Excited about Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1? First, watch these critically-acclaimed Tom Cruise films on OTT

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 releases in theatres on July 12th

List hai toh hit hai

Not many actors across the globe have headlined blockbusters in almost every decade since the ‘90s like the Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise. The action star continues to reinvent himself with death-defying stunts and jaw-dropping action sequences that will knock your socks off. His 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick has been credited with bringing audiences back to theatres to experience the magic of the big screen in the post-pandemic era. His latest release Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1, the seventh instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise is slated to be his most explosive cinematic contribution to date and is said to offer a singularly thrilling experience like no other. So for today’s List hai toh hit hai, we have curated some of the most critically-acclaimed Tom Cruise films available to stream on digital platforms.

Minority Report (2002)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report is a 2002 dystopian sci-fi thriller that probably did not garner the praise and accolades that it truly deserves. Tom Cruise stars in the lead as Chief John Anderton, a law enforcement officer in a police state in the near future. This story, loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, predicts crimes before they are even committed using AI. Now if only ChatGPT could pull this off! Based on AI’s predictions, those determined to be potential perpetrators are declared guilty by the law. It explores Orwellian themes and is a social commentary on privacy and the consequences of extreme state policing. The film also incorporates a mystery thriller within a tech-noir sci-fi narrative, making this a one-of-a-kind watch you just can’t miss.

Collateral (2004)

Tom Cruise does not always play the role of the villain, but when he does, it is often more compelling than some of the popular protagonists he has essayed over the years. Some of his iconic antagonists include Frank Mackey in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia and Lestat de Lioncourt in the 1994 gothic horror film Interview with the Vampire. However, it’s his depiction of the cold and calculating hitman in the 2004 neo-noir action thriller Collateral that showcases his true acting prowess. The Michael Mann film also stars Jamie Foxx in the lead, with Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo essaying supporting roles. The plot revolves around a cab driver who realises (much to his horror) that his passenger happens to be an assassin who is on a mission to execute several victims and the hit has been ordered by a person with nefarious motives.

American Made (2017)

The 2017 film action comedy American Made stars Cruise in the lead as Barry Seal. The story is based on true events about how the real-life commercial pilot, Barry Seal, becomes a CIA reconnaissance pilot in Colombia, then a drug smuggler for the notorious Medellín Cartel, and eventually a DEA informant. Domhnall Gleeson, Alejandro Edda, Sarah Wright, and Jesse Plemons play other prominent roles in this underrated Doug Liman film.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

One of the most under-appreciated Tom Cruise films ever made is yet another by the auteur Doug Liman. The 2014 sci-fi action film is arguably one of the greatest of the genre in the 21st century, despite tanking at the box office. The film is set in a world where aliens invade Earth, and the narrative is a mix of Groundhog Day and Independence Day, but with a compelling plot, excellent character development, and exhilarating action sequences. Emily Blunt essays the lead alongside Cruise, as one of Earth’s greatest warriors who guides Cruise’s character William Cage.

The Firm (1993)

Based on John Grisham’s iconic novel of the same name, the 1993 film is a legal thriller helmed by Academy Award-winner Sydney Pollack. The plot revolves around a young Harvard Law graduate who joins a prestigious Law firm. His dream job soon turns into a nightmare when he discovers that the firm has dark and sinister secrets that could threaten his well-being and safety. Tom Cruise stars in the lead while Jeanne Tripplehorn, Hal Holbrook, and Gene Hackman essay pivotal roles.

The Last Samurai (2003)

The 2003 film, The Last Samurai, is set in 19th-century Japan as the island nation was undergoing a massive shift in its socio-political landscape. Tom Cruise stars as an American military captain, Nathan Algren, of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. After being traumatised by the war against the Native Americans and the cruelty inflicted by his own regiment, he decides to move to Japan after being hired to train the Imperial Japanese Army in modern warfare. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in a battle with the  Samurai and the new military regime in Japan. The Edward Zwick directorial navigates through several themes including imperialism, trauma, grief, and redemption.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

The controversial 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut, is directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick. The erotic psychological mystery drama is headlined by Cruise who plays the role of Dr Bill Hartford. The narrative follows his journey into the underground world of secret sex clubs that quickly spiral out of control. Kubrick’s final film before his tragic passing remains one of the most significant films ever made, rich in visual imagery, allegory, and symbolism. The film also stars  Nicole Kidman as Alice – the wife of Cruise’s character Bill.Born on the Fourth of July (1989)Oliver Stone’s 1989 film, Born on the Fourth of July, is the recipient of two Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Film Editing. The film is an anti-war biography, based on the 1976 autobiography by Ron Kovic. The story narrates the trauma and suffering endured by Kovac after enduring an injury on the battlefield that left him paralysed during the Vietnam War. The film stars Tom Cruise as Kovic, and it is the second instalment of Stone’s Vietnam War trilogy, which includes the 1986 film Platoon and the third film Heaven & Earth, which was released in 1993.

Well that's all we got for today's episode, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by Ryan Gomez

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