tom cruise and jack black movie

The 10 Best Jack Black Movies, Ranked

"Actually, it's Schnayblay."

Jack Black will make his return as Po in the highly-anticipated fourth installment of the wildly successful franchise Kung Fu Panda . Without a doubt, Black’s portrayal of the lovable panda has captivated audiences worldwide, with viewers asking for more Kung Fu adventure and fun. What makes Black such a beloved actor is his commitment to each character he portrays, making sure that he plays them with remarkable depth and complexity. Whether he's making audiences laugh with his infectious humor or tugging at their heartstrings with his emotional depth, Black's versatility is not to be challenged.

Black's illustrious career is more than proof of his incredible talent and dedication to acting . With a unique ability to seamlessly blend comedy and drama, Black has carved out a niche for himself as one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors. From his breakout role in School of Rock , where he established his comedic prowess, to his poignant performance in Bernie , Black has consistently delivered captivating performances across a huge list of films.

10 ‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle’ (2017)

Directed by jake kasdan.

After more than 20 years, the beloved classic adventure movie Jumanji finally received a worthy sequel. Directed by Jake Kasdan , Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle elevates and takes the concept of its predecessor by giving it a contemporary twist. In the movie, the protagonists arrive and become trapped in Jumanji through a video game instead of a board game.

In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle , Black plays the role of Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon, a middle-aged man who is trapped in the body of a teenage girl. Thanks to Black’s impeccable comedic timing, he was able to make it work by capturing the essence of a teenage girl, resulting in sidesplitting laughs from audiences. For sure, audiences will often find themselves on the edge of their seats while watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle as the main characters face off against dangerous creatures, navigate treacherous landscapes, and demystify the intricate secrets of the game.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Jumunji: Welcome to the Jungle can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

Watch on Hulu

9 ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’ (2022)

Directed by aaron horvath and michael jelenic.

Not a lot of people had faith that The Super Mario Bros. Movie was going to defy expectations, but they were ultimately proved wrong. The movie opens up with Mario ( Chris Pratt ) and Luigi ( Charlie Day ) who are satisfied with their everyday lives as plumbers in Brooklyn. But things quickly change for them as they find themselves in the parallel universe of the Mushroom Kingdom.

The brothers are tasked with rescuing Princess Peach ( Anya Taylor-Joy ) from the dirty hands of the megalomaniac Bowser (Black). While there are a lot of complaints from fans who say that the film wasn’t super faithful to the source material, The Super Mario Bros. Movie proves to be a fun film that infuses new energy into the beloved game franchise .

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.

Watch on Netflix

8 'High Fidelity' (2000)

Directed by stephen frears.

An adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name, High Fidelity is a comedy-drama film that’s sure to take viewers for a ride. Centering around a man named Rob Gordon ( John Cusack ), High Fidelity follows Rob’s decision to revisit his past relationships to figure out what went wrong. Ultimately, the movie sees Rob reconcile with his fear of commitment and own up to the mistakes he made.

Beyond its humor-filled scenes, High Fidelity is a love letter to music and self-discovery. In it, Black’s role as Barry proves to be a good character for Rob to riff on as they go off in a scene where they list down five of their favorite pieces of music media. While the movie won awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, some cinephiles think that it’s an overrated cult classic as they perceive its meaning and message to be twisted.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity can be streamed on Apple TV in the U.S.

Rent on Apple TV

7 ‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

Directed by ben stiller.

Black plays one of the main roles in Ben Stiller’s satirical action movie Tropic Thunder . The plot of the movie revolves around a group of self-obsessed thespians who are trying to create a big-budget war movie. Unfortunately for them, the area they’re in soon becomes entrenched in a war conflict that forces them to take up arms.

The character Jeff Portnoy, a beloved comedic actor who is struggling with addiction, is masterfully brought to life by Black . Black shines during the moments when Portnoy goes through withdrawal, as he balances the vulnerability of the scene with his hilarious acting skills. Apart from its star-studded cast, Tropic Thunder probably has the best Tom Cruise cameo in the history of film. Despite being well-received for its incredible performances, clever satire, and sharp script, the movie was criticized due to its portrayal of mental health issues and its use of blackface.

Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder can be streamed on Fubo in the U.S.

Watch on Fubo

6 ‘The Holiday’ (2006)

Directed by nancy meyers.

For those who are in the mood for a feel-good movie, The Holiday is a good candidate. In the movie, a charming but unconfident journalist named Iris ( Kate Winslet ) swaps homes with an American movie producer named Amanda ( Cameron Diaz ) — with both women looking for a change of scenery for the holidays. Black plays the role of Miles in the movie, a humble and friendly film composer who quickly bonds with Iris .

What makes The Holiday a great and wholesome romantic comedy is its focus on self-discovery, friendship, and love. The adventures that Iris and Amanda go through during their time away from their home invite viewers to take chances and open themselves to new and thrilling experiences. It’s the perfect film to watch for those who are about to have a cozy night with their friends or family.

The Holiday

The Holiday can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.

5 ‘King Kong’ (2005)

Directed by peter jackson.

A lot of moviegoers were excited to see the classic tale of King Kong be remade by Peter Jackson due to his incredible adaptation of the epic The Lord of the Rings novel. The familiar plot of the movie goes like this: a film crew goes to Skull Island to create a grand film. However, they soon find out that the island is ruled by a giant gorilla named Kong, who becomes fascinated with the struggling actress Ann Darrow ( Naomi Watts ) — kidnapping her and protecting her from the dangers posed by the island.

Black plays the ambitious but naive filmmaker Carl Denham in the movie. Just like Jackson’s previous films, King Kong proves to be an incredible visual treat, with its special effects that bring the famous gorilla to life in incredible detail. It’s a worthy modern retelling of the classic movie — and critics seem to think so as it scored three Academy Awards.

King Kong can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.

4 ‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot’ (2018)

Directed by gus van sant.

Based on the memoir of John Callahan , Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot is a moving movie that showcases the strength of the human spirit. In the movie, a quadriplegic cartoonist played by Joaquin Phoenix struggles with substance abuse issues due to his traumatic experience of losing control over his legs. He then hesitantly joins an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting where he meets interesting personalities, including Dexter, played by Black.

