Whatever happened to C4

I think I sort of feel sorry for Tom Cruise. He sues anyone who suggests he's anything other than 'full-blooded heterosexual male', which (how shall I put it) suggests the possibility that he might be living his life as a total sham - relationships, marraiges, children. But movies these days cost so much to make, that if anything to the contrary were proved about Tom's sexuality, that he could not (and please excuse the pun) pull off a 'convincingly male lead', he would lose his superstar status, and for him the game would be up. I thought he was absolutely terrible in 'Interview With A Vampire' - sorry Lou. As for Bruce Willis, it took him ages to shake off the 'action hero' persona, it was something that both Arnie and Stallone failed to do. Sixth Sense was the breakout from the mould movie for him. I personally think he chooses interesting, off-beat, challenging films and roles to produce and act in. Unlike Cruise who, in all reality, is not much of an actor, regardless of how much he wants to be. Hudson Hawk is actually a great film - take a look at it again Dan, you'll be surprised. Bacon is a god. If Cruise had one tenth of his talent, he might be worth watching once in a while.

I love movies by the way :)

I agree about Kevin Bacon. He is truly an excellent actor; and is badly underrated. I loved him in Mystic River, although the film itself left a bad taste in my mouth. Yech.

Yeah I thought he handled it really well too. Lot of dignity - which must have been hard considering he was soaked. I'm not a fan of practical jokes. As my ma always says - if the other person isn't laughing, it's not funny.

Not sure Kevin Bacon is underated, he just avoids the 'star machine' and picks interesting, edgy roles. He does that 'charismatic, sexy but dangerous and fucked up' thing to perfection.

:o)

I'd forgotten about GBH Lou, that was terrific - is it out on DVD?

I don't know if it's out on DVD but I've got the set on video (you remember video...). Yes it was great wasn't it. Do you remember all the fuss when it started? First Derek Hatton was up in arms because it looked like Robert Lindsay's character was based on him, but as the series went on, and they started showing his character as progressively sympathetic, the Right started complaining. Excellent stuff. Robert Lindsay was superb back then. [%sig%]

Eleanor - what a brilliant saying. That's a keeper. Praise be for Grandmas.

Although I too normally avoid Tom Cruise anything, I thought the whole episode was in very poor taste. Some joke, getting squirted in the face. I would've called the perp something a bit stronger than 'jerk'. Kudos to TC for keeping his cool...

I agree and of course he is so wonderful that he is totally forgiven for Footloose and that other awful film...the one with the huge penis shaped creature eating Americans in the desert... hmmm...eating Americans, maybe not such a bad film after all!

That film is called tremors and I like it, and it's sequels (although I havent seen number 4 yet, but I hear that's the best of the bunch) and the tv series (which had Christopher Lloyd in it)

Hey now, let's leave eating Americans out of the discussion, please. I don't -ever- wish to be consumed by a giant penis-like worm coming out of the ground.

I thought Tom Cruise (whose movies I normally avoid) handled it very well. You could tell he was livid. You got the idea that he really wanted to plant one on the guy. Not funny, simply because the guy doing the squirting had no personality to carry it off - now if it was Dennis Pennis...

And this whole proposal thing to katie Holmes...does anybody really believe the hype surrounding this very 'heterosexual actor'? Maybe they'll 'get married' and 'adopt some children'. Is it really so easy to pull the wool over everybody's eyes? Name one classic movie he's been in (and don't say 'Top Gun' cos it wuh shite!), I can't think of any. 'Collateral' is the closest he's come to anything remotely 'good'. Usually if he's in a movie, I just know it's going to be overhyped shit.

The only thing I really enjoyed him in was, Interview with a Vampire. Playing totally against type and very entertaining. His other stuff leaves me cold (hats off to his composure though). [%sig%]

being a movie star has nothing to do with being in *good* movies, but being is *successful* movies. Tom Cruise has been in lots of very successful movies. I personally hated him for years but really like what he's doing these days. If you want to question why someone is a star, try Bruce Willis, most of his films are both rubbish and flop. For every Die Hard there's ten Hudson Hawks. Looking at his resume you have to go back to Sixth Sense (1999) to find the sort of mega blockbuster hit that justifies a $20M fee.

Bruce -was- really good in Sixth Sense. Again, he was playing against type. I think my very favourite actor is Tommy Lee Jones. He's been in good films; he's been in bad films; but -he's- good in all of them. He kind of plays different versions of himself (like Tom Cruise plays Tom Cruise): the difference is, the man has -depth-. Oh, I just love him. Craggy face and gappy teeth. So awesome. *heart-shaped thing pulses under turquoise t-shirt*

traumatised and slightly distant characters are rapidly becoming Bruce's type. I like him, but he makes a lot of rubbish, and an lot of interesting films which don't make much money. If you like craggy men than I recomend Space Cowboys (Clint, Tommy Lee, James Garner, Donald Sutherland, James Cromwell), it's rubbish, but a veritable crag fest.

Tommy Lee Jones? Was he the guy who wrote and starred in that film about the 'slow' inmate released from prison who goes to work in a small town and befriends a boy and defends him against his abusive step father.... can't think what it's called. Anyway, if it's him, then yes - top bloke. [%sig%]

Ooh, I loved Space Cowboys. Clint is another one I have a soft spot for.

Talking about playing against type Kevin Bacon is fantastic in The Woodsman...he manages to evoke sympathy for his character whilst ensuring that we are still repulsed by him.. Bacon is without a doubt underated and in my opinion deserves more recognition.