Cruise encounters

Re “The Spoils of ‘War’: Studio Fireworks,” by R. Kinsey Lowe, July 5: Steven Spielberg alone doing “War of the Worlds” would have been enough to make the movie a hit. Recall that actors less renowned than Tom Cruise starred in such Spielberg blockbusters as “Jaws,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “E.T.” and “Jurassic Park.”

Therefore, contrary to what this article says, I believe Cruise’s bankability is still in question, thanks in part to his recent “bizarre public appearances,” as the story termed them, but perhaps more because of a drop in fan appeal that some stars experience after being on top for so many years.

Tim Bornheimer

Los Angeles