Feeling the need for speed? 'Top Gun' twinbill on deck this weekend

Greg Jaklewicz, Abilene Reporter-News
·2 min read
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This ought to play well in Abilene.

This weekend, the Paramount Theatre presents a "Top Gun" twinbill.

Not just one "Gun," but two.

And it's Military Appreciation Month.

The 1986 movie, simply titled "Top Gun," and the 2022 followup "Top Gun: Maverick" will show back to back Friday and Saturday.

Tom Cruise returned to the big screen in 2022 as Maverick in an update of "Top Gun."
Tom Cruise returned to the big screen in 2022 as Maverick in an update of "Top Gun."

The showings start at 6 each night, with the original first and last year's movie next.

Both films star Tom Cruise, with a short return appearance in "Maverick" by Val Kilmer.

The popular soundtrack features the hit song "Danger Zone," and the phrase "I feel the need, the need for speed" has been repeated often since the original film came out in 1986.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children.

Cruise will be admitted at no charge.

Headhunters are back

Kentucky Headhunters drummer Fred Young performs with the band during Friday's Outlaws & Legends Music Fest at the Back Porch of Texas in Abilene March 25, 2022.
Kentucky Headhunters drummer Fred Young performs with the band during Friday's Outlaws & Legends Music Fest at the Back Porch of Texas in Abilene March 25, 2022.

When the Kentucky Headhunters performed at the 2022 Outlaws & Legends Music Festival, the boys in the band expressed how much they enjoyed finally getting back to Abilene and were appreciative of the crowd's response.

Well, the boys are back in town.

They will play Potosi Live on Thursday night.

More: Heading back to Abilene: Kentucky Headhunters have stayed true to southern upbringing

Thursday night at the movies

The film "The Thin Red Line" will show at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. It's part of ArtWalk activities.

The movie follows the return of Private Witt (Jim Caviezel) to World War II after he is tracked down on a South Pacific Island by his CO, Sgt. Welch (Sean Penn). He fights in the battle for Guadalcanal.

"The Thin Red Line" was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Adrien Brody, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte and John Travolta are part of a big-name cast in this war movie. May is Military Appreciation Month.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children.

Released in 1998, the film is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Book Signing

Local authors Bill Wright and Marianne Wood will sign copies of "Celia Hill’s Headin’ West," a journal about the Big Bend borderlands region, from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Texas Star Trading Company in downtown Abilene, 174 Cypress St.

For information, call 325 672-9696.

Live music around town

FRIDAY

  • Christy Patton, Potosi Live, 897 FM 1750

  • Sami Brown, The Ice House, 173 Walnut St.

  • Holt Jones, Mulligans, 1166 Ben Richey Drive

  • Matt Austin, Betty Rose's, 3934 Catclaw Drive

SATURDAY

  • KISS "Rock & Roll Over," Heff's Burger & Bar, Mall of Abilene

  • Matt and Michelle Ellis, Moose Mountain Coffee Bar, 817 S. Second St.

  • Taylor Branch, Potosi Live, 897 FM 1750

  • Kirk House, The Ice House, 173 Walnut St.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Feeling the need for speed? 'Top Gun' twinbill on deck this weekend