Travis Simpkins: Val Kilmer

Showing posts with label Val Kilmer. Show all posts

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Tombstone (1993): Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday

Directed by George P. Cosmatos, and written by Kevin Jarre (who was also the original director, but was fired early on), Tombstone (1993) remains the definitive film version of the Earp/Holliday/Cowboy gunfight at the OK Corral and one of the best Westerns ever made. After Cosmatos' death, star Kurt Russell claimed that he actually directed the film himself, but it is debatable. The story starts with the Earp brothers' arrival in Tombstone, Arizona, and their feud with the outlaw cowboys in town leading up to the gunfight at the OK Corral, it then follows Wyatt Earp on his vendetta ride after the murder of his brother. The production is vibrant and action packed. A modern Classic. The ensemble cast is excellent, including Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliot as Virgil Earp, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Powers Booth as "Curly Bill" Brocius, Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo and Dana Delany as Josephine Marcus. The supporting cast is great as well, including Billy Bob Thornton, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Thomas Haden Church, Stephen Lang, Billy Zane, Harry Carey Jr., Frank Stallone, Buck Taylor and Joanna Pacula. Robert Mitchum narrates and Bruce Broughton provides a memorable musical score.

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton: The Earp Brothers

Tombstone. 1993: Powers Booth as "Curly Bill" Brocius

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo

Tombstone. 1993: Billy Zane and Dana Delany

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993: Billy Bob Thornton as Johnny Tyler

Tombstone. 1993: Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton

Tombstone. 1993: The Earps and Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Gunfight at the OK Corral

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993: Charlton Heston

Tombstone. 1993: Jason Priestley as Billy Breakenridge

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp

Tombstone. 1993

Tombstone. 1993: Charlton Heston

Tombstone. 1993: Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

Tombstone. 1993: Kurt Russell and Dana Delany

"Tombstone"- movie trailer

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan

Written and directed by Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) combined dark humor and Film Noir elements in the proper doses to form a highly original film. A strong story forms the groundwork for the clever shots, stylish editing and fantastic performances delivered by both cast and crew. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer work amazingly well together, with good chemistry, humor and mutual respect. Michelle Monaghan is wonderful in her role as well. On a historic note, Val Kilmer's "Gay Perry" character in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is credited with being the first openly gay lead player in an action film.

By a lucky stream of circumstances, petty thief Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) poses as an actor and finds himself in L.A., auditioning for the part of a detective. "Gay" Perry (Val Kilmer), a real life detective, is hired to be Harry's coach and consultant...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Harry runs into childhood friend Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), also an aspiring actress...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

and that's when things take a crazy turn...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

as Harry, Perry and Harmony finds themselves deeply involved in a murder case...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Things are out of control...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr.

and very dangerous...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

They must work together to see it through...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Alexander (2004): Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and Rosario Dawson. Alexander the Great

Co-written and directed by Oliver Stone, Alexander (2004) is a much better film than some would lead you to believe. Although the theatrical release was a bore and tanked at the box office, Oliver Stone made amends in his revisions, and subsequent cuts of the film are much more cohesive and entertaining. Epic in length and scale, the battle scenes and CGI work are amazing. Alexander the Great and his far-reaching ancient conquests are brought to life in style… battles, pillaging and all. The costumes and sets are well-designed, even down to the golden leaf crown worn by Philip of Macedonia that has caused so much provenance, restitution and looting debate in recent years. Angelina Jolie is ravishing as Queen Olympias. Rosario Dawson is sultry as Roxana. The rest of the cast is good as well, including Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.