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Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun and Batman Forever, dies at 65

<p>Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor best known for his roles in <em>Top Gun</em>, <em>Batman Forever</em> and <em>The Doors</em>, has passed away at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to <em>The New York Times</em> that he died of pneumonia on Wednesday.</p> <p>Kilmer rose to fame in the 1980s with his breakout role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in <em>Top Gun</em> (1986), where he starred alongside Tom Cruise. His intense screen presence and charisma solidified him as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men in the 1990s.</p> <p>The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, which significantly affected his health and career. His struggles were documented in the 2021 documentary <em>Val</em>, which revealed his reliance on a breathing tube. Despite these challenges, he made a heroic return to the big screen in 2022’s <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>, reprising his role as Iceman in a storyline that mirrored his real-life health battle.</p> <p>Kilmer’s career was marked by both critical acclaim and controversy. While he delivered powerful performances in films such as <em>Heat</em> (1995) and <em>The Island of Dr Moreau</em> (1996), he also developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. Nonetheless, his talent was undeniable. One of his most celebrated roles came in Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic <em>The Doors</em>, where he portrayed the legendary Jim Morrison. His meticulous preparation for the role, including recording his own vocals alongside the original Doors’ master tapes, earned widespread praise. Critic Roger Ebert noted that Kilmer’s performance was so immersive it felt like a case of “possession”.</p> <p>In his final major film role, Kilmer played the sharp-witted detective Gay Perry in <em>Kiss Kiss Bang Bang</em> (2005), a performance that further showcased his range and comedic timing.</p> <p>Kilmer was married to British actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The couple met on the set of the fantasy film <em>Willow</em> and had two children together.</p> <p>Despite his reputation for being intense and perfectionistic, Kilmer never apologised for his dedication to his craft. In a 2003 interview with the <em>Orange County Register</em>, he addressed the criticisms, stating, “When certain people criticise me for being demanding, I think that’s a cover for something they didn’t do well. I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.”</p> <p>Val Kilmer’s legacy as an actor, performer and Hollywood icon endures, leaving behind an unforgettable body of work that will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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5 blockbuster movies hitting the big screen in 2022

<p dir="ltr">After a slow two years due to the pandemic, the world of blockbuster cinema is revving back up in 2022. </p><p dir="ltr">With 2021 going out with a bang after the releases of <em>No Time to Die</em>, <em>Dune</em>, <em>The Matrix Resurrections</em> and many more, 2022 cinema has some big shoes to fill. </p><p dir="ltr">With countless blockbusters on the calendar for 2022, here are just five highly anticipated releases to add to this year’s must-watch list. </p><p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>1. The Batman</strong></p><p dir="ltr">The latest instalment from DC Comics comes in the form of <em>The Batman</em>, as the dark and gritty version of the superhero flick is not one to miss. </p><p dir="ltr">Starring Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, this highly anticipated movie has been gathering buzz since the first trailer was released in October last year. </p><p dir="ltr">The film boasts an all-star cast including Paul Dano, Colin Farrell and Peter Sarsgaard, and is due to hit cinemas in March.  </p><p></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>2. Top Gun: Maverick</strong></p><p dir="ltr">36 years after the success of <em>Top Gun</em>, the sequel is due to hit the big screen in May. </p><p dir="ltr">After a two-year delay due to Covid, <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em> will see Tom Cruise jump back into his iconic role for another high-stakes mission. </p><p dir="ltr">The film is directed by Joseph Kosiniski, and also stars Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer and Jennifer Connelly. </p><p></p><p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>3. Jurassic World: Dominion</strong></p><p dir="ltr">In the third instalment of the <em>Jurassic World</em> trilogy, humanity must grapple with dangerous genetically enhanced reptiles on the loose. </p><p dir="ltr">The film sees the return of Chris Pratt, while also featuring nostalgic cameos from Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt"><em>Jurassic World: Dominion</em> is due to hit cinemas in June<span style="font-size: 11pt;font-family: Arial;color: #000000;background-color: transparent;font-weight: 400;font-style: normal;text-decoration: none;vertical-align: baseline">. </span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>4. Elvis</strong></p><p dir="ltr">Australian director Baz Luhrmann is taking on one of the most famous musicians in <em>Elvis</em>. </p><p dir="ltr">Austin Butler will be playing the iconic singer, with Tom Hanks playing his manager Colonel Tom Parker. </p><p dir="ltr">Other Aussie stars such as Olivia DeJonge, Richard Roxburgh and David Wenham are also joining the cast, with the film set to be released in June.</p><p></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>5. Avatar 2</strong></p><p dir="ltr">More than 10 years after James Cameron’s revolutionary film <em>Avatar</em> was released, the sequel is due to hit the big screen in 2022. </p><p dir="ltr">In the first of many sequels, familiar faces from the first movie, such as Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, are due to return to their iconic roles. </p><p dir="ltr">While there is no official trailer for the film yet, the <em>Avatar</em> Twitter account has shared stunning concept art images with fans to get them excited for the next instalment.</p><p dir="ltr">Fans will still have a while to wait for the film, however, with a release date expected in December. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">ICYMI — Check out these stunning concept art images from Avatar 2! <a href="https://t.co/QVVK8cVU21">pic.twitter.com/QVVK8cVU21</a></p>— Avatar (@officialavatar) <a href="https://twitter.com/officialavatar/status/1437807131856564227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-1a70098f-7fff-e12b-b99d-6680b65dfd7e">Image credits: DC Comics / 6th &amp; Idaho Productions / Paramount Pictures</span></em></p>

