The two worked together on the 2005 remake of the sci-fi film War of the Worlds, which coincided with the famous Tom Cruise couch-humping incident when he announced his undying affection for Katie Holmes on Oprah. This bizarre behavior caused the world to collectively shudder with disturbed apprehension, and it is widely believed that Tom's unbridled madness for his new love and his Scientology spiel caused untold box office damage to the flick. With initial box office projections high, the $135 million-budgeted blockbuster grossed a relatively disappointing $234 million.
Steven no likey.
According to an interesting article in Slate, Cruise has made great efforts to rekindle and repair his friendship with Spielberg, possibly including a surprise "private photo session" featuring the two men and baby Suri at Spielberg's offices. Cruise also startled Spielberg by presenting him with an award during a tribute at the Chicago Film Festival.
What's most interesting in this article, however, are rumors that Tom — advertently or otherwise — brought unwanted attention to a psychiatrist Spielberg mentioned in Cruise's presence as having helped a family member through a rough patch.
Cruise, representing his faith as it were, has said this about the science of psychiatry: "You have to understand that with psychiatry, there is no science behind it, and to pretend that there is a science behind it is criminal."
While Cruise denies any involvement in the subsequent Scientologist protests outside the doctor's offices, Scientology seems to rule the frontal lobe of Cruise's brain and recent actions, including perhaps his decision to severe his 14-year relationship with publicist Pat Kingsley for suggesting he not mix movie stumping with religion pimping.
As for the Spielberg incident, it's hard to say who was more annoyed by the strangely coincidental protest, Steven or his wife, Kate Capshaw. The article suggests she is the one calling the shots over whether the Spielberg/Cruise reconciliation will be cemented, even in appearances only. And never underestimate a tall, blonde pissed off wife.
Whatever is going on within the Cruise compound, one thing is undeniable: Tom is waging a publicity war, and sadly, he has yet to discover that he is his own worst enemy.
Article comments
1 - Rebecca
Could Tom semi-disappear too? I'm so sick of Tom Cruise, his joy at being a new father and his relationship with Katie.
Doesn't he have two adopted kids =from his marriage with Nicole Kidman? He's running around acting like this parenthood thing is new for him. I've just felt from the start that this whole thing is a publicity stunt. In many of the pictures with Katie, Tom looks like he's dragging her around like a dog on a leash.
2 - Dawn
I couldn't agree more Rebecca. I had the weirdest dream about Katie and Tom. I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say it end with Tom and his goons circling overhead in a helicopter and Katie weeping that she had to go or there would be some form of painful punishment awaiting her.
3 - Eric Olsen
maybe it was the helicopter from his Teenick appearance
4 - Court
I had this weird dream too. I was Katie's personal assistant and I had to go to the drugstore for her. I saw John Travolta and his wife there so I went to say Hello. Then all of a sudden all these people started coming out of the walls and the door behind me slammed shut! I realized I was locked inside The Church of Scientology! It was very scary. I don't really care whether or not they decide to show off their baby. I just think he's not playing with a full deck. I have always imagined him to be somewhat like his character in Magnolia. I feel sorry for this child caught in the middle of craziness!
5 - harleygoddess
Yikes do people really care about celebreties do?
I'm on T Cruise boycott since his performance on the today show. He'll never get another penny from me.
6 - Joanie
My son watched the South Park Scientology episode and, when it got to the part about Xenu, he looked at me and said, "that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, Mom. What a crock! People actually believe this '162'?" He's 9 1/2. '162' is his code for shit.
7 - John Galt
I guess personal attacks are not allowed because you can't stand up to the heat? Grow some balls and debate your principles. Otherwise you look just like what your blog here presents you as... a religious bigot who is jealous of Tom Cruise; who can't think for herself and has to mouth the same blather as every other media pundit. (hoping to be a big-time critic/journalist? copying everyone else just lumps you into the crowd. Be different. Research the facts.)
