Ahmusings

Here we are, another Sunday evening! I think you all know what that means…a trip down memory lane. This week’s Vintage Crush holds a very special place in my heart. I present you all with one of the first (of many) loves of my life: Jean Claude Van Damme.

If that picture up above isn’t reason enough as to why I am naming him the Vintage Crush of the week and for some reason you all need an explanation, here goes: When I was growing up, I thought he was really hot. Is that explanation enough for you?! It’s not? Okay, I’ll try again. I was maybe 9 or 10 when I saw my first Van Damme movie. It was either Bloodsport or Kickboxer. Both excellent films. Both about a foreign-born, American man fighting in some secret competition. In both he has his shirt off a lot. I was easy to please as a kid. I remember really liking his accent and his boyish smile. I didn’t even mind all his high-waist, pleated pants. When I watch the movies now, I find his awful fashions endearing–that’s saying a lot.  In all his (early) movies he came off as the tough, but sensitive type. In Lionheart he was trying to protect his dead brother’s family. I remember being very jealous of the little girl in that movie because she got to hug him a lot. It was unfair! I really wish the internet had been in full effect when I was at peak Van Damme fervor…considering I just spent the past 40 minutes Googling images of him in the name of research. The best 40 minutes of my week!

Just check out these splits! I wanted it to be of him doing splits in his underwear in Timecop, but all the ones I found were not of the highest quality. Van Damme deserves the best!

Some basics according to IMDB:

Full Name: Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg

Born: October 18, 1960 in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium

Height: 5’9″

Films/Television: 47 (I just saw on his imdb profile that he is listed to be in Expendables 2!!!!). Also, he wrote Lionheart…all that sentiment was real!

Awards: Um…it’s best not to talk about that.

…and let’s just say that I wouldn’t say no. I know it’s kind of gross, but I mean…he’s Jean Claude Van Damme! Although, I’d insist that he spoke entirely in French. But I’m also willing to waver on that demand. I have a sickness. A sickness that can only be cured by more JCVD!

Now, I know a lot of his movies post Sudden Death (I’m being generous folks) aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but at least the man is out there makin’ a buck doing what he loves! He knows what his fans want and he delivers that time and time again. You have to respect his commitment to his art and his followers. However, I think Jean Claude has some acting chops that are rarely utilized. This was apparent when he did JCVD in 2008. He was playing a version of himself, I realize this, but it was gritty, he was able to speak in his native language, and it wasn’t all fight scenes. I think if he really wanted, he could have a career in some dark, foreign, independent films. Hey, Jean Claude, if you need a new agent, I’m available!

I will defend Van Damme in pretty much all situations–that’s how deep my love is for him. This is a guy that built himself up and made his dreams a reality. I applaud that. Just look at how adorable he was while he was makin’ those dreams come true.

Also, in case some of you were looking for ass-shots of my boy check out this post over at MNPP. You will certainly not regret it, he has one of the best butts in show biz!

Now, I leave you with a parting gift as always. This clip is one of the reasons my love for Van Damme is so deep. Every fiber of my being tells me I should be embarrassed for him and for myself for liking it so much…but MUSCLES!

Have a great Monday everyone!