Full Moon Dreaming: Early Happy Birthday, Gary!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Early Happy Birthday, Gary!

Those people who know me well know that my favorite obsession...er, actor... is Englishman Gary Oldman. I've been head over heels for him for over eighteen years. He's just as beautiful to me now as he was then, even more so. I'm sorry that he lost his bid for an Oscar this year for his performance in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, but being nominated was something, anyway. As far as I'm concerned, the Oscars are fairly meaningless, as they are not a true barometer of talent, or what was the best in any given field, but a political fashion statement. But let's put that aside and concentrate on Gary, shall we? I would have done this tomorrow, but tomorrow's Wednesday, and that means Wednesday Brief, so a day early.

Gary was born March 21, 1958. I am not going to give his bio here, it's easy to find. I'm just going to post some pics and say Happy Birthday to a very talented and incredibly handsome man!

I think this is my favorite picture of him ever!

He was so dead sexy in this! Who could tell this man no? Not me! I loved the backstory with Mina in this. I cried when she broke his heart for that sissy Harker (horribly played by Keanu Reeves). This version comes closest to the book that I've seen. I really hate the Frank Langella version. I saw it at the theatre and wanted my money back.

From the movie he was nominated for, Tinker Tailor Soldier, Spy. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to see it yet, but I hear it's quite good.

Apparently, Gary gave up the Golden Globes to wear Prada. And yes, he once played the Devil. Appropriate! Not to mention, he looks very hot in that. Of course, he looks hot in anything - or nothing!

Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather. I had loved Sirius before Gary got the role, I only loved him more afterward. My all-time favorite HP character, the one I've played the most, and written more fanfiction about. He didn't die, by the way. That was a vicious rumour started by Lord Voldemort. (Shhh, don't try to burst my bubble!)

Here lies Mason Verger... literally. Character from Hannibal. I love the Hannibal series, and was totally ecstatic when Gary got this role. If you didn't know it was him, you wouldn't recognize him. He added his own touch to the part, of course. If you watched the movie but didn't read the book, let me tell you that that was not how Mason died, being thrown to the boars by Cordell. His sister killed him, using a huge eel. But Margot Verger is missing from the film. I believe there were credit issues involved with this film.

I really liked Shelley Runyon (obviously, I use the name in my email!) Surprisingly, since Shelley is a staunch Republican and rather conservative. Although he is painted as the villain in The Contender, he really isn't, and he is simply upholding his ideals. However, there were issues with the script, I know. Makes me wonder if movie studios aren't as difficult as publishers to work with at times.

Norman Stansfield - The Professional. I love this film, and I love Gary in it! This is one I can get my son to watch with me, also the next one I'm going to post. This was Natalie Portman's first film, and she's awesome in it.

Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg - The Fifth Element. This may have been written when Luc Besson was a teenager - and yes, in some ways you can tell it is - but it's still a good film and I never get tired of it.

Commissioner James Gordon - Batman Begins and Dark Knight. Great films, I loved them, can't wait for the next one. My daughter likes to refer to him here as Ned Flanders, because of his moustache.