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Kelly McGillis didn't return for Top Gun: Maverick, and many wondered why Charlie wasn't in Top Gun 2 when she was Maverick's love interest in the first movie. Charlie was hesitant to start a romance with Maverick, but attraction between them was just too strong. Despite their mutual admiration, Goose's tragic death and Charlie's job caused their brief split, but Top Gun's ending ultimately saw them getting back together, hinting at a long-term future. This is why there being no Kelly McGillis Top Gun: Maverick appearance, and Mitchell with a new love interest in Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), raised eyebrows.

Top Gun: Maverick picks up Maverick's story years after the original. The movie has Maverick forced to confront aspects of his past with the arrival of Rooster (Miles Teller), the son of his former co-pilot Goose (Anthony Edwards). In fact, even his new love interest Penny was mentioned in the original Top Gun.

If you think Hollywood is all about fast cars and flashy parties, think again! The real magic happens behind the scenes, where dedication meets creativity. Just ask Tom Cruise, the man who turned a simple script into an aviation classic.

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986) | Credits: Paramount Pictures

After a rocky experience working with Ridley Scott on Legend, which crashed and burned at the box office, Cruise was understandably alarmed about taking on new projects without the right groundwork. With producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer presenting him with the Top Gun script, the actor recognized its potential but felt it needed improvement.

The Making of Tom Cruise’s Top Gun

Tom Cruise’s journey of playing Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in Top Gun wasn’t a walk in the park. After a tough experience with Ridley Scott on Legend, the Risky Business star, 62, wanted to make sure...

Tom Cruise was almost not cast in Top Gun due to his height ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Top Gun without the Tom Cruise swagger? Hard to imagine, right? But believe it or not, the Hollywood action star was almost grounded because of his height! Standing at about 5 foot 7 inches, Cruise had to rely on some sneaky tricks to secure his spot as the iconic Maverick. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Tom Cruise’s height hacks and how they almost cost him the role of a lifetime.

In the mid-80s, when Top Gun was getting off the ground, Cruise faced a height dilemma larger than life. His co-star, Kelly McGillis, stood just shy of six feet tall, towering over Cruise on set. To avoid looking like the underdog next to McGillis, Cruise reportedly wore shoe lifts to give him a boost—yes, like a secret weapon tucked inside his boots!

Tom Cruise was almost not cast in Top Gun due to his height ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Top Gun without the Tom Cruise swagger? Hard to imagine, right? But believe it or not, the Hollywood action star was almost grounded because of his height! Standing at about 5 foot 7 inches, Cruise had to rely on some sneaky tricks to secure his spot as the iconic Maverick. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Tom Cruise’s height hacks and how they almost cost him the role of a lifetime.

In the mid-80s, when Top Gun was getting off the ground, Cruise faced a height dilemma larger than life. His co-star, Kelly McGillis, stood just shy of six feet tall, towering over Cruise on set. To avoid looking like the underdog next to McGillis, Cruise reportedly wore shoe lifts to give him a boost—yes, like a secret weapon tucked inside his boots!

Top Gun: Maverick has been a generational eye-opener for the fans and critics, new and old. The Tom Cruise sequel that arrived 36 years down the line was not just an emotional experience for the audience but a thrilling one that allowed them to revisit their memories of watching Maverick, Iceman & Co. finding their way back to each other once more.

Top Gun: Maverick [Credit: Paramount Pictures]

While there was much thought put into the making of the 2022 film, there wasn’t anything left to discuss once Tom Cruise had Paramount green-light the film from his Mission: Impossible set. The story was clear and director Joseph Kosinski had already mapped out the blueprint. The emotional core of the film would stay intact via the characters and the action would elevate the rest of the theatrical experience into an epic one.

Looking back, not only did Top Gun: Maverick help revive the theatrical...

Tom Cruise has been highly revered in the industry for his insane action roles. Often praised as the last of the stars, the Mission Impossible fame has made a name for performing dangerous stunts without the help of any body-double. But very surprisingly, the fearless actor was caught off-guard when he spotted a pregnant Demi Moore auditioning for A Few Good Men.

Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men | Credits: Castle Rock Entertainment

A Few Good Men was a significant film in Tom Cruise’s early career. Despite sharing the screen with prominent names like Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore, Cruise’s performance was praised by everyone. Although the military criticized the film, it became a huge hit among the masses.

Tom Cruise was stunned to witness a different avatar of Demi Moore Demi Moore in A Few Good Men | Credits: Castle Rock Entertainment

Demi Moore revealed that sharing space...

