BABY DRIVER... fast and funny

Have you ever been trapped by circumstances? Ever find yourself in a place that you don't belong but knowing why you ended there? Well life has many turns and twists waiting for us at every corner. Funny thing most of the time comes to our own decisions that we end at that place. Sometimes for better others for worse, things happen for a reason they say and sometimes good people end doing bad things because their circumstances, and not because their choice but a mistake or a wrong decision leads to rabbit hole that needs to touch bottom in order to start fresh and re invent yourself, learning from that experience. We all make mistakes, that''s part of life and our learning process but sometimes mistakes come from us when we are already broken or we still good hearted. The motivation behind them is what really counts and that's the real learning experience. And that learning process could be a fun ride or a ride to hell. An example of that is the movie that brings us here now. One of the most authentic offers this summer filled from well known franchises so an original entry feels refreshing specially when it's well done, entertaining and funny. All under the heist genre which seems to be having a new fresh look in the past months.

All this and more is "Baby Driver" (2017) a heist movie / rom-com that is fueled by music making it another main character as the driver and main character  that happens to introduce himself as Baby, is a young guy with high driving skills that has put him into a dangerous situation, having to work for a con man that has him from the balls as was caught stealing from him when we was younger and after been through a family tragedy that made him lost his parents, he finds himself in a place where only anger and love have room. And the only way to leave that path is paying his debt driving a group of convicts, assassins and thieves s they do their job and he'll have to bring them back safe, away from the authorities. And he is the right person for that, with his unique skills  at the wheel and all while he plays his music on his iPod. Like if music will inspire him. But also it's part of him because he likes to create his own music at home based on moments and phrases that he records from strangers. All this as a tribute to his mom memory as she was a singer and a really good one, only leaving that to him as a legacy to her memory and keeping him going to find what he is missing, keeping him away to fall all the way to that rabbit hole, prisoner of his feelings and anger until he could find love to save him.

But loves always finds it's way. And soon he will in the face of a sweet and beautiful waitress, which whom he'll connect thanks to the love for music that both share. And eventually the fact that both are feeling trapped in that hole and looking for a way out will bring them together and love will happen but not as easy as they would want because been surrounded by  damaged people will only bring chaos and this people won't hesitate to kill or mess with them, the all have their own agenda. How do you manage to stay put and get out of the way from a band of very bad people that don't care about anyone but themselves. And villains could be too cartoonish but people with bad intentions, all damaged and broken are all around us, trying to pull us down to them like a strong energy taking you from the highway to take an easiest, better, faster shortcut. How do you make it through without getting your hands dirty. And specially when your life and the people you love get involved, how can you make them stop specially if you are cornered from all sides, and no way t escape but facing them.

This is basically all  what the movie is about. The young driver trying to find his way out from this mafia and all this people that he can't relate to, because he is not a bad person, he just made the wrong decisions and is paying for his mistakes. And as any young man, he'll find love and that feeling will motivate him to do better and try to find a better life for him and the people he care about. But for that he would have to play along and do one last job for the con man that is manipulating him and even he can't fool those thieves, they need him so that will put him in charge and with an option to do something to get riddle of them and make them pay for hurting others. While all this sounds very intense and like the perfect plot for an award winning drama, it might get some recognition as so far the critics are raving for it but this is less drama and more action and comedy. The romance between the two young lovebirds bring some sparks that feel like the old school, far from the online dating and closer to the boy meets girl and a diner, they talk and a connection happens. And this guy is all but boring. His music has a new style and keeps the beats on while his adventures and journey to find himself and try to get away from that direction couldn't be more funny than any teenager defying society while finding his place in the world.

The movie mixes a perfect balance between action sequences while driving and funny and romantic moments between the main character and he's new love interest and all this bad people that keep moving around him, attracted by his unique personality, confidence and talent behind the wheel, sometimes feeling threatened and others attracted to him. But what makes it move in smoother waters it's a soundtrack that keeps rolling all the way till the end and a great cast that plays out of their comfort zone to bring a different side to their profile while keeping you rooting for our young lead man to make it through and find a resolution to his situation and find love and happiness, because at the end isn't it what we all want at the end? Don't you want to know that even in the worst, dark times of your live, will be some light at the end of the tunnel? How far are you willing  go to make it right and find a better place from the one you are now? Do yo have the balls to fight for it or would you settle for what is safer and what others have planned for your life, or would you prefer to take the wheel and control of your life and fight for what you think is best for you and the people that cares about you and the ones you love? Well if you do, you better drive fast and don't miss a fun time at the movies that will be more than a ride but the soundtrack of a lifetime.

