An Amazing Washington | Editor's Pen

Afro American actors have a special intensity in their eyes. Be it Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman or Denzel Washington. Philadelphia was the first DW movie I saw. That was largely because of Tom Hanks. However, DW impressed me like anything. His subtle performance had an everlasting impact on me.


His performances have a very strong feel of pan-Americanism. Its less about being part of a race. Its more about showing the spirit of America where people are bonding across races and differences. When he played The Hurricane or Macolm X, somewhat the spirit surfaced adding a very instinctive value to the character. His character in Philadephia, Glory, Remember The Titans reflect that spirit more explicitly. He is more american than most of them on the block.

Lets celebrate the brilliance of the man who gave us many brilliant performances in the recent years...

Thanks

Sujoy Ghosh

Training Day | The Critique

Hollywood has given many Good-Cop-Bad-Cop movies. More than often its the Good Cop who walks away with all adulation. Training Day is one exception. Antoine Fuqua directed crime drama boasts of a good star cast: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Eva Mendes. But the real star of the movie is the script. Written by David Ayer, Training Day brings in a new perspective to a clichéd concept of rookie taking on a senior.

Jake is a rookie who is going to work under mentorship of Alonzo. Alonzo has earned a name in LAPD as a capable cop. However, the image turns out to be a mirage when Jake finds out who exactly is Alonzo. His approach to drug deals and street crime is not acceptable to Jake. Alonzo considers his objections a rookie's naivety. Soon, Jake realizes that he is on cross roads with Alonzo who is too strong for him. Denzel Washington as Alonzo and Ethan Hawke as Jake gave exceptional performances. Both got Oscar nominations and Denzel was the lucky one.

Training Day ends on a positive note and sums up the reality of life beautifully. Some real good work is done by the Art Direction department. The look of movie is very real. The characters, especially Alonzo, grows on you, He commands respect. The way narrative presents him, his actions look real, justified and wrong at the same time. The way it ends is poetic justice, to say the least. Fuqua has done a commendable job with the movie. Respect.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Malcolm X | The Critique

Rating-4/5 Stars

Rarely does any biopic cover whole life-span of the subject so comprehensively as Malcolm X, and even more rare are films that cover a life and a social revolution so well. In both these regards, this reminds me of Gandhi.  Just to further my point, if you open Malcolm's wiki page, almost word-for-word mentioned in the page is covered in the movie. And some more.

Spike Lee has made a classic you probably haven’t seen yet.

Malcolm in his crime days

Malcolm X, from being a one-time convict and his transformation to national prominence as Nation of Islam's most celebrated minister, is a complex character to portray. Denzel Washington nails it and few minutes into the film you see only Malcolm and no Denzel. Many believe his Oscar that year was taken away unjustly from him and boy, are they right.

In Malcolm, you can see spark from the beginning. He's a rebel, but initially without a cause. He learns ways of crime, and drug abuse. You get to see him being raised, his father being killed.

Malcolm's first meeting with Elijah Mohammed

The scenes after his introduction to ideas of 'Nation of Islam'; His First meeting with Elijah Mohammed; Scenes where is beginning as a preacher; Two scenes intercut to show him getting teachings from Elijah Mohammed and transferring it to Betty(His would be wife);Footage mixed of atrocities against black people. They are all perfect.

Malcolm X leading the crowd

One of movies most hitting scenes is where Malcolm leads a huge crowd to demand an inmate be provided medical assistance. Sheer power of the character made whole of America take notice of Malcolm.

Malcolm during the Hajj

Last 3rd of the film focuses on his disillusionment with Nation of Islam and his softening his stand on racial segregation changed due to his visit to mecca and treatment amongst Muslims of different races, and his ultimate assassination at hands of other Nation of Islam members.

There is a gentle love story between Malcolm and Betty that is very gently handled by Lee, and is one of many memorable parts of the film.

At close to three hours, it might be longer than your usual Hollywood film, but its length is justified and by the end of it viewers have lived a life time with a film. You see a man going through many conversions, who traverses continents, who brings change to people's lives. Malcolm X will be a good reminder and eulogy of one of greatest black men in United States history.

Written by- Ali Naqvi

Unstoppable | The Critique

Rating- 3.5/5 stars

In 2001 an unmanned train CSX 8888, loaded with highly combustible chemicals ran for 3 hours, and could have led to destruction of a small scale town. In 2010, cinemas saw dramatic recreation of the scare, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson.

On paper, Unstoppable seems a lot like Speed, but in execution, it is way different. Unstoppable has stellar camerawork, editing and sound design, with which it build-ups immense tension. The train comes off as a monster with its signature sound (you know, the complete works!), and the whole railroad company has to stop it before some serious damage happens.