Top Gun: Maverick proves Top Gun needed its original ending. Maverick's need for speed and rivalry with Iceman drive Top Gun's plot, while his romance subplot feels forced. Top Gun's original romantic ending was replaced with a crowd-pleasing alternative, leaving out Maverick's character growth.

Although Top Guns ending seemed perfect upon the movies original release, Top Gun: Maverick proves the movie needed its original alternate ending. Top Gun has a surprisingly complicated story for such a simple, straightforward cult classic. Mavericks need for speed drives the main plot, and his rivalry with Iceman provides most of the movies conflict. After Gooses death, Maverick is forced to contend with his own mortality and the final act of Top Gun sees him come to terms with his ego, embrace his talents, and finally learn to work as part of a team. This storyline is fairly straightforward.

However, test audiences thought the movie was missing something,...

Like many vampire movies, Stake Land mixes genres to tell an engaging story in a post-apocalyptic setting with compelling characters. Stake Land focuses on world-building and setting, creating a unique atmosphere that goes beyond typical vampire horror tropes. Despite being overlooked upon release, Stake Land stands out for its eerie atmosphere, characterization, and brutal fantasy elements.

Vampires have long been a staple of horror movies, which makes it interesting when they can mix genres and create compelling films. The genre has produced many iconic movie vampires, though notably, fewer vampire hunters are depicted. The monstrous fantasy allows for many iconic settings in vampire movies, which allows some to stand out above others.

Given the many vampire films, standing out and subverting the common vampire horror tropes can be challenging. Unfortunately, many good vampire films go unnoticed in the oversaturated market. One of the best genre-mixing vampire-centered films is also a...

Top Gun has become a classic 1980s movie despite a mediocre Rotten Tomatoes score and some plot inconsistencies. The film's use of iconic songs like "Danger Zone" and "Take My Breath Away" is criticized for being overused. Maverick and Iceman's newfound respect for each other in the film seems rushed and unrealistic.

Tom Cruise's Top Gun has become a memorable and important film over the past 38 years, yet there are still some weaker parts of the plot. Top Gun is a fun, action-filled movie about a reckless Navy pilot named Maverick and his partner Goose, who attend the Top Gun Academy. The film has many famous montages, iconic songs, and Top Gun's infamously bad sex scene. Tom Cruise leads Top Gun's iconic cast as Maverick, along with Anthony Edwards as Goose, and Kelly McGillis as Maverick's love interest and instructor, Charlie Blackwood.

Top Gun is highly quotable...

You may feel the need – the need for speed – at the Topgun training program, but you better keep that to yourself, lest you end up on the fine list. While 1986’s Top Gun undoubtedly caused an uptick in interest in the US Navy among certain demographics, their Fighter Weapons School would rather you keep your fandom to yourself. So no shirtless Anthony Edwards posters, fellas!

As it turns out, quoting Top Gun will land you a $5 fine for every infraction. As he wrote in his 2020 book, former pilot and Topgun instructor Cmdr. Guy “Bus” Snodgrass noted, “It is a part of our bylaws that if someone overtly references the movie — it could be a direct quote, it could be something that is really close to a direct quote — that’s an automatic $5 fine. And it’s enforced. And you are expected to pay right then. You pull out your wallet...

With prominent supporting roles in classics like “A League of Their Own” and “Dick Tracy,” as well as the lead in the screen adaptation of the musical “Evita,” Madonna’s film career is well-established, but might never have happened without her star turn in the 1985 cult comedy “Desperately Seeking Susan.” A modern farce set in the scuzzy beauty of ‘80s New York City, the film follows a straight-laced housewife and a bohemian drifter who become intertwined in a criminal plot involving a pair of stolen earrings. While the film is led by actress Roseanna Arquette, it quickly became known as the “Madonna movie,” with her character’s fashion sense — which mirrored Madonna’s own — and her free-spirit energy coming to define the popular culture of the era.

“Everyone’s concern was to find the right actor for the role of Susan,” wrote the film’s director, Susan Seidelman, in her memoir,...

Tim Robbins played Lt. Sam "Merlin" Wells in Top Gun, stepping in to replace Goose after the latter's death. Robbins makes his role memorable and believable as a pilot, supporting Maverick without stealing the spotlight. Robbins likely didn't return for Top Gun: Maverick due to a principle of avoiding sequels, despite the film's success.

Some people may not remember, but Tim Robbins was in Top Gun, though surprisingly, he didn't return for Top Gun: Maverick. It's hard to describe just how influential Top Gun is in the action drama genre, but if the number of movies like Top Gun that came out after Tony Scott's film is any indication, the movie continues to influence Hollywood decades later. Over 30 years after the original, Top Gun: Maverick came out to worldwide acclaim and a massive box office, proving that the Top Gun brand was as powerful and sensational as ever.

