Tom Cruise

[Andre Jurieu]

Does anyone know if the "hedge funds" that Cruise and Wagner have referred to have any ties to members of Scientology? I figure since most Scientologists are said to be wealthy individuals, that perhaps the Scientology community is now funding Cruise's film projects directly - though covertly.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Dunno about Scientology, but they've got similarly disreputable links.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

David Thomson sounds off on the whole Tom Cruise-Paramount rift: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film ... 359730.ece

[flyonthewall2983]

I could be out there on this one, but something about the apology Tom made to Brooke Shields smacks of the line said so much in show business about how you meet the same people on the way down you did on the way you did to he top.

[Polybius]

Katie's daughter is really cute.

Wonder who the father is?

(No, that's not my joke, but it's a damn good one, so I'm stealing it.)

[Lino]

Suri and the Cruises on Vanity Fair

[David Ehrenstein]

Who's the Baby Daddy?

[gubbelsj]

Old news all around, but some very funny stuff from Noah Baumbach and the New Yorker.

[flyonthewall2983]

From imdb.com:

MGM announced today that United Artists, the classic studio recently thought to be officially defunct, will be reborn once again - with Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner at the helm. According to a statement released by MGM, Cruise and Wagner (who formed the Cruise/Wagner production company in 1993) will drive the re-establishment of the studio, with Wagner as CEO overseeing day-to-day operations and Cruise starring in and producing films for the studio. In addition to setting the production slate, Cruise and Wagner will also hold "substantial ownership" in the studio, which was originally founded 85 years ago by Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith. The original United Artists' vision was to create a studio run by creative talent for creative talent as a way to help foster filmmaking outside the regimented studio system, a sentiment that was echoed in today's press release by all parties involved. Harry E. Sloan, Chairman and CEO of MGM, stated, "Partnering with Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, we have the ideal creative foundation from which to reintroduce the United Artists brand… United Artists is once again the haven for independent filmmakers and a vital resource in developing quality filmed entertainment consistent with MGM's modern studio model." Cruise and Wagner also expressed their commitment to maintaining United Artists' unique vision, with Cruise stating, "It's our desire to create an environment where filmmakers can thrive and see their visions realized," and Wagner saying, "This is a great opportunity for Tom and me to re-establish the United Artists brand and to work closely with the creative community. As studio partner-operators, we will provide a supportive environment and infrastructure for filmmakers that will allow them to do their best work." The agreement between MGM and Cruise/Wagner, effective immediately, will have the new UA set to produce four films each year (a number that may increase in the future), with marketing and distribution handled by MGM. No new projects have yet been announced.

[David Ehrenstein]

Get ready for Battlefield Earth II.

[Matt]

So, he's not the new Michael Jackson at all. He's the new Mary Pickford.

[bunuelian]

Can't wait for Aliens: Dispossession.

[David Ehrenstein]

He's the new David Begelman.

[colinr0380]

According to this month's (December 2006) Empire magazine (page 27):

Japan declares October 6 'Tom Cruise day'

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

He's the new David Begelman.

Does this mean Weekend at Bernie's 3 is finally happening?!?!??!!

[colinr0380]

A Tom Cruise explaining the wonders of Scientology video. Does anyone else get the strange feeling that Cruise has just retreated into his character from Magnolia?

[David Ehrenstein]

Batshit crazy doesn't begin to describe this loon.

When he takes the gas pipe I just hope Katie and Suri aren't in the car.

And now for your reading pleasure . .

[bunuelian]

Oh you are so sued, buddy!

One thing the Scientologists love to do is mutilate intellectual property law.

[Antoine Doinel]

For whatever it's worth, Andrew Morton also asserts Cruise's heterosexual status in his unauthorized biography. Here are Salon's excerpts of the best bits.

[colinr0380]

Page 153-154: Tom and Nicole shared a "fantasy of running through a meadow of wildflowers together." Eager to please his recruit, Miscavige "decided to make his dream come true. A team of twenty Sea Org disciples was set to work digging, hoeing, and planting wheat grass and wildflower seed near the Cruises' bungalow. Former Scientologist Maureen Bolstad recalled working until early in the morning in the mud and pouring rain." Sounds implausible, but Morton quotes another former Scientologist, Karen Pressley, as saying: "the story of the meadow for Tom and Nicole is absolutely true. I was there."

I would love if a couple of muddy, soaked workers proudly knocked on Cruise's door and say his meadow of wildflowers was finished only for him to say "Yeeaahh, I've gone cold on the whole 'meadow of wildflowers' idea - you wouldn't be able to hook up a solid gold fountain that sprays chocolate milkshake instead of water would you?"

[Cold Bishop]

For whatever it's worth, Andrew Morton also asserts Cruise's heterosexual status in his unauthorized biography.

I don't know. The claims of homophobia don't exactly bode well for heterosexuality.

[Antoine Doinel]

A Tom Cruise explaining the wonders of Scientology video. Does anyone else get the strange feeling that Cruise has just retreated into his character from Magnolia?

It's amazing how a guy can talk for nine minutes without actually saying a goddamn thing. Scientologists must use this video to lull potential members to sleep before injecting them with thetan juice.

I actually wonder how much more damage he'll allow his image to take until he decides to swear off Scientology and dedicate his life to bringing them down. But he may be so far in his own media and Scientology controlled cocoon that he has no fucking clue.

[domino harvey]

Guys, Tom Cruise is so awesome, what more could you possibly want from a celebrity?

[colinr0380]

Guys, Tom Cruise is so awesome, what more could you possibly want from a celebrity?

Dignity? Figures that the first positive thing domino has said in days is in support of Cruise's looniness!

You really have to struggle to work on this sow's ear, fella

[Antoine Doinel]

Gawker takes a stand of sorts against the legal threats of the Church Of Scientology.