The Video Store: Tom Cruise's Biggest Swings - Collateral and Tropic Thunder

Charlie Clausen and Guy Davis return to The Video Store for the third installment of "Tom Cruise’s Biggest Swings," diving deep into two of the actor's most memorable mid-2000s roles: Michael Mann’s sleek L.A. thriller Collateral (2004) and Ben Stiller’s explosive satire Tropic Thunder (2008). We break down Mann’s early adoption of digital cinematography, Cruise’s cold-blooded precision as the grey-haired hitman Vincent, Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-nominated performance, and why Collateral serves as a masterclass in script structure. Shifting gears to 2008, we revisit the post-couch-jump era to dissect Cruise’s unhinged, profanity-laced turn as studio head Les Grossman. They explore the origins of the character's signature fat hands and dancing, debate whether Tropic Thunder’s broad Hollywood satire still holds up, and examine the rare instances where Cruise has completely shed his traditional movie-star persona. Listen to the previous episodes of our 'Tom Cruise's Biggest Swings' series to catch up!  Episode 1 - Born on The Fourth of July and Interview with The Vampire at https://bit.ly/tvstomcruise-ep1  Episode 2 - Magnolia & Vanilla Sky  https://bit.ly/tvs-ep2  LINKS Watch Collateral on ABC iView https://iview.abc.net.au/show/collateral  Stream Tropic Thunder on Stan https://www.stan.com.au/watch/tropic-thunder-2008  Watch 'Tom Cruise's Most Honest Role' by The Back Focus https://bit.ly/tomcruise-honestrole   Hear Guy Davis on The Movie Guide podcast: https://www.themovieguidepodcast.com/ Follow @robertguydavis on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robertguydavis/  Check out @themovieguide podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themovieguidepod/  Support Everyone Relax on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everyonerelax Everyone Relax on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/everyone.relax/  CREDITS Hosts: Charlie Clausen & Guy Davis Executive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wil sits down with actor, comedian, and improviser Amy Ruffle for a hilarious and moving conversation about resilience, creative growth, and finding your voice. Amy opens up about her life-altering diagnosis of two benign brain tumours blocking her brain's drainage system, which forced her to sleep upright, sauna daily, and ultimately served as the catalyst to stop making excuses and pursue solo stand-up comedy. Then we get into exploring the transition from team-based improv to the vulnerability of solo storytelling, the mechanics behind Amy's vodcast Sauna Sessions (and the bizarre public sauna behaviour she's witnessed, like steam-room burritos), and why authentic human connection on stage matters more than ever. LINKS Watch 'Sauna Sessions' hosted by Amy on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@saunasessionsshow  Check out all of Amy's live shows https://linktr.ee/amylouiseruffle . Hear Laura Davis' episode of Wilosophy https://bit.ly/3ShonO1 . Watch 'The Golden Spurtle' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcTFnWvy8k4  Follow @amylouiseruffle on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amylouiseruffle/ . Join Wil's mailing list at https://arep.co/m/wil-anderson . CREDITS Host: Wil Anderson Guest: Amy Ruffle Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper Video and Social Lead: Michael Campbell  For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legendary Australian actor Stephen Curry (The Castle, The King) jumps in the Wilosophy studio for an honest and hilarious chat while in the thick of rehearsals for Spamalot at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre. He goes into sharing an exact name with basketball superstar Steph Curry, including an awkward international flight encounter over a Bank of Melbourne debit card, before breaking down Stephen’s intensive musical theatre crash course, his 2:00 AM panic over box step choreography, and relying on his 12-year-old son as his dialogue coach. What does it look like to have a decades-long career in Aussie entertainment, and being stopped and quoted lines from the 97' cult classic? Stephen reflects on how his breakout role in The Castle shaped his early expectations, shares behind-the-scenes stories from television projects like Blow Up Australia, and unpacks his ultimate life philosophy: "No is the second best answer." And finally we jump into Stephen's disastrous disastrous 1997 Comedy Festival Gala set and winning The Amazing Race alongside his "more handsome" brother Bernie. Plus an insightful look at handling rejection, embracing nerves as "free energy," and surviving the madness of showbiz. LINKS See Stephen Curry at SPAMALOT in Melbourne https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/shows/monty-python and Sydney