Top Gun...

Top Gun: Maverick outclassed the original by offering a more emotionally resonant story and nuanced portrayal of Maverick. The romance subplot in Top Gun: Maverick with Penny highlighted the original movie's terrible romance with Charlie. The iconic soundtrack of Top Gun helped cover up the unnecessary romance subplot, making it still enjoyable for audiences.

Although Top Gun is a cult classic, Top Gun: Maverick proved that one element of the original movie never really worked. Top Gun was a huge success with audiences when the propulsive blockbuster released in 1986. Director Tony Scotts movie was less of a hit with critics, who mostly mocked its excesses but still conceded that Top Gun did possess a certain corny charm. Over time, the original movies reputation improved, and Top Gun was eventually remembered as a classic Tom Cruise vehicle. In the process, some of its more questionable elements were effectively excused until a re-watch.

Tom Cruise's return as Maverick in Top Gun 2 was a huge draw, but the ensemble cast, including Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly, shines. The dynamic between the new characters and Maverick's legacy brings depth to Top Gun: Maverick, elevating it beyond a typical action reboot. The engaging performances of the cast members, both old and new, add layers to the storyline, with standouts like Glen Powell and Monica Barbaro.

While Tom Cruise's return to the cockpit after 36 years was a big reason for the excitement of Top Gun: Maverick, the entire cast of Top Gun 2 made for an excellent ensemble. Along with Cruise back as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, the Top Gun 2 cast boasts an incredible array of talent. Arguably, one of the movie's greatest strengths stems from the fact that Cruise's legacy provides a perfect counterweight to many unfamiliar yet instantly iconic faces. Since its release,...

As everyone knows, Tom Cruise leads an action-packed life akin to that of a movie star. The actor enjoys a good thrill, and he performs almost all of his own stunts. And it was his dedication that led him to accept one of his most prominent roles, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, in the 1986 action flick Top Gun.

So, in the case of this Paramount Pictures film, the actor had an unusual demand that ultimately saved the film from disaster. Well, after a less-than-ideal experience working with director Ridley Scott on the movie Legend, Cruise was understandably cautious about committing to a new project.

When producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer approached him with the script for Top Gun, Cruise liked it but felt that it “needed some work”.

Tom Cruise in a still from Top Gun I Paramount Pictures

Instead of immediately signing on to the project, Cruise made a bold...

It’s hard to imagine the iconic movie Top Gun— helmed by Tony Scott—without the sizzling romance between Maverick and Charlie, played by Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis, respectively. The chemistry between the two characters added depth and emotional resonance to the high-flying action sequences, which the film is famous for.

Nevertheless, it may come as a surprise to learn that the romance between Maverick and Charlie was not originally a focal point of the first movie. In the original versions of Top Gun, the love story between Maverick and Charlie was much more subdued and not as prominently featured as it is in the final cut that audiences saw.

Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun | Paramount Pictures

According to a 2022 interview with Chris Lebenzon and Billy Weber in The Hollywood Reporter, exhibitors who had seen early screenings of the film expressed a desire for more emphasis on...

Dawn Steel was one of the most influential and significant figures in the film industry regarding women working in production settings. Women acting in films is nothing new and has not been for decades. However, the same cannot be said about their presence behind the camera. The production of films, the studios that make them, and all of the major decisions were always taken by men; that was until Steel came around.

Dawn Steel [Credit: Spotlight]In 1987, she became one of the first women to run a major Hollywood film studio, becoming the president of Columbia Pictures. Despite all that she represented for the feminist movement and the change she brought about in the film industry, many were not happy with her achievements. So much so, that the producer was fired soon after she had her first child.

Dawn Steel’s Well-Used Power

Dawn Steel opened many doors for women when she had the power to.

Who are we to disagree Danielle Harris? When looking for a Best Horror Movie You Never Saw, nothing in our completely mad up rules that say a movie can’t be well received at the time of release. It can win awards including one from the audiences that saw it at TIFF and the kind of go away. There are a ton of movies that are great and original films in a genre that is nearly as obsessed with sequels and movie universes as DC and Marvel are today. Stake Land (watch it Here) is an original piece of media that is one part Walking Dead, one part The Road, and all together one of the Best Horror Movies you Never Saw.

Stake Land was destined to be a movie that few had seen as its theatrical run produced about 33 thousand in theaters but in an era of physical media and streaming services,...

Revisiting The Box Office Success Of Top Gun Led By Tom Cruise ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Tom Cruise made a solid comeback last year with Top Gun Maverick and scored a blockbuster success at the worldwide box office. Not only did the actor taste success after a long time, but he also got the first $1 billion film in his film career. One of the biggest reasons behind the film’s tremendous success was the goodwill of its predecessor, which came 36 years ago. Keep reading to know more!

