The Two Ways of loving The Dolph

[dolphage]

Someone help me understand.
All this talk about Dolph "doing drama" and so on.... I don´t get it. Why the hell are you a Dolphfan if you don´t like action?
The way I figure it is like this:
There are Two Ways of loving The Dolph.

NR 1. YOU LOVE ACTION.
You love it when shit blows up on screen and you love coreographed fight scenes that end in broken bones and people getting thrown through windows.
Therefor, you love THE ULTIMATE ONE MAN ARMY- Dolph Lundgren, the only one of the action heroes who you would seriosly beleive could take out twenty ninjas (ninjas are badass, mind you) at the same time.
And you love THE ULTIMATE BAD GUY- Dolph Lundgren, the only one of the action heroes that can actually act! And when playing evil always acts circles around his co-stars and is truly menacing, overpowering and entertaining.

or...

NR. 2. YOU ARE SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO DOLPH
I mean, if dudes are your thing (i.e you are a chick or gay, nothing wrong with that) the Dolphino is THE ULTIMATE CRUSH.
And that also explains why you are not into the action aspect so much but rather just like him cause he looks good. Thusly it doesn´t matter if shit blows up in his movies as long as he takes his shirt off. And then you might even prefer it if he takes his shirt of in a "nice setting" like a... peaceful waterfall... with a pan flute melody playing in the background (or whatever) to him taking his shirt of in a desert with bullets flying and grenades exploding.

Am I missing one Way of loving The Dolph?

[Jox]

The Jox way...
So let's sum it up: you always loved action flicks (ie. mostly 80-90s stuff but not today's non-sense crap), you're not gay, and you also love more artsy stuff (because you 're a genuine film buff and yeah took film studies in college) and so you wouldn't mind Dolph doing some serious work which could also bring him/you a little more respect among intellectual crowds...

I probably will be hated for this but say... Dolph in an eerie, mystical, twisted, sad, awesome love story like THE FOUNTAIN ?! or even something like SIXTH SENSE or UNBREAKABLE (not to say a David Lynch or a Takeshi Kitano movie)....

[Mosquito]

Am I missing one Way of loving The Dolph?

Absolutely.

3. YOU LOVE ACTION. PLUS, YOU THINK THAT DOLPH IS THE (SECOND) SEXIEST MAN ALIVE

Second because I am married.

I love it when shit blows up on screen, there are choreographed fight scenes (preferably without firearms - MoW is a nice exception) and Dolph takes his shirt of in a nice setting... like, shit blows up behind him or an opponent rips of his shirt during a choreographed martial arts fight. Red Scorpion or The Punisher are nice examples. Though I don't like his appearance in The Punisher. Blond and healthy is better.

Yes, there are people who love action movies and darn good looking men. Even if those men have no sexual attraction. UniSol: Great fights, things blow up galore, Dolph acts fantastically and is shown without shirt, and even Van Dumb shows his nice butt (of course). I don't like Van Damme but he sure has a nice butt and knows how to look good in a fight. No wonder he pushes it into the camera in every darn movie.

Dolph in a drama? Hm. The man is my favourite actor but I don't think he would be good in a drame, especially when there's no action. Nah. A comedy? Yes (if it's not something horrible like Fat Slags), please!

PS:

Dolph Lundgren, the only one of the action heroes that can actually act!

You haven't seen Rocky I or Copland. Crying Freeman. Total Recall.

[bomaz]

The Jox way...
So let's sum it up: you always loved action flicks (ie. mostly 80-90s stuff but not today's non-sense crap), you're not gay, and you also love more artsy stuff (because you 're a genuine film buff and yeah took film studies in college) and so you wouldn't mind Dolph doing some serious work which could also bring him/you a little more respect among intellectual crowds...

I probably will be hated for this but say... Dolph in an eerie, mystical, twisted, sad, awesome love story like THE FOUNTAIN ?! or even something like SIXTH SENSE or UNBREAKABLE (not to say a David Lynch or a Takeshi Kitano movie)....

+1
it's exactely the same for me. i love action flicks (hopelessly for me, I enjoy PM movies from the 90's) and I also enjoy movies like The Fountain or Half Nelson ... and i think it would be a great idea to see dolph playing in this kind of movie.

[Rover]

I guess everyone loves Dolph in his own way...
My way is very similar to Dolphage's first solution
But watching his action movies made me realize he was also good at acting (he can do more than handle guns and show his muscles), so I think it would be interesting to see him in a movie where he shows all his acting talent. Can his character be believable without a gun? Tho I wouldn't enjoy a drama movie as much as an action movie ^^

[Christine]

First of all, im a woman, so of course i love him because hes truly "yummy" adorable on screen, but i also love him for his charisma and acting, and i truly believe that this guy was born to play action heroes. You just cant have a man of this size, with this voice and face wasting his talent on romantic or purely dramatic movies (even though i personally would love him in any type of film, of course). I think that even Dolph himself would hate this idea. In fact hes already mentioned in the past that he feels much more comfortable in action oriented pieces.

