The 12 Days of Christmas – Day 4: ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’

2008’s Iron Man undoubtedly made Robert Downey Jr. the biggest star in the world, but 2005’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is, I think at least, the movie that proved Downey was serious about being an actor again. All that charming aloofness, smart-alickiness, and smirking attractiveness were on display in director Shane Black’s film, and the two have since played nice together – just look to Iron Man 3 for proof.

But this is a series about Christmas movies, so let’s talk about Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which is set during the season. A twisty-turny neo noir adapted by Black from the original pulpy novel by Brett Halliday, the movie is a movie about making movies, about what actors do when they act, about the ins and outs of Hollywood and how crummy and deceitful and entertaining and cynical it all can get. So here are the five reasons why you should make Kiss Kiss Bang Bang part of your Christmas movie rotation – and yes, Michelle Monaghan makes an appearance. Prepare your lustful jets.

+ Reason 1: Because these opening credits are amazing. The animation! That music! The nod to the original novel! Yes, yes.

+ Reason 2: RDJ’s narration! As the protagonist, petty-criminal-turned-actor Harry, he’s so smug and meta, it’s a lovely thing. No line of dialogue is wasted, but it’s also not overwritten, which means you get gems like this: “Don't worry, I saw Lord of the Rings. I'm not going to end this 17 times.” Who can deny that level of self-awareness? And all that fourth-wall breaking? No one.

+ Reason 3: Val Kilmer. Does anyone miss Val Kilmer like I miss Val Kilmer? Sometimes I think about him in Heat, and it makes me miss his hot ‘90s days, and then I watch Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and I laugh and laugh and laugh and I wish he would have gotten more shots at being a comedic actor. His take-no-bullshit attitude, coupled with RDJ’s absurdity, make them an excellent pair. Oh, and Kilmer’s playing against type as a private detective named Gay Perry who is, you know, gay. Just watch Kilmer’s facial expressions whenever RDJ is doing something. The man redefines the depths of a smirk.

+ Reason 4: Michelle Monaghan … 

… because obviously.

+ Reason 5: The one line you should say to all your loved ones this holiday season.

I mean, I know I will be.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is available through Netflix’s disc service and can be rented through Amazon’s InstantVideo.  

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Watch the First Trailer for Gia Coppola's 'Palo Alto' Starring James Franco and Emma Roberts

Much has been made of the various side projects James Franco has become involved with, whether it's a reality show, or adapting acclaimed novels such as Child of God or As I Lay Dying. But it goes even further than that, and a couple of years ago he published a collection of short stories titled Palo Alto, which was met with the usual helping of cynicism anything by the actor generally receives. With Telluride kicking off today, the first trailer for the big screen adaptation of Palo Alto has arrived, and no Franco isn't behind the camera, but in front of it.

Trying her hand at the family business, Gia Coppola writes and directs the film which takes place in the titular city and tells multiple intertwined stories. Franco plays a soccer coach, with Emma Roberts as a young babysitter he takes too much of an interest in. She seems to be friends with two troubled kids played by Jack Kilmer and Nat Wolff. Kilmer's father, Val, also makes an appearance. There are splashes of many different approaches here, but the most obvious influence appears to be Gia's sister, Sofia.

Palo Alto premieres at Telluride this weekend and is also part of the TIFF line-up. [Vulture]

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