Daily Dirt: Tom Cruise admirers are going to soon enjoy going (back) to the movies

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, a sure sign of a return to normalcy is the number of major motion pictures coming our way. Our first of three thoughts today provide a sampling of what the future holds. Welcome to Vol. 122 of the Daily Dirt.

1. Here’s a quick look of some of the top movie releases we’ll be able to enjoy once again in theaters. Personally, I can’t wait:

• “The Batman” (2022): This will be Robert Pattinson’s debut as our hero. You remember Robert, don’t you? He and Kristen Stewart were the star combo in the old series of “Twilight” vampire films.
• “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022): Tom Cruise is going to be mighty busy in the next couple of years. (Keep reading …)
• “An American Werewolf in London” (2022): This is a remake of the highly successful (and entertaining) movie of the same name back in 1981. Sounds like the remake will also have a comic vein, too.
• “Mission Impossible 7 and 8” (2022, 2023): Tom Cruise fans, rejoice. Not one, but two “Mission Impossible” entries.
• “The Walking Dead Movie” (no specific date yet): This yet-untitled film will help us find out what happened to Rick Grimes, where he is and what he’s doing. In all likelihood it will be in theaters at some point in the second half of 2022.

2. Five singers we can officially classify as over the hill:

• Janet Jackson (It’s Janet… Ms. Jackson, if you’re nasty): It’s OK, I’m pretty sure her bank account will permit a relatively easy and early retirement.
• Adam Levine: He’ll likely be more remembered for his role in “The Voice,” rather than his music.
• Britney Spears: Kind of sad. She was once rather entertaining. 
• Axl Rose: It seems like forever ago since he was relevant.
• Katy Perry: I’m predicting a talk-show host gig is in her future.

3. It’s officially crunch time in college football. Here are my top 10s for the week:

Tier 1 (Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC, Pac-12, major independents)

• 1. Georgia (9-0): Right now, there is Georgia and everyone else.
• 2. Ohio State (8-1): Buckeyes face pesky Purdue (6-3) this week before closing the regular season against Michigan State and Michigan. If the Buckeyes sweep those three they can punch another playoff ticket.
• 3. Alabama (8-1): Tide has an off week. Actually they play New Mexico State (1-8), which probably could not win the Western Illinois Valley Conference.
• 4. Oklahoma (9-0): If the lackadaisical Sooners are going to lose this could be the week against Baylor (7-2).
• 5. Oregon (8-1): Are those crazy Oregon uniforms getting worse, or is just me?6. Notre Dame (8-1): Irish should roll against Virginia (6-3), a team with a very misleading record. Virginia has serious problems on defense.
• 7. Michigan (8-1): Wolverines travel to Happy Valley. This will be fun to watch.
• 8. Oklahoma State (8-1): For a once-beaten team, the Cowboys are getting very little love.
• 9. Texas A&M (6-2): Aggies will be involved in what might be the game of the week against Ole Miss.
• 10. Ole Miss (7-2): National spotlight will be on Lane Kiffin — again.

Tier 2 (Conference USA, Sun Belt, Mountain West, MAC, AAC)

• 1. Cincinnati (9-0): Another blah performance for the Bearcats against Tulsa. They are ripe for an upset, but it won’t be this week against South Florida (2-7).
• 2. UTSA (9-0): Following last week’s victory over UTEP, the Roadrunners are officially the best Tier 2 team in Texas.
• 3. Houston (8-1): Cougars face Temple (3-6) this week. Yawnnn …
• 4. Louisiana (8-1): Ragin’ Cajuns face old rival Troy (5-4) this week, which upset South Alabama (5-4) in its most recent game.
• 5. App State (7-2): Speaking of South Alabama, that’s who America’s (Tier 2) Team tackles Saturday.
• 6. San Diego State (8-1): The top Mountain West club in the rankings.
• 7. Coastal Carolina (8-1): Chanticleers all but have an 11-1 finish locked up.
• 8. Nevada (7-2): That was a wild win late Saturday night against San Jose State.
• 9. Fresno State (7-3): No. 2 a week ago, but a defeat to four-loss Boise State proves costly.
• 10. SMU (7-2): The third American Conference team in the top 10.

Steve Fact O’ the Day
The last time Steve wore a shirt size smaller than 3XLT was when was when Ronald Reagan was president.