One of the most stirring moments in the movie involves Dexter, as he opens up about his own struggle with alcoholism and shares his story with pure vulnerability. Audiences will surely feel moved thanks to Black’s delicate approach to the scene, capturing the character’s pain with incredible depth and nuance . Despite its emotional plot and stellar acting performances, the movie did get some criticism as some viewers felt that the portrayal of disability in the movie was unduly straightforward.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far on Foot

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot can be streamed on Prime Video in the U.S.

Watch on Prime

3 ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)

Directors: mark osborne, john stevenson.

Perhaps the most popular and beloved animated martial arts film of all time is Kung Fu Panda . In the movie, Black voices the protagonist Po, who is a clumsy and lovable panda who aspires to become a kung fu master. Fortunately for Po, he unexpectedly becomes the Dragon Warrior — the chosen one who is prophesied to face and defeat a villainous snow leopard.

Despite his difficulties training at the hands of the strict Master Shifu ( Dustin Hoffman ), Po perseveres. Adults and kids are sure to enjoy the movie as Kung Fu Panda is both charming and hilarious. It also bears noting that the animation works in the movie as it captures the beauty of ancient China while also being fluid enough to work during action-filled and humorous scenes, such as when Po and Tai Lung ( Ian McShane ) finally faced off at the Valley of Peace.

Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda can be streamed on Peacock in the U.S.

Watch on Peacock

2 ‘Bernie’ (2011)

Directed by richard linklater.

While Richard Linklater is most known for his Before trilogy and Boyhood , he has also released an incredible gem of a movie titled Bernie . Based on real events, Bernie follows the titular character who is a funeral director in a cozy Texas town. The movie takes a sinister turn as Bernie murders an unpleasant but wealthy widow due to her controlling behavior.

Bernie effectively tells its dark story thanks to Black’s brilliant performance as Bernie. The way Black showcases his ability to charm audiences even in the midst of a complex and morally ambiguous storyline . There’s also the true crime aspect of Bernie , which is made more exciting by the movie’s tight pacing and incredible storytelling. Because of all that, Bernie was well-loved by critics, with Black earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

Bernie can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

1 ‘School of Rock’ (2003)

In 2003, the world was rocked by a cinematic gem that instantly became a beloved classic. In School of Rock , Black assumes the role of Dewey Finn, a down-and-out musician who fakes being a substitute music teacher at a snooty prep school. Desperate for money, he tries his best to find and nurture the talents of his students by forming a rock band with them.

The film's soundtrack is a rock lover's dream, featuring iconic hits from bands like Led Zeppelin , The Doors , and AC/DC . The young cast, including Miranda Cosgrove and Joey Gaydos Jr. , delivered standout performances, which boosted the movie’s charm. Because of its electrifying music and energy, as well as its heartwarming story, School of Rock easily resonated with viewers of all ages.

School of Rock

School of Rock can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.

NEXT: 10 Best Angelina Jolie Movies, Ranked

Jack Black Loves Tom Cruise In Tropic Thunder. His Take On What The Top Gun Star Should Do Next (With Him Of Course)

Maybe they could actually share screen time.

Jack Black and Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder (side by side)

It’s been 15 years since Tropic Thunder was released, and it remains a favorite for many comedy fans and ranks as one of the best movies of the 2000s . The irreverent 2008 flick satirizes the movie industry, making for a hilarious film for those with a dark sense of humor. The cast is one of the most well remembered aspects of Tropic Thunder , as it features comedic heavyweights like Ben Stiller , Jack Black and Danny McBride , as well as major dramatic actors playing against type, like Robert Downey Jr ., Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise . Now, Black is reflecting on what made the silly premise work for so many and Cruise’s iconic performance that surprised a lot of people.

In Tropic Thunde r, the Top Gun star plays Les Grossman, a caricature of a studio executive who is worried more about his film and the money it is costing him rather than the cast and crew that are in danger in the jungle. For the role, Cruise danced while wearing a bald cap, as well as big arm prosthetics that make him almost identifiable. He is absolutely hilarious, and some may not realize it was Cruise in the role until the credits start rolling. In a recent interview with Total Film , Black opened up about his experience making the film, as well as the stand out performance by Cruise, saying:

Tom Cruise was unrecognizable as Les Grossman. He was really channeling some angst, I think, about some studio executives that shall remain nameless. I just didn’t know he had that gear in him. I guess he had done some comedy but not like this, with such broad strokes. And not such a character that he totally disappeared into.

There was skepticism Cruise would be able to pull off that kind of a character before the Jerry Maguire actor starred in the comedy film. Before Tropic Thunder , Cruise had done mostly action films and dramatic work. He had already made three Mission: Impossible movies and was also nominated for Oscars for dramas like Magnolia and Born on the Fourth of July. This was completely out of Cruise’s comfort zone, but he totally nailed it and is one of the funniest parts of that movie. Many fans have hoped that the movie star would venture out into even more comedic work, including Black, who said:

It does make you wonder when he is going to bust out and do some more comedy. If he does, he should let me know. I’ll jump on board that choo-choo train.

I personally would love to see these two work together again. The two actors don’t really share any screen time Tropic Thunder , but I think their differences would make Black and Cruise a great comedic duo. I could totally see them both in a buddy action comedy movie like The Other Guys ,or even a road trip movie like Due Date. Black’s enthusiasm for the prospect makes me want to see it happen, and makes me wonder why nobody thought to put these two together in the first place.

While Jack Black may be totally game for Tom Cruise’s long-awaited return to comedy, it may not happen anytime soon. Cruise has a number of upcoming films slated that won’t be requiring his comedic timing. Mission: Impossible 8 is almost finished, and set to release in 2025 , and he’s also been attached to a SpaceX adventure film for many years. In addition, Emily Blunt has been pushing for an Edge of Tomorrow sequel for a while, so that may take priority. However, Cruise did just recently sign a deal with Warner Brothers to make more movies with the studio, so maybe Jack Black could convince the actor that one of them should be a comedy. Tropic Thunder 2 , perhaps ?

Fans will have to wait and see if this long-awaited reunion could ever happen on the big screen. In the meantime, you can see Tom Cruise and Jack Black in Tropic Thunder , which Paramount+ subscribers can stream now . Black also has the movie Borderlands coming out on 2024 movie release schedule , followed by Minecraft in 2025.

