10 of my Favourite Denzel Washington Films

I just found a podcast named "Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period" that reminded me that Denzel Washington doesn't get enough airtime on this site!  He did kill Stringer Bell, if I remember American Gangster correctly, after all! 

To be clear I'm not a fan of certain movies that Denzel had a good performance in and that might be why they don't appear on this list.  Otherwise, please be advised that no matter what your reaction to this list is.  I did properly label it to indicate I don't think this is the list everyone should adhere to when talking about the best Denzel films, these are just the ones that do it for me.

Movie/Rank:
#10- The Equalizer (2014)

Denzel effect:
What if I were to tell you there was a movie where Denzel Washington takes down the entire Russian Mafia on his own for Hit-Girl?  There's no chance you wouldn't want to watch that.  So you can see why this movie is on here.  I enjoyed watching McCall take out his enemies with efficiency and as a bonus, he didn't die in the end to atone for all his wrong doings throughout the film!  Plus I got to watch it with Pauline with a hilarious audience that reacted way out of proportion to the sight of a fat man ordering a hooker.

Movie/Rank:
#9- Philadelphia (1993)

Denzel effect:
One of the realest moments ever caught on film is when Joe Miller wipes his hand after shaking Tom Hanks' hand and realizing he has AIDS.  I'm not saying Denzel Washington has an issue with people who have AIDS, I'm saying he played what could have been an obvious and BIG moment with enough nuance for me to not break out of the reality of the story being told.

Movie/Rank:
#8- He Got Game (1998)

Denzel effect:
You haven't lived till you've seen Denzel make grilled cheese with a clothing iron.  My enjoyment of this film is mostly fostered by Ryan's genuine adoration of it.  I kind of wish I saw it with him, the movie would definitely be higher up on the list.

Movie/Rank:
#7- 2 Guns (2013)

Denzel effect:
I really didn't like the run of glum Denzel movies where he died at the end because he was a sinner that led up to this movie.  This movie felt like a breath of fresh air where Denzel actually enjoyed working on the movie and with Mark Wahlberg.  I can't stress enough how much I was happy Bobby made it to the end of the movie without dying or without feeling guilty about anything he did throughout the film!

Movie/Rank:
#6- Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Denzel effect:
Now that's how you cast a token black guy!  In addition to being excited about the inclusion of Michael Keaton fresh off some Batman films, I felt like anything was possible as Denzel seemed right at home swapping Billy's prose with Emma, Kenneth, and them.

Movie/Rank:
#5- Remember The Titans (2000)

Denzel effect:
What a cast!  with the additional joy of seeing Coach Boone son the head of the Barksdale crew!  Seriously every time Denzel stood up for the right thing I couldn't help but want to play for the Titans a little more.  FOOTBALL and racial issues in the south, what a combo!

Movie/Rank:
#4- Glory (1989)

Denzel effect:
If ever Denzel was the actor that my white friends complain about not being a subservient enough... it's this movie where he shows that!  Even Morgan Freeman tries to whip him into submission and Captain Holt feels bullied by him!  This is an Oscar Winning role for Denzel and even though he's playing a civil war era "negro" I can't help but enjoy this performance and movie.

Movie/Rank:
#3- Training Day (2001)

Denzel effect:
As much as I wish this wasn't the reason Denzel won an Oscar, you can't deny that this is a captivating role!  Why else would the dad from Boyhood  do all those drugs and illegal activities featuring Macy Gray?  So many quotable moments and one of the few times his death at the end feels like the logical conclusion.
 

Movie/Rank:
#2- Malcolm X (1992)

Denzel effect:
Honestly, I just re-watched this movie recently, and it does not matter that this movie is over 3 hours long.  You will stick around till the end.  Spoiler alert, Malcom does not make it out alive from the shootout at the end and it crushes me every time!  However, I am always uplifted by the scene of Red and Shorty crossing the street in zoot suits so... it all evens out.  I equally enjoyed watching Red and brother Malcolm so basically Denzel deserves two Oscars for the same movie!

Movie/Rank:
#1- Man on Fire (2004)

Denzel effect:
No one can tell me the moment that Lupita breaks Creasy down and they become friends that that's not beautiful!  Plus there is a lot of pithy dialogue around shoving things up people and killing them followed up by shoving things up people and killing them that can't be denied.  If I had one qualm, it'd have to be that Creasy should have lived at the end.  But I guess in true Mary Poppins' fashion his work was done and his services were no longer needed.

-YG