What Happened to Tom Cruise?

With a wave of energy, Tom Cruise often attempts to sign every autograph, pose for cell phone camera photos, and shake all the wriggling hands - and this is the Cruise I'd like to remember. After watching Cruise on a "secret" video regarding his Scientology beliefs - I'm amazed he has enough time to make films and attend award shows. I mean - he is after all, completely absorbed with saving the world, right?

Forget about professing his love for Katie while denting Oprah's couch and the weird high-heel demands placed upon Nicole (displaying what obviously seems like a total 'short man' complex) - the video points out legitimate reasons why Cruise is cruising through life aboard the crazy train. Keep in mind - I am in no way, shape, or form judging his religious beliefs, but merely commenting on his actions and statements pertaining to the video, as well as past incidents.

1) Cruise refers to 'spectators' in this particular video and says he has no time for such people. You're either on the crazy train with him or you're not - that's it - no middle ground. Does this mean you can't take a little time to make sure Scientology is the right belief system for you? That's pretty harsh, Cruise. I bet the Church probably won't be using this video for recruitment purposes.

2) In the video, Cruise states he is doing all he can do to make a difference and he wants to do more. What exactly does Cruise do that's making such an impact on the world? Is he building schools in poverty-stricken countries or physically raising money for a good cause? When you read headlines on celebrity charity - where is he mentioned amongst the likes of Sean Penn, Oprah, Danny Glover, and Bono? Perhaps he was speaking on the founding and donation-raising for Downtown Medical to provide 9/11-rescue workers detoxification therapy based upon the works of L. Ron Hubbard. Medical professionals and firefighters were in an uproar. I have to admit - religious-based treatments are a touchy subject.

3) Cruise says he is "fighting the fight" but never mentions what that exactly is.

4) I really hate when people who find a new belief; receive a new lease on life; or kick an addiction look down upon the very people battling the same problems they were able to overcome. This is how I feel about Cruise and his attack on Brooke Shields with the whole anti-depressant controversy. Is that why Nicole and Cruise didn't last - because you'd sure have to take something to deal with some of the crap that comes out of his mouth?

5) Cruise enters a tirade on how he wants to go on vacations to explore the world, but he doesn't because of what he 'knows.' Um - that went right over my head. His life seems like a vacation to me, as he already travels to exotic locations to film movies. Does this mean he never leaves the hotel room for enjoyment because of what he 'knows?'

6) Apparently, Cruise is Superman - we just didn't know it - he's pulling car accident victims from under burning wreckages and saving old ladies in distress. He said so himself - he can't help it - he just has to do 'something' when he sees these kinds of things.

7) What is up with the laugh? It doesn't signify overwhelming happiness or satisfaction, but borders on a 'scary mental institution' persona that animates his entire face with a slightly sinister aura. Plus, it strikes me as kind of nervous with a hint of lacking confidence.

8) I'd have to say that the "Mission Impossible" music used in the video was a bit subliminal.

9) There's a rumor going around that Cruise is 'second-in-command' in the Church of Scientology, which I don't need them to refute for me to believe that it isn't so. Perhaps, the church pulled this video because of the controversial attention Cruise receives for his enthusiastic embrace of the religion or to quell rumors that will only become magnified once his unauthorized biography hits bookstores.

10) In the end, I am left with one burning question - what exactly does he 'know' that the rest of us don't? He mentions this many times in the video (making references to what he 'knows'). I say - keep it to yourself - I'm not ready to travel to wherever you're heading. I figure the Church of Scientology pulled this video of Cruise because they don't exactly want Cruise becoming the poster child for their religion.

Basically, most of what Cruise says is a lot of fat and not a lot of meat. I was left unsatisfied and uneducated. What exactly was I supposed to get out of the video and what did I learn? Not much - but that Cruise is teetering on several different realities. It is quite clear that the video is cut in certain places, but I doubt I missed much.

Sources:

Defamer Australia Video: Secret Tom Cruise Scientology Indoctrination Video Finally Hits Web

Wikipedia - Tom Cruise