Top 6 Screen Actors
Published July 13, 2005
6. Denzel Washington (Malcolm X, John Q, The Hurricane, Training Day, Manchurian Candidate, Glory)
-Denzel Washington is one of my personal heroes, because he made it possible for black actors to play characters other than ghetto thugs, ignorant fools, or the wise-cracking sidekick that really serves no purpose. (Of course, ironically, the film he won the Best Actor Oscar for was one in which he played a dirty cop) He opened the door for actors like Will Smith, Don Cheadle, and Jamie Foxx to do more serious, gritty roles. And I know, technically it was Sidney Poitier that did this many many years ago, but for some reason it seems Denzel has re-invigorated the pool of black actors for our generation. As Tom Hanks stated when presenting an award to Denzel, "Something as simple as walking across the street is a riveting acting choice for Denzel." He brings power to every role he plays, and raises the stakes. My favorite performance of his, is probably his performance in Glory. The speech that he gives when they are all talking and singing around the fire still is one of the best short monologues in recent film history. I applaud you, Denzel, for going there, and taking us with you.
Edited: Tan The Man,Aaman
- Top 6 Screen Actors
- Published: July 13, 2005
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Video
- Writer: Chris Evans
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Comments on this articleComments
Bravo, Mr. Evans. The explanations give so much more insight into your views, not only of the actors in question, but of film in general. Here we get to see that you're a pretty knowledgeable film fan. Thank you!
Great list, I agree with it all (although I'm not very familiar with Giovanni Ribisi).
Mmm, Johnny Depp. Really. Beautiful. I have to look away sometimes, he's just that beautiful.
Glad to see Tom Hanks on the list. Can't imagine a top actor's list and not having Tom Hanks on it. Did you see The Green Mile? One of my favorites of his, another is Castaway, even though the movie itself has the potential to be boring, not too many other actors could pull off what Hanks did in Castaway.
Ok, done rambling!
Fantastic list! Great to see Tom Hanks, Denzel, Sean Penn, Johnny Depp and Sustin Hofmann. I agreed that Johnny is kind of mysterious the way the talented Nicole Kidman is.
How about a list of 6 screen actress?
Thanks
I think I will do a list of 6 screen actresses. This time I'll do explanations for it.
"Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman - none of these people have ever studied theatre or acting in their lives."
I'm not defending any one of these actors but Natalie - she didn't need to study theatre or acting because she's THAT talented.
That was my whole point. Like Johnny Depp...they are brilliant actors in spite of their lack of schooling. They have natural, intrinsic talent.
I don't know, the sentences seemed contradictory. It seemed like you were bashing those actors/actresses, yet praising J-Depp for pretty much the same reasoning.
Yeah, I understand. I can see how you could've made that mistake.
Going to have to agree with Tan the Man, Denzel is overrated. Seems to me, every character he has ever played came off as just an overly serious tough guy (Remember the Titans, Bone Collector [even though he was crippled in this one], and the movies you listed).
Nicholas Cage, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Amitabh Bachchan
You are going to LOVE charlie and the chocolate factory. Johnny Depp is amazing.
Review.
I never see Morgan Freeman on any of these lists. What's up with that?
I'm with you JR. His performance in Shawshank Redemption was fantastic. As president in Deep Impact?
The USA should be so lucky.
A tallented and seemingly sincere fellow. I always enjoy his performances.
Morgan Freeman is a serious omission.
Also Hopkins. But what about the versatile Tim Robbins? Don Cheadle? Jeff Bridges? Sean Astin? Viggo Mortenson? Samuel L Jackson? Tommy Lee Jones? Robert Duvall?
Don't even get me started on the Brits...
Evidently, this is not a list by a cineaste, not that there's anything wrong with that
Don't be condescending now Aaman. He's entitled to his opinion. You can disagree with his list, but just because he enjoys different actors from you doesn't mean he's not a devotee to film, or even if he's not, there's no harm in having favorites.
Yr right, I'm sorry for the tone of elitism. These are good actors, of course.
Morgan Freeman, definitely; Anthony Hopkins, Sean Astin. I wonder if Freeman would consider running for President? At least he can speak proper English & has presence.
Nancy: I wonder if Freeman would consider running for President?
Forget that, he's got my vote for God.
I do believe Morgan Freeman plays authority figures better than any actor in history.
Well...I'd have to make him share authoritarianism w/Alan Rickman, or James Earl Jones' voice.
Ooh, Alan Rickman. And right, this is list merely recounts the favorites of the author.
OK, more great male actors: Chris Cooper, Paul Giamatti, Bill Murray (very underrated, I think), Morgan Freeman (yes!), Geoffrey Rush, Kenneth Branagh
I too agree with the list, but it hurts me to hear speak of Sean Penn with no reference to Jeff Spicoli. Though it seems cheeky in retrospect... that was an extremely influential and well acted role to 80's culture.
I am still awaiting a sequel.
Really nice list brewing here.
I agree regarding Ribisi. He was a large part of what made Boiler Room so effective. And was he not in the disturbing indie flick Suburbs (or something like that)? I seem to recall him being quite good in that as well.
He also showed off his fun side as a recurring character on Friends.
Giovanni Ribisi....please come find me and violate me.
YES! Excellent list. Ribisi is divine.
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another great job Chris, thanks! We really liked The Terminal an awful lot as well