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Tom Cruise's Les Grossman Character Is Finally Returning In The Best Way Possible

Released in 2008, "Tropic Thunder" is one of the more polarizing comedy flicks to come out of the era. Sure, it boasts a stacked cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and more, and the idea of a bunch of actors ending up stranded in a dangerous jungle while filming their latest movie certainly has comedy potential. Although, things like RDJ's character, Kirk Lazarus, wearing blackface for most of the film , and the portrayal of Tugg Speedman's (Stiller) Simple Jack character , have led many to take a second, more critical look at the film.

Still, Tom Cruise 's Les Grossman is as funny as ever.

A gruff, money-hungry studio executive stationed in Los Angeles, California, Grossman spends much of the film overseeing Speedman, Lazarus, and the rest of the crew's progress — or lack thereof. All the while, he throws child-like temper tantrums and shows next to no respect for those beneath him. Nevertheless, he's among the most fondly remembered parts of "Tropic Thunder" thanks to Cruise's eccentric approach to the character coupled with the makeup and prosthetics that make it hard to tell it's the "Mission: Impossible" star in the first place.

While a "Tropic Thunder 2" hasn't materialized up to this point, as it turns out, Les Grossman is finally going to make a comeback in the near future. Here's what we know.

Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie are eager to bring Grossman back

As reported by Deadline on August 8, 2022, Tom Cruise and producer Christopher McQuarrie are putting together a handful of new projects. The first aligns more with Cruise's typical cinematic efforts since it's an action flick with the potential to become a franchise, and the second is an original song and dance-style musical that would give Cruise a nice break from his usual endeavors. As for the third, it will supposedly focus on Les Grossman in some form or fashion. Time will tell if this will put the character front-and-center in a production of his own or if he'll merely appear as a supporting player.

Talks of a Les Grossman spin-off date back to the early 2010s, with "Barry" star Bill Hader confirming in 2011 that it was even written (via MovieWeb ). However, as time went on, it never came to fruition, though Cruise has been vocal about wanting to return to the role in some form. "I don't know. I did Les Grossman for the MTV Awards...We'll have to see. That could be fun," he told ComicBook.com in May of 2022 of giving Grossman another shot, which, bearing in mind Deadline's report about Cruise and McQuarrie's next efforts, means we could be closer than ever to Grossman's triumphant return to the silver screen.

One can only hope that in the coming months, we hear more about all of Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie's upcoming collaborations — the Les Grossman title, especially.

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Tropic Thunder rewatched and reconsidered, 10 years later

The summer of 2008 broke history, and rebuilt it. America suffered through a bitter presidential election on the road to a globewrecking financial crisis. In theaters, cinematic generations were rising — and falling. Superheroes, Will Smith, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro, Emma Stone, Mike Myers, Sisterhood s and Step Brothers , Batman, and ABBA, adaptations of TV shows we still tweet about, new installments of movie franchises studios won't stop rebooting: everything Hollywood was before, alongside everything it still is.

In our weekly column Two Thousand Late , we'll explore the big hits and curious flops from a summer that has never really ended. Next week: Summer ends and a new era dawns with The House Bunny . This week: critic at large Leah Greenblatt and TV critic Darren Franich on Tropic Thunder .

DARREN: We've revisited a lot of movies this summer, Leah. But I have to admit, nothing made me more anxious than the prospect of rewatching Tropic Thunder.

For director-star Ben Stiller, this was magnum opus territory: A big-budget comedy about big-budget excess, stuffed with hard-R ultraviolence and offensive-on-purpose material. Stiller was an influential cult-comedy voice in the '90s before he became a full-blown franchise-launching megastar across the 2000s. On Thunder , he assembled an all-star lineup from across the cinematic universe of humor: fellow comedy star Jack Black, Apatow-adjacent Jay Baruchel and Danny McBride, stand-up Brandon T. Jackson, eternal "he's much more popular in Britain" talking point Steve Coogan. And that's not to mention Tom Cruise under heavy makeup, Robert Downey Jr. under heavy makeup, and Matthew McConaughey in the wilderness years.

Tropic Thunder was a phenomenon upon initial release. It was the movie that finally pushed The Dark Knight off the top of the box office, maintaining a No. 1 position in domestic theaters through Labor Day. And thanks to Downey, it became the rare comedy hit to receive Oscar attention, earning the star a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Downey's role-within-a-role might be the big talking point here. As a vaguely Crowevian method actor Kirk Lazarus, Downey spends most of the movie exhibiting "pigmentation alteration" — meta-blackface, basically.

It seems impossible that any actor would play a role like that today, though on some level "wouldn't happen today" is the vibe of the whole movie. Tropic Thunder opens with a comedy assault, fake trailers, fart symphonies, a Brokeback ish Oscar parody, the sight of Stiller's hands exploded into Sarlacc-y stumps. The opening scene openly quotes Platoon and Apocalypse Now , two films which symbolize an earlier era of auteurist overreach.

You're primed for a scathing satire of Hollywood…and then the film never really lives up to that prologue. There are some isolated bits in Tropic Thunder I really enjoy. I forgot just how fully committed and semi-psychopathic Jack Black was in the part of a druggy tabloid star. On some deeply pathological level, I will always think it's hilarious when Tom Cruise says bad words. But there's something a little backpatty in the film's tone, halfway to Entourage. You feel everyone's very proud of everything they're getting away with — and the fact that Stiller ends Tropic Thunder with his character's Oscar victory feels like meta-narcissism falling backwards into light egomania.

What was your experience watching Tropic Thunder this go-round, Leah?

LEAH: Mine was the same honestly, though maybe I enjoyed it just a smedge more than you did? Or the first 45 minutes at least; much like Ben Stiller's biceps, the last hour is the kind of swole that you makes you think, "That is a whole lot of effort, for my mere mild amusement." Especially when you remember that this is the same director who made his debut less than 15 years earlier with Reality Bites , where his character purposefully represented all the smash-cut emptiness of modern pop culture that Winona and her scrappy little band of gas-station bohemians were trying to get away from. The student has become the blaster.

But there are so many moments in Thunder that I still love, too: the loony cameos (don't tell me that Tobey Maguire's performance as the homoerotic priest in the Kirk Lazarus trailer-within-a-trailer doesn't deserve at least a Cable Ace award), Jack Black and his jellybeans; Danny McBride's reverse lightning-bolt mullet; RDJ's "never go full retard" speech. And you're so right, even rewatching that speech scene alone on my laptop, I felt uncomfortable; I don't feel great even typing the words now. But there is real Academy wisdom in that speech too — and his delivery is perfect.