Opened to mixed reviews

Directed by Tony Scott, Top Gun was released in 1986. Apart from Tom Cruise, the film also featured Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, and others in key roles. Upon its release, the action drama received mixed reviews from critics, with praise coming in for the aerial action scenes. However, several other aspects were criticized.

Interestingly, despite all the reactions from critics,...

Yet another trio of Dark Sky Films titles have made their way onto Screambox, joining previously dropped classics Willow Creek, Minor Premise, and The Deeper You Dig (details), as well as Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary, Landlocked, and Possum (details), and even Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 1 & 2 and Emelie (details).

All of them have a taste for blood…

First, Stake Land, the Jim Mickle-directed vampire classic that set the stage for his cannibal horror We Are What We Are and the Netflix series “Sweet Tooth”.

In the film, “America has fallen. A vampiric scourge sweeps the nation, turning brother on brother and parent on child as the blood-hungry beasts take deeper and deeper hold upon the land. It’s hard for the survivors to know whether to be more afraid of the creatures themselves or the violent religious groups that have sprung up in response, but there is...

Daryl Hannah was a sought-after actress in the '80s, with standout performances in Blade Runner and Splash, showcasing her talent beyond her looks. Despite her reduced Hollywood presence, Hannah has maintained a consistent level of quality in her performances in both film and television, while also exploring behind-the-scenes duties. Hannah's career decline may be attributed to Harvey Weinstein's inappropriate behavior, but she has remained busy with her activism, particularly in advocating for environmental sustainability and against climate change denial.

Daryl Hannah was one of the biggest movie stars of the '80s, but she has remained in relative obscurity in recent years, prompting fans to wonder what happened to the actress. Hannah began her film career in 1978 with a supporting role in The Fury. Four years later, she was cast as the replicant Pris in Blade Runner, which made her a highly sought-after actress for the remainder of the decade.

The first shots of Peter Weir’s Witness show an Amish community from over the tops of long grass, the camera’s point of view suggesting that of an inquisitive child. Even when the camera eventually moves closer to the Amish people at the center of the film, it maintains a certain emotional distance to them in order to convey their status as outsiders to the wider world all around them. That world immediately collides with their anachronistic existence in stark ways, with one farmer’s horse and buggy causing a traffic jam of cars behind him on a Pennsylvania road, and the idyllic countryside where the Amish reside gradually morphing into exurban sprawl of fast food chains and gas stations.

That culture clash becomes the bedrock for a thriller that kicks into motion when eight-year-old Samuel (Lukas Haas), the child of a recently widowed Amish woman, Rachel (Kelly McGillis...

Despite her absence in "Top Gun: Maverick," Kelly McGillis has had a successful career in film since the original "Top Gun" and has continued to act in various genres, particularly in the horror genre. In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian, reflecting on her struggles with self-acceptance and embracing her sexuality. In recent years, McGillis has shifted her focus to raising her daughters, committing to her sobriety, and teaching acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen, while also managing her genetic condition, alpha one antitrypsin disorder.

Fans of the original Top Gun might be wondering what happened to Kelly McGillis, especially since she didn't return for the blockbuster sequel, 2022's Top Gun: Maverick. Although McGillis continued to nab parts in big-name Hollywood films post-Top Gun, nothing quite topped her back-to-back successes in the mid-80s. A year before 1986's Top Gun, she starred in the...

"Top Gun: Maverick" is packed with nostalgia and callbacks to the original 1986 movie, including some legacy characters and familiar scenes. One thing viewers have noticed has changed, however, is who plays the love interest to Tom Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The sequel - which was nominated for six Academy Awards - sees Maverick, now decades into his career, wooing a bar owner (and daughter of an admiral) named Penny Benjamin. Here's what to know about Maverick's love interest.

Is Penny Benjamin in the Original "Top Gun"?

Penny, played by Jennifer Connelly, is not physically in the first "Top Gun" movie, but she does exist in it, though only mentioned in passing. She is never actually seen on screen.

In one scene, Maverick's past exploits are said to include "a history of high-speed passes over five air-control towers and one admiral's daughter," and Maverick's Bff Goose mutters Penny's name under...

August has been a significant month for Screambox, which celebrated the anniversary of Tobe Hooper’s original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, took a look back at the classic 1985 movie Clue in Who Done It: The Clue Documentary, got creature feature crazy with the sci-fi horror Subject, and had a blast with the Ghostbusters-inspired sci-fi horror comedy The Ghastly Brothers.