RIVERDALE...when having secrets feels like home

Everybody who was born in the last century, should be familiar with the ARCHIE comic books. You've probably seen it at your local news paper, or a cartoon, or a movie. All based in a character that become so popular that is now an icon of pop culture from XX century. Even was created back in 1939, it really gets a boost and fame through the second half of the century, reflecting the era of the 50's, 60's and then evolving to the 80's and 90's, reflecting teenagers from middle class America, as he is a charming ginger jock in high school, where he struggles with all the issues of that age, falling in love with his best friend Betty, the perfect blonde girl, and Veronica, the sexy brunette new in town, while sharing adventures and ups and downs with best friend Jughead. All these characters have served as a reflection of different times and eras where love and friendship remains but also evolves in different ways. And each of them has been well rounded in a way that anyone can relate to them plus adding a diverse group of second characters, like the Pussy Cat Dolls, a rock band of the school, that represent the rebel side of rock and rock and teenagers trying to express with music their anger against social repression and a scream to diversity in a very white America back then. All having fun and growing up at the same time just to become a beloved part of our lives.

For a non super hero comic book series, this one has been one of the most popular and successful franchises out there, but where would it lead these days when Millennials are too far from what the story beholds and their story feels like aged or more like something that their parents would relate to, which would never be a good thing for 2000's teenagers. So apparently is time to evolve again and present a new side of Archie and his team, a new story that can keep it's roots and feel accurate and real for all generations that have been following the gang. Most obvious choice would be bringing him back to the new trend these days, television. And with so, we get "RIVERDALE" (2017), a new tv show based in all these beloved characters, taking it's name from the home town where the comic is based and that has never been revealed as a real place or even where is it located so that adds the fact that anyone can relate to it. For what we see in the show, could be any place located either on the North East or North West side of USA, but now this place is home for a lot of secrets as the teenagers had evolved to a time where everyone has access to information and where things can go public so keeping secrets is now more of a challenge and a way to live than a random coincidence.

So in it's first successful season, we are introduce to the characters that we know portrayed in a very modern way. The story is told from the eyes of Jughead, a misfit in the town that observes everybody else and knows what's happening with the town until the popular jock from the football team and son of the wealthiest family in town is murdered. Everybody seems suspicious about this incident and seem to hide some kind of interests or information relate to it, specially for those teenagers that were close by the murder scene when a shotgun was fired and days later the dead body found. One of those kids is Archie, a nice red headed that now is very athletic, sexy jock that is not only interested in sports but also has an artistic soul, willing to pursue music along his classmates, reason why had an affair with his music teacher, putting both of them in an illegal situation, but he has a good heart so doesn't want to cause trouble but falling for his teacher while a murder was committed. But someone else is watching him, and that's Betty Cooper, his neighbor and all childhood friend that has a crush on him, dreaming that one day he will share her feelings  and be a happy couple, specially one that will make anyone in town jealous as both are two good looking teens.

Unfortunately someone else caught his eye, and that's Veronica, the new girl in town, that also happens to just moved because is running away from his family past and a backstory full of corruption and rebellion, but she want's to be a good girl, leave everything behind and start fresh but seems like past always catches up on her. Opposite to Betty, she has experience and she is no naive so knows all the moves to make it through social status in high school, even her family reputation is playing against her finding only open arms in the circle of Archie and his friends. Now all four get to hang in the town's diner and share their concerns like any other teenager but as the murder keeps bringing more people and information to the table, they get sucked into it, starting their own task to research what really happened and avoid being trapped in the spotlight. Like any teenager from this generation, their access to information makes them believe they can solve the puzzle and that they might know more than the rest just to realize that they know nothing about their parents and the grown ups world, but that won't stop them to go after new clues while falling in love, having a fun time, cry and dream about their ideals and dream big, proving that what matters at the end is to be true to yourself and stand among others for what you are and not for what other want you to be,

This is the real soul of the show and the comics back in time, and even the circumstances have changed to the new millennium, still keeps  that heart that proves what being a young soul means. That search of identity and your place in the world surrounded by people that might want to bring you down as others that will love you and accept you for what you are. Playing with stereotypes,  we get to see how judging by the book usually is a mistake that leads to the wrong direction, as an example Archie is not an asshole or insecure jock trying to make feel bad others to make himself a better person, he pursues what is right and cares about his friends and wants more than what other expect from him. Same way Betty might look like the naive and dumb blonde girl that just wants to be perfect and be a role model for the rest of the girls, but actually she is a strong woman that stands against her overprotecting mother to follow what she believes in and protect the ones she care of. It's time to go deep in those layers beyond the stereotypes that we have created through time about society roles, and appearances. And what better than having a group of friends that we know and have been part of our culture for decades to prove us wrong and show us a new way to follow and re define all these concepts while solving mysteries and realize that we all could be young at soul forever, and it's about a name that you will make it through time rather than how you look or posses, so if you ready for a ride, this small town is awaiting for you.

