John Powers

What Cruise, and therefore Ethan, lives for is eye-popping stunts. And it's been so since the first Mission Impossible had him clinging to the outside of a high-speed train, roaring through the channel from England to France.

What Cruise, and therefore Ethan, lives for is eye-popping stunts. And it's been so since the first Mission Impossible had him clinging to the outside of a high-speed train, roaring through the channel from England to France.

What Cruise, and therefore Ethan, lives for is eye-popping stunts. And it's been so since the first Mission Impossible had him clinging to the outside of a high-speed train, roaring through the channel from England to France.

The final reckoning boasts two gigantic action sequences, an underwater bit that could have been spectacular were Christopher McQuarrie a better director, and a genuinely bravura climax that finds Cruise holding onto the wing of a biplane as it buzzes through and above the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. It's this scene that everyone will remember.

The final reckoning boasts two gigantic action sequences, an underwater bit that could have been spectacular were Christopher McQuarrie a better director, and a genuinely bravura climax that finds Cruise holding onto the wing of a biplane as it buzzes through and above the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. It's this scene that everyone will remember.

The final reckoning boasts two gigantic action sequences, an underwater bit that could have been spectacular were Christopher McQuarrie a better director, and a genuinely bravura climax that finds Cruise holding onto the wing of a biplane as it buzzes through and above the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. It's this scene that everyone will remember.

And, of course, they'll talk about Cruise doing this stunt himself. Cruise has been on top for over 40 years, as long as John Wayne, longer than Cary Grant. He's not a great actor, but he is a terrific movie star. Though starting to look his age at 62, he still possesses the boyish energy and commitment of his younger self.

And, of course, they'll talk about Cruise doing this stunt himself. Cruise has been on top for over 40 years, as long as John Wayne, longer than Cary Grant. He's not a great actor, but he is a terrific movie star. Though starting to look his age at 62, he still possesses the boyish energy and commitment of his younger self.

And, of course, they'll talk about Cruise doing this stunt himself. Cruise has been on top for over 40 years, as long as John Wayne, longer than Cary Grant. He's not a great actor, but he is a terrific movie star. Though starting to look his age at 62, he still possesses the boyish energy and commitment of his younger self.

Whether sprinting past Big Ben, diving into icy waters without a wetsuit, or simply letting the movie idolize him, Cruise is playing hero ball. And you know what? He's really good at it.

Whether sprinting past Big Ben, diving into icy waters without a wetsuit, or simply letting the movie idolize him, Cruise is playing hero ball. And you know what? He's really good at it.

Whether sprinting past Big Ben, diving into icy waters without a wetsuit, or simply letting the movie idolize him, Cruise is playing hero ball. And you know what? He's really good at it.

Congratulations to my friend Conan O'Brien on receiving the 26th and final Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Congratulations to my friend Conan O'Brien on receiving the 26th and final Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Congratulations to my friend Conan O'Brien on receiving the 26th and final Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

What can I do for you kids?

What can I do for you kids?

What can I do for you kids?

Yeah, well, I'm not going to make it. What? Why come? It's for Mama, Daddy.

Yeah, well, I'm not going to make it. What? Why come? It's for Mama, Daddy.