I actually enjoy this Downey performance way more than anything he's done in spandex over the last few years; it's so goofy and free. But to me the biggest revelation in this movie is probably Tom Cruise — not strictly because of the acting, necessarily, or the fat suit, though he works hard for both, but just that this is the last time I remember him distinctly not playing himself. He's a hairy-knuckled bear-daddy Diet Coke-head with a nuclear rage problem, and he looks like he's having so much fun. I don't know that I've enjoyed him this much as a pure actor, and not as a dude playing the dude who is always Tom Cruise™, since Magnolia .

I also just realized, is there a lady in this movie with a line of dialogue besides "Please hold"? Not that every script has to pass the Bechdel test , but man that is a low ratio, when secondhand Maria Menounos on a closed-circuit TV beamed over the hotel breakfast buffet is your main female.

DARREN: You've also got Tyra Banks, Christine Taylor, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Alicia Silverstone in steadily more cameo-ish cameos. Which could be the point! Like the same summer's Step Brothers , the overriding vibe here is dudely self-destruction. Stiller wrote the screenplay with Etan Cohen and (hello!) Justin Theroux, and it almost feels like they aligned their core characters with the Seven Deadly Sins. Stiller's Tugg Speedman envies Lazarus. Lazarus is a white actor prideful enough to think he can play a black man. Black's Jeff Portnoy is a glutton, like a chocoholic, but for heroin. Grossman's greedy. Brandon Soo Hoo's teen guerilla Tran is all wrath. And, um, is that seven yet?

In a lot of ways, this movie seems like the apex of a particular moment in comedy, sitting alongside 2005's dirty-joke shockfest The Aristocrats and 2006's Borat feature. Back then, it felt like the point of movie comedy was to push past every possible barrier of good taste. (This was also the era when the horror genre slipped into torture porn, a correlation proving nothing except that the 2000s were a weird, dark time.) It's a kick to see how far Tropic Thunder wants to push itself, no doubt. Along with the "full retard" speech (god help me, I laughed again!), there's that bit when Grossman decides the best business move is to let his lead actor die.

We're halfway to Network territory there — but you feel the kid gloves come on after that, like the movie can't get too sharp in its showbiz satire, like there's this quality of safely laughing with instead of dangerously laughing at . I guess it's a tricky question of our age, Leah. Even when a movie explicitly sets out to deconstruct powerful Hollywood men, will it inevitably wind up celebrating them? It looks fun to be a powerful asshat! It's like that old Francois Truffaut line, how there's no such thing as a truly anti-war film, because war inevitably looks awesome on the big screen. I know, I know, quoting Truffaut now are we? , but that could be some ultimate point of Tropic Thunder , too. These dudes go to the jungle looking to make a sober war epic, lose their movie, lose their minds, and still wind up with awards-y financial success. Huzzah for failing upwards!

Cruise as Grossman is a delight. Also, maybe we're just all the way through the rabbit hole here, but I forgot how much I enjoyed McConaughey as Stiller's agent! I've just seen a lot of his Serious Face stuff post-McConaissance, so it's a kick to watch his anxiously fratty agent face off against magisterial Grossman. Can we reunite these two characters in a spinoff? Written by, like, Tina Fey?

LEAH: Darren, this is in my top-three McConaughey performances for sure; my Mconaugh-three. He's not doing Kate Hudson romance or gaunt Oscar bait, but he is acting out the perfect flipside of his '90s John Grisham types: he has a noble cause and he will fight to the death for it! Except the cause is the Tivo clause in his client's set rider , and he will fight unless the death of that client means he gets his own G5.

It's funny what you say about the movie pivoting from satire to self-congratulation, because as two people who work adjacent to show business (and by "adjacent" I mean, like, the seagulls in the dumpster behind the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion), do you think you and I are more susceptible in general to this kind of inside-baseball shenanigans?

Thunder 's whole plot obviously hinges on some knowledge of Hollywood self-regard, but it's not setting a super high bar: Any steady pop-culture consumer would recognize those tropes (like the opening string of fantastically bad fake trailers); they're like an action-movie amuse-bouche that Stiller and Theroux gave us eight years before Deadpool .

Now that you brought up Tina Fey though, the script does feel like a sort of feature-length cousin to one of her and Amy Poehler's Golden Globes monologues: a big, winky pin in the bloated balloon of industry ego. I think they might be better at it than Justin Theroux — but of course 10 killer minutes onstage is not the same as sustaining a whole movie. (And 10 great minutes is about exactly what Sisters had.)

As far as men being both the only target and, in the end, the only heroes here, Cruise's turn did make me think for a minute about another one of my favorite left-field casting coups: Tilda Swinton's ruthless lad-mag editor in Trainwreck . She's just pure, venal joy with no real redemption arc at all, and I loved that.

I'm not really sure how to end this thing, so I'll give you the one of the seven deadly sins you missed: Sloth! I'm tapping out. But I'm glad this assignment made us rewatch and reconsider a movie I probably wouldn't have gone back to without, say, a long weekend in a log cabin with a very limited DVD collection.

My final takeaway is: Brandon T. Jackson is underrated. Cruise and McConaughey definitely need to get weird more often. And if there's going to be any kind of spin-off, I vote for RDJ and Kate McKinnon just jabbering their crazy Australian accents at each other for two straight hours. Fin.

Complete Summer 2008 Schedule:

May 2: Iron Man and Made of Honor

May 9: Speed Racer

May 16: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

May 22: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull

May 30: Sex and the City

June 6: Kung Fu Panda

June 13: The Happening

June 20: The Love Guru

June 27: WALL-E

July 2: Hancock

July 11: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

July 18: The Dark Knight

July 25: Step Brothers

Aug. 1: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Aug. 13: Tropic Thunder

Aug. 22: The House Bunny

Screen Rant

Jack reacher: 10 biggest book changes in tom cruise's movie.

The 2012 film, Jack Reacher, adapts Lee Child's ninth Reacher novel, One Shot, but the film takes 10 major creative liberties in the process.

The 2012 Jack Reacher film deviates heavily from the novel, making it the most altered adaptation of the character and story.
Tom Cruise's portrayal of Reacher differs significantly from the book's description and the film increases the action by having Reacher kill more people and eliminates important characters, which impacts the realism and complexity of the plot.