ROUGH NIGHT...girls also can go wild

We have talked much about girl power these days and for a reason as seems like TV and all entertainment has been focusing in feminism and the relevance that has taken for the past years. Now women are no longer put on a side. They are taking the lead and ruling the world next to any man on earth. Much has been proved about their potential and the significance of their stories after decades of just witnessing stories about men and how they can change/destroy the world. We live in a time where things are changing and they are doing it fast. Diversity and tolerance are the new era mojo's and everybody is aware of that unless you been living in a cave for the last decade. Women as humans as they are, they are a complex individual that also likes to have fun, enjoy sex, live with hope and ideals, looks for challenges and a career, while still trying to keep their essence as a symbol of beauty and emotions, but at the same time, strong and capable of many things. So with that said is about time to explore all sides of their psyche  and why not have some fun along, but mostly the industry has found a new target for their business as now women are big consumers of these stories that can relate to, not belonging to just one specif genre but able to embrace all kind of stories.

That's how we get "Rough Night" (2017), a raunchy comedy that turns those male debauchery parties into pheromones and serving as a parody of the male version of fun, we get a film dedicated to women and all their supporters that will love to see them getting in trouble and be as goofy and unapologetic as their soul let them. The movie tells the story of four college friends that organize a bachelorette trip for one of them and as an excuse for the rest to get out of their complicated lives and get together for all times sake. In addition another girl will join, from abroad when the fiancee went to Australia to study there and will try to include her into her selective group of girlfriends. The result will be competition set on for those girls to win the more attention of the fiancee while each one of them struggles with the life they have waiting them back at home. Jess is the beautiful fiancee performed by the talented actress Scarlet Johansson and she managed to show a different side from what she has used us to, now more funny and adventurous but as her character is an important politician in love and about to get married, she is the one trying to keep control of things while the rest of the gang just lose themselves and things start to happen.

And those things come from her best friend, Alice, an obese lonely teacher with no social life so when sees this opportunity as her option to have fun and reunite with her friends she goes all for it, bringing drugs and men to the table, and that's when things go south, as trying to have a fun experience with a male stripper goes terrible wrong, now the five girls have to deal with a dead body. And this kind of experience is what sets the crisis mood for everyone making them expose all what their been hiding, a divorce, some legal issues, loneliness, and soon they will realize how far they have been growing from each other forgetting what made them so close before and what they like from each other. So issues have to be solves and they will have to face the fact of committing murder while accepting their new reality and of their friends. And that's the biggest flaw of the movie as the movie tries so hard to move around different genres that forgets it's soul or core as a comedy and a parody and sometimes feels too force to bring more feminist jokes and trying to stand a point that is not funny anymore and we, as audience, start feeling like watching a drama or thriller, making the whole situation confusing and distracting.

What is definitely worth to watch, other that the chemistry of this funny cast, is the fact that we can relate to a situation like the one for this group of friends, when we get so involved in our lives, focusing in our career, relationships, goals and projects that we forget about those people that once knew all about us and us all about them. Those that we use to talk to about anything, the ones with whom we had amazing adventures and experiences before getting life trapped us in a bubble of responsibilities and serious stuff that we forget who we are and what we used to believe, in need of someone to remind us that we still believe and we can still dream and have some fun just by being ourselves and having a good laugh with the people that care about us not by option but by choice. We forget that friendship can be a relationship for life that evolves as we do, it's selfless and fulfilling but needs to be present otherwise also fades away, and meeting that kind of people that can make that connection with  us its not an easy task so should not be taken for granted as mostly do, and realize that we won't be the same but whatever was the reason to bring them together will stronger than time and distance.

How do you treasure your friendships? Are they the ones who really accepts you and know you or just some people that can count on to have some fun times and hang out? Friendship gets different shades with time. When we are kids is basic to have fun, learn how to socialize, explore the idea of meeting other people, work out our imagination. As we start growing up, and go to school and collage they become an essential part of our lives, as we get confused about who we are and what we want in life, they listen to us, stand by our side, becoming allies of secrets and adventures. But as we keep getting older we start focusing in other matters as love relationships, the ideal target  to pend life with someone, careers, as the major personal project to be and feel successful, parenthood, and funny thing, while when young we try to get away from family and that's why we get close to friends and make new ones as a second family option, when we start to get old we tend to go back to family and make peace with our past, leaving those friendships on the side. So never is too late to go back to them and try to have fun together and re discover the reason that brought you together and realize how much of our friends we have on us and what a big impact they make in our lives, sometimes or good others not so good but if possible a good laugh, some kind of adventure and a moment of truth will always be welcome and can be memorable.

