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The USC Libraries announced the winners for the 37th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award, which honors the year’s best film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based. This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics (for which I vote) is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race. Last year following its Scripter win, “American Fiction” took home the Oscar. Selection committee chair Howard Rodman announced the winners on February 22 at a black-tie ceremony at USC’s Town and Gown ballroom, replacing the usual Doheny Library.

For the third year in a row, “Slow Horses” was nominated for episodic series, after winning the past two years, but this time lost to Hulu’s “Say Nothing,” a limited series adapted by Joshua Zetumer from the sprawling nonfiction book about the Troubles in Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe. They won for the episode “The People in the Dirt.

Denzel Washington, like the iconic trailblazer Sidney Poitier, mastered movie stardom which was long denied to African-American actors in Hollywood. Mr. Poitier emerged at a pivotal time in the history of Hollywood and showed whiteness doesn’t have to define the industry’s stardom. And it was in the year the American Civil Rights Movement gained greater momentum, i.e., in 1954, Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born. The man not only redefined stardom for black actors but also broke many standardized Hollywood representations of black characters. Most importantly, Denzel Washington is one of the best American actors of all time. The swagger and easy charm of the actor deserves a distinguishable adjective like Washingtonian.

Born to a beautician mom and a Pentecostal preacher dad, Denzel Washington grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Fordham University to study journalism. But Washington developed an interest...

Denzel Washington is directly proportional to pure Hollywood royalty. If you need to give an example of living legends, there is no way you are allowed to leave the man’s name out of the list. Whether it is Malcolm X or Training Day, Giving Voice, or Devil in a Blue Dress, Denzel Washington has proven time and time again that he stepped into the industry to conquer. And now, his two sons are following in his footsteps.

Denzel Washington in a still from Malcolm X (1992) | Credits: 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks

Denzel Washington has 2 sons – John David Washington and Malcolm Washington. Growing up with him as a father, it was inevitable that the two would develop a deep understanding and appreciation for cinema. As they make their name in the industry, let’s take a look at five films the two of them have done that are a must-watch!

When it comes to sunshine, tans, and crystal-clear waters, it's hard to beat Florida. With consistently warm weather, vibrant colors, and a bustling nightlife, the Sunshine State -- particularly Miami -- offers plenty to admire. It remains a top destination for beachgoers looking to unwind and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.

Hollywood has long taken notice of Florida's exemplary conditions, consistently using the state's magnetic glow as a backdrop for countless films. Many of these movies have achieved monumental success. But what are the 10 best movies set in the state? We're glad you asked! We've compiled a list of our favorite films that not only take place in Florida but often make the state a central figure in the story.

Keep in mind, these aren't just movies shot in Florida, like, say, Harold Ramis' "Caddyshack." Each film on this list is set in or around the Sunshine State, using its...

The noir genre has been popular since the earliest days of cinema and has remained just as popular for good reason. While historical context and technical advancements may force viewers to reflect on older projects from a different perspective, a clever and compelling mystery has the power to stand the test of time. It’s often a genre that inspires the audience to work with the characters as they examine clues at the same time, making the conclusion of a given case much more enthralling. While the genre is often associated with the work of classic sleuths like Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon, director Carl Franklin managed to take a fun new spin on the genre with his 1995 neo-noir Devil in a Blue Dress. Although it is remembered for the iconic performance by Denzel Washington at its center, Devil in a Blue Dress gave Don Cheadle his scene-stealing breakout role.

Contrary to the "Eleven" in its title, only 10 of the main ensemble actors involved in "Ocean's Eleven" were credited for the movie. Indeed, despite being a major player, then-future Marvel Cinematic Universe star Don Cheadle's name doesn't appear at all in the film's credits.

Cheadle's absence from the credits has confused fans of the Steven Soderbergh heist movie since its release in 2001. The actor was already a known quantity in Hollywood by the time the movie came out, and his character, the questionably Cockney-accented explosives expert Basher Tarr, gets plenty of screen time in the movie. Yet, if you pop over to IMDb, Cheadle is currently the 77th person on the cast credits page for "Ocean's Eleven," under the "uncredited" section after characters with names like "Dog Track Gambler" and "Woman in Casino." What gives? Cheadle himself seems to have rarely spoken about the issue on the record, although...

War Machine himself, Don Cheadle, is set to star in the crime thriller Canyon for Alcon Entertainment, taking on the role of a jazz-playing killer. Deadline reports that veteran music video director Colin Tilley, who made his feature directorial debut with Halsey’s concept horror film If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, will be taking of the helm of Canyon, working from a screenplay by John Wick and Nobody writer Derek Kolstad.

The story Kolstad has crafted for this one takes place over the course of one scorching night. Canyon — a part-time jazz musician and full-time killer — finds himself the unlikely protector of a young siren pulled into a turf war between feuding crime families. When you mix crime, murder, and jazz, I immediately think of the 1992 John Woo classic Hard Boiled – which would be a great film for the makers of this movie to draw inspiration from.

Leonardo DiCaprio stunned the world and made the arena of film his own when he delivered a once-in-a-lifetime performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Later, he matured into an all-around powerhouse of acting with films like Django Unchained, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Revenant.

Man on Fire feat. Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning [Credit: 20th Century Studios, Paramount Pictures]

But even before DiCaprio, Denzel Washington proved what true talent could harness by revealing a masterclass of exemplary acting crafted by a genius. Washington’s skills lay in his ability to define entire worlds with a simple gaze, a dialogue delivery, or a non-verbal cue. Or, in this case, a fleeting smirk in an improvised scene with a 10-year-old actress in an action thriller flick.

Denzel Washington: The Master of Improvisation Man on Fire (2004) [Credit: 20th Century Studios, Paramount Pictures]

Despite the vast filmographic record of Denzel Washington, the actor proved to be a true and...

Denzel Washington has done it all. A universally beloved actor for over three decades, he has nothing to prove, but with his recent performance in Gladiator II, Washington is taking his victory lap. In a sequel to one of the canonical films of the 21st century, Washington, playing a slave owner and master string-puller away from the Colosseum, is the mainstream draw to Ridley Scott's film. Despite his credentials, we tend to lose sight of Washington's brilliance, partially because he prefers resorting to sturdy but disposable action programmers as of late. In the 1990s, the Glory and Malcolm X star was a blockbuster staple and risk-taker of unconventional projects encompassing his unlimited range. During this era, no performance underlined Washington's grittiness, magnetism, and vulnerability than the hard-boiled neo-noir, Devil in a Blue Dress.

Don Cheadle has enjoyed an interesting and varied career encompassing success in both film and television.

He first started acting in the mid-1980s with such films as “Hamburger Hill” and “Colors.” His career took a different direction when he was cast in the spinoff series “The Golden Palace” followed by “Picket Fences.” Around this time, he also had the movie “Devil with a Blue Dress” garner him some awards attention and make nearly grab him an Oscar nomination.

Cheadle won a Golden Globe in 1999 for his role in the film “The Rat Pack,” in which he played Sammy Davis Jr. He would later go on to appear in the remake of one of Davis’ films, “Ocean’s Eleven.”

He would win a second Golden Globe in 2013 for the TV series “House of Lies” which had a multi-year run on Showtime. The series would earn him three Golden Globe nominations and four Emmy nominations,...

In the chronicles of American cinema, Denzel Washington (who we recently interviewed) stands as a singular force. His body of work represents not just artistic excellence but a fundamental reshaping of what stardom means in Hollywood. Each performance bears his unmistakable signature – a blend of intellectual rigor and emotional truth that has become the gold standard for screen acting.

Washington’s command of his acting instrument sets him apart from his contemporaries. His approach to character isn’t about transformation so much as revelation – peeling back layers to expose fundamental truths about human nature. Where other actors might rely on external changes, Washington works from the inside out, building characters whose inner lives radiate through every gesture, every measured pause, every calculated glance.

The foundation of his artistic journey was built on theater training and a methodical approach to craft. Early television work on St. Elsewhere revealed glimpses of his potential,...

The Piano Lesson has finally been released on Netflix, and here is a full breakdown of the cast and characters from the film. Director Malcolm Washington is adapting the critically acclaimed 1987 play into a feature film, with him working alongside some of the most talented actors who are working today. There are tons of talented individuals in The Piano Lesson, and here's who they all are.

The Piano Lesson follows the Charles family, a multi-generational group of characters who have to decide what they want to do with the titular piano. The piano is a family heirloom that was crafted by the enslaved ancestors of the Charles family, with it being beautifully decorated and passed down. Some want to sell the piano and others want to preserve it, leading to a major conflict within the Charles family.

Actor

Role

John David Washington

Boy Willie Charles

Samuel L. Jackson

Doaker Charles...

Over more than 40 years in Hollywood, Denzel Washington has only ever reprised one of his characters: Robert McCall of The Equalizer trilogy. Nearly 30 years ago however, there was another potential franchise in the works for him that he, the studio, and director Carl Franklin were all eager to see work.

“I definitely arrived here with some films that I was like, ‘I want to make sure I grab that’ and ‘I own it and I have it,’ but upon arrival I have been washed in in the blood of Criterion.”

This was actor Jeremy Pope’s reaction upon entering the sacred Criterion Closet and seeing all the stunning cinema that lay before him. Without delay, Pope’s first selection was Carl Franklin’s Los Angeles-set noir, “Devil in a Blue Dress.”

“This film speaks to me because my first real job was this show called ‘Hollywood’ that I shot with Ryan Murphy for Netflix and this film, set in the I think it’s like, late ‘40s/‘50s, felt very identical to the experience that my character Archie was about to go on, so this became like such an inspiration and like a point of reference,” said Pope. “Love the film,...

Denzel Washington is sharing his thoughts on the current political landscape in the United States.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor, who stars in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator II, was recently asked about the 2024 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump defeat Kamala Harris earlier this month. During his interview with The Sunday Times, editor Jonathan Dean also noted a specific line in Gladiator II that felt timely given the election: “Empires fall, so do emperors.”

“You know, it’s so easy to stand outside America and say this and that,” Washington, 69, said in response. “Turn around, you know? Pick a country. Any one.”

“But listen,” the Training Day actor continued. “It’s all politics. All promises unkept. And now with the information age the way it is — if anything — left, right, whatever had better learn how to use those tools to manipulate the people. There was a great line in the first movie I did,...

Denzel Washington is a rare breed – a bankable star who has rarely relied on massive franchises or outlandish roles to get some box-office success. It can be argued that he has actually built his career on the art of picking. And yet, while Washington is one of the most respected actors of his generation, his highest-grossing film, American Gangster, brought in a “modest” $266.5 million worldwide back in 2007.

Denzel Washington in Gladiator II | Credits: Paramount Pictures

Now, with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 around the corner, Washington could very well break this 16-year streak, finally overtaking American Gangster as his highest-grossing film. But how did a star of Washington’s caliber avoid this mega-blockbuster idea for so long, and what is it about Gladiator 2 that could make it his biggest box-office hit yet?

It’s a Denzel Washington show through and through

In what is more than four decades, Washington...

Denzel Washington is one of the most recognizable and talented actors of his generation, having a presence and charisma on screen that is virtually unrivaled. Over his stellar 40-year career, he has embodied some of the most morally ambiguous and larger-than-life characters that have made him an icon in cinema. In every role he plays, he is known for the ruthless authenticity and genuine immersion that he brings each character to life in his extensive filmography.

The 2000s were a decade when Washington continued his monumental run, performing in some of his most career defining roles, such as the energetic Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day or the subdued and intellectual Melvin B. Tolson in The Great Debaters. His portrayals are usually the shining centerpiece of the films he appears in, and his aura brightens the rest of the cast around him. It's this quality, combined with his longevity and...

Note: This review is based on the Director’s Cut.

Umbrella Entertainment resurrected a forgotten flick from the mid-90s with their Blu-ray release of Lord of Illusions last year. Back in 1995, writer-director Clive Barker ventured outside his normal horror otherworld playground to deliver this unconventional story that is part film noir and part supernatural fantasy thriller, but the result is all entertaining. Besides being a Barker joint, it starred an ex-Quantum Leaper, a Bond villain and a Seinfeld boss who loved making life a living hell for George Costanza!

And almost thirty years later, it indeed might be worth a revisit through fresh eyes.

A specialist in cases involving occult activity, private detective Harry D’Amour heads to Los Angeles for what is supposed to be an easy insurance fraud stakeout to shake off the trauma from his last job involving a demonically possessed young boy. This gig...

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Carl Franklin's "Devil in a Blue Dress" was exactly two years ahead of its time, almost to the day. The director's adaptation of the first installment in Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins series of noir novels would've been perfectly positioned in late 1997 to capitalize on the slow rolling box office success of Curtis Hanson's "L.A. Confidential." Both films were September releases building on buzzy debuts at the late summer Toronto International Film Festival, but "L.A. Confidential" proved zeitgeisty in ways that eluded "Devil in a Blue Dress." It kicked off a noir renaissance that saw national and local film critics writing up lists of must-see black-and-white crime flicks from the 1940s and '50s for their readers. Suddenly, mainstream moviegoers were up on terminology like "femme fatale," and eager to watch Humphrey Bogart movies that weren't "Casablanca.

Denzel Washington is one of our most accomplished actors who has worked alongside other legendary A-listers, but, sadly, we missed out on seeing him reunite with one of them, Morgan Freeman, when he turned down Se7en in the '90s. Denzel Washington has earned his title in Hollywood as one of the best actors of his generation. Over four decades, Washington has shown his incredible range as an actor, and Denzel Washington's upcoming movies will be just as powerful. Still, even he has had some missed opportunities over the years.

A prominent project Washington turned down was David Fincher's 1995 classic thriller Se7en, which followed two detectives hunting a serial killer who commits murders based on the seven deadly sins. Washington ultimately declined because he thought the script was too dark and demonic. Although he later regretted his decision, 1995 was still an eventful year for Washington, with three films released: Crimson Tide,...

Denzel Washington requires no introduction. To call him an outstanding leading man is an understatement and his four-decade-long and ongoing career — both on the big screen and on Broadway — boasts a variety of roles that underline his ability to shine centerstage. Given the sheer breadth of his work and the varying tints of the projects he has worked on, some are bound to underperform or simply bomb at the box office, such as the neo-noir mystery thriller "Devil in a Blue Dress" (which barely managed to break even) and the disastrous reception of "Heart Condition." Although Washington has dabbled in various genres, from action comedies to hard-boiled thrillers, along with literary adaptations and science fiction, he has starred in only one horror movie so far. Unfortunately, this film — 1998's "Fallen," which currently only has a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes -- completely flopped at the box office.

The thing about some...

Fresh off the premiere of its new Fox drama “Murder in a Small Town,” Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment shingle is ramping up its development slate — next via a first-look pact with Daily Beast chief content officer Joanna Coles. Future Shack and Coles have multiple projects in development, including a take on MSNBC anchor Katy Tur’s memoir “Rough Draft.”

Wachtel and Coles are also shopping the drama “Base Camp,” which looks at the crowded — and dangerous — queue to get to the top of Mt. Everest. Playwright and screenwriter Anchuli Felicia King is the scribe behind that project.

Additionally, Future Shack and Coles have two more scripts in the works at 20th Television. Coles, who was previously chief content officer at Hearst, was the inspiration for the Freeform drama “The Bold Type,” which she also executive produced. “She’s a phenomenal producer, but primarily a magazine editor and tastemaker,...

America's fascination with serial killers has been an exploitable cultural phenomenon since long before the term was coined in the 1970s. People read books, wrote plays, and followed newspaper coverage of notorious murderers like Jack the Ripper, Charles Starkweather, and Richard Speck. A cold-blooded murder in any capacity is baffling enough to normal or normal-ish people; going on a wanton killing spree for kicks or because the lunar cycle is in the proper alignment is just bananas. How and why do minds break like this?

When a (one-time) master novelist like Thomas Harris or a naturalist like John McNaughton is asking these questions, there can be great value in examining the minds of monsters. When Jonathan Demme is adapting the former, there is also the opportunity to make a rewatchable, Oscar-winning classic of a film. When Ryan Murphy is at the helm, you're going to wind up with a lot...

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Even though he got his start in standup, there’s a reason Cedric Kyles is not called Cedric The Comedian. He’s hosted game shows and the Emmys, starred in Broadway plays and dramas like First Reformed, and much more, and now Cedric The Entertainer has added novelist to his resume. His first novel, Flipping Boxcars, was published a year ago, and just got a paperback release earlier this month.

Denzel Washington, regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, has a career spanning several decades with work on screen as well as on stage. Initially, he started his career in theater, but soon transitioned to television with the medical drama St. Elsewhere. This project put the actor on the map, and soon every filmmaker in town wanted to work with him.

Denzel Washington in a still from The Hurricane || Credits: Universal Pictures

However, there was one movie that not only tackled major themes but also earned the actor an Oscar nomination. The movie is 1999’s The Hurricane, in which he plays the role of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.

Washington prepared extensively for the role and even perfected his boxing skills. However, one conversation was enough for him to put the boxing gloves down for good.

Denzel Washington Nearly Gave Up Boxing After The Hurricane Denzel Washington in...

There was never a time when Denzel Washington wasn't on a hot streak. Not only does Washington have a talent for picking interesting or unique projects, but he also has the acting acumen to back up whatever he selects. Even when he's decided to make a mainstream genre thriller, clunky crime flick, or brutal, brainless actioner, he is always present, bringing nuance and texture to his performances. It also helps that Washington has become a go-to collaborator for multiple talented directors, having worked with Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua, Carl Franklin, Jonathan Demme, and both Ridley and Tony Scott multiple times apiece. He has also taken it upon himself to produce 10 movies based on August Wilson's plays, two of which have already been made.

Washington's hot streak in the mid-1990s included, in a row, "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Pelican Brief," "Philadelphia," "Crimson Tide," Virtuosity," "Devil in a Blue Dress,...

NYC Weekend Watch is our weekly round-up of repertory offerings.

Roxy Cinema

Fidelio, our four-film program with Chapo Trap House’s Movie Mindset, closes with Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer and Clint Eastwood’s Absolute Power on 35mm, both introduced by myself, Will Menaker, and Hesse Deni this Friday, and with discounted $12 tickets by mentioning our program at the box office.

Museum of the Moving Image

70mm prints of 2001, Lawrence of Arabia, Tenet, and Far and Away screen; Sherlock Jr. plays on Saturday and Sunday.

Film at Lincoln Center

A new restoration of Shinji Sōmai’s Moving continues.

Film Forum

Restorations of Seven Samurai and Army of Shadows continue playing.

Anthology Film Archives

Films by James N. Kienitz Wilkins, Clio Barnard, and more screen in “Verbatim.”

Bam

Devil in a Blue Dress, Coming to America, a 35mm print of Sylvia Scarlett, and more screen in “Passing You By.”

Museum of Modern Art...

Pluto TV, Paramount’s free streaming service, has revealed its July highlights. The Pluto TV July 2024 schedule includes a new Westerns category and a Yellowstone Fourth of July marathon.

You can also expect fireworks at the Big Brother house when season 26 premieres, and with Pluto TV’s dedicated 24/7 live feeds, you won’t miss a second of the drama. Fans can also relive past seasons of the competition series on a new dedicated channel.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live, linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience. The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies.

Pluto TV offers various genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more. The service can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices.

Hollywood star Denzel Washington has been one of the most beloved actors of his generation, often seen as the epitome of a true movie star. Despite his immense success, Washington has always been open about his humble beginnings before rising to fame.

Denzel Washington in Fences | Credit: Paramount Pictures

One such story is about his very first date with his wife Pauletta Pearson, to whom he has been married for 40 years. In an interview, the actor recalled his first-ever date with his wife, revealing that he did not have enough money to pay for the cab, prompting Pearson to cover for the ride.

Denzel Washington Recalled His First-Ever Date With His Wife

In an amusing and heartwarming revelation, renowned actor Denzel Washington, whose net worth now stands at an impressive $300 million, shared an unforgettable memory from his first date with his wife, Pauletta Pearson.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson | Credit:...

At one of the heights of his career, following films like “Malcolm X,” “Philadelphia,” and “Devil in a Blue Dress,” Denzel Washington starred in a remake of the 1947 Christmas movie, “The Bishop’s Wife.” Directed by the late great Penny Marshall, the remake was called “The Preacher’s Wife” and centered on a struggling Baptist pastor, played by Courtney B. Vance, and an angel come down to help, but who ends up focusing more on the pastor’s wife. Marshall cast this role to another megawatt talent of the time, Whitney Houston. Discussing his career with Chaz Ebert at the American Black Film Festival in Miami, per People, Denzel Washington remembered the concern he had for Houston while making the film.

“I felt like I always wanted to protect her,” he said. Ebert acknowledged how this was present in the film. She said, “There was a vulnerability that you saw.”

Surprised this came across in his performance,...

Despite many hits, Denzel Washington faced flops like 1995's Devil In A Blue Dress and 2021's A Journal for Jordan. Fallen is Washington's only horror film, a dark thriller that failed at the box office but became a cult classic. Washington avoided early career horror roles unlike his A-list peers, with Fallen's failure likely dissuading him from horror.

While Denzel Washingtons career has lasted over 40 years, the actor has only ventured into a certain genre once and his lone effort was a financial and critical failure. Denzel Washington is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. As a result, it is easy to forget that the star has weathered his fair share of flops during his illustrious screen career. 1995s Devil In A Blue Dress underperformed, while Washington directed the 2021 flop A Journal for Jordan, which lost over $15 million upon release. Fortunately, Washingtons many hits more...

As if serving as the creative director of the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) wasn’t enough, Issa Rae will now sit for the inaugural “Creator Conversation” with two very special guests: Ava DuVernay and Kenya Barris.

The exclusive live event — which is part of a new program dubbed “Creator Conversations” — will take attendees on a journey through their Rae, DuVernay and Barris’ processes and careers, including recent projects such as DuVernay’s latest film “Origin” and Barris’ hit “Black-ish” franchise and his directorial debut “You People.”

“We are truly delighted to get a rare glimpse into the minds of three trailblazers who are reshaping the landscape of film and television. Ava DuVernay, Kenya Barris and Issa Rae are incredibly talented creators whose work and careers we admire tremendously,” ​​said Nice Crowd President Nicole Friday announcing the special event, which will be held on Friday, June...

Denzel Washington shines in 90s neo-noir Devil in a Blue Dress but Don Cheadle steals the show with his explosive character, Mouse. Devil in a Blue Dress subverts traditional noir tropes by focusing on Black characters and themes of racial conflict in post-wwii America. The dynamic between Denzel Washington's Easy and Don Cheadle's Mouse adds depth and energy to the film, concluding with a poignant and impactful ending.

Denzel Washington is a totemic figure in Hollywood history, to the point that when a Denzel film comes out, it tends to garner excitement for his involvement alone. Nearly 70 years old, Washington is still starring in the hit action franchise The Equalizer, recently turned in a critical darling of a performance as the titular character in Joel Coen's 2021 Macbeth and is set to co-star in Ridley Scott's long-awaited Gladiator sequel. As one of this and last century's great leading men,...

Fallen is Denzel Washington's most underrated movie, combining police procedural with supernatural horror for a gripping twist. Despite being a commercial and critical failure upon release, Fallen has since become a cult-favorite in Denzel Washington's filmography. Combining 90s box office trends of supernatural horror and serial killer thrillers, Fallen should have been a huge hit with its killer twist ending.

Although Denzel Washington has enjoyed many major hits in his lengthy screen career, one of the stars most underrated movies was a flop from 26 years ago. Denzel Washington might be one of the most acclaimed actors of the last few decades, but his box office record is less pristine than viewers might assume. The stars very first movie, the 1981 comedy Carbon Copy, underperformed upon release, as did Denzel Washingtons Spike Lee collaboration He Got Game in 1997. A string of critical and commercial hits ensured that these wobbles didnt do...

The noir genre first grew to prominence in the 1950s, with stars like Humphrey Bogart and Orson Welles epitomizing the morally ambiguous protagonists that were essential to these early mystery films. It became interesting to see how the genre evolved and modernized within the subsequent years, but Carl Franklins 1995 masterpiece Devil in a Blue Dress felt like a deliberate throwback. With its classical mystery case, '40s setting, and charismatic performance by Denzel Washington, Devil in a Blue Dress felt like a refreshing example of old school filmmaking done right. Washington and Franklin then worked together again for the 2003 neo-noir thriller Out of Time.

Denzel Washington's upcoming remake with Spike Lee may face box office challenges due to his past remakes underperforming. The star's history with remakes, such as The Manchurian Candidate and The Magnificent Seven, shows mixed results financially. However, with Spike Lee's successful track record in crime thrillers, High and Low could break this trend and be a hit for Washington.

Although Denzel Washingtons next Spike Lee collaboration High and Low sounds exciting, the movie will return to a trend that has never been good news for the stars box office prospects. Although Denzel Washington is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, the star has weathered his fair share of flops. 1998s supernatural thriller Fallen and 1995s noir mystery Devil In A Blue Dress both failed to earn back their budgets at the box office despite becoming cult classics in the years after their respective releases. In fact,...

Denzel Washington is easily one of the most admired and respected influences in the entertainment industry, with a presence that never ceases to catch the attention of the entire room he walks in. And yet, he was very well humbled when he came in the presence of the late legendary actor best known for playing James Bond: Sean Connery.

Denzel Washington in 2 Guns. | Credit: Universal Pictures.

Interestingly enough, this happened at the Oscars, and the way Washington realized — even before the announcement of the results — that he had truly been defeated by the now-deceased actor on the biggest stage in Hollywood was through one simple act that was, perhaps, common for an actor as tremendously acclaimed as Connery: A 3-minute standing ovation!

Denzel Washington Recalls the Time He Got Humbled by Sean Connery

Although he started acting back in 1977, the movie that is regarded as the one that...

Starz has announced the movie and TV titles coming to the service in June. The Starz June 2024 schedule includes the season four premiere of Power Book II: Ghost.

On the film front, Bros, Ticket to Paradise, How I Learned to Fly (featuring Cliff “Method Man” Smith), Get On Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Billy Madison, Carlito’s Way, How High, Jarhead, Law Abiding Citizen, and several other notable titles join the Starz app this month.

You can also celebrate The Karate Kid‘s 40th anniversary with a movie marathon on Starz Encore, beginning Saturday, June 22, at 2:50 p.m. with the classic The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid Part II.

Starz June 2024 Highlights

Power Book II: Ghost Season 4

The fourth and final season of “Power Book II: Ghost” debuts on Friday, June 7, at midnight Et on the Starz app, which also coincides with the 10th Anniversary of “Power’s” debut on Starz.

Denzel Washington is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors who has graced the silver screen with many acclaimed performances to his credit. The actor has played heroic characters for most of his career in impressive films such as Mo’ Better Blues, Philadelphia, Courage Under Fire, and Glory winning an Oscar for the latter.

Denzel Washington as Easy Rawlins in Devil in a Blue Dress

His second Oscar win for Best Actor came with his antagonistic turn as Alonzo in Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day. Washington had never played a sleazy and morally complicated character like Alonzo before. However, he was vying to play one much before that film and one such antagonistic performance that he was envious of was of Don Cheadle in Devil in a Blue Dress.

Don Cheadle’s Meaty Role Made Denzel Washington Question His Choices

Don Cheadle’s brilliant performance in Devil in a Blue Dress...

Although Don Cheadle is mostly known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he actually captured audiences' attention in his breakout performance opposite Denzel Washington in Devil in a Blue Dress around 29 years ago, establishing himself as a talented actor ever since, and eventually winning the ShoWest's Male Star of the Year award. While Cheadle isn't in many Hollywood blockbusters, he partook in many well-known movies where he showcased his undeniable talents, from Ocean's Eleven to Out of Sight.

Quick Links What Is Inside Man About? Inside Man's Commercial and Critical Success The Spike Lee/Denzel Washington Factor

To some, Training Day might reign supreme as Denzel Washington's best crime movie earning the all-time great actor his second Academy Award and first in a Leading Role Netflix recently added a worthy contender for the title. Despite starring in such acclaimed crime films as Devil in a Blue Dress, Fallen, Man on Fire, American Gangster, and The Equalizer franchise, Inside Man is a superb heist thriller that reunites Washington with the inimitable Spike Lee.

Inside Man not only proves that Washington and Lee rank among the all-time best actor/director duos, but it also features outstanding supporting turns from Oscar-winner Jodie Foster and Oscar nominees Willem Dafoe, Clive Owen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Moreover, Inside Man was a commercial and critical hit when it hit the masses in 2006, marking one...

The lineup for the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival continues to get more star studded with the world premiere of the second season of Kerry Washington’s Hulu series “UnPrisoned.”

Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.

The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.

The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...

Tubi’s upcoming titles for April include five new Tubi Originals:

YA comedy Crushed, starring Bebe Wood Two titles timed to the 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking – a documentary, Mysteries From The Grave: The Titanic, and a horror film, Titanic 666, starring AnnaLynne McCord (“90210”), Keesha Sharp (“Empire”) and Jamie Bamber (“Battlestar Galactica”) Action movie Lord Of The Streets, featuring

Mma stars Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Anderson Silva.

The action sci-fi film Corrective Measures, starring Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead”), Bruce Willis (“The Sixth Sense”) and Tom Cavanaugh (“The Flash”)

Unless otherwise noted, all titles below will begin streaming on April 1.

Tubi Originals

Crushed – 4/1 – After the hottest guy in school likes her Instagram photo, a high-achieving, high-strung high school girl carries out totally crazy schemes to hook up with him before the senior class trip ends. But things spiral when her obsession gets out of control.

Mysteries From...

Passing on the role of Detective Mills in Se7en is one of Denzel Washington's biggest career regrets to this day. Washington's incredible range allows him to choose his own roles, but missing out on Se7en was a big loss due to its huge success. Even though Washington would have been amazing in the role, Brad Pitt was perfectly cast and Se7en was still a major hit.

Denzel Washington has had one of the most impressive acting careers in the history of Hollywood, but he didn't always make the right call, and he's said that he still regrets turning down one major movie role to this day. Denzel Washington has starred in wildly profitable movies throughout his career, and he's starred in every genre imaginable, from dramas to action. There were several roles that defined Washington's career, but there was one he missed out on that could...

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, Manhunt is an exploration of competing political agendas played out in the shadow of a presidential assassination. Based on the New York Times bestseller "The Twelve Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer" by James L. Swanson, the Apple TV+ series depicts the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle). Directed across seven episodes by industry veterans Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) and John Dahl (The Last Seduction), this compelling historical drama demands to be watched.

Packed with Emmy Award winners including Tobias Menzies (The Crown), Patton Oswalt and creator Monica Beletsky (Fargo), this Apple original is a riveting return to a pivotal point in American history. The series was set in a time when the hopes and fears of a nation sat on the shoulders of President Abraham Lincoln (Hamish Linklater). He was an advocate and political architect of...

Manhunt's strength lies in its multiple storylines. Anthony Boyle shines as John Wilkes Booth in a captivating performance. Balanced storytelling and solid performances make Manhunt worth a watch.

Manhunt is a great addition to the Apple TV+ library, offering more than audiences may expect. The performances are solid, giving every scene an extra touch of gravitas. The story's A-plot focuses on the capture of John Wilkes Booth, but the B-story follows the systemic perils of implementing the Reconstruction Era. Creator and showrunner Monica Beletsky (Friday Night Lights) has crafted an elegant view at a very specific moment in American history.

6/10

Mahunt is an AppleTV+ mini-series focusing on the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after he assassinates Abraham Lincoln. Anthony Boyle stars as John Wilkes Booth alongside Tobias Menzies, Lovie Simone, and Will Harrison in the series created by Monica Beletsky.

ProsManhunt's strength is in its balance of multiple storylinesAnthony...

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reuniting for a remake of Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. The rise of Denzel Washington's son, John David Washington, in Hollywood makes him a likely addition to the cast of Lee's new movie. The success of BlacKkKlansman also makes a potential collaboration between Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, and John David Washington in High and Low more likely.

Denzel Washington’s upcoming movie reunion with Spike Lee in High and Low's remake can pay off a casting wish first teased back in 1992. In their first acting-directing collaboration since Inside Man 18 years ago, Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are set to reunite for the fifth time in the forthcoming English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese crime thriller High and Low. Washington is confirmed to star in the new High and Low movie while Lee will return to the director’s chair, following in...

A big-budget series adaptation of a best-selling sci-fi epic, a new season of an acquired Peacock gem, a spinoff series of a Guy Ritchie crime feature, the return of one of the world’s most grueling reality competition shows, Millie Bobby Brown finding herself in all sorts of bother and Adam Sandler getting serious in a space drama are among the standout films and series hitting Netflix in March.

Funnyman Sandler is deathly serious in Johan Renck’s Spaceman, Netflix’s big feature release this month that debuts on March 1. The film, an adaptation of Jaroslav Kalfar’s novel Spaceman of Bohemia, sees Sandler play a Czech astronaut sent to the farthest reaches of space, just as his personal life is falling to pieces. Sandler’s character must keep his sanity and his only supposed company is a giant alien arachnid. The film, which premiered out of competition at the Berlin Film Festival,...

The two big original releases on Netflix this month are Spaceman and 3 Body Problem. In Spaceman, Adam Sandler plays an astronaut alone and far from home who desperately wants to fix things with his wife. When he discovers an enormous alien spider in the bowels of his ship, a conversation between the two gets underway, and Sandler has a chance to make some big changes. To be clear: this is not a comedy!

Meanwhile, new sci-fi series 3 Body Problem hails from Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Along with True Blood writer Alexander Woo, they’ve spun a tale that is set to blow your mind this March. Your mileage may vary, but it certainly looks interesting! And hey, we all love the show’s star, Benedict Wong.

Here’s everything else coming to Netflix this month. Note that Netflix marks its international offerings...

Leaping from the slightly longer February into March, Netflix is welcoming in the new month with big series premieres, special live events, comedy specials, and films to binge at any time!

Coming to the streamer this month, “Girls5eva” will also make its debut after being rescued by the streamer from Peacock cancelation. Both existing seasons of the hit comedy and the all-new third season will premiere on the platform mid-month. Plus, wind down and whet your appetite with new seasons of the hit competition series “Blown Away” and “Is It Cake?,” premiering on March 8 and 29, respectively.

Maybe Netflix’s biggest premiere this month, though, is the highly anticipated limited series adaptation of Cixin Liu’s internationally celebrated “The Three-Body Problem” trilogy from David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo. Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, John Bradley, Sir Jonathan Pryce, Liam Cunningham, and more lead the cast of the sci-fi drama, which...