A Gary Oldman Film Festival

Lots of actors have never been nominated for Oscars; it's hardly the all-time standard for excellence. One day I'll have to come up with a list of the best actors and actresses with no nominations. But one stands out above all: Gary Oldman. Many film fans and actors alike have told me that he's their favorite, and it makes no sense that he has never been nominated, unless you consider that he has appeared as over-the-top villains in too many action movies. Never mind. If I were to program a Gary Oldman film festival, here's what I'd show.

• Sid and Nancy (1986) and Immortal Beloved (1994) - Portraits of two very different musicians.
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and The Dark Knight (2008) - As sympathetic characters in dark Hollywood blockbusters. 
• The Fifth Element (1997), Lost in Space (1998) and The Book of Eli (2010) - Bright and dark sci-fi. 
• Air Force One (1997) and The Contender (2000) - Politics as usual. 
• Hannibal (2001) and The Unborn (2009) - Grisly horror. 
• State of Grace (1990) and True Romance (1993) - Gangsters and gangstas.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) and  Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) - Costumes. 
• Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and JFK (1991) - More "true" stories. 
• The Professional (1994) and Murder in the First (1995) - At his most sadistic. 
• Track 29 (1988), Romeo Is Bleeding (1993) and Nil by Mouth (1996) - Just because I haven't seen any of these yet!