Movies

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10 shocking facts you didn’t know about your favourite TV shows

<p>Just like their characters, every TV show has its secrets! Here are some amazing facts you may not have known about your favourite shows.</p> <ol> <li><strong><em>Star Trek</em></strong> – the transporter was created as a cheaper way to send the Enterprise crew to a planet rather than filming them “landing” the ship on a different planet each time.</li> <li><em><strong>I Love Lucy</strong></em> – remember Fred and Ethel’s constant arguing? Well, apparently that wasn’t acting. There was no love lost between the actors who played them (Vivian Vance and William Frawley) off screen either.</li> <li><em><strong>Friends</strong></em> – before Lisa Kudrow took the part, the role of Phoebe was originally offered to Ellen DeGeneres.</li> <li><em><strong>Lost</strong> </em>– the pilot episode, which cost around US$12 million, was so expensive that the network chairman who approved it was fired.</li> <li><em><strong>Seinfeld</strong> </em>– the cast was so frightened by the actor hired to play Elaine’s father that his character only appeared in one episode, despite originally being planned as a recurring role.</li> <li><strong><em>The X-Files</em></strong> – Gillian Anderson, who played Scully, was 10 inches shorter than co-star David Duchovny and had to stand on a box to balance out the height difference in most scenes in which they appeared together.</li> <li><strong><em>The Sopranos</em></strong> – you know the gun used in the show’s logo? HBO executives added this so people wouldn’t mistake it for a show about singing.</li> <li><strong><em>Batman</em></strong> – Burt Ward, who played Robin, uttered the phrase “Holy ____, Batman!” more than 360 times.</li> <li><strong><em>The Twilight Zone</em></strong> – the show’s creator Rod Serling initially wanted Orson Welles to read the opening narration but couldn’t meet his salary expectations.</li> <li><strong><em>Doctor Who</em> </strong>– in 1988, Paramount proposed a <em>Doctor Who</em> movie starring either Michael Jackson or Bill Cosby as the Doctor.</li> </ol> <p>Which of these shows was your favourite? Tell us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/04/5-classic-tv-series-to-revisit/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 classic TV series to revisit</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/03/actors-hired-from-tv-shows-while-filming/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 actors fired from hit TV shows while filming</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/01/best-of-the-90s-tv-hits/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Best of the 90s TV hits</span></em></strong></a></p>

TV

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Boy blames lipstick graffiti on Batman

<p>According to this little rascal, the caped crusader has turned to a life or crime. Quick-thinking Noel spins his tale so aptly that it’s nearly impossible not to believe him.</p> <p>This adorable video shows his mother, Laura Hopkins, in their home in Inverness, Scotland, asking her little one “Who drew on mummy’s mirror, was it you?”</p> <p>Noel stands in front of the lipstick spoiled mirror and shifts the blame to the first conceivable person he can think of. “Batman. Batman, Batman did it, he says.</p> <p>Hopkins posted the ridiculously cute clip to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theunmumsymum/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Unmumsy Mum</span></strong></em></a> Facebook group on Friday, with the tongue-in-cheek caption, “If anyone sees Batman can you tell him I’m wanting a word.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/04/dont-praise-clever-kids-and-celebrating-effort/"><em>Why we shouldn’t praise clever kids and start celebrating effort</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/03/things-not-to-say-when-disciplining-kids/"><em>5 things you should not say when disciplining kids</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/03/kids-getting-meaner/"><em>Are our kids getting meaner?</em></a></strong></span></p>

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