Val Kimer Has Passed

Val Kilmer died this most recent Tuesday at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia. He was a fantastic actor. He is one of a small number of folks to portray Batman, he was a hoot in, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," amazed folks in, "Tombstone," and the original, "Top Gun." Whether in, "Heat," or doing voice-over work for animated properties, Kilmer was a great talent. 

Kilmer developed throat cancer in 2015 and treatment rendered it difficult for him to eat or speak, but that didn't stop him from making a fascinating autobio film, "Val," in 2020. His last film appearance was a brief but impactful role in, "Top Gun: Maverick," in 2022, which had his voice digitally fine-tuned. He was a superb actor and by many accounts a lovely person in general (although at times it was rumored he was hard to work with on films, hence him kinda-quitting/kinda-being-fired from portraying Batman again back when George Clooney replaced him, to give one example).

My favorite role with Kilmer has to be the absurd aforementioned comedy, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." Pitch black in tone while also being hilarious, it features Robert Downey Junior as well and it is a treat to see Kilmer and Junior on screen together being uproarious. It's a strange little flick that shows off how much range Kilmer could have when allowed to let loose. Val Kilmer was a great talent. He will be missed.

Film Friday: I Hate Flying so I'm Not Going to See, "Top Gun: Maverick," in Theaters, at Least

I was in the theater to see, "Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness," a bit ago and saw a trailer for that new, "Top Gun: Maverick," movie. It looked like the flight special effects will be incredible, with viewers really feeling like they are sitting there in the cockpit with Tom Cruise and the younger generation of pilots he is training. For that reason, I quietly muttered, "Oh Hell no," as I watched the preview upon a big screen. You see, I hate flying on a simple commercial flight. Therefore, feeling like I'm moving nearly at the speed of sound in a plane doing barrel rolls and all kinds of tricks does not appeal to me at all.

I find Tom Cruise to be a great actor when he is given the right role and terrible when in a role that is a bad fit. "Top Gun," is a beloved classic for many folks, however, and early buzz about this sequel seems really positive. Still, I am not going to see it on the big screen simply because just the trailer made my stomach churn into knots. Flying simply makes me motion sick and anxious as I don't enjoy being in a big metal tube moving at crazy speeds through the sky--I have zero desire to simulate that in the theater even if the movie is great. Maybe I'll watch it on the television when I can take ample breaks after it is done with its theatrical run.