I have been a Bond fan for nearly my whole life since seeing You Only Live Twice (Sean Connery) at the drive-in with my dad in 1967 when I was eight years old. I was also a fan of Nancy Sinatra and she sang the theme song for the movie. I like the way the Bond movies evolved. They certainly were (and are) a product of their time. As to the Craig editions, I am certain the Borne movies influenced the Craig edition of Bond, especially the fighting.

On to Tom Cruise-Interesting take on the masculinity aspect- I think you are correct. Personally, I like some of his movies and others I can leave. Having grown up watching the TV version of Mission Impossible, the Cruise movie left a sour taste making Mr. Phelps a bad guy. I never watched another MI movie.

You have to admit Cruise is a MOVIE STAR. Yeah- the scientology thing is weird, but then I am an atheist. But I did appreciate how he filmed a movie fan thank you which aired right before the second Top Gun movie (which I thought was better than the first). I do like the Jack Reacher films though.

He also goes "off script" on occasion such as playing the bad guy in Collateral. Then there was the odd role in Rock of Ages, and the drama Born on the 4th of July.

Anyway good article