Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
I watched two documentaries over the weekend and thought both were excellent.
The first was Val (2021, Prime Video, Rated R, 1 hr. 49 min.), in which Val Kilmer looks back on his life while struggling with the effects of the throat cancer that he says has been eradicated.
I've never thought of myself as a Val Kilmer fan. I remember him mostly for doing the weird chomping thing with his teeth in Top Gun, but Kilmer's poignant reflection on life with his younger brother and the early death of that sibling, along with examining his own work, led me to a desire to watch more of his movies––especially Tombstone. I found his comments on playing Batman in Batman Forever interesting because the Batsuit is so restrictive it precludes acting. He could barely move while in it, and couldn't see or hear.
Kilmer also talks about his preparation for the role of Jim Morrison in The Doors, a movie I did see. Kilmer is a graduate of The Julliard School of Drama. He takes his work seriously.
Val Kilmer has known success and also suffered great disappointments.
Val is a rarity in its intimacy.
In Refuge of Last Resort (2006, Prime Video, can't find a rating, 1 hr. 12 min.), director James Bills presents photos and footage he shot while stuck in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
I've seen other documentaries about Hurricane Katrina, including Spike Lee's four-hour When The Levees Broke, but Refuge of Last Resort is striking in its simplicity.
Bills doesn't interview dozens of people in New Orleans, but the few he does interview say a lot in their brief comments. He also doesn't cover every aspect of what happened, but what he does cover is meaningful.
Especially striking are the words of a man who took refuge with his family in a hotel and when the storm ended and they needed supplies, set out for a Wal-Mart only to find it being looted by police officers and firefighters. Bills also shows his footage of pristine port-a-potties at the Superdome, unused because they arrived after everyone had been evacuated.
Refuge of Last Resort is heartbreaking.
Infinities of love,
I hope blogger will allow my comment to take this time. Third time lucky?
ReplyDeleteRefuge of Last Resort does sound heartrending, and sadly I fear it will happen again.
Third time lucky! Yes, it will happen again. A couple of people in the documentary pointed out that they were blamed for having stayed. It was their fault they were suffering. But some had no way to leave.
DeleteI’m curious about the Val Kilmer story. I don’t know if I want to get angry all over again about Hurricane Katrina.
ReplyDeleteKatrina doesn't make me angry. Katrina makes me sad, but I understand your anger.
DeleteI always enjoy a good documentary! Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteI'm a documentary lover.
DeleteI have never been a Kilmer fan, save his role as Morrison, but that doc sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere will be so much that will come out, sadly, too late, about the way the aftermath of Katrina was mishandled, especially in communities of color and poverty.
Thanks for the recommendations!
xoxo
You're welcome, my dear. The Kilmer doc surprised me because it's so good. I had read online that it was excellent so I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did.
DeleteThese both look interesting. Thanks for the heads up. :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you, dear heart.
DeleteI will have to put these on my watch list. Val Kilmer was wonderful in Tombstone, all the small gestures that make up the whole character.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to see it even more.
DeleteLooks interesting
ReplyDeleteThey were, but I know you're not into movies, Jo-Anne.
DeleteMy family was quite divided on Katrina. Half thought "they" could have evacuated. Half knew "they" hadn't a chance. No minds were change.
ReplyDeleteA woman in the film says she had family who left and criticized her for staying, but she had no vehicle in which to depart.
DeleteHi Janie - the Val 'story' sounds interesting ... and admirable having to cope with the throat cancer and its after effects - but I'm not sure I'll watch.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Katrina one will be important in the future history on aspects not covered elsewhere.
Thanks for letting us know about the two of them - all the best Hilary
The filmmaker's personal touch in the Katrina documentary was excellent.
DeleteI saw Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in "The Doors." He was brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI had an opportunity to watch the movie again a few days ago. Kilmer was very good. Overall, I still think the movie is a disappointment.
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