President George W. Bush's approval rating is at an all-time low this week and apparently so is Tom Cruise's (according to the USA Today survey released today). While few seem to be rising to Bush's defense, though, Hollywood is defending Cruise after the disappointing debut of M:I:III this weekend.

Are the lower than expected grosses for the would-be blockbuster part of a Cruise backlash, or simply an extension of the pseudo box office slump that some have talked about over the past year? Apparently, its just a lot harder for a big movie to really breakthrough and draw people to the multiplex in the opening weekend, especially when the lead is perceived as being off his game.