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Here's the thing, Von Stauffenberg was a 6'4" Olympic athlete! The casting call on this one was all wrong on so many different levels! Viggo Mortinson or Vince Vaughn would have been better choices than shrimpy scientology cruise.
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I haven't seen a TC movie since "Magnolia" I stopped after that. I've seen the trailers and thought'"How Dumb!!!!" United Artist made a mistake on him!
Not a fan of Tom Cruise since his wacko stuff with Matt Lauer, jumping on Oprah's couch and overdosing on scientology.
He seems horribly miscast, a pretty boy in the role of a military officer from an aristocratic German family, who by 1944 was sick of the genocide and horrors he'd seen on eastern front fighting the Russians. Most German Army officers were thin and gaunt by mid 1944 from years of brutal war. I was thinking that Christopher Walken could portray that gaunt look, maybe even get the accent right. And there are plenty of German actors who both look and sound the part. I can't see Germans flocking to this film, given that Cruise was not even allowed into Germany two years ago, as that government considers him to be a member of a religious cult. Since then, the German government has relented on that viewpoint, but if I were a German, I'd want to see a German in that role, not some American joy boy. We stopped seeing his movies years ago, but did like some of the early stuff.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by domergurl
Here's the thing, Von Stauffenberg was a 6'4" Olympic athlete! The casting call on this one was all wrong on so many different levels! Viggo Mortinson or Vince Vaughn would have been better choices than shrimpy scientology cruise.
I think you hit the nail on the head...this role was woefully miscast.
Not a fan of Tom Cruise since his wacko stuff with Matt Lauer, jumping on Oprah's couch and overdosing on scientology.
He seems horribly miscast, a pretty boy in the role of a military officer from an aristocratic German family, who by 1944 was sick of the genocide and horrors he'd seen on eastern front fighting the Russians. Most German Army officers were thin and gaunt by mid 1944 from years of brutal war. I was thinking that Christopher Walken could portray that gaunt look, maybe even get the accent right. And there are plenty of German actors who both look and sound the part. I can't see Germans flocking to this film, given that Cruise was not even allowed into Germany two years ago, as that government considers him to be a member of a religious cult. Since then, the German government has relented on that viewpoint, but if I were a German, I'd want to see a German in that role, not some American joy boy. We stopped seeing his movies years ago, but did like some of the early stuff.
I completely agree. It's a HUGE casting misstep. This movie will most likely be a big flop for Tom.
I think Tom has let fame go straight to his head. He's not the most genuine guy--in interviews most everything he says sounds "scripted" and planned. He's milking his time in front of every camera, and I just think he's got a lousy personality. Blah.
I do love him in the right role though. I'd pay to see another movie like "The Firm" or "Jerry Maguire." If he's cast in his typical roles, he really does shine.
I think Tom Cruise is underrated as an actor. So many people think he stinks, but I think he's quite good and has that movie star quality that carries a movie--not all actors, even very good ones, have that. Sure, he's limited as an actor, but what actor isn't to some extent? Can you imagine Meryl Streep as "Pretty Woman"? Or Robert DeNiro as "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective"? Just because you're a great actor doesn't mean you're great for every role. I'm not a fan of TC's personal life, but I really don't care about that. At least you can say, TC seems to have good taste in movies. His movies range from great ("Jerry Maguire," "Minority Report") to entertaining ("Mission Impossible") to unique ("Vanilla Sky"). Other talented actors (think Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Aniston) have squandered their careers with bad movie choices.
My problem with "Valkyrie," before even seeing it, is that the actors are American and speaking English. I would much prefer to see this movie with German actors and the German language--so much more authentic. You gotta give Mel Gibson credit there--he makes the effort to use the real language in his movies.
I think Tom Cruise is underrated as an actor. So many people think he stinks, but I think he's quite good and has that movie star quality that carries a movie--not all actors, even very good ones, have that. Sure, he's limited as an actor, but what actor isn't to some extent? Can you imagine Meryl Streep as "Pretty Woman"? Or Robert DeNiro as "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective"? Just because you're a great actor doesn't mean you're great for every role. I'm not a fan of TC's personal life, but I really don't care about that. At least you can say, TC seems to have good taste in movies. His movies range from great ("Jerry Maguire," "Minority Report") to entertaining ("Mission Impossible") to unique ("Vanilla Sky"). Other talented actors (think Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Aniston) have squandered their careers with bad movie choices.
My problem with "Valkyrie," before even seeing it, is that the actors are American and speaking English. I would much prefer to see this movie with German actors and the German language--so much more authentic. You gotta give Mel Gibson credit there--he makes the effort to use the real language in his movies.
I thought Tom Cruise was great in Born on the 4th of July and Rainman. I'll even give him Jerry McGuire and I even sorta liked Vanilla Sky. But overall, Tom Cruise is a horribly overrated actor who got noticed because of nice teeth and sunglasses. And then when he got big enough, he went nuts. United Artists is HIS studio and so, far, he almost drug Meryl Streep & Robert Redford down with that first piece of garbage produced by UA.
Tom is still in recovery mode because after the whole couch/matt lauer/creepy stuff, he's lost most of his credibility with his fans and has yet to get it back.
But you just know that he wasn't going to let anyone talk him out of playing von stauffenberg. Sorry Tom, but that giant ego of yours isn't going to add 12" to your height, nor will it make you a convincing German.
Shoot, Val Kilmer is one of the best character actors out there, he would have made a better Von Stauffenberg.
I think that Tom Cruise lost his appeal a while back.
The surest way to not kill an accent is to not use one. The Brits seem do that with some regularity.
If he want's the hearts and minds of the German people, he should tell them that he's a jelly filled pastry; it's worked for an American before.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sooner_Nation_60
Anybody plan on seeing this? This review is harsh ~ has Tom lost his appeal?
"Cruise wears an eye patch and a Nazi uniform, but speaks with the same flat, unaffected American accent that places him somewhere between Redondo Beach and Johnny Rockets. It’s absolutely hysterical to hear and see a boyish Nazi with blazing white perfect teeth and that voice announce, “We must kill Hitler.”
The accent is only part of the problem, but it’s a big part. Cruise apparently didn’t even try for a German sound to play Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. It’s as if Meryl Streep wandered into “Sophie’s Choice” sounding like a Valley Girl.
If this was the way he thought he’d get to the hearts and minds of Germans, maybe he should get some new marketing advice. When the fans in that country see this, even Brunhilde won’t be able to help him!
I think that Tom Cruise lost his appeal a while back.
The surest way to not kill an accent is to not use one. The Brits seem do that with some regularity.
If he want's the hearts and minds of the German people, he should tell them that he's a jelly filled pastry; it's worked for an American before.
Oh you!!!! Kennedy meant well ... I'm cravin' me a Berliner right now too!
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