8 - Eric Olsen
Scientologist
9 - sacha
Is it possible that you blog critics are weird? I do like the part where you make personal attacks but do not allow them when they apply to the blog critics. S.
10 - Greg
To Joanie:
I watched the South Park episode and I thought it was the stupidest thing too.
My advice to you and your kid: Don't go to silly cartoons for comparative religion research.
I've been in Scientology for 22 years. It's been a great influence in my life. And no, I don't shave my head, my wife and I have not signed our house over to the Church, we don't believe in any galactic emperor and we don't howl at midnight nor eat babies either.
Whatever.
Greg
Scientologist, and damn proud of it.
My Scientology site
11 - Greg
To harleygoddess:
I guess you missed the Today Show episode one week after Tom Cruise was on. The one where Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical, agreed with Tom Cruise and explained to Katie Couric that "chemical imbalance" in just a theory used as a marketing tool by drug companies, and that the FDA has actually now prohibited from using the term in their advertising.
Duh. Do some research.
www. breggin.com
www. blockcenter.com
www. adhdfraud.com (or .org, I forget)
www. prozacbacklash.com
www. drugawareness.org
(None of these are scientology-related.)
best,
Greg
Scientologist and damn proud of it.
12 - Laurel
People who want to know about Scientology should go to www.xenu.net
13 - Maria
So basically what you all are saying is the reason we haven't seen Suri is because she was eaten by her crazy dad.
14 - Chelsea Snyder
No, Maria, Suri wasn't eaten by Tom. Only her head, and it was for a Scientological sacrifice. Priorities, you see...
15 - Silas Kain
Matthew.
Mark.
Luke.
John.
L. Ron Hubbard.
I'll take Aristotle for $500, Alex.
16 - Sinbad
I too am boycotting anything Cruise. I will not purchase any tickets to anything he is in, nor will I watch any show that comes up anywhere on cable. He needs to settle down and take a crack at getting real.
17 - Vita
Hey i have to do some research before i go talking about people
18 - Cheryl
Dear Greg:
As a registered nurse and an attorney, I always thoroughly research a topic before I comment on it.
Your responses to both Joanie and Harleygoddess were not only needlessly derogatory ("Duh, do some research" "Whatever. Greg Scientologist, and damn proud of it") but also factually inaccurate.
Your comments were factually incorrect in that Harvard Medical School's Dr. Joseph Glenmullen does not state that "chemical imbalances" are just a theory used as a marketing tool by drug companies.
Chemical imbalances, although not completely understood, undoubtedly cause serious problems in some individuals and can only be treated through careful medical intervention.
Dr. Glenmullen's book, Prozac Backlash, provides an authoritative, balanced perspective on the efficacy of these drugs, explains how they react chemically in the body, when they should and should not be prescribed, and what risks they present.
In no way does Dr. Glenmullen endorse a complete ban on these drugs, which are undeniably helpful to many of those who are suffering from true psychological illnesses caused by very real chemical imbalances in the brain.
What Dr. Glenmullen does say, however, is that there is a potential for these drugs to be overused and over prescribed. For some patients, there are safer treatments, with fewer side effects, which may be just as (or even more) effective.
He concludes that the current treatments should not be completely abandoned. However, alternative treatments should be explored, when appropriate.
19 - Terry
If we would all ignore this whole baby Suri thing, our "beloved" **hehe** Tom will pull another stunt to get back into the lime light...he might even bring baby Suri into to.
20 - Joxe
I think most of the comments I am reading in the blogs and in the media are really nuts. Come on guys, get a life! Tom is just living HIS life and he is really happy with Katie and he has a beautiful family. You think he cares about what you losers are writing here? If I were Tom I would show my baby to no one. A family is not a circus. I would never show my bay to the world if I were him. Family is sacred and none of your business. As per the way you speak you seem to have the right to everything. Sorry, that is only true in your retarded minds. In the real universe somebody sane would do exactly what Tom is doing. He is keeping his family safe from all of you!!!!!
21 - Michael
WHO F****** CARES?
22 - nancy
i agree who cares ur all jus weird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!