Derek Luke Finds That Working on Television Doesn’t Have to Be Traumatic by Jay S. Jacobs In recent years, more and more actors are making the leap from feature films to television. What once had been a bit of a taboo has exploded, with many name movie actors finding stimulating work on series television – … Continue reading
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (2009) Starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli, James Gandolfini, Ramon Rodriguez, Victor Gojcaj, John Benjamin Hickey, Alex Kaluzhsky, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Katherine Sigismund, Jake Siciliano, Gary Basaraba, Aunjanue Ellis and Saidah Arrika Ekulona. Screenplay by Brian Helgeland. Directed by Tony Scott. Distributed by Columbia … Continue reading
Tony Scott A Master Director Offers One Helluva Ride with The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 by Brad Balfour It seems everyday, some controversy about the subway makes it in the papers, whether it’s about good new leadership or bad old leadership; whether it’s about the list of best trains or worst trains or … Continue reading
Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe Oppose Each Other in American Gangster by Brad Balfour What a pairing. Actors Denzel Washington (Training Day) and Russell Crowe (Gladiator) play two opposing forces in the struggle between an upwardly mobile black guy and upwardly mobile, distinctly Jewish guy during the ’70s in American Gangster. The black man starts out … Continue reading
THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007) Starring Denzel Washington, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Jermaine Williams, Forrest Whitaker, Gina Ravera, John Heard, Kimberly Elise, Devyn Tyler and Trenton McClain Boyd. Screenplay by Robert Eisele. Directed by Denzel Washington. Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 123 minutes. Rated PG-13. It is probably not a coincidence that the poster for Denzel … Continue reading
St. Elsewhere Season One (1982-1983) (20th Century Fox Home Video-2006) If for any other reason, screen this St. Elsewhere DVD to see how far we’ve come in defining the term “good television.” For those of you old enough to remember how good this show was, you’ll be amazed, disappointed – and heartbroken – at how badly it has aged. It’s the … Continue reading
The Merv Griffin Show 40 of the Most Interesting People of Our Time (Alpha Home Entertainment-2006) The problem with Merv calling this 40 of the Most Interesting People of Our Time is that it’s strictly based on Merv’s opinion. Not that we disrespect Merv for a minute – he’s given us more than our share of TV memories … Continue reading
INSIDE MAN (2006) Starring Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, Christopher Plummer, Willem Defoe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Kim Director, James Ransone, Bernie Rachelle, Peter Gerety, Victor Collochio, Cassandra Freeman, Peter Frechette and Gerry Vichi. Screenplay by Russell Gewirtz. Directed by Spike Lee. Distributed by Universal Pictures. 129 minutes. Rated R. While it is … Continue reading
THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (2004) Starring Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep, Kimberly Elise, Jon Voight, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Sakina Jaffrey, Simon McBurney, Paul Lazar, Alyson Renaldo, Adam LeFevre, Robin Hitchcock, Pablo Schreiber, Tom Stechstulte, Anthony Mackie, Dorian Missick, Miguel Ferrer, Ted Levine, Bruno Ganz, Jude Ciccolella, Dean Stockwell, BeBe Winans, Zeljko Ivanek, Charles Napier, … Continue reading
James Pickens, Jr. Into The Lyon’s Den by Jay S. Jacobs Every year, TV Guide does a special issue called “The Best Show You’re Not Watching.” In it, they champion a TV series that has fine acting, excellent writing and good production values, but somehow has not seemed to attract a huge audience. Sometimes the honor has … Continue reading
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