I am bias, Denzel can do no wrong. Yes, he has movies the critic’s or fan’s may not have liked, but he was still Denzel.
Denzel with Flaws:
1. Flight Dir. Robert Zemeckis 2012
Denzel decides it’s a good idea to Pilot his passenger Airplane while drunk and high on coke. In this Oscar-nominated performance, Denzel brings humanity to a man’s struggle with, watch what happens!
2. American Gangster Dir. Ridley Scott 2007
If there was ever a bad guy before this movie, no clue how? In a true-story Denzel plays Vietnam-era Heroin dealer Frank Lucas who ravaged Harlem by bringing product straight from the source. Russell Crowe (Gladiator) plays the perfect Cop on Denzel’s trail.
3. Training Day Dir. Antoine Fuqua 2001
Denzel’s 2nd Oscar and only win as Best-Actor. He plays Alonzo, a crooked Narcotic’s officer who takes rookie cop Ethan Hawke (Before Sunrise) on a Training Day he’ll never forget.
4. He Got Game Dir. Spike Lee 1998
Spike Lee’s highest grossing box-office film at that time. You know my list’s, I always have to leave one for your exploration.
Political Denzel:
5. Malcolm X Director Spike Lee 1992
Bio-pic of Civil Rights Leader Malcolm X.
6. Glory Director Edward Zwick 1989
Denzel’s first Oscar (Supporting Actor). This is the true-story of the African-American regiment who fought for the North in the Civil War. Wonderful performances by Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) and Morgan Freeman, before he broke huge.
7. Cry Freedom Dir. Richard Attenborough 1987
Biopic of Steve Biko. I have not seen the movie in two decades, so my synopsis would not be proper. South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country, after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the black activist Steve Biko. Synopsis courtesy Imdb.
8. Inside Man Dir. Spike Lee 2006
Bad-**s movie, brilliant. It is probably the 2nd or 3rd best bank-robbery movie ever made. You start with Denzel, add in Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe (Platoon) and Clive Owen (Children of Men). You have perfection for your movie-lover taste-buds.
Denzel Acts and Directs:
9. Antwone Fisher 2002
The true-story of a young man who was orphaned and is now navigating life in the U.S. Navy. Denzel’s debut behind the camera, very emotional film, get the tissue’s ready.
10. Fences 2016
Based on August Wilson’s play Tony-Award winning play, this movie snagged Viola Davis (The Help) an Oscar. Here is the one-time, as a reviewer, I am speechless. The film mirrored too much of my family and was a completely cathartic experience. I like to share with the hope someone learns something about themselves.
**He also Directed The Great Debaters (but I only saw it for sale on streaming)