TOM CRUISE....a RISKY COCKTAIL

Lejanos están aquellos tiempos en que existían las  celebridades de Hollywood, cuando uno corría a las salas para ser el primero en ver la nueva cinta de tu celebridad favorita porque esto garantizaría entretenimiento seguro y de calidad. Inclusive los estudios se peleaban por tener cierta exclusividad con estas celebridades que les traerian millones en taquilla y en retribucion les abririan las puertas a nivel global. Su estatus de estrellas de cine los pondria en un nivel de iconos de la cultura pop, dando de que hablar y considerandose lo mas cercano a lo que es la realeza un Europa. Algunos de los restantes actores pertenecientes a esta ola y que ahora se encuentran batallando por encontrar su lugar en una industria cinematográfica en decadencia, es Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, mejor conocido como Tom Cruise, actor y productor que inicio su carrera a sus 19 primaveras, nacido en Syracuse, NY en 1962, hijo de una maestra y un ingeniero eléctrico, ambos originarios de Kentucky, con antecedentes Ingleses, Alemanes e Irlandés, al igual que sus tres hermanas. Criado bajo extrema pobreza y con su padre abusando física y emocionalmente de ellos, su familia se vio forzada a moverse constantemente en busca de una mejor oportunidad, lo que los llevo a vivir por un tiempo en Canada, orillándolo a asistir a 14 diferentes escuelas en el transcurso de 15 años pero tras intentar formar parte del equipo de football, termina tomando clases de arte dramático, lo cual despertaría su gusto por esta vocación.

Su carrera comienza con una breve participacion en el romance adolecente "Endless Love" (1981), acerca de dos adoscentes de familias muy diferentes que se enamoran teniendo que enfrentar las consequencias. La cinta fue mal criticada por su pobre adaptacion de la novela homonima pero al ser protagonizada por Brooke Shields y con una banda sonora que fue nominada a varios premios, logro una decente taquilla. Otras breves apariciones en "Taps" (1981), una cinta sobre un grupo de estudiantes de toman a cargo su escuela militar para impedir que la cierren, generando buenas criticas y taquilla aunque con una participación pequeña que le abriría las puertas para "The Outsiders" (1983), un drama de adolescentes dirigido por el talentoso Francis Ford Coppola contando la historia de dos hermanos y su grupo de amigos y su rivalidad con la pandilla del otro lado del pueblo, creando una mezcla y division social que no ayudara a estos jóvenes a madurar y encontrar su camino en tal marginada sociedad. Con un reparto repleto de caras nuevas y futuras promesas ademas de Cruise, Mat Dillon, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, entre otros, hicieron de la cinta un exito para su generacion. Lo cual le brindaria su primer protagonico que resultaria en un rotundo fracaso tanto en taquilla como critica, "Losin' it" (1983), sobre el road trip de un grupo de amigos a Tijuana, Mexico lo cual los llevara a una serie de eventos propios de la edad.

Pero su verdadero salto al estrellato viene con "Risky Business" (1983) y su iconico baile en calzoncillos mientras interpreta a un joven que se relaciona con una atractiva mujer tan solo para verse envuelto en su perdida de inocencia y un despertar al capitalismo moderno mientras hace honor a su titulo, via negocios riesgosos. Curiosamente el actor iniciaria una relacion con su co protagonista, la actriz Rebecca De Mornay, a sus tan solo 21 anos. Gozando de s nueva fama, protagoniza "All the right moves" (1983), a lado de Craig T. Nelson y Lea Thompson, en un drama deportivo sobre un joven talentoso tanto en la cancha como en clase que busca desesperadamente una beca que le permita salir del pueblo en que vive y entrar a la universidad mas sus relaciones no ayudaran mucho para poder dejar el nido y volar lejos. Y al menos lo logra en su siguiente proyecto, poniendose bajo las manos del visionario director Ridley Scott en "Legend" (1985), una cinta de fantasia con un tono obscuro que de inicio fue un fracaso pero con el tiempo le llevo a ganar varios premios tecnicos e iniciar una base de fans, aunque su interpretacion como el Lord de la Obscuridad en busca de dos unicornios que protegen la fuerza de la Luz, no es uno de sus mas memorables roles. Lo cual pasaría al olvido en 1986 cuando interpretaría al ahora iconico Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, en la tragicomedia de acción "Top Gun", bajo la dirección del otro Scott, Tony, en una historia sobre un grupo de pilotos de la fuerza area, quien si lo llevaría a las mieles del éxito pues la cinta fue un rotundo éxito de taquilla y a la fecha es uno de los estándares de cintas de los 80's.

