Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 16
Friday, November 16, 2007
In praise of the magnetic Gary Oldman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
As I was flying back to Atlanta from Los Angeles, I was watching the recent “Harry Potter” movie. As I was watching Gary Oldman playing Sirius Black, I began thinking of previous roles that Mr. Oldman has played that I have truly enjoyed. I was wondering how you rate Mr. Oldman in his craft and would you mind listing a few of your favorite roles Mr. Oldman has played.
HOWARD FANNING, Atlanta
Dear I Wouldn’t Mind At All,
There are actors who are consummate actors. Then there are actors who are celebrity hogs (John Travolta), actors who were once great and now simply yell (Al Pacino), actors who shouldn’t squint their eyes so much (Renee Zellweger) and actors who are so full of it, they’re about to burst open (for starters, Thomas Jane, Cuba Gooding Jr., and the ever-dreaded Gwyneth Paltrow).
Gary Oldman belongs in the first group. He also makes my list of the most underrated actors. That esteemed company includes Jeffrey Wright, Don Cheadle, Ryan Gosling, Viggo Mortensen, John C. Reilly and now, after “Gone Baby Gone” and especially “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” one Casey Affleck.
Among others showing great promise lately: Emile Hirsch, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Page (wait till you see “Juno”).
As for my favorite Oldman movies, I will admit that while I have not seen them all, I have endured his haircut in “The Fifth Element.”
His performances I really admire (in order): “Sid and Nancy” (1986), “True Romance” (1993), “Prick Up Your Ears” (1987), “Air Force One” (1997) and “Dracula” (1992).
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Fred Claus” coffee mug and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Readers,
As usual, there are plenty of you out there who seem to take it personally when one of my “lists” — like the recent compilation of my 20 favorite war movies — doesn’t include your personal favorite.
Clearly, the bulk of mankind must believe that people pick their friends by the movies they prefer and so many are now worried that I might not like them. That’s probable, I guess. But I say take heart, my potential friend. You can change.
To wit:
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Either you forgot about “The Deer Hunter,” or it was No. 21.
ROBERT W. GRAVES, Atlanta
Dear Mau!
It was No. 23.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Michael Clayton” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I agree with many of your war movie picks, and was surprised to see “Zulu” in there, which was great. But “Platoon” was very overrated. Too dramatic and corny. “Hamburger Hill,” which was released shortly after “Platoon,” depicted an actual battle with reasonable accuracy, was much shorter and far more believable.
You “followed the herd” by picking “Platoon.” Remember, it needs to be real and believable when you’re talking actual history. This isn’t “Harry Potter.”
BRIAN MORROW, Atlanta
Dear It’s Your Right To Be Wrong,
Moo.
Let’s also be accurate. I don’t follow the herd. I lead it.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Harry Potter” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Thank you for the great article on war movies. Three that came to me were (1) “The Longest Day,” (2) “Midway” and (3) “Tora Tora Tora.”
I guess I will have to rent some of those you listed since I haven’t heard of them. They must be really good.
BARRY HEARD, Loganville
Dear Old School,
Those yours truly listed aren’t just really good. They are great.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “The Brave One” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Alan Smithee