In addition to the extremely controversial The Woman hitting the streaming service last week, Screambox has now added Ti West‘s supernatural classic The Innkeepers, courtesy of MPI and Dark Sky Films!

“While director Ti West’s brand of slow burn horror tends to be divisive, as slow burn horror is in general, The Innkeepers presents itself as a worthy selection for being based around and shot in an actual haunted hotel; the Yankee Pedlar Inn,” writes Meagan Navarro.

In the film, “The Yankee Pedlar Inn is in the process of closing.

Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford received an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Ford received the Palme d’or d’honneur on Thursday evening as he was at the festival to launch Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The veteran actor was visibly moved as he accepted a standing ovation and the special award presented by Cannes director Iris Knobloch.

“They say when you’re about to die, you see your life flash before your eyes, and I just saw my life flash before my eyes,” Ford said after seeing a reel filled with a lifetime of performances in popular movies play on the big screen behind him. As he accepted the award at the Grand Theatre Lumière, Ford gave shout-outs to his wife, Calista Flockhart; castmembers Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge; and director James Mangold.

“I’m very moved by this…...

Actor Harrison Ford was presented with an honorary Palme d’Or Thursday. As the most prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival, it was given just minutes before the first public screening of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”

Ford joins a list of honorary Palme recipients that includes Ingmar Bergman, Jane Fonda, Clint Eastwood, Agnes Varda, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Tom Cruise, the last of whom received his honorary Palme before the Cannes premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022.

“They say when you die, you see your life flash before your eyes. I just saw my life flash before my eyes,” Ford said during his acceptance speech in reaction to the sizzle reel of his cinematic career. “A great part of my life, not all of it.”

Upon accepting his special Palm, here’s the speech Harrison Ford delivered. Love him. pic.twitter.com/ucoyAFzf5o

— Tomris Laffly (@TomiLaffly...

Harrison Ford will once again don the signature leather jacket and fedora of intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones when Disney unveils Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny at Cannes in an out-of-competition slot this year.

Directed by James Mangold, the film marks the fifth time Ford has played Indy and comes 15 years after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also premiered at the festival. But Ford, who will receive a special tribute at this year’s fest, never expected Indy — nor his other signature character, Star Wars’ Han Solo — to have such longevity.

When the actor visited Cannes in 1985 on behalf of Peter Weir’s crime thriller Witness, in which he played a police detective called upon to protect an Amish woman (Kelly McGillis) and her son, it provided the opportunity to show he was interested in doing more than high-octane blockbusters. Yet when he sat down with British journalist Barry Norman,...

This article contains a brief discussion of sexual assault.

With the 2022 release of Top Gun: Maverick bringing back only two of the original Top Gun actors, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, the question remains what happened to its original stars, including Kelly McGillis, who was Maverick's girlfriend in Top Gun. Top Gun: Maverick took a chance bringing Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly) into the story. The new Top Gun girlfriend was needed due to Maverick's breakup with Charlie in-universe. Outside the Top Gun: Maverick narrative though, there was a different reason Kelly McGillis didn't return for Top Gun 2.

Maverick's girlfriend in Top Gun was a warmly remembered element of the story, and many had spent the decades between Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick imagining they had a happily ever after. That wasn't the case, and — arguably quite realistically — the young lover's passionate-yet-whirlwind relationship ended. This wasn't necessarily the worst thing,...

The Top Gun cast contains some of the biggest stars of the 1980s, including a few who remain on the A-list many decades later. The Tony Scott-helmed action drama revolves around Lt Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a renegade fighter pilot who butts heads with his instructors at the titular U.S. Navy program. Maverick is surrounded by his fellow pilots, his instructors, and the military bureaucrats who try and fail to keep him in line. The Top Gun cast includes contemporary icons like Kelly McGillis and world-renowned movie stars whose fame has lasted, like Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer.

While it received mixed reviews upon its initial release, Top Gun struck a chord with audiences and became a huge box office smash. Top Gun was the biggest box office hit of 1986 and has since been reappraised as an action movie classic, even being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Top Gun: Maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick lived up to the iconic status of the original, but many fans were left wondering what happened to Charlie in Top Gun. More than three decades ago, Tony Scott's action drama movie for Paramount, Top Gun, hit the big screen. Not long after being sent to Topgun, hotshot pilot Maverick meets Charlie an astrophysicist and a civilian Topgun instructor at the academy. Despite Charlie's initial hesitation to start a romance with her student, they eventually engage in a relationship. However, the romance was clearly not meant to last with Maverick returning as a single man and no mention of what happened to Charlie in Top Gun: Maverick.

While the original Top Gun had elements of romance, with Charlie and Maverick's relationship adding to the frenetic narrative, it was never the sole focus of the film. Kelly McGillis...

Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski opens up about why he never saw the sequel as an action movie. Top Gun: Maverick put Tom Cruise back in the cockpit as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, reprising his role from 1986's original film. Picking up 30 years later, the movie follows Maverick as he is tasked with training a team of young pilots for an impossible mission. The film connected with audiences and critics alike, earning almost $1.5 billion at the worldwide box office while also garnering an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

While speaking with Vulture, Kosinski talked about how he never saw Top Gun: Maverick as an action movie. Despite being marketed as a big-budget action film featuring the stunts that have become expected from Cruise, the director focused on storytelling, ensuring that the action served the characters. While Top Gun: Maverick easily falls into the action genre, Kosinski put emotion first,...

Tom Whitlock, who wrote the lyrics for the rock anthem “Danger Zone” and the chart-topping love song “Take My Breath Away” for the original Top Gun, winning an Oscar in the process, has died. He was 68.

Whitlock died Saturday at a memory care center in Gallatin, Tennessee, a spokesperson at the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri, confirmed. He had Alzheimer’s disease, friends told the Springfield News Leader.

Whitlock wrote both Top Gun songs with Giorgio Moroder. Their relationship began when he fixed the brakes on the Italian composer’s Ferrari.

“Danger Zone,” performed by Kenny Loggins, was employed for the opening scene in the Tony Scott-directed, Tom Cruise-starring 1986 action movie, while “Take My Breath Away,” sung by Terri Nunn of Berlin, inspired the filmmakers to shoot additional scenes with Cruise and Kelly McGillis months later.

“Take My Breath Away” made it to No. 1 on the Billboard...

Nostalgia is a hell of a feeling, and if there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that it sells. Just look at the wild success of "Stranger Things" or "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." You can go back even further to a TV show like "The Wonder Years" and, before that, "Happy Days." As if we needed any more evidence that people love feeling nostalgic, though, all you need to do is look at what a phenomenon "Top Gun: Maverick" became in 2022. It earned the top spot at the box office with a gross of nearly 1.5 billion, and beyond that, it was also critically lauded and even snagged a nomination for Best Picture at the 95th Academy Awards.

There's just something about seeing old characters and references that audiences love. It gives us comfort. But that's why it's a little surprising that the team behind "Top Gun: Maverick...

Welcome back, dear readers! It’s a new year, and it’s time for more new (to me) horror flicks. We’re kicking 2023 off with a flick from Ti West, a dude who had a hell of a 2022 with not one but two hit films in X and Pearl. But today we’re going to be taking a trip back into his earlier filmography, and our companion will be the great Emily von Seele. In addition to being a Senior Contributor right here at Daily Dead, you probably also know Emily as a regular co-host on the Dead Ringers podcast (I’m in the process of collecting all the Dead Ringers hosts as I’ve previously chatted with Nolan McBride and Philip Yount). Emily’s knowledge about horror films knows no bounds, and she brings an infectious enthusiasm to her discussion about the genre.

There’s no one I...

With the 2023 Oscar nominations announced today, "Top Gun: Maverick" is flying high with six nominations including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and, finally, Best Original Song for the Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand." Seeing how the long awaited sequel almost single-handedly brought the moviegoing public back to theaters after the pandemic, the recognition today for Best Picture didn't seem to surprise that many people. Not only is it one of the best sequels ever made, it's grossed almost 1.5 billion at the box office. That kind of mammoth success doesn't usually translate to Oscar gold, but Tom Cruise and company delivered a surprisingly emotional follow-up that doesn't just thrill the audience with aerial acrobatics. It actually has heart. 

One nomination that is a little unexpected is Adapted Screenplay. At first glance, the script doesn't seem in concert with the dialogue-heavy screenplays that usually prick up the ears of voters.

Penny Benjamin, played by Jennifer Connelly, steps in to fill a difficult gap with her character in the much-anticipated “Top Gun” sequel.

Taking on the mantle of Maverick’s love interest after Kelly McGillis’ Charlie of the original film, Penny carries with her an emotionally mature presence that echoes that of her predecessor.

Penny brings a strong female character to the forefront of the story while showcasing the traditional vices of Maverick’s bachelor life. It remains to be seen if Penny will become another token girlfriend or a precursor to a relationship like no other seen before in Top Gun or elsewhere.

“Top Gun: Maverick” has all the makings of a blockbuster sequel, with an exciting storyline and high-budget graphics. However, one major detail has been missing since its announcement: the absence of Kelly McGillis as Charlie Blackwood.

McGillis’s rejection of the role stirred up a storm of...