Mas el actor no solo busca fama sino talento por lo cual ahora mas cotizado, opta por proyectos mas serios, como "The Color of Money" (1986), al lado de Paul Newman y bajo la batuta de Martin Scorsese en una historia sobre un vendedor que ven un joven, el potencial para usarlo en juegos de billar para ganar dinero, usado a la mujer de sus deseos para manipularlo. La cinta fue un éxito en taquilla y critica, pero lo fue mas para Newman quien robo pantalla y un Oscar por su interpretación en la cinta. Esto no detendria a Cruise, quien regresa con un protagonico y todo el peso de la cinta "Cocktail" (1988) en sus hombros, interpretando a un sexy cantinero que solo utiliza los medios para una meta mayor, mas alla de conquistar chicas y pasarla bien. La cinta seria otro gran exito para el actor que tambien lo colocaria como un sex symbol de su generacion. Pero nuevamente buscando balancea sus proyectos, co protagoniza al lado de Dustin Huffman "Rain Man" (1988), un drama sobre un arrogante y egocentrico joven vendedor de llantas que al moi su padre, se entera que toda su millonaria fortuna a quedado en manos de un hermano autista que el desconocía. La cinta fue un exit en taquilla y critica que le llevo a ganar el Oscar a mejor película, así como mejor actor para Huffman y mejor director para Barry Levison, dejando a Cruise a un lado nuevamente. Razón por la que regresaría con un potente drama bajo el brazo en 1989 "Born on the 4th of July", la biografía sobre el veterano de la guerra de Vietnam, la cual expone la vision y motivos de los jóvenes por unirse a la guerra y su experiencia en ella, siendo el mismo director Oliver Stone, un veterano de la misma, lo cual llevaría la cinta a 8 nominaciones de la Academia, una de ellas, finalmente para el actor quien no ganaría pero al menos da un paso adelante, sin contar el éxito en taquilla que logra.

En 1990 lo vemos en "Days of Thunder", Aliandose nuevamente con el director Tony Scott, buscando repetir viejas glorias ahora sobre pilotos de carreras y aunque esta tragicomedia de acción fue un éxito no gozo del mismo status de su pasada colaboración, pero le trajo una relación que termino en matrimonio, con su co protagonista la actriz, Nicole Kidman, con quien co protagonizaría su siguiente cinta "Far and away" (1992), un drama romántico sobre una pareja de inmigrantes irlandeses que buscan hacerse de fortuna en America de 1890. La popularidad de la pareja ayudo a promover la cinta a pesar de las criticas mezcladas. Lo cual empujaria al actor a formar parte del drama legal "A few good men" (1992), a lado de Demi Moore y Jack Nicholson, quien nuevamente le robaria la pantalla en una historia de un joven abogado llevando a juicio a dos marines por el asesinato de dos de sus colegas, destapando una serie de eventos uneticos escondidos en la Marina por los altos rangos. Nuevamente la cinta fue un éxito en taquilla y critica, llevándola a varias nominaciones y un premio para Nicholson como actor de reparto. Ya instalado en su rol de abogado, protagoniza "The Firm" (1993), un thriller legal dirigido por Sydney Pollack, basado en la popular  novela de John Grishman, sobre un joven estudiante de leyes, que a punto de graduarse recibe una oferta para trabajar en una prestigiada firma de abogados, la cual pondrá su carrera y su vida en juego al enfrentarse a un caso que tiene mas capas que los archivos que esta por desenterrar. Para estas alturas la popularidad del actor es una garantia y asi lo demuestra llevando la cinta a un exito seguro y las gracias de la critica,

Volviendo a un proyecto basado en una novela, co protagoniza al lado de otro sex symbol de la era, Brad Pitt, la cinta "Interview with the Vampire" (1994), una historia sobre la vida de un vampiro a través de los siglos y su relación con su convertidor. El simple hecho de poner dos de las estrellas mas populares del momento juntos fue suficiente para explotar la taquilla apesar de las variantes en la historia vs la novela original. Mas la gente queria mas del actor en blockbusters, por lo cual se apodera de la serie "Mission Impossible" (1996), basada en la serie de tv homonima, bajo la direccion de Brian de Palma, centrandose en un grupo de espias, lidereados por Ethan Hunt, capaces de resolver las mas complicadas misiones alrededor del mundo, y con score que es ya un clasico. El éxito de la cinta dio luz verde a cuatro secuelas: "Mission: Impossible 2" (2000), "Mission: Impossible III" (2006), "Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol" (2011) y "Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation" (2015), un caso curioso al ir incrementando popularidad y calidad con cada nueva entrega. Pero no olvidando a su publico femenino protagoniza el ahora clásico "Jerry McGuire" (1996), una comedia romántica, sobre un joven agente deportivo que tras una mala jugada por parte de su agencia, se ve obligado a renunciar e iniciar por su cuenta desde cero, contando únicamente con la ayuda de su asistente, una madre soltera que le pondrá los pies sobre la tierra y robaría su corazón y el de la audiencia, que hicieron un éxito de la cinta y varias nominaciones, una de ellas para el actor pero quien se robaría los premios seria su co protagonista Cuba Gooding Jr.

