Denzel

It’s time for my Midweek Recommendation, in which I commend to your attention books or music or movies or anything I find worth recommending.

I’m currently ensconced in a mini-Denzel Washington fest with my son. We’ve recently watched in “Courage Under Fire,” “Training Day” and “Man on Fire” in close proximity, and I’ve been struck anew by what a really good actor he is. So, for this week’s midweek recommendation, I want to commend the work of Denzel Washington to your attention.

Of course, that’s not to say any or all of these would be for you. They are all R-rated, and “Courage Under Fire” is half-drama, half-war movie, while both “Training Day” and “Man on Fire” are “gritty,” which is code for violent (at least in spots) with some course language. Still, they’re all pretty well done and he’s fantastic.

If they’re not your thing, you might want to try “Glory,” although as a war movie, it has some violent parts too. Still, Denzel is fantastic in “Glory” and it is a great movie – so maybe if the war parts bother you, put the old pillow in front of your face until you hear that the cannon’s have stopped booming.

And of course, Denzel has a diverse movie track record, so there are many, many more titles to choose from: “Remember the Titans,” “Crimson Tide,” “Antwone Fisher,” “The Book of Eli,” and many, many more. You can enjoy his acting chops in almost any kind or style of movie.

If you’re already a fan, do you have a favorite? What is your preferred cinematic Denzel experience?