The 2012 film Jack Reacher is based on Lee Child's 2005 novel, One Shot , but the film makes 10 big changes to the book's story. Child's iconic Jack Reacher series has been adapted multiple times, including a sequel film, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back , and a television series by Prime Video simply called, Reacher . The various adaptations of Jack Reacher vary in their loyalty to Child's novels, but all of them take some sort of creative liberty.

The 2012 Jack Reacher film is no exception, in fact, it might be the most heavily altered variation of the character and story. Jack Reacher holds onto the core of the story, and it definitely creates a solid semblance of the title character, but many changes are made that make the movie a bit more action-packed. Those changes also hurt the film at times though, often undermining the mystery or belittling the complicated plot from the novel. Whether for better or for worse, there are 10 major book changes that stand out in the 2012 film, Jack Reacher .

Related: Why Tom Cruise Didn't Continue As Reacher For Amazon's Show (Was He Fired?)

10 Jack Reacher's Size

The first discrepancy that stands out is Reacher's size in the book compared to the movie. Reacher is described as being 6'5 and close to 250 pounds, whereas Tom Cruise, who plays Reacher in the film, is around 5'7. This is significant because Reacher's intimidating presence is a big part of his character in the books. His hand-to-hand combat ability is also a crucial element of the character, which is hurt by using a smaller actor. Tom Cruise's height in Jack Reacher isn't the most egregious book change, but it is notable. The decision to cast Cruise was likely made to bring star power to the film, which is understandable.

9 Reacher's Kill Count

Another element that stands out is the amount of people killed by Reacher in the film. Over the course of One Shot , Reacher only kills four people. In the film, Cruise's Reacher kills a countless number of adversaries. This change was definitely made to build up the movie's spectacle, but it hurts the plot by making everything less realistic. Book Reacher kills when he must, but he is not a vigilante who goes around shooting every enemy he encounters. The Reacher in the books always arrests people when possible, but Cruise's Reacher shoots first and asks questions later.

8 The Number Of Villains Who Survive

In Jack Reacher , Cruise's Reacher tracks the shooting being investigated to a Russian gang. He locates the gang and confronts them, ultimately shooting all of them dead. In the books, however, Reacher kills a handful of the gang's henchman and arrests the rest of them. This is another change that seems to have been made in order to increase the film's spectacle. The producers of Jack Reacher likely felt that this would be a more climactic ending. It is probably more dramatic, but it makes everything feel less realistic.

7 James Barr's Framing

The framing of James Barr (Joseph Sikora) is another aspect of Jack Reacher that is different from the book. In the opening montage of Jack Reacher it's strongly hinted that Barr was framed, so the audience knows about it from the beginning. In the book, it's believed he is guilty until about halfway through. Reacher himself is convinced of Barr's guilt in the book, which is why he took the case in the first place. This change hurts the movie's mystery, though it was probably done to save time, like most changes in Jack Reacher adaptations .

6 Helen Rodin's Kidnapping

In Jack Reacher , James Barr's attorney, Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), is kidnapped by the gang that framed him. In the book, however, it's James' sister, Rosemary, who is kidnapped. Rosemary is actually cut from the film entirely, which was likely a time-based decision. This is not a terrible change because it allows more time to build Helen's character. It would be impossible to replicate the scope of characters from the novel, so some of them inevitably had to be cut, and Rosemary was probably a good choice for that. Even so, it is a significant departure from the book.

Related: Why Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher Sequel Was So Bad (There's 1 Big Problem)

5 The Fates Of The Zec And Emerson

In the Jack Reacher film, Reacher kills both The Zec (Werner Herzog), the leader of the Russian gang who framed Barr, and Emerson (David Oyelowo), the corrupt cop working with the Russians. Neither of these characters dies in the book, however. Both are arrested at the end of the novel instead. The decision to kill off both characters was probably made to create some extra spectacle, but also to make the ending tidier. If both of them are dead, the film doesn't need to hash out their fates any further.

4 Reacher's Rescue Team

Although Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher is surprisingly accurate , the character takes too much on himself in the film. The Reacher from the books is willing to work with others, as evidenced by the rescue team he takes with him to save Rosemary from her kidnappers. In the film, Reacher goes solo to save Helen and take out the Russians. Whereas, in the book, he takes Helen, Franklin, and Ann with him to save Rosemary. This is significant because of what it implies about Reacher being willing to work with a team.

3 The Book Has More Characters

One of the biggest differences between the book and Jack Reacher is that the book simply has way more characters. The Jack Reacher film is forced to cut a lot of characters in order to consolidate the story and fit it into the span of a movie. This is just the nature of adapting books for the movies, but it's a shame that certain characters weren't included. Most notably, Ann Yanni, an investigative journalist who helps Reacher with the case, does not appear in the film. Barr's sister, Rosemary, is another notable exclusion.

2 The Motive For The Shooting

Another key difference between Jack Reacher and One Shot is the Russians motive for the shooting that kicks everything off. In the film, it basically boils down to The Zec trying to extort Oline Archer into selling her husband's quarry. In the books, Archer's husband is asking questions about The Zec's business, digging around in places he should not have. The Zec has him killed in order to preserve his illegitimate construction business, then wants to take the quarry as a bonus. This decision was probably made to simplify the plot, which is a shame because the complex nature of this story is what makes it great.

1 The Sniper's Location

In One Shot the sniper who frames Barr shoots his victims from a mere 35 yards away, which is significant because it implies the shooter missed one shot on purpose. In Jack Reacher , however, the sniper is shooting from across the river at a distance probably closer to half a mile, which would make his targets extremely difficult to hit. The point-blank distance at which the shooter fires from in One Shot is a critical aspect of Reacher's investigation, so this is a highly significant change. This change was probably meant to make Reacher's enemies look more dangerous, but it comes off as mildly absurd.

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Jack Reacher Film Series : All Jack Reacher Movies in Order

Tom Cruise Jack Reacher Movies in Order: Want to enjoy one of the best Crime-Thrilling-Action series based on Lee Child’s novel “One Shot” centering Jack Reacher, a title character and the protagonist of a series, starring Tom Cruise in the lead. After leaving the US Army as a major in its military police at age 36, Reacher roams the United States taking odd jobs and investigating suspicious and frequently dangerous situations. Reacher must uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear his name. On the run as a fugitive from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever. Cruise gives a riveting performance as Jack Reacher, a nomad with a military past who frequently gets involved in solving crimes.

