Welcome to MovieJawn’s Split Decision! Each week, Ryan will pose a question to our staff of knowledgeable and passionate film lovers and share the responses. Chime in on Twitter, Facebook, our Instagram, or in the comments below.

This week’s question:

In honor of Val Kilmer's documentary VAL, what is your favorite Val Kilmer performance?

I really like Kilmer’s performance in the little-seen The Salton Sea, which shows that he could be great in noir-tinged films. (In contrast, I hate his offensive performance in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) He is tough and befuddled here, which plays to his strengths. –Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

Having just re-watched Batman Forever, I was reminded just how much I like Kilmer in the dual-role of Bruce Wayne / Batman (spoiler alert!). He’s kind of underplaying both characters, bringing a serene calm to both men that I think really works for the role and is in contrast to every other actor that’s played the part on screen. And in general, I think this movie has aged quite well, despite its reputation. –Garrett Smith, Staff Writer

To me, Kilmer has done a lot of great work in a lot of things, but he'll forever be synonymous with Doc Holliday in Tombstone. He's fantastic. In a movie full of great lines and performances, he somehow still manages to steal the show. And it's not just a flashy role with great quips and one-liners (like "I'm your huckleberry"), he has quiet moments of pain and reflection. It's a great performance, one of the all-time best. –Billy Russell, Staff Writer

Val Kilmer was pretty big when I was growing up in the 90’s. I didn’t see Heat until later when I was in college, but that to me is now the first one that comes to mind when I think of him. As the wild man Chris Shiherlis (great name), he’s kind of the younger brother to Robert DeNiro’s Neil Macauley. He seems like mostly an impulsive, thorn in the side supporting character until the central set-piece- the bank heist street shootout- when he becomes practically a co-lead. You could have told me that Kilmer was an ex-marine, and I would believe it. He is so cold, calculating and proficient in this scene, it is truly something to behold.–A. Freedman, Staff Writer

Willow provided a vehicle for a wide range of emotions and Kilmer more than delivered. Mad Martigan is both tough and funny, negotiates and charms his way out of a literal death trap, but can’t keep his wits about him when ensnared by love. - Stacey Osbeck, Staff Writer

For younger Kilmer, for me it’s Real Genius. For modern Kilmer, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. –Audrey Callerstrom, Staff Writer

I can only echo Audrey and Billy here. My favorite Val Kilmer roles are Doc Holliday in Tombstone and Gay Perry in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. –Melissa Strong, Contributor

Of course, being the age I am, my first big exposure to Val Kilmer was because of Batman Forever - we were a big superhero house even before the crazy really popped off. Not to mention my mom’s undying love for Kilmer kind of meant he was on the TV often, even before I could comprehend the stories. But as a proper adult, making their own movie choices and developing their own taste, nothing hits quite like his performance in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. That performance is so stunningly funny and absolutely iconic. Yes, Shane Black’s writing kills, but he really allowed Kilmer to shine with dry humor and fun action. The man deserves all the quotable lines in the world! –Emily Maesar, Staff Writer

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shane Black’s directorial debut, is a dark comedy noir. I think. The truth is, this unusual crime movie is all over the place, giving Robert Downey Jr plenty of room for his antics. Michelle Monaghan plays his old high school sweetheart with charisma and charm, but the best thing in this piece is Val Kilmer playing the private eye Perry van Shrike, as a hard-boiled tough guy out of Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, a heavy down to the loaded forty-five and the fedora, who also happens to be queer as hell. Tough gay guys were not a thing in movies in 2005, and they are not much more of thing now, but Kilmer’s performance is so smooth and so confident that he steals the show from two other highly capable actors. I won’t bother with the plot because I can’t remember it now, and probably didn’t follow it then. Film noir is never about the plot, it’s about the atmosphere. But Kilmer slays in this picture, his update on the classic private eye located somewhere between camp and pastiche, and utterly original. –Kevin Bresnahan, Contributor

While Kilmer has been great in many things over the years, he inserted himself into my psyche so early in my life with his big screen debut in the ridiculously silly Top Secret! This was followed up by his portrayal of Chris Knight and his serenely ambivalent intelligence in Real Genius. Every time I rewatch this film it becomes clearer what a guiding light it has been in my life. Knight refused to have his creativity be stomped down by those that just wanted to use his intellect for harm rather than good. –Benjamin Leonard, Best Boy