DAYS OF THUNDER (M) presented in 35mm

Days of Thunder - Revival House Perth Event Bio

Buckle up for Tony Scott's high-octane 1990 racing spectacular—basically Top Gun on wheels, complete with Tom Cruise's cocky grin, macho posturing, and homoerotic tension disguised as competition. This is pure '80s (released in '90) American excess: loud engines, louder egos, and zero subtlety cranked to maximum velocity.

Cruise stars as Cole Trickle, a hotshot open-wheel racer recruited to NASCAR by team owner Tim Daland (Randy Quaid) and eccentric crew chief Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall, bringing gravitas to car talk). Cole's natural talent is matched only by his arrogance, leading to rivalries with veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker) and a romance with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman, who Cruise would marry after this shoot).

Scott shoots racing like aerial combat—cameras mounted everywhere, Hans Zimmer's pounding score, and editing that makes 180 mph feel visceral rather than just fast. The racing sequences are legitimately thrilling even if you don't care about NASCAR, capturing both the strategy and danger of stock car competition. The script (by Robert Towne, who should've known better) delivers unintentionally hilarious macho dialogue that's become quotable for all the wrong reasons.

But here's the thing—it works. Cruise's charisma papers over the thin characterization, Duvall elevates every scene he's in, and Scott's visual mastery makes every frame pop with color and energy. This is formula filmmaking executed with such craft and confidence that it becomes pure entertainment.

Leave your brain in the pits and enjoy the ride.

Present in authentic 35mm film for the true cinematic experience!

When: Wednesday, December 10th at 7:45 PM
Where: Revival House Perth
Rating: M - Adult themes and crash sequences

Tony Scott's racing thriller—Top Gun trades fighter jets for stock cars and delivers pure adrenaline.