On performances, Denzel Washington plays rail engineer Frank Barnes at fag end of his career, with nothing to lose, and 28 years’ experience to take care of situation. Denzel brings an everyman quality to the part, endearing and smart in equal measure. He is the human face of this fantastic thriller.

Equally impressive is performance of Rosario Dawson as Connie Hooper the railroad yardmaster. She provides Frank with the outside information and co-operation required to complete the job.

Where Unstoppable triumphs is its technically a superb effort, and has characters who are relatable and gain your sympathy over time. Notice how in meantime where there isn't much happening on train front, audiences are filled in on back stories of films protagonists and their woes.

If it real thrill you're looking for, from start to finish, then straight away get hold of Unstoppable.

Written by, Ali Naqvi.

That Joe In Philadelphia | Character Sketch | Under Lens

Philadelphia is one of its kind. We don't have many movie which handle issues of homosexuality and homophobia with maturity. Tom Hanks portrayal of a homosexual AIDS patient who is fired from his job is top notch. Denzel's performance as his lawyer is just a poetic equivalent.

Denzel's character Joe Miller is an average Joe. A successful lawyer with a family working with a good law firm is a typical American ambition. He has reservations towards homosexuals and AIDS patients due to his ignorance. He is not obstinate. When his doctor tells him about AIDS, he is receptive. He realizes that AIDS is not contagious and aptly, frowns at behavior of attendant in Library. He takes up the case of his rival. The second aspect of his character is homophobic and is explored through his discomfort while attending party where some homosexuals are present. However, he overcomes his demons. By the end of movie, Joe bonds with his client.

Joe Miller complemented Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks). If a lawyer doesn't sympathize with his client, the balance shifts to opposition. There are moments when Joe doubts his instincts and the established facts. But he overcomes them. He is rational. He is open to ideas. He is ready to change. Joe Miller is a sensible character. He makes us think... we all live in closets, but with different labels.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Five Must Watch Denzel Washington Movies | Under Lens

Training Day: Training Day is story of a cop who has adjusted to the ways of world. He wears uniform but values life more than the color. One fine day, a rookie is assigned to him. Rookie being a rookie is naive and the cop faces a challenge. Will he survive the test where he faces morality in ring?

Remember The Titans: An inspiring tale of a team and two collaborating coaches. Movie makes you understand that racism is a reality and we need to fight it on our own. If everyone can inspire himself enough to wipe out the prejudices, no success is far from reach.

Glory: With American Civil War as a backdrop, Glory is an intense movie about 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, first unit of American Army made up of Afro-Americans. While slavery and racism were one face of American Civil War, corruption and profiteering were another.

The Hurricane: Boxers are generally aggressive but does that make them murderous. Hurricane Carter was charged with triple murder. People believed it easily.  After spending 20 years, he was let off by a higher court. He was wrongly indicted. An excellent biopic.

Malcolm X: Malcolm X is a controversial figure in US History. His radical views had a deep impact on US and citizens in last century. Denzel Washington's portrayal of highly revered figure attracted much critical acclaim.

Philadelphia | Critique

Aren’t we too prejudiced about AIDS and homosexuals? Are we ready to accept them as human beings? This may not be a question to be asked in 2010 but what about 1993? These were no better than being criminal, atleast by a section of society that may be labeled as Homophobic. A movie “Philadelphia” asked the question.

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are competing lawyers with a graceful respect for each other. Hanks as Andrew Beckett is on his purple patch when he discovers that he is sick. He is fired and now he wants a compensation for the pink slip, not for his being an underperformer but for his employer’s prejudice against AIDS and homosexuals. He meets Joe (Denzel) who is a homophobic. Though initially reluctant, Joe finally decides to take up the case. And the court case is a brilliant example of the caliber of both the artists. Atleast, this is the best one I saw in my life.

The questions and replies followed by discussion, Joe proved that there was definitely a lot more than Andrew’s incompetency attributing to the unceremonious pink slip. His employer Charles Wheeler (portrayed by Jason Robards) is a homophobic and his attitude and decision needs to be replied in appropriate measure as he is setting a wrong example for the entire society. What will court decide… too easy to guess.

Antonio Banderas as Hank’s screen lover did a fine job. So did Jason Robards. But Denzel and Hanks stole the show. Hanks bagged the best actor Oscar.

Some movies make a difference to the entire world around. Philadelphia is one of them. It asked why are we so hypocrite and why so narrow-minded? Homosexuals and HIV+/AIDS patients are human beings and they deserve humane treatment. These people are amongst us only… Don’t drift them into closets.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh