Tag Archives: Denzel Washington

THE LITTLE THINGS (2021): The Things I Liked…

The Little Things (2021), Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Warner Bros. Pictures
The Little Things (2021), Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Warner Bros. Pictures

As many can imagine, a thriller starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto is the kind that’s highly unlikely to disappoint, especially on the performance front.

All three Academy award-winning actors were great in their roles. I particularly enjoyed the tension-filled dynamic between Washington and Malek’s characters. I also happened to like the way Malek walks in this movie, but that’s neither here nor there.

Performances and walks aside, The Little Things is very unlikely to be what you expect. Writer/director John Lee Hancock’s serial killer movie is engaging and suspenseful; especially at the start. Yet, even though I appreciated the story that Hancock chose to tell, the way the film’s unexpected difference is executed resulted in a storytelling experience that left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

To be clear, I’m not dissatisfied because I didn’t get the ending I wanted. I’m left wanting because the story structure did a less than satisfactory job of managing my expectations.

Besides the already mentioned high points of this movie, one of the biggest positives of The Little Things, for me, is the musical score; the sound of which you’ll recognise, particularly if you enjoyed and or replayed the impressive trailer as much as I did. 

The Little Things is a movie you watch if you’re curious about the performances. And to find out how it’s different from what you typically expect from a serial killer movie, should you be so curious.

Happy Film Loving

G

THE LITTLE THINGS (2021): New Trailer From Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, Rami Malek…

The Little Things (2021), Denzel Washington, Warner Bros. Pictures

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  The Little Things (2021).


Jared Leto, Denzel Washington and Rami Malek are the stars of new thriller The Little Things.

From writer/director John Lee Hancock; the story follows two cops in their efforts to track down a serial killer.

A very good trailer. I like the music almost as much as I love seeing the names Washington, Leto and Malek on one cast list.

For a moment there, I thought Washington was playing the serial killer. I say ‘thought’ but I’m still not sure. It’s almost too scary if he is, isn’t it? I can’t wait for the truth to be revealed. Oh, and yes, Leto is wearing a prosthetic nose.

Sofia Vassilieva, Natalie Morales, Tom Hughes, Michael Hyatt, Chris Bauer, Terry Kinney, Jason James Richter, Stephanie Erb and John Harlan Kim also star.

The Little Things Release Dates: January 29th, 2021 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE EQUALIZER 2 (2018): The Things I Liked…

The Equalizer 2 (2018), Denzel Washington
The Equalizer 2 (2018), Denzel Washington

In The Equaliser 2, Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall is, as aways more than ready to serve up an unflinching justice in the name of the exploited and oppressed. Since in director Antoine Fuqua’s sequel, one of the oppressed happens to be someone McCall loves dearly, he wastes no time in setting up a series of smart manoeuvres that prove arguably as thrilling and unexpected as in the first movie, The Equalizer (2014).

With a well-chosen supporting cast that includes Ashton Sanders (Moonlight 2016), Pedro Pascal and Melissa Leo, I particularly enjoyed the dynamic and chemistry between Denzel and Pascal’s characters. My favourite of the most thrilling moments involves the ‘panic room’ scene. A scene that was almost too intense and suspenseful for my little thriller loving heart to bear.

What unfortunately ensures that The Equaliser 2 is not quite as memorable as the first movie includes the fact that it’s a sequel and therefore has the element of familiarity strongly fighting against it. The other reason for me personally is how the beginning portion of the film felt a little disconnected from the rest of it. 

Overall, I say there’s still enough good stuff going on to make The Equaliser 2 a worthy movie. You will certainly be thrilled, moved and possibly find yourself feeling lucky and grateful, especially for all the good, helpful people you’re knowingly and unknowingly connected to.

Watch it if you’re so curious.

Happy Film Loving 

G

THE EQUALIZER 2 (2018): New Trailer From Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman…

The Equalizer 2 (2018), Denzel Washington
The Equalizer 2 (2018), Denzel Washington

In new crime / thriller The Equalizer 2, Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall, a man more than ready to serve an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, other key cast includes Pedro Pascal,Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman…

I had so much fun watching the first movie – and it looks like this one has more than enough of the all the things I loved.