https://www.eventcentresydney.com.au/monty-pythons-spamalot  Follow @everyone.relax on Instagram https://bit.ly/everyonerelax-ig  Join Wil's mailing list at https://arep.co/m/wil-anderson . CREDITS Host: Wil Anderson Guest: Stephen Curry Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper Video and Social Lead: Michael Campbell  For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're getting old, and we didn't think it would happen so soon. Charlie's considering getting monkey lenses so he doesn't have to wear glasses and Wil's partner orders for him at restaurants because he can't read the menu. Plus we've stumbled across our latest rebrand - as Australia's Longest Running, (and Funniest, Best, #1 podcast) - because Google AI said we were and AI is never wrong. SO thank you for your support and do tell all your friends about Australia's Longest Running Podcast*. *Individual Results May Vary. LINKS Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/everyonerelax Join Wil's mailing list at https://arep.co/m/wil-anderson . Join TOFOP mailing list at the bottom of this page https://everyonerelax.co/?s=mailing+list . CREDITS Hosts: Charlie Clausen  & Wil AndersonExecutive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawthorn v Brisbane delivers the most jaw-dropping finals game of the year, and Wil and Charlie break down why this 39-goal classic felt like AFL at its absolute best. They trace the wild momentum swings, hidden defensive brilliance, and late calls that had everyone shouting, while making the case for Nick Watson as a generational small forward and celebrating Will Ashcroft's big-game class. Then it's Grand Final talk: Brisbane's sustained excellence under Chris Fagan, Fremantle's strange path to the decider, and plenty of trademark chaos—wizards, Avengers comparisons, and Norm Smith debates! LINKS 2 Guys 1 Cup & Junktime Live https://tickets.avclive.com.au/outlet/event/acb11154-0e25-4637-9e83-ba88c3c22feb Get in touch [email protected] Follow @everyone.relax on Insta https://www.instagram.com/everyone.relax/  . Get more Everyone Relax on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/everyonerelax . CREDITS Hosts:  Charlie Clausen & @officialwilandersonExecutive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of our Biggest Swings series, Guy Davis and Charlie Clausen head back into the video store to dive into the late-90s/early-2000s era of Tom Cruise taking major risks. The guys unpack Cruise’s raw, Oscar-nominated performance as misogynistic pickup artist Frank TJ Mackey in Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling ensemble drama Magnolia (1999). From the iconic "Seduce and Destroy" seminars to his improvised, emotionally intense confrontation with his dying father, they explore how Cruise completely shattered his clean-cut movie star image. Then, they pivot to 2001's Vanilla Sky, reuniting Cruise with Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe for an unpredictable, non-linear mind-bend. Guy and Charlie discuss the risks of Cruise hiding his million-dollar smile under heavy prosthetics and a blank silicon mask, Jason Lee's scene-stealing best-friend energy, Kurt Russell's blue-collar psychiatrist, and whether the film successfully pulls off its high-concept sci-fi twists. Are these Cruise's absolute best roles or just fascinatingly ambitious experiments? Tune in to find out, and join the boys next week as they wrap up the series with Collateral and Tropic Thunder. Listen to the other episodes of our 'Tom Cruise's Biggest Swings' series to catch up!  Episode 1 - Born on The Fourth of July and Interview with The Vampire at https://bit.ly/tvstomcruise-ep1  LINKS Stream 'Magnolia' on HBO Max in Australia https://bit.ly/magnolia-hbo  Rent 'Vanilla Sky' on Apple TV in Australia https://bit.ly/vanillasky-apple   Watch 'Tom Cruise's Most Honest Role' by The Back Focus https://bit.ly/tomcruise-honestrole   Hear Guy Davis on The Movie Guide podcast: https://www.themovieguidepodcast.com/ Follow @robertguydavis on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robertguydavis/  Check out @themovieguide podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themovieguidepod/  Support Everyone Relax on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everyonerelax Everyone Relax on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/everyone.relax/  CREDITS Hosts: Charlie Clausen & Guy Davis Executive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when comedy royalty sets an actual countdown timer before an interview begins? You end up with a conversation that sweeps across centuries, species, and continents. In this delightful chat Wil sits down with the legendary Bill Bailey. Together, they explore the chaotic origins of Vaudeville in 15th-century France, the wild experience of buying a angry Eurasian eagle owl out of a Chinese restaurant, and how a brilliantly