Buscando compartir pantalla nuevamente con su esposa Kidman, la pareja se pone en manos del aclamado director Stanley Kubrick, en lo que seria su ultimo proyecto, "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), un thriller erotico sobre un hombre en una serie de eventos a lo largo de una noche tras enterarse que su esposa considero serle infiel, llevándolo a una enmascarada orgia para explorar los diferentes placeres del ser humano y aunque la cinta tuvo que ser editada para su exhibición, el morbo de la audiencia pago bien. Pero el actor gusto de participar en proyectos mas independientes y artísticos, por lo que lo veríamos después en "Magnolia" (1999), un drama con un ensamble que cuenta diferentes personajes e historias sobre la búsqueda de la felicidad, el perdón y el significado de su vida para terminar cruzandose y donde el actor interpreta a un motivador oral atrapado en medio de una entrevista con una reportera. Mas alla del exito en taquilla, la cinta gener varias nominaciones incluyendo otra para Cruise en la categoria de Actor de Reparto. Nuevamente buscando repetir exitos pasados se asocia con Cameron Crowe en la cinta "Vanilla Sky" (2001), la adptacion hollywoodense de la popular cinta espanola "Abre tus Ojos" (1998), una mezcla de romancey sciencia ficcion con tintes moralistas y contando con las participaciones de Cameron Diaz y Penelope Cruz, pero que a pesar de su exito en taquilla, gozaria de malas criticas y rodeada de noticas amarillistas sobre el divorcio de Cruise y Kidman. Por lo que trataria de sacarse la espina y mantenerse ocupado, protagonizando el blockbuster de sciencia ficcion "Minority Report" (2002), bajo la vision de Steven Spielberg, una adaptacion de un cuento corto de Phillip K. Dick que nuevamente pondra la moral en tela de juicio, un asesinato es igual de malo si es detenido antes de cometerse? Con diversas incógnitas, visualmente deslumbrante y escenas al mas puro estilo Hollywoodense, la cinta es otro clásico en la carrera del actor.

Regresando al genero épico y de guerra, protagoniza "The Last Samurai" (2003), donde interpreta a un capitán NorteAmericano que tras conflictos personales termina relacionandose con guerreros Samurai del Japón del siglo XIX, exponiendo el choque de las culturas orientales y occidentales. A pesar del genero la cinta funciono bien consolidando el poder del actor en la industria, lo cual da pie para que por primera vez interprete al villano de la historia en "Collateral" (2004), un thriller de Michael Mann sobre un asesino a sueldo que secuestra a su chofer del taxi para que lo ayude por esa noche. Nuevamente el tiro le sale por la culata siendo su co protagonista quien se roba la escena y un par de nominaciones, mas la cinta en general logra ser un éxito en taquilla y critica, por lo que en 2005 regresa al lado de Spielberg para anotarse otro blockbuster con el remake de la cinta "War of the Worlds", una historia de ciencia ficción sobre una invasion extraterrestre y aunque esta ligeramente basada en la obra original, no le impidió ser un éxito en taquilla y de paso complacer a la critica con la historia de un padre soltero buscando proteger a su familia en medio del caos. Tras un break dados rumores personales ligados a su devocion por la cientologia y su nueva relacion con la jove actriz Katie Holmes, regresa con "Lions for Lambs" (2007), otro drama de guerra a lado de Robert Redford y Meryl Streep, sobre las decisiones del gobierno repecto a la guerra en Medio Oriente y como manda soldados al matadero, todo desde la perspectiva de tres historias, un senador en busca de lanzar una nueva estrategia militar y su confesion de esta a un periodista, la de dos soldados involucrados en la misma, y uno de ellos involucrando a su profesor del colegio en dicha historia. La ambigüedad de la historia y la falta de frescura en tiempos saturados por historias de guerra de Medio oriente le valió para opacar el talento de los involucrados y con una aceptable pero mediocre taquilla, paso al olvido de inmediato.

Buscando repetir formulas, se pone bajo la batuta del director Bryan Singer en el thriller de guerra "Valkyrie" (2008), sobre un grupo de generales en la Alemania Nazi en plena Segunda Guerra Mundial, que planean asesinar a Hitler y tomar el país bajo la operación Valkyrie de plan de rescate de emergencia y aunque una historia ficticia, funciono nuevamente anotando otro éxito para el actor. mas no de la talla a lo que estaba acostumbrado. Reuniéndose en pantalla con la actriz Cameron Diaz, lo vemos en "Knight and Day" (2010), una comedia de acción que le permite explotar sus dotes de comediante y no tomarse tan en serio sin perder su estilo de héroe de acción, como un agente secreto huyendo de la CIA para toparse con una restauradora de autos tras toparse aleatoriamente en la terminal del aeropuerto pero suficiente para levantar sospechas en sus perseguidores quien la pondrán en la mira y ahora el tendrá que rescatarla. A pesar de contar con tibias criticas, la taquilla fue aceptable pero nuevamente alejada de los tempranos exitos del actor. Por lo que decide enfocarse en la comedia, ahora formando parte de la adaptacion cinematografica del musical de Broadway "Rock of Ages" (2012), un ensamble de canciones clasicas del rock de los 80's enfocandose en la historia de una joven que se muda a L.A. en busca de convertirse en una cantante para terminar trabajando en un bar a lado de un joven cantinero que pinta como interes amoroso y donde el actor funge como icono del rock en crisis de edad meda. Obviamente la critica estuvo dividida apesar del talento del elenco involucrado, incluyendo Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bryan Cranston, y con una baja taquilla que no es considerada fracaso pero tampoco un exito.

