Tag Archive - Denzel Washington

Book of Eli

January 15, 2010 in Book of Eli with 0 Comments

Denzel Washington in a movie, I am so there. He is one of my favorite actors. Lately, though, his selection of movie characters leave my mind befuddled. Take Training Day and American Gangster. Training Day was the turning point from such parts as the safe, dependable, intellectual, noble man and most of all, the clean cut, charming man. It all sort of went to hell in a hand basket when Denzel showed up as the gun toting, corrupted, bad-assed (not in a good way) cop in Training Day. It took my aunt years to forgive Denzel for Training Day. LOL.

Well, I discover something about Denzel. His son is the culprit. He is the one advising daddy to try out those out-of-character acting parts in Training Day and American Gangster. Should we thank the son for Denzel change in acting perspective? Maybe? I’ll let you know after I see the Book of Eli. But man, Denzel sure looks like he could stand for a shave, a hot bath, and perhaps a hot toddy, and you know, a new wardrobe.

I don’t expect this movie to rate on the same level as Avatar, which was an amazing 3D cinematic feast. But to watch Denzel wield a sword as though he was the Highlander, well, no way can I miss that.

Oh yeah, there is the maniacal Gary Oldman. I just love his lunatic acting. Pairing him off with Denzel should be very interesting.

Sexiest Man Alive, Part 2

November 25, 2007 in People with 0 Comments

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Aging gracefully, that is the actor Denzel Washington. He is one of the most sophisticated and talented men in Hollywood. He deserves a spot in People Magazine for the 2007 Sexiest Man Alive grouping. He takes on a horrifying part as Frank Lucas (American Gangster) and conveys a heady combination of charisma, depth, and substance. Sure, you don’t want to like this character. However, Denzel’s acting helps make one realize there are deeper issues with a person like Frank Lucas.

Review: American Gangster

November 4, 2007 in American Gangster with 2 Comments

Minor spoilers.

There are very few character actors left in the entertainment industry who have the grace, style, articulation, and sheer magnetic presence to pull off several character types from good to bad. At the top of the list is the undeniable Denzel Washington.

It took me weeks to forgive Denzel for his part in Training Day. Badass and not in the good sense and what startle me and I’m sure, quite a few others, was how well he fit the role.

Training Day turns out to be a prelude like a training ground of sort for more to come. This time Denzel plays the thug who is smart, stone cold unemotional, a philosopher, and an economist. It seems if the part is right and the story is good, Denzel has no problem playing it. Be damn to stereotyping him. We can now categorize Denzel as the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is one scene with the piano I won’t ever forget. What he did in that scene you would think this man has been practicing being a thug all of his life. We know well how far from the truth this is.

American Gangster is not the Godfather nor is it the Sopranos. The film is also less on the action. The violence controlled to move the story forward and to demonstrate the characters. The story and plot points are very much driven through characterizations, of Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe.) Set in two Point of Views. Two flawed people in a world of darkness, need, hurt, corruption, poverty, preying on the hopeless. One a gangster, the other a cop, morality landing squared in the field of shade of grays.

But really, American Gangster is about Frank Lucas. An audacious black man who’d spent years learning the drug trade under the tutelage of his one and only mentor. It’s about how he takes this knowledge and actually becomes more successful than his mentor, more powerful than the NY Mafia.

Frank Lucas was brilliant. It’s a sorrowful shame he used his talents in such as despicable and deplorable way. And as such, one must pay for the terrible deeds they have done in life.

Go and see American Gangster. It’s a good movie.

This is how it is…

August 27, 2007 in American Gangster, People, Writings with 5 Comments

Sir Anthony Hopkins. He’s a brilliant actor. All I can think about is if I was married to him I would be afraid. Very, very afraid.

I love my fandom, yes I do. Archiving stories on LJ make it difficult to rec fic especially those long and plotty fic that have a gazillion of installments. Organize your stories, writers. Memories is your friend.

Russell Crowe and Denzil Washington are back together again. American Gangster coming soon to your theaters. I have a secret to share. The number one man that makes me go THUD, always, is Denzil Washington, dudes. I have such a crush on his voice, the way he struts his stuff, his coolness, and he loves his wife. Hee!

He is, though, so, so unslashable. Sadly.