When Tom Cruise adapted the Mission: Impossible television series for the screen in the mid-’90s, he made an interesting decision: Instead of branding the spy franchise himself, he would let different directors customize each installment according to their unique strengths and visions. Following three distinct Mission: Impossible takes from Brian De Palma, John Woo and J.J. Abrams, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Brad Bird — who, before Ghost Protocol , had never helmed a live action feature — stepped up to the plate for the fourth M:I installment.
This past week, Tom Cruise has circled the globe in celebration of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol ‘s international premieres. Along the way, he has sparked one insane rumor (about how the people of Indian will only scream for him if a free buffet lunch is provided) and has been forced to pose with a smattering of random overseas notables like the Duchess of Alba Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart in Madrid last night. What resulted on the red carpet is one of the most awkwardly staged premiere photos of Cruise’s career, and in honor of this, Movieline is asking you for a fitting caption.
Demi Lovato revved up her Unbroken tour in the Motor City last night. The 19-year old superstar entertained fans in Detroit with a number of her own hits and a couple of covers. We especially liked her version of the Adam Levine/Christina Aguilera collaboration, “Moves Like Jagger.” Take a listen and take a look now and chime in: Might this be better than the original? Demi Lovato – Moves Like Jagger (Live)
Joe Paterno, the Penn State football coach who was fired last week due to his role in a child molestation cover-up , has been diagnosed with a treatable form of lung cancer. His son, Scott, said the diagnosis took place last week and released the following statement: “He is currently undergoing treatment and his doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery. As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds with treatment.” Penn State remains under intense scrutiny and investigation for the alleged actions of ex-assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who faces 40 counts of sexual abuse charges stemming from his interactions with young boys on and off the university’s campus. He recently admitted to showering with these young teens.
In the spring of 2005, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes met. They hit it off immediately and began a whirlwind romance, which many people felt was a publicity stunt. Many people are eating serious helpings of crow now. Their first date was said to be a sushi dinner aboard Tom’s private plane and later that month, they were exclusive. By April of 2006, they had a daughter, Suri. Then in November 18 of that year, TomKat became lovingly joined in matrimony. Yep, today’s there five-year anniversary. That’s like 25 in Hollywood years! Tom Cruise takes a lot of flack for being kind of out there in his own world, but let’s face it, he and Katie are not only harmless, but a model relationship in many ways. We don’t know them personally, but neither goes out of their way to seek attention and both seem like attentive parents and spouses. Quirky, maybe, but who’s not? With so much coverage devoted to Kim Kardashian and Ashton Kutcher , it’s nice to see a marriage working out, isn’t it? Granted, it’s his third. But they try! Hard! It seems like forever ago that Cruise, who’s now filming Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol , was jumping on couches and warring with Matt Lauer like a loon. We kinda miss those days, but we’re glad he’s happier and mellower with Katie these days. Happy anniversary, TomKat, and happy weekend, THG readers … Tom Cruise Jumps on Oprah’s Couch
How does the machismo-filled cast of Expendables 2 entertain themselves in between takes on the Simon West-directed blockbuster sequel? Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis pose for photos in abandoned airplane hangars . Chuck Norris updates his Facebook account with shoddy tourist pics in Bulgaria and Jean-Claude Van Damme, it seems, plays with toy guns.
The hardest-working filmmaker on Earth was back in New York last week, making the latest of what have basically become semiannual tours in support of his movies. Thus what felt like a continuation of last spring’s chat with Werner Herzog, whose latest documentary, Into the Abyss , finds the endlessly curious director exploring one of American society’s darkest. sparsest frontiers: Capital punishment.
Renowned for his prolific, fearless filmmaking, Werner Herzog is in fact nothing if not a polymath: Opera director , guerrilla film-school proprietor , diarist and author , septi-continental gadabout , and actor for hire (among other interests). It’s this latter quality that he and I discussed briefly today as he made the rounds for his new capital-punishment doc Into the Abyss — a diametric opposite to the biggest onscreen gig he’s taken to date.
After decades on the circuit, retiring sci-fi icon Leonard Nimoy put in his last Star Trek convention appearance, waved his last Vulcan finger sign, and uttered the line “Live long and prosper” to a con crowd for the final time last weekend in Rosemont, Illinois. If you’ve been to Comic-Con or any of Creation Entertainment’s Trek -specific gatherings, you know how much the erstwhile Spock will be missed; if not, here’s a scene from an incisive documentary about the scene that pretty much sums it up.
Seems the folks at Paramount and New Regency are itching to help Darren Aronofsky build his ark; as Deadline reports, the two have finally sealed the deal to partner on the $100+ million Biblical epic Noah . Also: It’s being fast-tracked to begin production as early as next spring, which means it’s about time Aronofsky gets to casting this sucker. Can we just take a vote for Christian Bale as Noah and call it a day? [ Deadline ]