terrible heckle forced Bill to discover his true voice as a solo storyteller. They also dig into the profound impact of parenthood, remaining endlessly curious in a "post-truth" world, the secret to surviving long-haul tours, awkward encounters with Sir Paul McCartney, and why performing live remains one of the ultimate human remedies for toil. LINKS Buy tickets to Bill's VAUDEVILLEAN Tour across Australia https://www.billbailey.co.uk/live/    Check out @billbaileyofficial on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/billbaileyofficial/  Join Wil's mailing list at https://arep.co/m/wil-anderson . CREDITS Host: Wil Anderson Guest: Bill Bailey Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper Video and Social Lead: Michael Campbell  For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this monthly mailbag edition of TOFOP, Wil and Charlie dive deep into the listener inbox to settle pressing cultural debates and field some questionable unsolicited advice. The guys unpack a listener’s pitch for an all-star Australian Comedians XI cricket team, debating whether Lano & Woodley opening the batting is a masterstroke or a recipe for double run-outs, before exploring the legendary "Kevin Bloody Wilson Wank Tank" in Kalgoorlie. Plus, a deep dive into Seattle's fish-chucking coffee culture, an overdue appreciation of Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle performance, a resident ethicist's offer, and an exhaustive (and exhausting) run of "influencer" wordplay. Plus is is Karl Stefanovic buying views, and hypothesising a portal to change holidays (in Broome specifically) forever. LINKS Listen to Rove's episode of Wilosophy https://bit.ly/4cm0r2J  Send us your letters [email protected]  Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/everyonerelax Join Wil's mailing list at https://arep.co/m/wil-anderson . Join TOFOP mailing list at the bottom of this page https://everyonerelax.co/?s=mailing+list . CREDITS Hosts: Charlie Clausen  & Wil AndersonExecutive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zac Butters to the Bulldogs? Rory Lobb to the Saints? And did Geelong get robbed by a goal that should've stood? Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen tear through the week's biggest AFL talking points in classic outrageous, deeply silly fashion. They unpack the Bulldogs' shock Butters play, what it means for Tim English, and Bevo's wild recruitment logic, plus the deals that kept Buku Khamis and Bartie Jones. Then it's Fremantle's stunning win over Geelong, the arc-decision controversy, Brisbane's terrifying ceiling, Adelaide's missed chance, and a "which player belongs where" round that somehow makes total sense LINKS 2 Guys 1 Cup & Junktime Live https://tickets.avclive.com.au/outlet/event/acb11154-0e25-4637-9e83-ba88c3c22feb Get in touch [email protected] Follow @everyone.relax on Insta https://www.instagram.com/everyone.relax/  . Get more Everyone Relax on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/everyonerelax . CREDITS Hosts:  Charlie Clausen & @officialwilandersonExecutive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the premiere episode of Tom Cruise’s Biggest Swings - a special The Video Store miniseries leading up to the release of Cruise's new film DIGGER this October - hosts Charlie Clausen and Guy Davis dive into the enigma, and big career risks, of Hollywood’s most talked about movie star.  This episode breaks down Cruise's earliest and boldest departures from his top-gun movie-star archetype. Guy and Charlie review his raw, Oscar-nominated turn as disabled Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July (1989), as well as his widely debated, scene-stealing risk as the petulant, gothic vampire Lestat in Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire (1994). Listen to the next episodes of our 'Tom Cruise's Biggest Swings' series Episode 2 - Magnolia & Vanilla Sky  https://bit.ly/tvs-ep2  LINKS Rent 'Born On The Fourth Of July' on Amazon Prime https://bit.ly/born-prime . Stream 'Interview With The Vampire' on Stan in Australia https://bit.ly/interview-film    Watch 'Tom Cruise's Most Honest Role' by The Back Focus https://bit.ly/tomcruise-honestrole   Hear Guy Davis on The Movie Guide podcast: https://www.themovieguidepodcast.com/ Follow @robertguydavis on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robertguydavis/  Check out @themovieguide podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themovieguidepod/  Support Everyone Relax on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everyonerelax Everyone Relax on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/everyone.relax/  CREDITS Hosts: Charlie Clausen & Guy Davis Executive Producer & Editor: Elise Cooper Video & Social Producer: Michael Campbell For more great podcasts head to https://www.listnr.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.