In Memoriam: Val Kilmer (1959-2025)

By: Jesse Striewski

Few artists ever achieve the level of greatness that Actor Val Kilmer was able to in his sixty-five years on this planet, but for over four decades, the world was able to witness that greatness firsthand with awe.

As a child of the ’80s, I simply grew up watching Kilmer’s movies. His first role in 1984’s Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker parody flick Top Secret! was a staple on Comedy Central back in the day, while his follow-up to that, 1985’s Real Genius, was another cable TV mainstay on stations like TBS and TNT, and remains one of my personal favorites to this day.

In 1986, Kilmer played bad guy Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in the massive blockbuster hit Top Gun. With its stellar aerial shots and rocking soundtrack featuring Kenny Loggins, it was a surefire hit of the time, one that I would often overplay on a dubbed VHS tape much to the chargin of my brothers and sisters.

1988’s Willow directed by Ron Howard and co-starring Warwick Davis of the Star Wars universe, was a fantasy film for the ages, part Masters of the Universe, part Lord of the Rings, and remains another standout role in Kilmer’s flimography.

His follow-up to this, 1989’s oft-forgotten neo-noir piece Kill Me Again, segued him into the role as legendary rock frontman Jim Morrison in 1991’s The Doors. Kilmer’s notority seemed to blossom after this, while also spawning my personal love for the rock biopic sub-genre.

1992’s Thunderheart and 1993’s The Real McCoy may have each paled in comparison, but his portrayal of Doc Holliday in 1993’s Tombstone helped solidify it as one of the greatest modern western films to date. An appearance in the ensemble flick True Romance (his third of 1993), would pave the way for yet another one of his most memorable roles, as Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995’s Batman Forever (coincidentally the first film of his I would see on the big screen).

Heat (also 1995), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) and The Saint (1997) were a few more notable appearances prior to a period of more obscure features (although his role as the villain Dieter Von Cunth in 2010’s MacGruber contained its own level of brilliance).

But by 2015, things began to look grim for Kilmer, with rumors of a tumor and eventually throat cancer becoming a reality, and chemotherapy and two tracheotomies taking enormous tolls on his health.

By the time the long overdue Top Gun sequel Maverick appeared in 2022, fans caught a glimpse of what life was really like for the actor by that stage, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater by the time Iceman’s funeral is reached.

I didn’t know Val Kilmer on any sort of personal level, but for nearly my entire life, he has simply been there – as both an artist on the screen, and as a figure worth looking up to – much like fellow Actor/film legend Gene Hackman (who unfortunately I was unable to write a similar tribute piece for after his passing last month due to my own recovering at the time from surgery).

But mourn these men not because we knew them, but because they brought a joy to our own lives we would’ve never known without their existence in it. Rest in peace Gene and Val – your legacies will live on for a lifetime in each of our memories.

Series Review: Willow Season 1 (Disney +)

By: Jesse Striewski

Since its premier last November, Willow, the sequel series to the 1988 Ron Howard film of the same name, has received mixed reviews to say the least. But if swords and sorcery are your type of thing, there’s plenty of adventure to be had here, if you can get past the silly-ness at least.

Warwick Davis returns as the titular character Willow, the not-so-great sorcerer who leads a rescue mission to find the kidnapped Prince Airk (Dempsey Bryk) along with his sister Kit (Ruby Cruz), her soon-to-be knight lover Jade (Erin Kellyman), and Arik’s love interest Elora Danan (Ellie Bamber), who just so happens to be the same baby Willow protected all those years before with Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and the future Empress of Tir Asleen. Another prince (Tony Revolori), and a boorish treasure hunter named Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel) are also along for the ride.

Joanne Whalley and some other familiar faces also reprise their roles from the original film, and one of the better episodes features Christian Slater as Allagash, a former companion of both Madmartigan and Boorman’s. And while Kilmer only appears via archival footage, his son Jack does some voiceover work here as well.

But if only the writers could have kept things straight forward instead of trying to stay “hip” or “witty,” this new series could have been a complete smash. Unfortunately they choose to veer into the absurd far too often, with everything from the dialogue, to questionable choices with the music, making it hard to take things too seriously. The final episode alludes to possible future chapters; hopefully by season two they’ve actually learned from their mistakes.

Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Film Review: Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures)

By: Jesse Striewski

Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and director Joseph Kosinski takes over for the late Tony Scott (whom the film is dedicated to) to deliver the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably already well aware of what an all out thrill ride Top Gun: Maverick truly is.

Kenny Loggins’ hit from the original film “Danger Zone” opens the film the only appropriate way possible, as we quickly find our protagonist still working as a test pilot in the U.S. Navy, purposely avoiding promotions all these years in order to continue flying. But he’s quickly whisked away back to Top Gun to train a group of elite pilots for a specialized mission that ultimately only he can pull off.

Initially, my only complaint was the actual establishments of said new pilots – who come off just a tad on the obnoxious side at first – and the quick pace we’re introduced to new characters as though we already know them (the lovely Jennifer Connelly plays a former love interest perfectly, though). But once the awkwardness passes, it’s pure escapist entertainment of the highest level, filled with plenty of action, and unexpected drama (no spoilers, but the scenes with Val Kilmer, who briefly reprises his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky from the first film, really got me).

In this entry, Maverick not only faces adversaries in the sky, but several on his own team, having to prove himself not only to an admiral (Jon Hamm) who doesn’t want him there, but the son (Miles Teller) of his former late RIO and best friend from the first film, Goose (Anthony Edwards).

Forget whatever negativity the anti-establishment, blue-haired “critics” out there might want to spew about this being a “recruitment” video (they’re just miserable with their lives anyway); this is a damn good film that brings back the days of when movies were actual “events,” and I felt like that kid in the ’80s again, popping his copy of the first film in the VCR to re-watch it again for the umpteenth time). Cruise is at the top of his game in Top Gun: Maverick, and you’re missing out if you don’t take flight along with him.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars