in memoriam
Ach. As I've said before, folks, some of these announcements hurt much more than others; and this one is hitting real close to the bone.
The great Val Kilmer might not have been the biggest name or face in the world of genre entertainment; and yet his career was the kind of thing that fans of such style and substance truly appreciate. He invested so much of himself in transforming the faces that he played into work up there in the lights that he showed how involved he was with the craft beyond just being employed. He became some of these people for audiences who embraced his works, and that is no easy thing.
With over one hundred different screen credits to his name, his legacy should go down in history as one of the stronger talents of his generation. While I've read a few notices online suggesting that, perhaps, he wasn't as nuanced as were some of those he shared these spectacles with; I could easily -- very easily -- defuse such arguments by showing when the actor stepped up to home plate and literally knocked one out of the park even with limited screen time. I've always valued that as a measure of how great a Thespian one is; and in that regard I think Kilmer could teach his critics a thing or two.
While 1986's Top Gun isn't necessarily something that I celebrate 'round these parts, I can't help but mention that it was only just this past weekend that the wifey and I saw it on the silver screen once more in a classic showing ... and that's largely why this post hits so hard. Just days ago, his 'Iceman' was living larger than possible; and now the man behind the face is gone.
As for the realms of the Fantastic?
Again, Kilmer was no slouch. To name the greatest contributions might miss a few outside of SciFi, Fantasy, and Horror; so you'll pardon me if I throw in one or two significant other jobs because I find them deserving of mention.
Alas, none of us lasts forever ... but thankfully audiences will always have these singular stories with which to remember the man by. That has to count for something.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Val Kilmer.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
The great Val Kilmer might not have been the biggest name or face in the world of genre entertainment; and yet his career was the kind of thing that fans of such style and substance truly appreciate. He invested so much of himself in transforming the faces that he played into work up there in the lights that he showed how involved he was with the craft beyond just being employed. He became some of these people for audiences who embraced his works, and that is no easy thing.
With over one hundred different screen credits to his name, his legacy should go down in history as one of the stronger talents of his generation. While I've read a few notices online suggesting that, perhaps, he wasn't as nuanced as were some of those he shared these spectacles with; I could easily -- very easily -- defuse such arguments by showing when the actor stepped up to home plate and literally knocked one out of the park even with limited screen time. I've always valued that as a measure of how great a Thespian one is; and in that regard I think Kilmer could teach his critics a thing or two.
While 1986's Top Gun isn't necessarily something that I celebrate 'round these parts, I can't help but mention that it was only just this past weekend that the wifey and I saw it on the silver screen once more in a classic showing ... and that's largely why this post hits so hard. Just days ago, his 'Iceman' was living larger than possible; and now the man behind the face is gone.
As for the realms of the Fantastic?
Again, Kilmer was no slouch. To name the greatest contributions might miss a few outside of SciFi, Fantasy, and Horror; so you'll pardon me if I throw in one or two significant other jobs because I find them deserving of mention.
- Real Genius (1985)
- The Murders In The Rue Morgue (1986)
- Top Gun (1986)
- Willow (1988)
- Tombstone (1993)
- Batman Forever (1995)
- The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1996)
- The Saint (1997)
- Red Planet (2000)
- Spartan (2004)
- Mindhunters (2004)
- George And The Dragon (2004)
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
- Moscow Zero (2006)
- Knight Rider (2008-2009)
- The Thaw (2009)
- Hardwired (2009)
- B'Twixt Now And Sunrise (2011)
- Spider-Man: Edge Of Time (Video game) (2011)
- 7 Below (2012)
- The Super (2017)
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Alas, none of us lasts forever ... but thankfully audiences will always have these singular stories with which to remember the man by. That has to count for something.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Val Kilmer.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
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