Mail: Gary Oldman

My Oldman

Cary Elwes' description of Gary Oldman's soul is one of the most beautiful things I have heard anyone say about another human being (#261, Feb. 10). It is interesting to get a glimpse of the real person behind this immensely gifted actor. I have always contended that true acting talent cannot be taught but is born of the soul. I now understand why Gary Oldman leaves me mesmerized and affected with each of his performances.
Tanya Burgar-Suligoj
Hamilton, Ontario

Gary Oldman is perhaps the most versatile actor working today. I mean, the guy has played Sid Vicious and Beethoven, a hitman and a DEA agent, Lee Harvey Oswald and a prison warden. He's played the controversial playwright Joe Orton and he's played Dracula. It's about time he is fully recognized. He's not your ordinary actor.
Shawna Brickley
Shoreham, Mass.

Keanu Raves

I take offense at the tone of your article concerning Keanu Reeves' performance in Hamlet. I was lucky enough to get tickets, and Reeves did a spectacular job as the prince of Denmark. When are people going to realize that his role in the Bill & Ted movies was just that, a role? He's just as capable of playing a tormented prince as he is of playing a teenage dimwit or an LAPD cop. I was awed by his performance in Hamlet. I only wish I could see it again.
Emily Derr
Spring Valley, Ohio

It's unfortunate you didn't quote some of the more complimentary lines from the reviews of Keanu Reeves' performance in Hamlet, as there were many. The Sunday Times of London gave a rave review of his very moving and powerful acting. Those of us fortunate enough to see it will long remember it.
Myrna Yaworski
Winnipeg, Manitoba

'Crow' Bar
We were shocked to learn of a pending sequel to The Crow. We cannot accept that anyone could believe Jon Bon Jovi could portray Eric Draven as charismatically as Brandon Lee. Given the fact that a young actor died tragically while filming this movie, no actor with integrity and decency would agree to star in the sequel.
Tracy Hovey and Amanda Dow
Thornhill, Ontario

Chip on Her Shoulder

I can't believe you would label the coolest governor in Texas history a loser for being part of a new Doritos campaign. The ad shows the country Ann Richards' smart, sassy personality, which has made her the success she is.
Sara Ballon
Austin, Tex.

Corrections: A News & Notes story about the grand jury conducting an inquiry involving Kelsey Grammer was mislabeled under the heading ''Lawsuits.'' The proceeding should have been described as an investigation. On Feb. 24, the grand jury declined to take any action against Grammer. Also, a total of 460 guitars -- not 461 per year, as we reported in the Music section -- modeled on the one Eric Clapton used in his Unplugged taping will be sold to benefit The Eric Clapton Children's Trust.