People are fans of Tom Cruise and if you are one of them and wish to watch this Tom Cruise movie i.e Jack Reacher then here is the best guide for you to watch Tom Cruise Jack Reacher Movies in Order and how many Jack Reacher films are there?

Also See: Mission Impossible Movies in Order

Order to Watch Jack Reacher Film Series Movies

1. jack reacher (2012).

Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) leaps off the pages of Lee Child’s bestselling novel and onto the big screen in this explosive thriller.

In the film, A seemingly purposeless shooting rampage claimed the lives of five people in a typical town one morning. The investigation quickly zeroes in on a single possible suspect, a former military sniper, who is taken into custody without delay. The questioning of the individual results in one statement: Get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise).

Reacher, a mysterious former Army investigator, is convinced that the authorities have the correct suspect, but he still agrees to work with the sniper’s defense attorney (Rosamund Pike). However, the more Reacher investigates the situation, the less black and white it seems to be.

2. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Jack Reacher returns to enforce his bold brand of justice in the action-packed sequel based on the 2013 novel Never Go Back by Lee Child.

In the films, Jack Reacher, a former soldier and drifter, completes his mission to dismantle a human trafficking organization, he travels to Washington, DC, to meet with his liaison, Major Susan Turner, for dinner. But instead, he runs into her replacement, Colonel Sam Morgan, who tells him that Major Turner has been arrested on espionage charges.

Jack consults with Colonel Bob Moorcroft, her seasoned attorney, who reveals that Major Turner is also under suspicion for the deaths of two American servicemen in Afghanistan. In addition, he informs Jack that a woman has filed a lawsuit against him, claiming that he is the father of her fifteen-year-old daughter, Samantha.

Jack is thrown in jail after being falsely accused of murdering Moorcroft. He realizes that he and Turner are both in the crosshairs of two assassins and that they have been set up. But he comes to her aid, and they make their escape. It doesn’t take long before they figure out that army personnel and a powerful government contractor/arms dealer are involved in a plot.

Additionally, Jack finds out that Samantha is in danger, and he and Turner end up saving her. While they investigate the source of the conspiracy, they decide to keep her safe from the assassin who is after them. What or who can we put our faith in?

How many Jack Reacher movies are there?

The smooth, charismatic performance by Tom Cruise elevates the average crime thriller Jack Reacher to the next level. There are a total of TWO (2) films in the Jack Reacher film series. The ex-military cop that Jack Reacher is following in this thrilling thriller is investigating a sniper accused of five murders, and Reacher finds himself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The second half of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back involves Reacher and an Army major who has been falsely accused of espionage going on the run together and uncovering a sinister conspiracy.

All Jack Reacher Movies in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of Jack Reacher films in order, they were released.

1. Jack Reacher — December 21, 2012

2. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back — October 21, 2016

Where to Watch Jack Reacher Movies?

Want to enjoy one of the best Crime-Thrilling-Action series centering Jack Reacher, a title character and the protagonist of a series. But Where Can I watch Jack Reacher movies in order? You are able to stream Tom Cruise Jack Reacher films in order by renting or purchasing on Amazon Prime because it is pretty much solely available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Are Jack Reacher 1 and 2 connected?

The two Jack Reacher movies with Tom Cruise in the title role are not related, despite sharing the same source material (Lee Child’s crime novel series) and star (Tom Cruise). In the first film, there is a case involving the deaths of five people after a shooting, and there is one clear suspect. When Jack gets involved, however, the investigation takes a more sinister turn, and he learns some unpleasant truths about the underbelly of bureaucracy. In the sequel, Jack and an army major who has been falsely accused of espionage go on the run together and uncover a nefarious government plot. So Jack Reacher 1 and 2 connected are not connected.

Lee Child Jack Reacher Books in Order

Known by his pen name, Lee Child, British author Jim Grant created the character of Jack Reacher for a number of works. Reacher has quit his job as a major in the Military Police and is now working odd jobs across the country. He travels to a new location, helps a stranger in need, eliminates the bad guys, and then leaves on the next bus out of town. Reacher doesn’t actively seek out trouble, but it seems to find him anyway. The Jack Reacher novels are presented here in the order in which they were written, though they can be enjoyed in any order.

Jack Reacher Novels in Order:

Killing Floor (1997)
Die Trying (1998)
Tripwire (1999)
Running Blind / The Visitor (2000)
Echo Burning (2001)
Without Fail (2002)
Persuader (2003)
The Enemy (2004)
One Shot (2005)
The Hard Way (2006)
Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
Nothing to Lose (2008)
Gone Tomorrow (2009)
61 Hours (2010)
Worth Dying For (2010)
The Affair (2011)
A Wanted Man (2012)
Never Go Back (2013)
Personal (2014)
Make Me (2015)
Night School (2016)
The Midnight Line (2017)
Past Tense (2018)
Blue Moon (2019)
The Sentinel (2020)
Better Off Dead (2021)

Jack Reacher Books in Reading Order(In-story chronology):

Enter the gripping world of Jack Reacher, a wandering ex-military policeman with a penchant for justice and a knack for finding trouble. Follow his adrenaline-fueled adventures in the following reading order, meticulously arranged to delve into his compelling story from the very beginning…

Second Son (short story, 2011)
High Heat (novella, 2013)
Deep Down (short story, 2012)
Small Wars (short story, 2015)
James Penney’s New Identity (1999 edited 2006)
The Visitor – aka Running Blind (2000)
Guy Walks into a Bar… (2009)
Knowing you’re Alive (with Morgan Snow) (2011)
Everyone Talks (2012)
Not a Drill (2014)
Good and Valuable Consideration (with Nick Heller) (2014)
No Room at the Motel (2014)
The Picture of the Lonely Diner (2015)
Maybe they Have a Tradition (2016)
Faking a Murderer (with Temperance Brennan) (2017)
Too Much Time (2017)
The Christmas Scorpion (2017)
The Fourth Man (2018)
Cleaning the Gold (with Will Trent) (2019)
Smile (2019)
The Sentinel (October 2020)
Better Off Dead (October 2021)

Standing tall amidst the lingering shadows of justice, Jack Reacher, a nomad by choice, continues to roam the highways, seeking redemption and confronting the darkness that lurks in the forgotten corners of society.

