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Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Over the Top
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
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Daytona odds, pace car, Cruise–Kidman timing, and alternate Harry
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:51Read transcript
- Cole's Daytona odds after his crash and in another driver's car are estimated at 100-to-1 or longer. — Bill Simmons
- The panel doubts it would be good at driving a pace car because of the banking and attention. — Kyle Brandt
- The timing of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman beginning their relationship is debated as either casting or after the hallway kiss. — Kyle Brandt
- Jack Nicholson is proposed as Harry if Robert Duvall had made The Godfather Part III instead. — Bill Simmons
- That substitution is recognized as potentially changing A Few Good Men. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:23Read transcript
- A Days of Thunder sequel is discussed, with skepticism that Tom Cruise would yield the central driving role to a younger character.
- Cole's minor eye injury is criticized as inadequate for the severity of the crash. — Chris Ryan
Apex Mountain
Mello Yello and car-racing movies; several near-apex cases
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:23Read transcript
- Tom Cruise is placed near, but not definitively at, his apex. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Duvall and Nicole Kidman are rejected as being at their apex; Cruise's hair and teeth are accepted. — Bill Simmons
- NASCAR and Don Simpson production stories are proposed as apex cases. — Bill Simmons
- Michael Rooker is assigned Cliffhanger; Cary Elwes is assigned The Princess Bride. — Bill Simmons
- Hans Zimmer and Simpson–Bruckheimer are rejected as apex cases. — Bill Simmons
- Car-racing movies are debated against Talladega Nights. — Bill Simmons
- Mello Yello is accepted as an apex case. — Bill Simmons
- Cruise is accepted in the Cruise-or-Hanks comparison. — Bill Simmons
Half-Assed Internet Research
Cars, birds, relationships, speeding, and role preparation
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:13Read transcript
- Hendrick Motorsports supplied the main cars, which were entered in real races for footage. — Bill Simmons
- Birdseed used for the rental-car beach scene reportedly led to birds being struck during filming. — Bill Simmons
- Donna Scott appeared in the police-stop scene, later dated Tony Scott, and married him. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Cruise reportedly received a speeding ticket in North Carolina during production. — Bill Simmons
- Nicole Kidman reportedly wanted to study neurosurgery, but producers discouraged it.
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Old Tom Cruise teeth; Cocktail 2
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:45Read transcript
- The production indirectly enabled Eyes Wide Shut because Dr. Jerry Punch recommended Nicole Kidman after Dead Calm. — Chris Ryan
- Days of Thunder is tested and rejected as better than Top Gun. — Kyle Brandt
- Tom Cruise's original teeth are preferred to his later straightened teeth. — Kyle Brandt
- Michael Rooker should have become a much bigger star, though a lack of comic range or conventional leading-man looks is offered as an explanation. — Bill Simmons
- The film would be better as Cocktail 2, with Brian Flanagan leaving the bar business for racing. — Bill Simmons
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Tom Cruise in the car; Robert Duvall laughing
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:54Read transcript
- Tom Cruise's car outbursts are proposed for overacting. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Duvall's delighted laugh after provoking Cole is a separate proposal. — Chris Ryan
What’s Aged the Worst?
Video game, overloaded subplots, rushed win, courtship, and sex scenes
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:37Read transcript
- The Days of Thunder video game is criticized as unusually poor for a film suited to an arcade adaptation. — Bill Simmons
- The film is criticized for carrying too many underdeveloped backstories, including Bucky's father. — Chris Ryan
- Cole's muted reaction to winning Daytona is criticized as rushed and insufficiently celebratory. — Bill Simmons
- Cole's pursuit of Claire is criticized as intrusive from the exam-room contact through the parking-lot wait and apartment flowers. — Kyle Brandt
- Harry's rapid car-building montage is criticized for skipping potentially interesting craft detail. — Bill Simmons
- Tim Daland's generic name and the unclear financing of the two-car team are questioned.
- Cole's bedroom scene with Claire is criticized as another awkward, ambiguous Tom Cruise love scene. — Bill Simmons
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
Daytona cars beneath rising balloons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:14Read transcript
- A low-angle Daytona shot of the cars passing as balloons rise is selected for its color and scale. — Chris Ryan
- The physical-exam two-shot revealing the height difference between Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise is an alternate comic choice.
What’s Aged the Best?
Robert Duvall, craft, cast, and racing lessons
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:42Read transcript
- Robert Duvall's committed crew-chief performance is praised and argued to hold the movie together. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Cruise's hair and Nicole Kidman's curly hair are praised. — Bill Simmons
- Nicole Kidman and Robert Duvall sharing serious scenes is praised in light of their later careers. — Bill Simmons
- John C. Reilly's Bucky is praised as an early version of Reed Rothchild. — Kyle Brandt
- Cary Elwes is praised for reliably playing an antagonist.
- Tom Cruise's unconvincing drunk acting is enjoyed as comedy. — Chris Ryan
- The movie's racing lessons about crew-chief trust, tires, team ownership, and driver temperament are praised. — Bill Simmons
- The wheelchair race is praised as more entertaining than the car races, including Rowdy batting away a nurse’s assistance. — Kyle Brandt
The most 1990 thing
David Coverdale sings the theme at Tom Cruise’s request
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:17Read transcript
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman falling in love during the production is proposed. — Bill Simmons
- The Tide, Snickers, Skoal, Exxon, and Mello Yello sponsorships are proposed. — Bill Simmons
- Russ Wheeler's girlfriend, her hair, and her boxy blazer are proposed as distinctly 1990.
- The winning choice is Tom Cruise requesting Whitesnake singer David Coverdale for the film's theme song. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:10Read transcript
- Cruise is argued to have the unsettling intensity for Lecter and the range to play every male role. — Bill Simmons
- Hanks is proposed as an excellent Crawford who might improve that part.
- The panel explicitly settles on Cruise.
Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake
Adult Mike sequel with Tom Cruise
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:11Read transcript
- A sequel following adult Mike, played by Tom Cruise, is preferred. — Bill Simmons
- Pro wrestling, trucking and a Fast & Furious-style stolen-car connection are alternative sequel directions. — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 61 - 72 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