Jonathan Scarfe, Sakina Jaffrey and Ashton Sanders also star.

The Equalizer 2 Release Dates: July 20th, 2018 (US);Aug 17th, 2018 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. (2017): New Trailer From Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Shelley Hennig…

Roman J, Israel, Esq. (2017), Denzel Washington
Roman J, Israel, Esq. (2017), Denzel Washington

Written and directed by Dan Gilroy of Nightcrawler (2014)Roman J, Israel, Esq. stars Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo and Shelley Hennig in a story about a driven, idealistic defence attorney. One who, as a result of a tumultuous series of events, finds himself in a crisis that leads to extreme action…

Of course I’m in! Washington and Farrell,  such a promising pairing – and thats before one even mentions Mr. Gilroy, the man responsible for the movie that really should have resulted in an Oscar nomination for Jake Gyllenhaal.

Roman J, Israel, Esq. Release Dates: November 3rd, 2017 (US); December 1st, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

FLIGHT (2012): For Denzel Washington’s Great Performance & That Excellent Ending…

Flight (2012), Denzel Washington
Flight (2012), Denzel Washington

From the acclaimed director of Forrest Gump (1994) and the much loved Back To The Future movies, Robert Zemeckis, I knew that Flight would be worth my time and not just because it came highly recommended by a fellow film lover. The films’s star is Denzel Washington – another great reason to watch, as is an interest in the story of a skilled airplane pilot whose personal demons lead him to both endanger and save the lives of his passengers

A well written and told story, one of my favourite highlights is the ‘courtroom’ scene towards the end. I knew it was coming and I couldn’t wait. The dialogue and general back and forth with Denzel’s character and the person (s) questioning him proved worth the wait.  Overall though, my absolute favourite moment in Flight has to be the actual ending. That last scene says so very much in just a few simple words. If you haven’t already, I say watch it for the Denzel magic and  much more.

Happy Film Loving

G

TRAINING DAY (2001) Movie Review: Good Story, Well Shot…

Training Day (2001), Ethan Hawke
Training Day (2001), Ethan Hawke

Training Day is not a movie you watch if you’re looking for a relaxing film experience. The protagonist through whom we’re introduced to the world in which everything takes place is Jake (Ethan Hawke). Since Jake is comfortable at no point in Training Day, you absolutely won’t be either.

With that important truth out of the way, Training Day is a movie worthy of your time. Not just because of the undeniable talent both in front and behind the camera, it’s a well written crime thriller that will likely leave you grateful that you get to experience the world of the characters only on screen.

Training Day (2001), Denzel Washington
Training Day (2001), Denzel Washington

David Ayer (Suicide Squad – 2016) is responsible for the screenplay while Antoine Fuqua (The Magnificent Seven – 2016) directs. I’m convinced  that Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke could not have played their roles any better. Perhaps even more than the great performances, it’s the way the story comes together that I love most. From the effective shooting style to the way events unfold overall, I had an uncomfortable (in a good way) and definitely positive experience.

If I had to pick something that maybe could have improved my overall experience, I’d point to the musical score which left me a little wanting. By no means is it as awkward as the score for John Q (2002), but awkward is a word that fits – in parts.

Watch Training Day for some Denzel Washington / Ethan Hawke magic and for the smart way everything comes together. Would I call Training Day my favourite buddy cop movie? It’s close but I think End Of Watch (2012) still has that title.

What’s your favourite buddy / cop movie? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Film Loving

G

FENCES (2016): New Trailer From Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo…

Fences (2016), Viola Davis
Fences (2016), Viola Davis

Denzel Washington is the star and Director of Fences, a new drama about an African American father who’s struggling with race relations whilst raising his family in 1950s America.

Also starring the remarkable Viola Davis, Fences is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by August Wilson…

I’m very interested in this one because of the issues it deals with and for the chance to see two acting powerhouses – Davis and Washington face off on screen. I’m also very excited for Jovan Adepo, a young British actor getting to do his thing opposite the Denzel. I can only imagine the dream it must be.

Fences Release Dates: December 25th, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G