I love movies. A lot. Probably not as much as Mr. Movies himself, Tom Cruise, loves movies but I like to think that I am a close second to “people who love movies too much.” But Cruise’s love of theater snacks far outweighs my own.
I was lucky enough to attend the New York premiere for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. I got to cheer on my beloved Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) in the same room as Simon Pegg! It was great. But one thing I learned while there will, I fear, haunt me until the end of my days. And it was a simple off-hand comment from star Tom Cruise before the movie even started.
Cruise, who plays Ethan Hunt in the franchise, had a pre-screening speech that he and director and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie gave to the audience. They thanked the cast and the audience for being there but Cruise made sure we all had our popcorn.
We were given the Mission: Impossible AMC popcorn bucket with it filled to the brim. When the audience politely mumbled to Cruise’s question, he asked again if we all had our popcorn. I held mine up as a way of confirming that we all received our complimentary corn kernels. But what I was not prepared for was Cruise’s reveal.
After we all had to verbally confirm that we all did, in fact, have popcorn, Cruise told us all his own popcorn order. Two big buckets of popcorn while he watches movies. Sir, that cannot be possible!!!! Two big popcorn buckets? I barely made a dent in the one I was given at the premiere! I don’t understand how this is physically possible but also it’s Tom Cruise. When has he ever let what is “impossible” stop him?
He really does love the movies
One thing we all know about Tom Cruise is that he loves movies. More than that, he loves the movie-going experience. Now, to be fair, this is a man who famously said “I love my popcorn. Movies. Popcorn.” So I should not have been surprised but I think I just found two big buckets so jarring and then the movie started two seconds later and I haven’t been able to unpack it.
I have about a million follow up questions! Plain? Do you put butter on yours? What about caramel or the speciality popcorn brands? Do those count? Is there a particular seasoning you like to use? I’d spend an hour talking to this man about the type of popcorn that he likes because I am just that committed to understanding exactly what he means by two buckets.
I loved The Final Reckoning and it is a perfect popcorn movie. And if Tom Cruise can eat two buckets of popcorn during it, you better make full use of that free refill that you can get that I do not think I’ve ever seen someone use. Well…someone other than Tom Cruise who probably buys another large bucket because he is, after all, Mr. Movies.
(featured image: Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
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