This Was the Week That Was

How was your work at week?

Here's mine:
















































Yes, that's my week at work, all right. And don't worry too much about the pilot in the picture - it's a bit of faux photography by Wesley David Archer, a model maker for films in the 1930's, when he created this fiery tableau.

Hope everyone heading into a long weekend will have a wonderful break. I know I need one.

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!

Wordless Wednesday - 11