Thursday, August 2, 2007

Thursday Thirteen - 17 - 13 Reasons Why Gerard Butler is My Favorite Actor

1 - He was willing to be strapped onto a board, held under lakewater, then sprung forcefully up on a lever purely for a cool shot in "Dracula 2000". Which didn't make it into the final cut. But it was in the special features!














2 - He was willing to do multiple takes (read: all day) hanging upside down in a harness, being lowered quickly down a cliff for an action sequence in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider". Since I have a fear of heights, just thinking about this stunt makes me squeamish.















3 - He shot "Beowulf and Grendel" under extreme weather conditions in Iceland, when the film's financing failed to finalize until the last week of shooting.




























4 - He rescultped his body to play a Spartan king for "300"
















5 - He took a respectable, raw singing voice and trained it to sing as The Phantom for Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera". His version stands alongside any other trained singer's interpretation. And his intense emotion makes his version stand above all the others, in my not-so-humble opinion.















6 - Gerry's vulnerable and poignant performance in the British miniseries "The Jury". He plays a man on the fragile edge of a recovering alcoholic with assurance and depth.
















7 - Gerry's subtle, masculine performance as The Stranger in "Dear Frankie".

















8 - "Timeline" - knows how to shine without overshadowing an ensemble piece.
















9 - His 100% energy and committed performance in a 15 minute short called "Please!" He plays a writer and has a scene to which I think we can all relate.













10 - No holding back on the soccer moves. And no mats for cushy movie-star landings in "The Game of Their Lives".
















11 - Dressed to Kilt fundraiser

If you thought it took guts to stroll around a film set in a leather speedo for "300", that was nothin' compared to walking the catwalk in a pink sweater and leather kilt.


















12 - He has a go-get-em fan base often referred to as Gerry's Tartan Army, a networking bunch who have pushed for wider distribution for his indie films. They've made a huge difference to the filmmakers of these smaller-budget films, and Gerry is never short on sharing the love when he meets up with them.

Gerry is surprised by how many of his supporters showed up to a "Tonight Show" taping








Gerry breaks ranks from his official seating to say hi to the Tartan Army at the Toronto International Film Festival Premiere of "Beowulf and Grendel"











Gerry salutes his Tartan Army at "The Game of Our Lives" premiere










Also, Gerry spreads more love by frequently attending movie premieres of films which are not his own projects, but to support his co-stars from films he's worked on. I admire that!

"Batman Begins" premiere in Tokyo - supporting his "Reign of Fire" co-star Christian Bale














"Young Adam" premiere - supporting his "Dear Frankie" co-star Emily Mortimer







13 - His voice and Scottish accent. I'm a sucker for a sexy voice. His is king!






22 comments:

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I'm too busy drooling and being in awe of this man to comment properly... he's one hell of a role model, huh?

Julie S said...

How ironic...just had my hair done and my hairdresser was going on about Gerard Butler and the 300. She even showed me some particularly good scenes of his pecs and abs that she had stored on her iPod. Very educational...

But yeah, I like him too :-)

Kailana said...

You know, until now I had no idea who played the Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera which is rather sad considering how many times I have seen it. I always meant to look it up, yet never did...

I really need to see 300, and about a billion other movies. They are always on my to do list...

Gattina said...

I am ashamed, but I don't know this actor ! but I have to admit that he is a very handsome guy !

April said...

It really helps that he's so hot... REALLY HOT! ;o)

Janna said...

I love Scottish accents as well. :)

Akelamalu said...

COR!

Unknown said...

What an enjoyable way to start the morning - pics of GB.

Unknown said...

I have 300!! I've been drooling over the case because I haven't watched it at home yet. Going to wait for friends of mine to come watch it with us this weekend.

Love that movie.

And Dear Frankie is a sweet film.

Angela/SciFiChick said...

He is one fine looking man!

Rhian said...

OMG! Man in a Kilt! Man in a Kilt!!!! Squeeeee! Whew! That was delish.

Kelly Boyce said...

I wish my hairdresser stored pics of Gerry's abs on his iPod. Damn my hairdresser for being straight!

Great list of 13, Julia!

Amy Ruttan said...

Ahhh that so brightened my day. OF couse I knew all that too! He is so ... sorry I'm drooling on my keyboard.

Sparky Duck said...

all gerald Butler, all the time

Karina said...

AND he's hot! Sigh...thanks for the eye candy!

Happy TT!!

Camille Alexa said...

Loved him in The Jury, but adored him in Reign of Fire!

Tilly Greene said...

Gerard Butler is one of those men who only get better looking with age..and if he'd just keep the kilt on I'd be a happy camper :-)

Tink said...

He may not be my favourite but he definitely is a hunk and a good actor!
Thanks for visiting my geography TT!

Anonymous said...

Any man who can look hot in a pink sweater and kilt (or a potato sack for that matter) is okay in my book. ;)
Blessings,
~Toni~

Flowerpot said...

fascinating Julia - glad to meet you. I'll be back!

Anonymous said...

14. He is still close and had the full support of his family even after telling them that his path of being a lawyer as a career has changed to become an actor. The support can be seen as several of his family members appear at this movie premiere’s, but well know attendance of his mother at the TombRadier2 Premiere where she also greeting his ‘Tart’ and ‘Non-Tart’ Fan base right at his side.

Anonymous said...

Well, that was an enjoyable five minutes of blog surfing. We have so many pleasures in common, Julia - all 13 on your list :).

Julianne