The Denzel Washington Edition!
Okay; first of all…? Yum!
Second, it occurred to me the other day, as we were watching the tail end of a Denzel movie, that it’s highly likely that I have ten of his films. A quick check of my video library (after the purchase of his latest DVD release this afternoon) reveals that I do, indeed, own ten Denzel Washington movies. I’d like to own more, too, and likely will before my movie-buyin’ days are over.
Oh, and did I mention? Yum.
1. The Great Debaters. I bought this one on spec – I just KNEW it’d be great and, being an English teacher who teaches debate and persuasion as part of her public speaking and composition classes, I thought it was important that I own this one. Mr. Chili and I watched it last night. It was WELL worth the 20 bucks I dropped on the disc.
2. The Manchurian Candidate. I bought this one at one of the video stores “looting sales.” I think I paid four dollars for it. I’ve not seen it yet, but I’ve heard, on pretty good authority, that it’s an excellent take on the original. I’ll watch it soon, I promise.
3. Glory. WHAT more do I need to say? This is one of my top ten films of all time, and the scene where Washington’s character submits to the punishment for desertion and stares down Broderick’s character with tears rolling down his face is one of the most moving moments in any film, ever
4. Malcolm X. If you’ve not read the book, please do. If you’ve not seen this movie, that goes double. It is INCREDIBLY eerie how well Washington inhabits – channels, really – the character of the controversial civil rights activist. Don’t believe me? Go to americanrhetoric.com and listen to a piece of a Malcolm X speech, then listen to a snippet voiced by Washington from the film. You’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart. I get the shivers.
5. The Pelican Brief. I really do enjoy Grisham’s lawyer-mysteries (despite how much I really dislike his attempts at non-fiction) and even though this film isn’t one of my favorites of the Grisham retellings (A Time to Kill and The Rain Maker were better), Washington lends his formidable sex-appeal and levelheadedness to the role.
6. Much Ado About Nothing. I’m an English teacher – what can I tell you? And really – that SMILE?!
7. Philadelphia. This film was really about Washington’s character. He makes such gorgeous realizations over the course of the movie that it’s impossible not to feel hope, despite the very sad ending. He breathes discomfort and mistrust at the start, and grows into a compassionate, reasonable human being by the end.
8. Cry Freedom. Washington’s portrayal of Steven Biko is, like his take as Malcolm X, phenomenal. Despite the fact that Washington is only in the film for a brief time – Biko is murdered very early in the movie – his performance lingers like a ghost on the screen which, really, is the point.
9. The Hurricane. I bought this a long time ago on Auntie’s recommendation. I watched it, but didn’t love it, so I gave my DVD to her. Mr. Chili and I watched it again on A&E (or some such) the other weekend, and I’ve changed my mind about the film. I found it in a $5 bin at Evil-Mart, and bought it again.
10. Remember the Titans. This may well be one of my favorite Washington movies (though it still ranks behind Glory). The performance is gorgeous; his character is a wonderful combination of pragmatic-bordering-on-pig-headed and paternal. He is completely committed to his work, and to the kids on his team (ALL of them), and though he always puts on a strong face, he never seems quite sure, underneath it all, that his effort is going to pay off until the very end.
I’ve also seen (but do not own) American Gangster, Deja Vu, Inside Man (I want to own this one – it was goooood), Out of Time, The Bone Collector, The Siege, Fallen (also a good one), Courage Under Fire, Crimson Tide, Mississippi Masala, Heart Condition, The Mighty Quinn, and bits and pieces of The Preacher’s Wife. Mr. Chili saw Training Day (Dudley, didn’t he see that with you?) and has pretty much convinced me that I don’t want to see it – that Washington’s portrayal of a dirty cop is so convincing that I’ll be disturbed by it. I’m sure he’s right, but I’ll probably see it anyway. I do loves me some Denzel, and I’m not opposed to a little bad boy now and then.
Happy Tuesday, Everyone!
Oh – and YUM!
Mr. Washington is my secret boyfriend! He is my all time favorite actor! The Hurricane was my favorite! “Hate put me in here, love is going to bust me out!” OMG!
I don’t think you gave me the dvd. I don’t own it…
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Manchurian.
Inside Man is probably my favorite Denzel and favorite Spike Lee movie of all time. So good. Philadelphia is the second on the Denzel list.
Glory is one of my all-time favorites.
Yum!
girl. you never ever ever cease to amaze me. one day we shall drink together. and then do yoga.
I loved American Gangster and Deja Vu. I watched Hurricane a long time ago and don’t remember much about the movie. I did like the true story of Ruben Carter’s life though. Interesting man. I also liked Mississippi Masala.
Yum indeed. You have excellent taste, my friend.
yum yummy yum-yum-yummmmm!
Training Day is a little disturbing, but it’s also one of the finest individual performances ever. You can handle it. (The film itself suffers from one significant flaw that keeps it off my “best of all time” list, but it’s still quite good.)
I was worried I’d find Virtuosity on your list. Glad it missed the cut.
Bo, I’m not sure I even SAW Virtuosity. And really – haven’t we established that I’m one of the cool kids? I’m hot, I’m smart, I drive a VW Golf, I love Rush – how much more do I have to prove myself?!
You love Rush Limbaugh? Never woulda figured
Seester, HUH?! ….. OH! Hahahaha! No – that THAT Rush; of course I mean the Canadian rock band with the long-haired, semi-androgynous lead singer. We were talking about RUSH (would I have been less confusing if I’d written the group’s name in all-caps? Is that how they’ve branded themselves?) in class the other day (during a break) and one student admitted to not knowing that Geddy Lee was a man until last year.
**wink** I really figured you didn’t mean “that” Rush… Just ribbing you.
Malcolm X — easily his best film.