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
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
another great job Chris, thanks! We really liked The Terminal an awful lot as well
2 - Natalie Davis
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!
3 - Jones Violet
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!
4 - lien
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
5 - Chris Evans
I think I will do a list of 6 screen actresses. This time I'll do explanations for it.
6 - Tan The Man
Denzel is super overrated.
7 - Tan The Man
"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.
8 - Chris Evans
That was my whole point. Like Johnny Depp...they are brilliant actors in spite of their lack of schooling. They have natural, intrinsic talent.
9 - Tan The Man
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.
10 - Chris Evans
Yeah, I understand. I can see how you could've made that mistake.
11 - Tan The Man
And you shouldn't let it happen again!
J/K
12 - visualsimplicity
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).
13 - Aaman
Nicholas Cage, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Amitabh Bachchan
14 - Natalie Davis
Philip Seymour Hoffman.
15 - Bat Boy
You are going to LOVE charlie and the chocolate factory. Johnny Depp is amazing.
Review.
16 - JR
I never see Morgan Freeman on any of these lists. What's up with that?
17 - Bennett
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.
18 - Sharly Farley
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...
19 - Aaman
Evidently, this is not a list by a cineaste, not that there's anything wrong with that
20 - visualsimplicity
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.
21 - Aaman
Yr right, I'm sorry for the tone of elitism. These are good actors, of course.
22 - Nancy
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.
23 - JR
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.
24 - Nancy
Well...I'd have to make him share authoritarianism w/Alan Rickman, or James Earl Jones' voice.
25 - Natalie Davis
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