The “Cruise” factor
A couple weeks ago, I wrote a column about the medical profession, complained a bit about some issues and got reamed out by an angry reader. I wasn’t really shocked by that. I was kind of expecting someone to get fired up, although many others agreed with my opinion, so I wasn’t terribly surprised.
I was surprised when I came to the office today and found an angry e-mail in my in-box from someone who was upset because I took a couple shots at Tom Cruise. The same Tom Cruise who professes to know more about the medical profession than any doctor or psychiatrist on the planet, because he’s read a lot of books. The same Tom Cruise who is an expert on postpartum depression, and the same Tom Cruise who criticized Matt Lauer for basically questioning his medical credentials on the air.
Let me make one thing clear, as an actor, I think Tom Cruise is pretty decent. I like “Top Gun,” and I used to watch “Far and Away” every chance I could get. I might even own a copy of “Jerry Maguire.” I take offense with any celebrity, or for that matter anyone at all, who tries to shove their religion down your throat. (Especially if their religion was created by the guy who brought us Battlefield Earth.)
August 31st, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I agree with you about Tom. I do find it funny though that you do not think of him as an expert just because he has read lots of books on the subjects. Yet you believe Al Gore’s weather forcasting skills due to the fact that he has read lots of books on that subject.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Excuse me, but Al Gore has worked closely with the top scientists in the field and the conclusions he presents are theirs, not his own personal opinion. And certainly not based on having read a few books. There’s a huge difference there.
Tom Cruise is a blowhard. I used to enjoy his acting (although I still think he peaked with LEGEND and RISKY BUSINESS) but now that he’s gone public with his dementia, I can’t even bear to watch him anymore. It’s like the bubble has been burst, and I can’t get past the “who he really is” revelation long enough to believe in whatever character he’s protraying. He blew my suspension of disbelief, (a common term in “the biz”) and that’s necessary to enjoy a book or film. Same thing happened to me when Mel Gibson came out of the nutso-closet.
Oh, well. Johnny Depp and Bruce Willis haven’t ruined themselves for me yet, so I suppose there’s still hope. But I’m starting to wonder if all actors might be just a little bit….um….off.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I was the “angry reader” about the medical profession column you wrote and I sincerely apologize! The medical pro is an art not a science most of the time
Most doctors really want to do the right thing and what’s in the best interest of the patient. i came across pretty harsh - 3 letters might help explain - PMS
September 6th, 2007 at 9:25 am
In reality, Tom Cruise hardly ever mentions Scientology. He does get asked about Scientology in interviews sometimes.
It’s the media who writes about it incessantly. If anyone or any group is SHOVING it down your throat, it’s the media. In fact, you yourself just wrote an article in which you reference it! Seems silly.
I do understand the interest in Scientology as a religious movement because Scientology is growing in leaps and bounds. However, there is hardly ever anything written on it in the media that is actually accurate unless it it from a reputable news source, so my conclusion is … Scientology helps to keep the media employed, which is pretty amusing.
A veteran Scientologist
September 6th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Tom Cruise is a loser.
September 7th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Tom Cruise IS a winner, L Ron, you, you sucks.
I am happy MI:III was a success (400M$ WW!) despite the trashing of the media, constantly asking about scientology and then complain when Tom answer them ‘to read a book’ (aka Fuck off), just as they complained when he refused to talk about it.
How lame are our media. I’m ashame. You also should mention Magnolia, Eyes Wide Shut or Rain Man, Born on the fourth of July, when you talk about Tom’s great skills.
Someone who say Cruise isn’t a great actor, might also tell you a fish can sing.
Jealousy.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:02 am
We fear what we do not understand.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Tom Cruise, like many other Hollywood types, should stick to reading scripts handed to them.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I believe that Tom Cruise is a plastic actor. By this I mean he is really not very smart, not very articulate and the worst of all, he thinks his poo does not stink. Sorry to those of you who like him.
Al Gore is a chicken little amongst the rest of the world. His doomsday predictions about earth are like the ones I remember from the 70’s about the coming ice age. All these reports are best guesses on what will happen. I do not care one whit about artic cie melting. Wait a few years and when the scientists start predicting an ice age again, I will be vindicated.
I wish the environmental lobby, whom Gore is a part of now, would just advocate economical efficiency as their prime reason to cut down on energy use. No one can argue with that and it is prudent these days to decrease your energy usage, not because of global warming, but because of wallet emptying by the increased oil prices.