Buscando explotar nuevas formulas, regresa a su fuerte, el genero de acción, en el cual es conocido por interpretar sus propios stunts, y ahora con "Jack Reacher" (2012), un thriller de acción basado en la popular novela del escritor Lee Child One Shot interpreta a un policía de la milicia que es llamado para resolver ciertos casos que involucran a la milicia de los E.U.A. teniendo que lidiar tanto con abogados como criminales y veteranos. La cinta mantiene un tono que la distingue de las otras pero es dificil ver a Cruise y no poder sacudirse su otro alter ego, el agente y espia, Ethan Hunt de la franquicia Mission:Impossible, por lo que este papel se vuelve olvidable, mas entretenido. Su aceptable éxito e taquilla dio luz verde a la secuela "Jack Reacher:Never go Back" (2016), mas ambas comparten la timidez de la critica y taquilla. Así lo vemos en otro intento de ciencia ficción en "Oblivion" (2013), cinta ubicada en un mundo post-apocaliptico y basado en la novela gráfica homónima, interpretando a un hombre en una torre de control encargado a lado de su pareja, de reparar drones de combate que los protegen de los alienigenas que devastaron el planeta, pero a pesar de que su memoria ha sido borrada, tiene sueños recurrentes de otra vida pasada lo que lo pondrá en conflicto con la comunidad dada su curiosidad por el pasado que podría desenmascara algunas verdades ocultas de los hechos en la batalla alienigena. La historia no fue traducida en su esplendor a la pantalla, lo que le costo pobres criticas y taquilla cuestionando la popularidad del actor ahora que no es mas un sex symbol sino un actor maduro y establecido.

Esto no lo detendría para regresar a la ciencia ficción por la puerta grande con "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014), un filme dirigido por Doug Liman, sobre un soldado atrapado en una guerra alienigena donde tendrá que morir irrepetidamente hasta que logre vencer a la raza alienigena que lo ha puesto en este circulo. Co protagoniza con la actriz Emily Blunt, quien nuevamente se roba la pantalla, como una guerrera bad-ass y que sera clave para que este soldado encuentre la manera de ganar la batalla. En esta ocasion, la formula funciono al ganar grandes criticas y una mejorad taquilla. Pero este mes lo volvemos a ver en el remake "The Mummy" (2017), donde interpreta a un terco militar que tras descubrir una tumba escondida despertara a una princesa Egipcia con una maldicion que promete acabar con el mundo occidental del nuevo milenio y que pone al soldado en la mira para ser sacrificado en pos de revivir al amante de la princesa. A pesar del éxito pasado de la formula, en esta ocasión la historia falla en entregar entretenimiento fresco y novedoso, generando una de las peores criticas para una cinta protagonizada por el actor sin contar una taquilla mediocre que pone en duda posibles secuelas y el potencial del actor para lanzar franquicias en esta nueva era. Aun esta por verse, ya que mucho se culpa a la producción, mas que a su interpretación, y en Septiembre lo veremos en "American Made" una cinta de crimen y autobiográfica sobre un piloto que se convierte en narco traficante, al ser contratado por la CIA para hacer entregas clandestinas, termina relacionandose con el acrtel de Colombia y ayudando a crear el cartel mas poderoso a la fecha, todo orquestrado por el mismo gobierno de los EUA y que al principio beneficio al piloto pero al final termino con u vida y gracias a las cintas que dejo como evidencia ahora el gobierno esta expuesto como el que abrio el camino al narcotrafico en el pais. A la fecha la cinta promete regresar a lo que el actor nos tiene acostumbrados, una potente interpretacion en una historia bien dirigida, escrita y que no deja de ser entretenida y que es ya un must see por los eventos que relata y su impacto en la actualidad exponiendo la verdadera cara del supuesto mejor pais en el mundo ademas de gozar ya con excelentes critias. Mas con la mira puesta en el futuro de su carrera, mucho se espera de esta cinta y su proxima entrega en 2018 de la franquicia "Mission: impossible 6".

