Monday, June 10, 2013

Days of Thunder Review












Days of Thunder


Release Date: 13th September 1990 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 101 minutes


Budget: $55,000,000

Box Office Gross: $157,920,733 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A young hot-shot racer named Cole Trickle enters NASCAR racing after being spotted by a used car salesman, Tim Daland. After proving his talent,
he's teamed up with legendary
former crew chief and car builder Harry Hogge to race for the Winston Cup in the Daytona 500. However, Cole has a short temper, which gets him into trouble. When a fiery crash nearly ends his career, Cole must turn to a beautiful doctor to help regain his nerve and find the courage to get back into the race and win.


Cast
Tom Cruise - Cole Trickle
Robert Duvall - Harry Hogge
Nicole Kidman - Dr. Claire Lewicki
Randy Quaid - Tim Daland
Cary Elwes - Russ Wheeler
Michael Rooker - Rowdy Burns
Fred Thompson - Big John
John C. Reilly - Buck Bretherton
J.C. Quinn - Waddell
Caroline Williams - Jennie Burns
Donna W. Scott - Darlene
Chris Ellis - Harlem
Hoogerhyde
John Griesemer - Len Dortort
Barbara Garrick - Lauren
Daland
Leilani Sarelle - Female
Highway Patrol Officer
Nick Searcy - Highway Patrol Officer
Margo Martindale - Donna
Gerald R. Molen - Dr. Wilhaire (Cameo)
Jim Crowther - Dr. Crowther
Don Simpson - Aldo Benedetti (Cameo)
Daniel D. Greenwood - ESPN Announcer (Cameo)
Jerry Punch - Himself (Cameo)
Neil Bonnett - Himself (Cameo)
Harry P. Gant - Himself (Cameo)
Rusty Wallace - Himself (Cameo)
Richard Petty - Himself (Cameo)
(Uncredited)
Bob Jenkins - Daytona Track
Announcer (Voice) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Tony Scott
Story - Tom Cruise
Story/Screenplay - Robert Towne
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Gerald R. Molen
Producers - Don Simpson and
Jerry Bruckheimer
Casting Director - David Rubin
Racing Consultant - Daniel D. Greenwood
Race Car Driver and Advisor - Greg Sacks
Technical Advisors - Rick Hendrick,
Harry Hyde, Jimmy Johnson and
Jerry Punch
Art Directors - Benjamín Fernández
and Thomas E. Sanders
Set Decorator - Thomas L. Royden
Costume Designer - Susan Becker
Costume Supervisors - James W. Tyson
and Winnie D. Brown
Director of Photography - Ward Russell
Additional Photography - Charles Mills
Camera Operators - Anthony Gaudioz,
Michael Genne and Aaron Pazanti
First Assistant Director - James W. Skotchdopole
Hi-Speed Camera Car/Stunt Driver (Uncredited) -
Allan Padelford
Stunt Coordinator - Gary McLarty
Race Car Coordinator - Steve Boyd
Special Effects Coordinator - Thomas R. Ward
Film Editors - Chris Lebonzon, Billy Weber,
Robert C. Jones, Bert Lovitt, Michael Tronick
and Stuart Waks
Associate Editor - Lauren A. Schaffer
First Assistant Editor - Christian Wagner
Supervising Sound Editors - Cecelia Hall
and George Watters II
Sound Effects Recording and Additional
Effects - John P. Fasal
Sound Effects Recordists - Ezra Dweck
and Ken J. Johnson
Re-Recording Mixers - Rick Kline,
Donald O. Mitchell and Kevin O'Connell
Additional Re-Recording Mixers -
Jeffrey J. Haboush and Greg P. Russell
Music - Hans Zimmer
Guitar Performances: Instrumental Score -
Jeff Beck
Music Orchestrator and Conductor -
Shirley Walker
Music Consultant for the Album - Kathy Nelson


Awards

1991 Academy Awards
Best Sound - Charles M, Wilborn, Donald O. Mitchell,
Rick Kline and Kevin O'Connell (Nominated)


Review
Remember in 1986 when Top Gun came out in cinemas? It became an ultimate hit for four famous people who have since worked so hard from their glorious movie days, proving themselves as movie titans. These legendary men are producers Jerry Bruckheimer and the late Don Simpson, director Tony Scott and superstar Tom Cruise. Four years after Top Gun, they showcased another motion picture that was also successful at the box office called DAYS OF THUNDER. This film shares the spirit and story of Top Gun and is pulled off nicely in its similarities. The film even portrays NASCAR racing, which accurately fits the high-production values. Some racing fans and motorists claim that the movie DAYS OF THUNDER is unrealistic. Mainly, it has something to do with the inaccuracies and the driving in some scenes, including several cars that bump, rub and smash each other on the track.

As usual, Cruise's performance is first-class. It helps that he co-wrote the movie's story. There is decent acting from other actors like Robert Duvall, Michael Rooker, Cary Elwes and Tom's future wife/now-ex Nicole Kidman. Another notable aspect is the burgeoning chemistry between Cruise and Kidman, which occurred in real life. In addition to this entertaining thrill ride package, DAYS OF THUNDER rewards moviegoers with racing sequences that plummet the action. Hans Zimmer's good music score also drives the film. Pardon the pun!

While one short of a victory lane, DAYS OF THUNDER is a solid film that many race-lovers will be thrilled by its adrenaline impact. Stirring up their passion for motorsport, they might spare a few dollars to grab the movie of its DVD or Blu-ray package, kick back in their lounge and enjoy this memorable action-packed racing classic.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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