To tell you the truth, im tired of that weird and very wrong general conviction that drama movies are/should be more respectable or more valuable than action movies, thats not true, action movies have a lot of artistic validity as well, if theyre done right, of course. You can have drama and action at the same time. I think that The Mechanik was already a nice example of that genre-bending balance. Besides, being an actor doesnt always mean that you have to have a load of dialogues. Even though i think most people would agree that Dolph is really much better as a physical actor. And i have nothing against that.

Im sorry but i cant even imagine Dolph in roles usually suitable for Richard Gere or Al Pacino.
I also dont think we need some critical pseudo-intellectuals to show us how great and uniquely talented Dolph really is.

I say, he should stay true to himself.

[bomaz]

I think his WWII drama project is over exciting : action and drama ...
and i don't want to see dolph in a drama to please intellectual people (you won't understand, but i refuse to please Telerama ), but only to please myself ....
marlon wayans is a comedy actor (scary movie, etc...). steve carrell is also a comedy actor. and you just have to see Requiem for a dream or little miss sunshine to see that an actor can't belong to only one genre..
but it's only what I think !!

[Jox]

I think that even Dolph himself would hate this idea.

Well, in the 90's Dolph often said he wanted to evolve in something else than action movies and wanted to drama and comedy (he had several non-action projects) and have a career go into the Nick Nolte type direction. "Cover-Up" was a first (reached or failed doesn't matter here) attempt in that direction. Over the years he resigned himself to just being an action hero, kick some ass and get a paycheck.

Don't worry people who worked with him always told me that his fans are his priority...

But look at Clint Eastwood, who sent from being a laughed at western actor to being one of the best actor/director in the world...

Let's face it: before "The Defender" and "The Mechanik", his routine was getting really boring and most of his films looked as if they were made 10 years prior.

I mean the action is nice but after 20 years it needs to be more sophisticated.

I could have been a fan of Stallone, or Arnold or Van Damme or anybody else, but Dolph stroke me as being different, having something else in his personality that made him a better person (and as a role model). I'm rambling here I don't make much sense but anyway...

[Rover]

yes Jox, you make sense
I see what you mean, Dolph get paycheks but he can stay humble, this is an extra-reason to admire him.

[dolphage]

I also dont think we need some critical pseudo-intellectuals to show us how great and uniquely talented Dolph really is.

I say, he should stay true to himself.

I just fell in love with Christine there

Let's face it: before "The Defender" and "The Mechanik", his routine was getting really boring and most of his films looked as if they were made 10 years prior.

I mean the action is nice but after 20 years it needs to be more sophisticated.

I could have been a fan of Stallone, or Arnold or Van Damme or anybody else, but Dolph stroke me as being different, having something else in his personality that made him a better person (and as a role model). I'm rambling here I don't make much sense but anyway...

That was some of the truest and best writing on this forum. If that was Jox rambling then I´d say: "Keep on ramblin´!"

You haven't seen Rocky I or Copland. Crying Freeman. Total Recall.

I completely agree with Rocky 1 and Copland. Crying Freeman, sure. But Total Recall?! Arnie turned that, otherwise awesome, movie into a comedy. In my opinion.

[Mosquito]

But look at Clint Eastwood, who sent from being a laughed at western actor to being one of the best actor/director in the world...

Errr... I humbly suggest that Clint Eastwood's acting skills are better than Dolph's, sorry... We all know now that Dolph can really act, but there are some blind spots on his range. Do you think Dolph could pull off William Munny like Clint did in "Unforgiven"? Compare it to Jill Rips or The Sweeper (not bad, but same quality of acting as a frustrated ex-hero?).

Let's face it: before "The Defender" and "The Mechanik", his routine was getting really boring and most of his films looked as if they were made 10 years prior.

My DVDs sit on my shelf in chronological order. If I would order them by preference the order wouldn't change much. With the most recent films being in front of the ones from the "Last Warrior" and "Agent Red" period. But e.g. the absolute stereotypical Men of War would be among the top five. Gosh, it worked 13 years ago and it still works today.

I mean the action is nice but after 20 years it needs to be more sophisticated.

Hm...... nope.

I completely agree with Rocky 1 and Copland. Crying Freeman, sure. But Total Recall?! Arnie turned that, otherwise awesome, movie into a comedy. In my opinion.

Well, of course there are some "comic relief" scenes. But hey, that's Arnie's (and e.g. Bruce Willis's) trademark. And that's what makes him so successful. I think that Arnie should be a good example for Dolph. Arnie knows his limits and he absolutely makes the best out of the skills he's got. He stays away from drama and sticks to action and comedy. And look what it got him. No, I'm not talking about politics but about a shitload of money, a history of good or excellent big budget movies and millions of enthusiastic viewers. Yes, I'd call Terminator I - III, Total Recall, even Jingle All The Way excellent movies.