New year, new Netflix! January 2023’s slate can keep viewers entertained amidst all the gray skies and rainstorms, with new original films like “Dog Gone” starring Rob Lowe to classics like “Forrest Gump” starring Tom Hanks. Those who can’t get enough of the adrenaline of “Top Gun: Maverick” can stream the original film on Netflix now, too.

Other genres well-represented in the batch of new titles on Netflix in January include the whodunnit and rom-com, with several options like “The Pale Blue Eye” and “You People” landing as Netflix originals. For those in a more serious mood, “Brokeback Mountain” is now available. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” promises fun for the whole family with Illumination animation, child-favorite characters and a throwback to songs of the seventies for parents.

Here are some of the best new movies to watch on Netflix in January 2023:

Also Read:

The 25 Best New Movies...

Harrison Ford is one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world, in no small part thanks to his iconic roles as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and globe-trotting archaeologist Indiana Jones. But with a career spanning nearly 60 years, Ford has brought plenty of memorable roles to the silver screen outside of the two Lucasfilm franchises, often to critical and commercial success. Sometimes his beloved roles in blockbuster franchises overshadow his extensive filmography. From tense political thrillers to character-driven dramatic pieces, Ford has displayed an enormous range of talent.

Yes, we love him as Han Solo and Indiana Jones. But we're here to highlight and celebrate 10 other characters Ford has brought to life. Some of these roles are popular and well-known, and others are criminally underappreciated. With Ford showing no signs of slowing down in his career, here's to hoping for many more characters to come from the living...

Despite her role in Top Gun as Goose's wife, Top Gun: Maverick's cast did not include Meg Ryan. Over 30 years after the original movie hit theaters, Top Gun: Maverick brought back Tom Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell for another story filled with young, competitive Navy pilots, as well as intense and realistic flying sequences. However, without Meg Ryan Top Gun 2 had a noticeable difference. Years before developing a reputation as a romantic comedy star, then-24-year-old Meg Ryan appeared in a minor role in Top Gun. Back then in 1986, the actress' Hollywood career had yet to take off. Meg Ryan's Top Gun character was Carole Bradshaw, wife of Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards). Goose dies in the Top Gun movie, but his infant son is all grown up in Top Gun: Maverick, and played by Spiderhead star Miles Teller. However, his mother never returns.

The Meg Ryan Top Gun 2...

While Top Gun’s romance was a minor misfire, Top Gun: Maverick’s Penny/Maverick relationship learned a lot from the unnecessary subplot. The late, great Top Gun director Tony Scott knew how to frame a memorably beautiful image better than most filmmakers. As a result, it is sometimes easy to forget how underwhelming the writing in the 1986 cult classic is when faced with fond memories of Top Gun’s many unforgettably glamorous images. This is what leads many viewers to skim over how weak Maverick and Charlie’s Top Gun relationship is.

While Top Gun: Maverick’s streaming release proved the sequel works as well on the small screen as the big screen, Top Gun’s bombastic story needed a forgiving theater audience. Upon a re-watch, the relationship between Charlie and Maverick is a distraction from the rest of Top Gun’s plot that could be excised without affecting the story.

Top Gun: Maverick may have been dethroned as 2022's highest-grossing movie by Avatar: The Way of Water, but with its breathtaking dog fights and a plot that's simple and fun, Maverick is still hugely popular with film fans.

While those who've contributed to the box office figures are familiar with everything that happens in the movie, plenty of behind-the-scenes details remain unknown to the public. These details range from facts about the actors to the production process as a whole.

Updated on January 8th, 2023, by David Caballero: Top Gun: Maverick is undeniably one of the most popular films of 2022. Months after its record-breaking release, the movie keeps sparking conversations, which can only bode well for its awards season chances. And with each new day that passes, new details about the movie emerge, whether because its actors reveal them during interviews or because the powers that be behind the film...

Top Gun: Maverick didn't bring back Charlie Blackwood (Kelly McGillis), Pete's romantic partner in Top Gun, and instead introduced the character of Penny. Though surprising, the change was ultimately better for the film. Maverick picks up more than three decades after its predecessor, with Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) serving as a test pilot before he is tasked with training a new generation of pilots for a dangerous assignment. The film was deeply rooted in the mythology of Top Gun. Aside from Mitchell himself, the sequel also brought back Val Kilmer's Iceman and focused on the relationship between Pete and Goose's son, Rooster (Miles Teller).

However, there was a pivotal Top Gun character that did not return for Top Gun: Maverick: Charlie Blackwood. An astrophysicist civilian instructor, Blackwood became Mitchell's romantic partner, with their relationship serving as one of the pillars of the movie. Top Gun's...

