theblackactor.com

Jeffrey Wright

Here is a guy who is exciting and pleasing to watch.  I have watched some of his work; not all of it.  I am impressed with Jeffrey Wright but saddened that I don’t seem to see enough of him.

Jeffrey Wright was the winner of our poll.  Recently, we conducted a poll on theblackactor.com and the question was, “Who do you think challenges themselves the most as an actor?”  The results:

103 people voted.    

The winner was Jeffrey Wright – with 57% of the vote.
Second place – Denzel Washington – with 32% of the vote.
Third place – Morgan Freeman – with 10% of the vote.    

(Don’t ask.  I don’t know what happened to the other 1%.  LOL)

Mr. Wright is respected in the industry and is the winner of a Tony Award (1994, Best Actor in a Featured Role -- Angels in America, Broadway stage play), a 2004 Emmy Award and a 2004 Golden Globe Award -- both for Best Supporting Actor for the HBO series, Angels in America.

He is so versatile and enjoyable to watch because of his ability to transform from one character to the next.  Like other good actors, he uses voice and makeup to his advantage.  He transforms completely.  When in makeup, he doesn’t just look like Jeffrey Wright with long sideburns, or Jeffrey Wright clean-shaven, or Jeffrey Wright with a thin moustache, etc.  To me, he actually looks like different people.  And he acts like different people.  This is what I expect actors to do -- be different people. 

Just because someone can transform and is willing to transform completely into character doesn’t mean they are effective.  I think Wright is effective.

As I’ve mentioned before, some things that set apart good, average or bad actors is their use of voice and the use of their eyes.  Also, Wright, like the other good actors, also understands when silence works best.

Basquiat (1996).  Wright had a starring role in this film.  The quietly constrained, intense performance likely required a sustained level of concentration.  I thought his performance was seductive.  The role was physically demanding –- the way he walked; the energy required for that ongoing, persistent gaze; the motion of his hands.  Good voice work.  Excellent all around portrayal.  I thought this was likely a challenging role.

Celebrity (1998).  Jeffrey Wright shows up at the end of this Woody Allen film as Greg, an off-off Broadway director.  He looked and sounded like what I would imagine such a person to look and sound like.  In my view,  we see good voice work and realistic characterization in this performance, though his appearance in the film was brief.  Too brief.  {sigh}

Shaft (2000).  I liked him enough in this role (a tad “over the top,” perhaps) but thought the Dominican accent was poorly executed; rather thick -– distracting and contrived.  Interesting; he was cast as a Latin.  His voice was noticeably deeper than it was in Basquiet.

Boycott (TV) (2001).  I found Jeffrey Wright very believable as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It’s challenging to play these kinds of roles; impersonating historic figures.  It was a portrayal he should be proud of.  I say again, worth noting, is his voice work.  He had a couple of romantic moments.  He played those scenes with a notable tenderness.  Maybe he wasn’t acting.  He was married to the actress who played Coretta Scott King (actress Carla Ebiola).  I thought he was very good in this starring television role.

Ali (2001).  He played Ali’s personal photographer, Howard Bingham.  God.  What a waste.  When Jeffrey Wright’s talent is not used like it is supposed to be used, it’s just a waste.  It was a small part.  I’m glad it was his.  Nevertheless, it’s always disappointing to see actors of his caliber whose talent is not used optimally.  I was a bit disappointed.  Just seemed like a terrible waste of talent.  {*** sigh ***}

The Manchurian Candidate (2004).  In this film, Jeffrey Wright played a mentally disturbed Desert Storm vet; likely suffering from some sort of PTSD.  During his “main scene” in the film, he appeared shockingly haggard; scraggly beard and all.  This was not a starring role for him.  But another challenging -- albeit, small -- role for Jeffrey Wright.  Again, his ability to manage his voice as necessary is worth noting.

Lackawana Blues (TV) (2005).  A small role of a convicted murderer.  In it, he explains to a child why he was in jail.  Exposition.  Well done in typical Jeffrey Wright style.  (I particularly liked this TV pic.  I thought it was very well done).

Syriana (2005).  Jeffrey Wright portrayed lawyer, Bennett Holiday.  Er, I guess he was fine in the role.  He must’ve been.  I hated didn’t like this film since there were 4,297,558 things going on in 6,924,222 places.

Casino Royale (2006).  He played CIA agent Felix Leiter.  He had a very small part in the film.

The only problem with Jeffrey Wright?  There’s never enough of him.  He usually gets so little screen time.  He is so underutilized.  As I was preparing this article, all I could say was, “God, there just isn’t enough of him.”  Most of the time he is not a lead.  I wish I could see more of him.  Wah Wah Wah.  “They”, the directors, casting agents, producers, etc. just don’t get it.  They’re allowing this amazing talent to get away.

On the other hand, he is a consistently working actor; as he should be.  I’m very pleased that he is.  He ain’t dead yet.  Maybe someone will “discover” him and utilize this fine actor’s talent.  I can only hope so.

Any complaint about Jeffrey Wright?  No; nothing worth mentioning.  Sometimes he has this stare thing going on, but besides that, I enjoy watching him. 

He’s got four films in the pipeline; a few of them, starring roles.  Goody.  I’m looking forward to seeing his new work and his critically-acclaimed work in HBO’s Angels in America, which I’ve not seen.

I actually believe his time will come and they will no longer be able to ignore him.

I do.

Don Cheadle

Don’t you just love Don Cheadle?  I do.  Such a fine actor.  I’m glad he’s fulfilling his destiny.  Obviously, he was born to act.  No mediocrity here.  Cheadle, highly regarded in the industry, is the recipient of many awards and nominations.  And he has an extraordinary resume.

   

Don Cheadle is a consistent actor and I’ve never seen him do an injustice to any role.  I like him in lead roles.

    

I liked him in

    

Oceans 11, 12, 13, as explosive experts, Bashar Tarr.  His talent was wasted in this series.  Nevertheless, he gave good, solid performances.  I could’ve done without the Evel Knievel clown suit scene in Ocean’s 13.  Was that a real cockney accent?  Hell if I know.  But it worked for me.  I like how he uses makeup and costuming (earring, glasses, etc.) to change his appearance.   

    

I thought Cheadle gave solid performances in the following films:  Traffic, as DEA Agent Montel Gordon; Crash, as Detective Graham Waters; Bulworth, as drug dealer, L.D.; and as porn performer, Buck Swope in Boogie Nights.  He played a dentist in Reign Over Me.  I found the character annoying, though.  I guess Cheadle was good in the film, but I was distracted by the character.  And I thought there was not an ounce of chemistry between Cheadle and Jada Pinkett Smith.

    

I really liked him in

    

I especially liked him as hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda.  He was so good in this lead role.  Just magnificent.  He deserved that Oscar nomination.  That accent was on point.  He was riveting in this film.  I couldn't take my eyes off him. 

    

Things Behind the Sun (HBO) – I really liked Cheadle as band manager, Chuck, in this pic.

    

Devil in a Blue Dress – I enjoyed Mouse, Cheadle’s character in this pic.

    

Cheadle starred in Talk to Me.  It was an Oscar-worthy performance in my view.  He was smoking in this film.  He was also smoking in Things Behind the Sun.  People smoke.  I give Cheadle extra credit for not shunning away from roles that call for cigarette smoking.  (I wonder if he and Roger Guenveur Smith smoke in real life.  When actors smoke {especially more than once} on film, I’m always curious).  Whatever the case, I appreciate his use of the prop.   

    

His tender portrayal of schoolteacher Grant Wiggins in A Lesson Before Dying (television) was enjoyable to watch.

    

Don Cheadle selects varied roles.  His ability to transform into different people is fun to watch.  His appearance changes in all his films.  His voice work in Talk to Me was remarkable.  All of it -– sound, pitch, diction -- was impressive.  Cheadle successfully adjusted those speech essentials based on the character’s needs.  Cheadle was wonderful in this film.

    

There’s more of Don Cheadle’s work I’ve not yet seen and want to see; in particular, I want to see him in Rat Pack.

    

Good actors have an awareness and commitment to character that average and poor actors don’t.  This shows.  Overall, he makes good choices.  He’s a skillful actor.  I’m a fan.  I respect his talent.

    

    

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Thank you, Hotel Rwanda

Denzel Washington Roles - Part I

Grandaddy of ‘em all.  Our esteemed, beloved, ultra talented Denzel Washington.  What can I say?  Denzel Washington has made a name for himself as one of the preeminent black actors in motion pictures.
     
There’s just something about his appeal.  Besides good looks, career longevity and industry respect, I just find something likeable about him… and respectable.  He generally stays out of the gossip rags and people like him and he’s a family man and he doesn’t drive drunk, beat up people or do drugs.  I think, as a person, he is respected.  I think that helps his reputation as an actor, too.
    
Denzel Washington is an immensely talented actor; one who never disappoints.
    
Since Denzel Washington has such as huge body of work, and is such a big star, we’ll talk about him in increments.
     
I decided to stop denying the truth.  It has been my own secret; my own skeleton in my own closet.  But the truth is, contrary to popular sentiment, I don’t loooooove Denzel Washington as an actor, like everybody else does.  I feel guilty about this and wonder if there is something wrong with me.  Everybody loves Denzel (well, everyone except my friend, Karl). But I certainly like him and respect his work.  I like him a lot. I said to myself, “What’s wrong with me?  This is an outstanding actor.  Why don’t I looooove him?”  I set out to determine if I should.   So, I decided to talk about some of his most popular films and I tried to really pay attention to how I felt about his performances and how they made me feel.  I want to see if, after this post series, I would feel differently.
    
I kind of felt like a Martian for having my secret because for our revered Denzel Washington, there are no dissenters.
     
Let’s start with these three popular Denzel pics.
    
Inside Man – (Detective Frazier)  I liked Denzel in this role.  He played the role quite capably and I thought there were aspects of his performance that made him really good in this role.  Detective Frazier’s character, while totally believable and engaging, was not particularly interesting or compelling.  Safe character.  I liked the story.  I thought this was a smart movie.  I liked this Spike Lee-directed flick.
    
The Bone Collector – (Detective Rhymes)  Though the character is interesting and not at all boring, he is not compelling.  The story is gripping, though.  We feel sympathetic toward Detective Rhymes because he is a quadriplegic but beyond that basic sympathy, I felt nothing more than admiration for his achievements.  He played the role capably.  Safe character.  Story is good.  This movie is more about story (evidence) than it is about character.
    
The Hurricane - In this film Denzel Washington gave a magnificent performance which was Oscar worthy, I thought.  (I’m telling you -- to this day -- I still can’t figure out how Kevin Spacey won that Oscar for American Beauty.)  Washington’s character was defiant, delusional, proud, contrite.  This was a good story with a good character we were very sympathetic to.

I think…
    
Character:  I don’t find these characters interesting, except for Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.
    
Wanna see character; not actor:  I think it was good and important that all of the characters looked different.  I always like when actors achieve this.  I personally prefer, when I am looking at an actor, to be looking at an actor and not thinking I am looking at, for instance, Denzel Washington.  In Inside Man, Denzel had a thin mustache and closely (skin) cut hair and he wore a hat.  In The Bone Collector, he had longer hair and was clean-shaven or, occasionally, had five o’clock shadow.  And in The Hurricane, we saw his appearance change over time, so he looked different throughout the movie.  Nice.  Nice.
    
Acting:  Excellent in all roles.  Performances he can be proud of.  Us too.  Had a little more to work with in The Hurricane and took full advantage of it.
    
Parting words:  I don’t think selection of these roles was a mistake, in any way.  He picks good, safe roles.  I think that’s one reason Denzel Washington enjoys career longevity.  Good, solid “safe” roles.  Excellent performances.  Out of three, one compelling character.  Two police officer roles.
    
What did you think about Denzel in these films?

Terrence Howard

I thought Terrence Howard definitely earned that 2006 Oscar nomination (for Best Lead Actor).  He was very convincing in the role of Djay, the broke down pimp in Hustle & Flow.  In the pic, Howard delivers a multidimensional performance, allowing us to feel Djay’s sensitive side, his thug side, his fearful side, and his vulnerable side.  It was a masterful performance.  I was very impressed. 
    
Though not a lead character in Crash, but part of an ensemble cast, Terrence Howard’s portrayal of television director Cameron Thayer was outstanding.  Again he showed us range.  Thayer is at one time or another powerless, complacent, defenseless, defeated, determined, enraged. 
    
Terrence Howard is also good in his starring role as Detective Mercer in The Brave One, (recently released).
    
Other film credits include Dead Presidents, The Best Man, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Ray and Big Momma’s House.
    
He is an actor with range and he has proven this more than one time.  He is a talented, consistent actor who understands and respects his craft.

He’s not perfect but he’s a good actor.
    
I like Terrence Howard and look forward to seeing him in upcoming releases.  I’m glad he is getting the opportunities his talent deserves.  And boy is he getting opportunities.  He has several films that have already wrapped up production or are currently filming.

Marlon Wayans – Requiem for a Dream

I think Marlon Wayans is a wonderful comedic talent… most of the time.  Sometimes he’s a little much and a bit over the top.
    
But I liked Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a Dream.
    
Admittedly, I was surprised when I watched Wayans play heroin addict Tyrone C. Love, who longed for the love of his mother and spent his days dulling the pain by using and hustling the drug.
    
Because I’d only seen him in comedic roles, I would not have thought he had the chops to do a dramatic role justice.  Did he ever!  He was vulnerable.  He was spectacular in this film. 
    
I’d like to see him in more dramatic roles.
    
Don’t sleep on this dude.

You Guys Like Taye Diggs?

Eh. 
    
Not for nothing, but dude doesn’t really do it for me.
    
Diggs’ first film was 1998’s How Stella Got Her Groove Back.  Diggs’ portrayal of Winston Shakespeare, boy toy to Stella Payne (Angela Bassett), was dull; like most of the roles I’ve seen him in. 
    
Taye Diggs’ attempt at mimicking a Jamaican accent was equally unimpressive.  If you’re going to do dialect, do it.  Train for it.  Practice and study.  I’m reminded of Al Pacino’s terrible Cuban accent in Scarface.  Yet, his performance was still seen as credible because he is Al Pacino and because of the other elements of his performance.  And I think the cinematic virtues of the film overshadowed his faux pas.   But the mistake is inexcusable, even for him. 
    
Diggs co-starred as the bandleader in the 2002 film, Chicago.  And his previous credits include lead roles in The Best Man and Brown Sugar.  He wasn’t bad in these films.  Maybe he was good in them.
    
I think Hollywood likes him.  They certainly like his body (Djimon, you’re not the only one).  I figure they must since we often see him in his underwear and in Stella, we get a view from the back… and there is no underwear.  I’m just sayin’.
    
I haven’t seen Diggs’ other work except for a few moments of one episode of his TV series, Kevin Hill (now, cancelled).
    
But my initial thought about Taye Diggs is…
    
Eh.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I didn’t know this English-born, Nigerian actor until I saw Dirty Pretty Things (2002).  He turned my head with his credible portrayal of illegal Nigerian immigrant, Okwe, a fugitive doctor in his Native Nigeria.  While Okwe is struggling to remain an undetected illegal, he uncovers disturbing, criminal aspects of London’s underworld.  I loved Ejiofor in this movie.  He says so much with his expressive eyes.  In the role, he was terrified, nervous, angered, surprised, determined, and collected – all with his eyes.  His is a performance worth seeing.  Guarantee it.   
    
Before Dirty Pretty Things, Chiwetel was cast in Amistad (1997) as James Covey, the interpreter for the seditious slaves of the Amistad.  In 2004, he also had a small role as Security guard Frank Willis in She Hate Me.  That same year, he played Ellis Moonsong in Melinda and Melinda.  Though I didn’t much care for the film, I liked him in the small role.  His credits also include an appearance alongside Denzel Washington in the film, Inside Man (2006).  In that pic, Ejiofor played Detective Bill Mitchell.  Ejiofor also played Luke, in the film Children of Men (2006).
    
He played drag queen Lola in Kinky Boots (2005).  He was brilliant in this film.  Interestingly, in real life, there is not one ounce of femininity to his aura.  It was quite fascinating to see what he turned into when the makeup was applied.  He looked like a woman; even without his wig.  He acted like one. I can’t explain it but I didn’t really see him as a man in drag.  I saw him as a woman.  Of course, in costume he looks like an old tired queen, not a cute one or one who could even remotely pass for a woman.  His shoulders are too broad, muscle definition too obvious and he’s just too big to pull it off.  Despite this, he still conveyed femininity when he was in drag. 
    
It was not only that he was good in the physical portrayal of Lola, but he was accomplished in all aspects of his performance.  He was able to convey elements central to Lola’s inner turmoil and deep-seated emotional pain.  In capturing Lola’s essence, Ejiofor was charged with presenting a person who longs for acceptance and love and who cherishes the limelight.  He does this so quietly; so skillfully. I loooooooooved him in this role.  It’s the subtleties he conveys so well that make Ejiofor’s performance gripping.  Funny thing.  In Dirty Pretty Things, I couldn’t help but notice his hands.  They seemed to have the delicate quality of a woman’s hands.
    
I want to see more of him… because I like watching him.  I hope Hollywood recognizes his talent and rewards him with strong leading roles.  Ejiofor is a very talented actor; one who I will happily pay to see.

Roger Guenveur Smith

This is a fine actor.  He should be a leading actor.  He is versatile and solid.
    
His credits include supporting roles in several (five or six) Spike Lee films.
    
Though I despised the character, Smith was compelling -- if not maddeningly annoying -- as a mentally challenged man (Smiley) in Do The Right Thing.
    
Smith was cast in Get on The Bus as Gary, an L.A. police officer who rides with other black men to D.C. for the Million Man March. I liked him in this pic, too.
    
I especially liked him in Eve’s Bayou.  Though the role was small, he gave us his cool and controlled rendition of regular-guy-turned-jealous-husband, Lenny Mereaux.  Smith was very good in this film.
    
I was disappointed with his role as Big Willie Smith in He Got Game.  His dialog sounded wooden and unrealistic.  Fortunately, it was a small role.  Thank goodness.  I was starting to feel embarrassed.
    
But he was mesmerizing in A Huey P. Newton Story (a made for TV film) which he not only starred in, but wrote.  He was charismatic and vulnerable in the role.  He was patient.  It was a great role.  The role allowed him to emote and reveal a multifaceted, multidimensional character.  The character was helpless, conflicted, angry, sad, fearful, stoned, hopeful, cynical, sarcastic and at one point, dancing.  It was a very strong and noteworthy performance.  [What a perfect chain-smoker, I thought.  Dude didn’t miss a beat.  Never even coughed.  The smoke never even got in his eyes.  He used that prop (cigarettes) brilliantly.]  His use of the prop was very impressive.  Others might have sloppily mishandled the prop.  Others might have lacked the dexterity and commitment to character, to optimize the use of the prop.  Smith is a professional, though.
    
He’s a very good actor.  He should have won a major award by now.  Everyone should know his name.  I hope to see him in quality roles in the future.  I’d like to see him in lead roles.

Djimon Hounsou

This twice Oscar-nominated actor is a great talent.  He was nominated for “Best Supporting Actor” in the role of Solomon Vandy in the film, Blood Diamond (2006).  Watch this and you’ll agree his talent is undeniable.  In the role, he displays emotion very naturally.  Never contrived.  His intensity is executed very capably.
    
But Blood Diamond is not the only film he’s been nominated for.  In 2004 he was nominated for a “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar for his work in the film, In America (2002).  In that film, he played an AIDS patient and he was good in the movie.  In 1998, he was nominated for a Golden Globe award for “Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Drama” for his role in Amistad (1997).
    
Even though he has not yet won, these are well-deserved accolades placed upon Hounsou.  I’m glad he’s getting recognition.  Worth mentioning, he’s been nominated for lots of awards lots of times; including nominations for SAG Awards, Image Awards and others.
    
I think he’ll be around for a while.  I sure hope so.  I like him.

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