I liked him in American Gangster (I also liked the film more broadly) and I remember also liking Glory (1989), a Civil War movie for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar (although I only saw it once, a long time ago). I reckon he also had a good turn as the lawyer in Philadelphia.
I’m only alluding to his role in Training Day, which I thought was a pretty ordinary movie.
He doesn’t get nearly enough respect for anything he’s done.
I’m talking Rodney Dangerfield levels of underappreciated.
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I dunno…Training Day was Supposed to be big.
He did that.
Is it Phillip Seymour Hoffman who can tell you everything with the tiniest change in expression?
No.
Is there anyone else you’d rather in this role?
Also no.
And comparisons to Cruise are Way off.
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I have zero respect for anyone who thought Training Day was a good film.
It has several scenes that stay with me.
I think that makes it a kinda good film.
I have way more time for Denzel in Training Day than Cruise in Collateral just because someone forced him to take several valiums.
He’s still better at it than most of Hollywood.
Even with his current disadvantages.
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My favourite role of his was Crimson Tide. Yeah, looking back at his career I’m not sure why he’s so well known.
I do agree with this as a whole. But there are some performances where that really enhances the character/performance.
I works perfectly for
Denzel in Training Day
Pacino in Scent of a Woman
Pesci in Goodfellas (and I’m not a fan of that movie at all)
Yep, that character and movie doesn’t work at all if he isn’t “big”. He needs to be big in contrast to Hawke’s character who has no idea what sort of world he has just stepped into
That last rant of his in that movie is all time
The poker game/bathtub scene is absolutely terrifying as well
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Wtf
Agree. he is just so dependable at playing all different types of roles. I also hugely respect that he likes to work with young inexperienced directors as well.
The only thing that has hurt him from getting more widespread recognition from the general public is he has never been in a monster box office hit.
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Was Dead Poets Society a big box office success? I do agree though, he does do a lot of independent films.
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According to Wiki:
It grossed $235.9 million worldwide against a $16.4 million budget.
So you could say it was a quite a success (5th highest grossing movie for 1989).
But I had to look at the Wiki page to see that Ethan Hawke was in it 
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Amazing movie very close to my heart.
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Wrong thread, but fans of Hawke and good storytelling should check out his recent series “The Lowdown”. Created by Sterlin Harjo of Reservation Dogs fame.
That last scene is up there as one of the best final scenes of all time
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Because it is a bucket of ■■■■!
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Because his character literally took a bullet to the ass, Denzel wins an award every time.
Birdman sucked, I couldn’t believe all the hype around it.
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