Vin Diesel is a different example. He is excellent as a villain. But he should definitely stay away from drama AND comedy. I was on fire after Pitch Black. But cooled down quite rapidly. Last movie I saw was The Chronicles of Riddick, felt sorry for Dame Judy Dench who wasted her talent on that piece and didn't watch any Diesel-movie after that. His only good attempt on drama was Boiler Room but there he had a smaller part and didn't have the opportunity to use his "hurt puppy" look.

[Jox]

Errr... I humbly suggest that Clint Eastwood's acting skills are better than Dolph's, sorry... We all know now that Dolph can really act, but there are some blind spots on his range. Do you think Dolph could pull off William Munny like Clint did in "Unforgiven"? Compare it to Jill Rips or The Sweeper (not bad, but same quality of acting as a frustrated ex-hero?).

I was more comparing on a career standpoint, that he can slowly build up. Dolph isn't even Clint's age in "Unforgiven" yet anyway. Ask him Clint is a huge model for him...

My DVDs sit on my shelf in chronological order.

Mine too...!

But e.g. the absolute stereotypical Men of War would be among the top five. Gosh, it worked 13 years ago and it still works today.

I wouldn't call it stereotypical actually but sure it still works today no doubt about it...

Jox wrote:
I mean the action is nice but after 20 years it needs to be more sophisticated.

Hm...... nope. Mr. Green

(I haven't seen it much but) wouldn't you even want a really well scripted show in the leagues of say like "24" with Dolph doing what he does best (kicking ass and even taking off his shirt for you) BUT YET in "sophisticated" stories with witty dialogues, characters depth and psychology, twisted and intriguing stuff? Because I mean yes I love his films he made but if I want to watch "Red Scorpion" I can just do that over and over, I don't necessarily need the likes of "Bridge of Dragons" for instance and would rather see something a little more original, or done in a fresh way... Take "Direct Action", that was really fun and welcomed after the dreadful "Detention" but still kinda old, not really original, probably could have done better on the same subject matter (make it darker, more realistic in a way to make it tense, use light more creatively...)....

[Jekaterina]

For me, it has been 1 & 2 combined since I watched my first Dolph-Movie when I was 15 and was instantly hooked.

I loved Dark Angel, The Punisher, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Red Scorpion and Universal Soldier.
(Though I could never understand what moron did the casting of U.S. - van Damme is ugly and couldn't act if his life depended on it. He has two different looks: The "Fight Face" and the "Wounded Puppy", don't get me started...)
I plastered my room with posters, among them an absolutely enormous one of just his face from Universal Soldier.

But...there are some movies of his which are so damn bad that I felt ashamed for watching them. I felt ashamed for Dolph acting in them.
I even felt physical pain - that's how bad they are.

(I guess those of you who are not Dolphaholics know what I am referring to.)

And since I am a grown woman now and not a giddy schoolgirl, I just can't watch them anymore because his sexy body no longer offers adequate compensation -even though at close to fifty he is still way hotter than most actors.
And so I sort of broke up with him years ago.
I'm sure he was heartbroken.

[Rover]

van Damme is ugly and couldn't act if his life depended on it.

don't you talk bad about Van Damme now! His acting was ok in Universal Soldier, since he was supposed to portray a confused and traumatized guy. Ok, it is a Dolph forum, no more Van Damme talk

And which movies were you ashamed of??

[Mosquito]

Dolph isn't even Clint's age in "Unforgiven" yet anyway. Ask him Clint is a huge model for him...

Well, I mean "someone like William Munny". Of course Clint is much older than Dolph.

wouldn't you even want a really well scripted show in the leagues of say like "24" with Dolph doing what he does best (kicking ass and even taking off his shirt for you) BUT YET in "sophisticated" stories with witty dialogues, characters depth and psychology, twisted and intriguing stuff?

Oh sure I would love to see that. But in addition to that I think that
a) dramas don't work for him and
b) the old kind of movies still work for him... if they have a good budget and a good director (e.g. himself).

Because I mean yes I love his films he made but if I want to watch "Red Scorpion" I can just do that over and over, I don't necessarily need the likes of "Bridge of Dragons" for instance and would rather see something a little more original, or done in a fresh way... Take "Direct Action", that was really fun and welcomed after the dreadful "Detention" but still kinda old, not really original, probably could have done better on the same subject matter (make it darker, more realistic in a way to make it tense, use light more creatively...)....

Well, what can you say... I hate to admit it but you're having a point here.

PS: I haven't watched "24" yet. But I will some time. Don't want to be the last person on earth who doesn't know it. But first I'll wait for... hey... wouldn't it be nice to have Dolph on a funny episode of Nip/Tuck?