Somehow, and I don't know exactly the "how," I completely forgot to blog about the fact that, just about two weeks ago, Paul Newman announced that he was retiring from his acting career. Usually I wouldn't go ahead and write about something I completely missed the boat on, but this is an exception. Why, you ask? Simply because I love the guy.
Seriously, consider the number of masterpieces the man has been in: The Hustler, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, Cool Hand Luke, Cars. He's the rare actor that can manage to bring both charisma and gravitas to the table in equal measure, without the two ever clashing; it's harder than you'd think. George Clooney is charming, but does he carry any real heft onscreen? Sly Stone can kick your (and the camera's) ass, but do you ever care (we are, of course, talking about post-'76 Stallone)? The ones that can pull of the combination are great: Humphrey Bogart, Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando. (I'd add Nathan Fillion if it didn't seem like too much of a fanwank on my behalf to list him alongside those guys.)
So goodbye, Paul Newman! We'll miss you, but we hope you enjoy the time off!
...I still won't try your salad dressing, though. Sorry.