Conclusion:

Jack Reacher Movies in Order present a thrilling journey through gripping crime narratives, with Tom Cruise embodying the enigmatic protagonist in a captivating manner. From his debut as the ex-military drifter in “Jack Reacher” to the relentless pursuit of justice in “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” each installment delves deeper into Reacher’s complex world. As fans immerse themselves in his quest to uncover government conspiracies and confront his past, Cruise’s portrayal elevates the tension and excitement with every scene. Whether it’s unraveling mysteries or facing adversaries, the Jack Reacher series delivers pulse-pounding action and intrigue, making it a must-watch for enthusiasts of riveting crime-thrillers.

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Jack Black's Best Comedy Movies, Ranked

Jack Black has rightly garnered plenty of acclaim as an actor in serious films. However, it's usually his goofy comedies that his fans love best.

Over the years, he's been fantastic as a dramatic actor and won his fair square of acclaim too. However, fans of Jack Black are more naturally drawn to his comedic talents, since that's how his true artistry is usually best deployed. Even when he's playing mean-spirited or antagonistic characters, his innately charming qualities always make him likable among audiences. It's safe to say he's been in a fair few comedies, many of which were memorably hilarious.

Black's proven many times just how wide-ranging his abilities can be, and it's not just in front of the camera that he excels. He's also well known for his musical abilities — his band Tenacious D even won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2015. However, even when comedy is the main appeal, Jack's ability to subtly infuse dramatic elements into some of them has earned him the respect of Hollywood, critics, and fans alike. His brand of humor has varied from crude to sweet and charming in them. Either way, here's our take on Jack Black's best comedy films to date.

10 Saving Silverman

The film Saving Silverman saw Jason Biggs play a timid young man named Darren Silverman, who allows his highly domineering girlfriend to control every aspect of his life. Jack Black's character, J.D, and his other friends try their best to help him see that he should break up with her. As their nuptials creep ever closer, the friends try everything, including kidnapping his fiancé to keep them apart.

Related: Jack Black’s 8 Funniest Movie Characters, Ranked

Determined to save Silverman, eventually they try to convince his ex-girlfriend to reunite with him. The problem — she's a woman who is about to take her vows as a nun. Between all this chaos, the film, and Jack Black's typically hysterical behavior in it made it a fun and goofy comedy with a sweet and romantic undercurrent to it and definitely one of his funniest.

9 Kung-Fu Panda

Jack Black has proven on many occasions that his comedic talents are just as lovable whether he's actually in front of the camera or not. In 2008, after having already voice acted in Ice Age and Shark Tale, Jack took on the role of Po in Kung-Fu Panda . It would go on to become one of his most successful projects as the film grossed over half a billion at the box office and led to two more sequels, other short films, and animated series.

Despite being primarily aimed at a younger audience, the film featured the kind of humor that adults could appreciate just as much. It was also another beautifully rendered animation from DreamWorks and was packed full of fun, adorable characters. Jack Black's voice acting was wonderfully expressive and suited his character, which often feels like a delightful animated version of him.

In the very racy and religiously controversial film, Year One , Jack Black starred alongside Michael Cera as a pair of mischievous young men who leave their village and venture out into the unknown world beyond it. The film was a comedic take on early biblical times, tracing through some of the Old Testament's most famous books. However, it was also panned and criticized for the insensitive way it mocked faith among Christians and Jewish beliefs.

Featuring everything from the glorification of Sodom and Gomorrah, Year One also took stabs at the Tree of Knowledge, and figures like Cain, Abel, and Abraham. If you're a fan of comedy and wouldn't be put off by these elements, it was a very funny movie. Aside from Jack Black's style of exaggerated physical comedy coupled with questionable morals, the film also featured Olivia Wilde in a tantalizing role, as well as an unforgettably funny appearance by the brilliant Oliver Platt.

7 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

The 2017 update of the Jumanji film franchise was a huge hit. Featuring Jack Black amid the talents of stars like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle grossed close to a billion dollars at the box office. Unlike the Robin Williams's original which was a little darker, this time the infamous game took a modern approach as it transported its players into a virtual world through a video game cartridge.

Once there, the characters do face very real threats as they use adult avatars to navigate a vast and tricky game world full of deadly creatures and people. Despite its blockbuster appeal and pulsating action scenes, between Johnson, Hart, and Black, the movie was also a very funny one with plenty of comedy intermingling with its other elements. After returning for one sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, another sequel is slated for a future release too.

6 Orange County

In an appearance that gave Colin Hanks his first starring role in a film, Orange County was a very funny film that often saw Jack Black overshadow him with his antics. Black was in top form in the film, playing the older step-brother of Hanks whose wacky efforts to help him get into the college of his dreams wind up causing him more distress than anything else.

Related: 6 Actors Working Right Now Who Are Following in Their Parents' Footsteps

If you're a fan of Jack Black's comedies, there were some truly iconic moments from him in this one. Playing the kind of moronic character he's known for, Black brought an extra layer of immaturity to this one that only made him funnier. A great film all-round, it was a classic performance from Black and a film that made it clear that acting talent certainly runs in the Hanks family.

5 Nacho Libre

In another one of Jack Black's most famous comedy films, Nacho Libre , he played Ignacio, a part-Mexican monastery cook with larger ambitions. Raised in the monastery's orphanage after his parents are killed, Ignacio is forbidden from being a luchador, even though he dreams of being one.

Events lead him to break the rule and use a mask to fight anyway as a way to help the ailing orphanage. His hilarious attempts often made for the kind of sidesplitting, racy humor that Jack Black has become so famous for. The film was a hit and remains one of his most memorable for its physical comedy , crude humor, and Jack's ability to use his body as a comedic prop.

4 Shallow Hal

It isn't often that Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow takes on off-beat comedies. However, in Shallow Hal , she picked a great one that saw her star alongside Jack Black. Of course, Paltrow as we know her doesn't really exist in the film since it features a narrow-minded man named Hal who is hypnotized to only see the inner beauty in people. This leads him to see the looks and figure of Gwyneth Paltrow when he looks at a much larger woman who has a kind heart, even if men like Hal never find her attractive in her actual form.

Learning that this ability was ultimately a gift since it allowed him to change his shallow ways and look for the best in everyone, Hal faces dejection after he pushes her away by initially fawning over the woman while hypnotized, but rejecting her when he sees her real form. A great film with some warm themes that temper its initially raunchy humor, the film was both funny and sweet.