WONDER WOMAN...justice begins with her

"I used to want to save the world, this little beautiful place". That's how everything starts. We came here as idealists expecting the best from life, from the world, from others. Until we start living and things start to happen. We suddenly start to realize that we can't be good all time. There is some bad and dark on everyone of us. But we've been told we are all good and should stay that way, away from evil and hiding those bad behaviors not even realizing why all are they happening. Yes, this means to be human, and in order to be able to expose that nature that make us flawless and truly understand it, we were in need of an outsider that will explore it and get to understand it first to prove it right, That's why we created heroes, those saviors for humans that will seem perfect in appearance but also full of layers and shades that will help us not just to save the day but to put humanity back in track, even in it's worst moments, teaching us one or more lessons about ourselves and serving more as a role model than a true heroic figure. And in recent times, when things have been going from bad to worse and the world seems submerged in chaos, losing hope for a chance of change, we finally get a super hero that won't save the day but will remind us how worthy we are and that it's our choice to do right or wrong because we both in us, but is only love what can save us. And her name is "Wonder Woman" (2017).

Or better known as Diana. She is a princess, a god, a powerful, strong woman. But she doesn't know it. She was raised as an Amazon among her equals, training for a battle that might come but no one knows when, but will be under the God of War directions. So they must be prepared. But she doesn't know what she is capable of as her mother is hiding a lot of information from her, afraid that knowing will put her in more danger. But her nature is to fight, to be prepared for that moment and face all those ideals she has been raised for. She becomes a warrior that will fight among others for what is right. Until she gets out of the bubble she has been all her life. Believe things will happen as been told in books of by spreading the word. But in reality things are more complex. And she needs to learn that in the hard way. As she stars to become stronger, war finds her. And comes in form of a spy. A man that is been persecuted for stealing valuable information from the enemy. And they found him rescued by the amazons that will face men in this new era, World War I is happening and has found them. So after this man explains them what is happening, she feels like this is her call for war. She needs to go out there and help this people to end the war. This is why they've been training for. This is her mainly reason to exist. At least for now tat she doesn't know more.

Once Diana travels to Europe and clashes with humanity and society for that era, she will learn what humans are made of. She will see their love and compassion for each other, their ability to care for others, their fashion, their guilty pleasures, the pleasures of the flesh, all those feelings that make us feel alive and excited, to get up everyday, go to work, fall in love, get married, have kids, cook for them, dance, and get old. Is it worthy? We don't know but it's in our nature and that push everyone of us to keep going in the good and bad days. But also she will see our insecurities, our hunger for power, aggressiveness, selfishness, that has turned the dreams of a few into a war and misery of the rest of the world that are fighting in the name of their nation or under the orders of other hiding behind a desk. And this is not what she expected, neither what she was told. As a warrior and a princess she fights back to back with her team, so can't understand why all these Captains and Generals are just sitting in a room, making decisions that will affect the lives of those on the battlefield instead of them being there, fighting as equals. But she will prove them wrong as she will be the first to take a step into a no man's land and try to save a village that has been taken by the enemy.

She soon will face the reality of war. Women and children been murdered. Men are injured and villages are being destroyed. Why? How's possible we are turning into each others. What makes a few more special that deserve the rest to sacrificed for them, appealing to everyone's nature of courage and honor to their country and family, trying to save them and protect them form others threats. But sadly is not a one man's fault. If we need to blame it comes to all that had fall for this ideals of power in need to feed that emptiness in our lives. Some people come from a violent or dysfunctional background so they don't know better and others need to fulfill a need or a lack of love for themselves with power, feeling more than others and bring them down will bring them some entitlement that they need in order to survive and because of that they will do whatever it takes as for them it comes as a matter of life or death but why a majority has to pay for the actions of  a few?. Why we keep falling for their crap and their promises? How far do we need to go or how deep we need to fall to realize that that path won't take us anywhere safe but to destroy ourselves, and we keep history repeats. As if never happened before we keep believing that is an actual solution. We keep doing the same mistakes over and over. That's the only reason why we need super heroes, not just as a kid fantasy of saving the world but as a role model that will remind us that the real power is in us.

Also for the first time, we got a fresh air from the super her genre bringing the most iconic and best known female super hero in modern history. A woman that is willing to prove that not only men can kick ass and that men not longer rule the world. Women as different from men as they are, also can save the day and prove to be strong and powerful, even they are best known for being emotional but it's all about balance. Finding the right amount of strength an vulnerability that will aloud you to win a war. Just by knowing your flaws and controlling your emotions you can be able to overcome whatever will come at you. As in the movie, set in early XX century, when women had no right to vote or being heard, had to suffer the consequences from men's decisions. But also at that time, we were told that men can't cry, and have to be strong to support and protect their families. That being a man was all about be strong, smart, and cold hearted, but  things have changed and we had evolved to the point that we realize now that men can and should be emotional as well, because have feelings as women have. And women can be strong and be smart and driven to manage companies and take the lead. We are still different, but we share a lot of similarities and those differences are what brings a balance to our society and human kind so this movie comes in a perfect timing to remind us all this and with a performance that feels like was born to perform under a direction and a perfect story that will captivate us as much as will thrill us, making it the perfect and one of the best entries for the genre.