“Top Gun: Maverick” is, without a doubt, one of Hollywood’s biggest success stories. The long-awaited follow-up to the 1986 cult classic film “Top Gun,” “Maverick’s” domestic theatrical gross soared over 700 million; making it one of the top 5 highest-grossing North American films of all time, alongside “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Avatar.”

There are a lot of things about “Maverick” that make it worthy of such sweeping success: epic, adrenaline-pinching stunts performed by the franchise’s frontman Tom Cruise, whip-smart dialogue and heartwarming friendships and relationships that are impossible not to root for.

But one of the elements that audiences are most taken with in the new film is that it is a great throwback experience that provides the perfect dosage of nostalgia from “Top Gun.” With that in mind, we saw it high time we look back at the characters in the...

A secret Top Gun: Maverick Easter egg perfectly proves the movie's best storytelling trick to honor the franchise's legacy. More than three decades in the making, the Top Gun sequel brings back Tom Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, who struggles with both his professional and personal life. Top Gun: Maverick was a commercial hit for Paramount, becoming Cruise's top-grossing movie. A big part of its success stems from the way the film moved Maverick's story forward while also paying homage to the legacy of the Top Gun franchise.

One particular Easter egg perfectly proves how the Paramount sequel expertly balanced its storytelling approach. Specifically, Top Gun: Maverick sampled the audio of Slider's howl from the volleyball scene in the original movie for Hangman during the recreated Top Gun beach scene, confirmed by the movie's editor (via Twitter). This effectively summarizes Top Gun: Maverick's storytelling approach when calling back...

Top Gun: Maverick's How It Should Have Ended video shows Maverick reuniting with Goose so many times. The sequel to Tony Scott's cult classic Top Gun, Maverick was more than three decades in the making, but it proved to be worth it. The Joseph Kosinski-directed movie was not only critically-acclaimed, but it was also a massive box-office success for both Tom Cruise and Paramount. The film reunites fans with Maverick as he deals with some of his hang-ups from the past, including the unexpected death of his former Rio, Goose. His feeling of guilt was exacerbated by having to work with his dead flying partner's son, Rooster.

Prior to Top Gun: Maverick's release, there were theories that it will end with the death of Maverick. The marketing campaign for the film leaned on this idea, which heightened the public's emotional investment in the film. While Maverick survived the events of the movie,...

The 13th Annual Governors Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Saturday night came in with a vengeance. It was, perhaps, the biggest crowd of industry notables, Oscar contenders, and others I can ever remember at one of these events, where AMPAS hands out honorary Academy Awards.

It is a non-televised event, which means the recipients can go on as long as they like with their acceptance speeches, and so, for that matter, can the presenters. The good news is this particular foursome of honorary winners, Peter Weir, Euzhan Palcy, Diane Warren, and Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Michael J. Fox, each made some of the most heartfelt and compelling speeches ever heard at the Governors Awards. It was an evening to remember.

Of course those who know this event, which basically kicks off the Oscar season and bookends it with the actual Academy Awards ceremony (coming...

In last year's documentary "Val," Val Kilmer talks about his Broadway debut in "The Slab Boys." He was originally cast in the lead role but got bumped down to second lead when Kevin Bacon was suddenly available. Then, when Sean Penn also became free, he was relegated to the third-best part. You can still hear the resentment, but then the proud professional takes over as he quotes the old adage: "There are no small parts, only small actors."

I always found a disconnect between Kilmer's sun-kissed good looks and his pouting aloofness. It was like he thought he was the smartest guy in the room and was waiting for everyone else to catch up. The documentary makes some of these contradictions more understandable: As a precocious talent, he was the youngest person ever accepted by the Juilliard School's prestigious Drama Division at the time, driven in pursuit of excellence by...

When Tom Cruise's Joel Goodsen danced across a wooden floor in his underwear as a teenage pimp in "Risky Business," he became an '80s heartthrob. Early in his career, Cruise could have remained as a teen-mag pinup type. Instead, he became a superstar badass known for films like the "Mission Impossible" franchise. Shortly after "Risky Business," Cruise played a young, ambitious football star in a nowhere town in "All the Right Moves." He then portrayed Jack, the heroic savior of damsels in distress in "Legend."

Ridley Scott's fantastical tale of good vs. evil was widely panned by critics. Over the years, it has become a cult-classic hit. Putting aside the possible cinematic shortcomings of "Legend," it surprisingly led to the emergence of one of America's most successful action stars and most beloved action films of all time.

It Had Things I Love: Movies And Aviation.

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First published August 7th, 2022, on Substack and Patreon.

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It’s been a miserable summer in the northern hemisphere of record-breaking wildfires, heatwaves, floods and droughts, and yet even as incontrovertible evidence...