homage too many. — Bill Simmons
- Bill Hader reportedly became nervous at his audition after seeing Tom Cruise there as Les Grossman. — Van Lathan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:31Read transcript
- Tom Cruise as Les Grossman is selected, with debate over whether reducing him to one major scene plus the ending would increase the impact.
Casting What-Ifs
Keanu Reeves and other declined roles
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:44Read transcript
- Keanu Reeves was wanted for Tug while Ben Stiller would have played Rick Peck.
- Kevin Hart and Mos Def reportedly declined Alpa Chino for different concerns about the character. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Cruise vacated Rick Peck, Owen Wilson later left the role, and Matthew McConaughey ultimately joined. — Bill Simmons
Steven Seagal shitting on himself award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot
Stallone legend and losing daylight
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:25Read transcript
- Jack Black reportedly described his tied-to-a-tree speech as an homage to an explicit Sylvester Stallone microphone legend. — Craig Horlbeck
- Brandon T. Jackson reportedly said the San Antonio exchange was improvised with Robert Downey Jr. while the production was losing daylight. — Van Lathan
- Bill Hader reportedly described Tom Cruise recognizing him only after an impression and a briefing-like realization. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:43Read transcript
- Tom Cruise is proposed as Healy or the hitchhiker
- Tom Hanks is proposed as Ted or Healy and ultimately selected
Recasting Couch
Jacqueline Bisset as Hazel; Tom Cruise as Nick, with objections
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:31Read transcript
- Jacqueline Bisset as Hazel is a recasting proposal that receives little audience response.
- Tom Cruise as Nick is imagined through running, smoking, awkward chemistry and nightclub dancing; one preference favors Cruise, but two replies retain Douglas.
Tom Cruise Award for Bad Smoking
Kate — disputed
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:23Read transcript
- Kate’s smoking is criticized under aged-worst and a Tom Cruise bad-smoking award, with disagreement that she smokes convincingly. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Worst?
Kate’s smoking; sequel differences; supposed unattractiveness; Alejandro’s cartel connections; Reggie Wayne name; period-specific Juárez
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:11Read transcript
- Three adult films competing in 2015 is an early aged-worst comparison with current releases; a genre movie exceeding expectations makes Chris return to theaters immediately.
- Kate’s smoking is criticized under aged-worst and a Tom Cruise bad-smoking award, with disagreement that she smokes convincingly. — Bill Simmons
- The sequel is judged acceptable but different and unusually evil; an initial claim that it changed screenwriter is explicitly corrected to Sheridan. — Bill Simmons
- Aged-worst objections include treating Blunt as unattractive, insufficient detail on Alejandro’s cartel connections and the script naming Reggie Wayne. The geopolitical premise is defended as plausible. — Chris Ryan
- Juárez’s portrayal is discussed as tied to the writing period rather than the later city, with contemporary crime claims presented as the hosts’ reported research. — Sean Fennessey
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks tie, 2–2.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:46Read transcript
- Hanks is chosen for the value of playing against his trusted image in a Zemeckis movie. — Bill Simmons
- Cruise is chosen for the evil turn, sex scene, possession reaction, and physical climax. — Mallory Rubin
- Hanks is defended as stronger counter-programming, while Cruise’s Eyes Wide Shut role is used against repeating another troubled marriage.
- Cruise is defended as likely to intensify the role and perform the water and vehicle stunts. — Bill Simmons
- The final tally is explicitly called a rare two-to-two tie. — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 13 - 24 of 263 in total
Films in the archive
Risky Business
1983
The Color of Money
1986
The Firm
1993
Top Gun
1986
Top Gun: Maverick
2022
Tropic Thunder
2008