American Made (2017), and the Tom Cruise film that's fallen through the cracks

Just as Tom Cruise embarked on his run of Mission: Impossible and Top Gun sequels, he slipped in one of bolder choices too: an R-rated crime caper, based on a true story. Originally called Mena before being retitled American Made, the shoot saw the writer, director and star of the film living in the same house. It also saw wildly ambitious flying sequences, a tragic accident, a challenge when selling the film and a whole lot more.... Please subscribe to this show if you like it and leave a nice review. Support us at www.patreon.com/simonbrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poddgruvan

American Made (2017), and the Tom Cruise film that's fallen through the cracks

Howard The Duck (1986) and the first Marvel movie, plus Terri White

Gladiator (2000) and its journey to the screen, plus director Morgan Matthews

In conversation with Sam Campbell - Make That Movie, bananas, VHS tapes, cinema and more

Fight Club (1999), plus the dig against Rupert Murdoch at the end

In conversation with Paul Mercurio - Strictly Ballroom, Exit To Eden, and, er, homebrew beer

Jurassic Park (1993), and the struggle to bring dinosaurs to the screen

The New Mutants (2020), and a big missed opportunity

In conversation with director Alicia MacDonald - Finding Emily, Mike Leigh, short films, romantic comedies, Kickstarter

In conversation with Thea Sharrock - Ladies First, Wicked Little Letters, The Beautiful Game, posh chairs

Hook, and how it became the Steven Spielberg film that Steven Spielberg doesn't like