3 Tropic Thunder

The 2008 hit comedy Tropic Thunder was co-written and directed by comedy legend Ben Stiller. It had an amazing cast that featured Jack Black, together with appearances from the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise, and Robert Downey Jr., to name a few. RDJ and Tom Cruise's comedic moments, in particular, remain legendary despite all the controversy the film drummed up.

Among all the craziness of RDJ as a white actor playing a white actor who plays a Black man in the film, and one of Stiller's characters mocking intellectual disabilities, Jack Black also played a movie star with a hilariously depicted drug problem. It was a movie that was laugh-out-loud funny, nothing if not original, and simply unforgettable, leaving behind a legacy of memes that still regularly does the rounds on social media to this day.

2 High Fidelity

After being confined to small roles in larger films, High Fidelity was the movie that saw Jack Black break out as a star in his own right. Based on a book, the original source has since also been adapted into a show that featured an amazing performance by Zoë Kravitz in a gender-swapped version of it. A wonderful mix of drama, comedy, and romantic angles, Black's performance in the movie version was praised and gave everyone their first glimpse of his true potential.

Related: Jack Black’s Best Non-Comedic Roles, Ranked

Black starred alongside John Cusack and Lisa Bonet (Zoë Kravitz's real-life mom) in the film, playing an employee in a record star who often steals the show with his quirky and hilarious antics. Roger Ebert himself had this to say about Black when he reviewed the film.

"I also recognize Barry, the character played by Jack Black; he's a type so universal it's a wonder he hasn't been pinned down in a movie before: a blowhard, a self-appointed expert on all matters of musical taste, a monologuist, a guy who would rather tell you his opinion than take your money. In real life, Jack Black is himself from this world; he's the lead singer of the group Tenacious D, and it is a measure of his acting ability that when he does finally sing in this movie, we are surprised that he can."

1 School of Rock

In a film that typified all of Jack Black's most famous talents, School of Rock , is now iconic among his other notable appearances. As a high-strung guitarist named Dewey Finn, Black is tossed from his own band and finds himself needing to find work. He makes his way to a private school and pretends to be a substitute teacher. Rather than teach the austere music the school would prefer, he instead introduces students to hard rock and the many icons of it he glorifies.

The fun and overzealous way he approaches this wins over his students as he leads them down a path that sees them compete in a battle of the bands, much to the disgust of the school's principal. A huge hit, the film holds a 92% approval rating and was nominated for various prestigious awards. Black himself earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for it. The movie also featured over 30 rock songs and has become a legendary film .

With Jack Black being an actor that's once again in the names of many fans and reviewers for the success that The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been enjoying, the brilliant and multi-talented star has found a way to remain relevant across different generations now. His career seems set to continue aging like a fine wine since he also has a new Kung-Fu Panda film in the works too.

The Best Blackjack Movies That Will Change Your Perspective

By Film Threat Staff | October 13, 2021

Casinos are fascinating places to visit, and they have undoubtedly served as the setting for some of the most gripping films of all time. The most fascinating casino-themed films usually include blackjack as a narrative element, as this card game is recognised for requiring both skill and chance.

As spectators, we can’t help but imagine how different our lives might be if only we learned to play blackjack online and also the actors on television. Would we have a higher chance of winning at the casino? Is it realistic to expect such a financial bonanza in the future? These may all be fantasies, but when it comes to making quick money, everyone has fantasised about this at least one or two times in their life. Am I correct or am I correct?

With this in consideration, here are five films about blackjack that will alter your perception of the game and motivate you to improve your performance at the card game!

The Hangover (2009)

This raunchy American comedy follows four buddies who are having a bachelor party in Sin City and decide to try their luck at blackjack using their copy of Beat the Dealer by Edward Thorp . All blackjack players should remember not to combine alcohol with their cards. Overall, the film is showy, but with just the perfect amount of panache. One thing you won’t do in this film is become bored. It’s got the proper mix of snark, humour, and goofy genius. The premise is intriguing from the start, and the wonderful thing is that they were able to maintain this throughout the film!

The Last Casino (2004)

This is yet another legendary blackjack film, and it too may be regarded as one of the finest blackjack films ever made. It was created in Canada and is also known as “La Mise Finale” in French. Doug Barnes, a math professor, uses card counting to outsmart the gambling house in this film.

Jinxed (1982)

This 1980s comedy depicts a card shark (Rip Torn) and his lounge performer spouse (Bette Midler) who cannot seem to quit beating up on a specific youth dealer (Ken Wahl), eventually chasing him from one casino to another to reap the benefits of the jinx.

As is customary for Bette Midler, she finds love with the dealer and the two conspire to murder the husband, with comic results. Rip Torn’s next appearance in a casino was in 2004’s Dodgeball, where he was murdered by a collapsing Luck O’ The Irish sign. You can avoid the ball if you can avoid traffic!

Rainman (1988)

This film, starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman as two completely different personality brothers, is among the finest blackjack films of its era. Blackjack is the central theme of a film. Charlie Babbitt, played by a fresh faced Tom Cruise, is the primary character.

In this film adaptation of Ben Mezrich’s novel, Kevin Spacey plays Mickey Rosa, a MIT Math professor, who trains six students how to properly count cards in Las Vegas casinos in hopes of winning a fortune.

Although there is plenty of treachery, danger, and severe violence in the movie, the true tale of the MIT blackjack team is much more engrossing, albeit not quite as dramatic as what we see. In reality, they were a well-organised and extremely successful group that even established up an investment fund just for their blackjack operations. According to rumours, one of the team members continues to play at casinos while donning a disguise every time. Everyone was inspired by the film and the novel to “find out how to bring the house down.”

For filmmakers, blackjack is such an enthralling subject that they can’t help but return to it again and again. If you want to improve your blackjack abilities and are searching for some helpful online blackjack advice, there are plenty of online casino sites for novices as well as suggestions for even the most experienced of professionals. They’ll also help you to practice your skills in free play modes, and when you are prepared to move on, they will also provide you with actual money versions.

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Jack Reacher

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Watch Jack Reacher with a subscription on Paramount+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

Jack Reacher is an above-average crime thriller with a smoothly charismatic performance from Tom Cruise.

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Richard Jenkins

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.