Black History Month - Day 5

Sorry for the delay in getting the next post up but it was predicted in the last post as Luke was out of the state visiting a friend. So apologies once again. we will try and get back on track as soon as we can. But remember, you can't rush greatness...and that's exactly what this countdown is. so who's next on the list?

#24 - Forest Whitaker as "Burnham" in "Panic Room"


Read Luke's full post here

LUKE'S TAKE: You may want think back to my introductory post to locate the reason why Forest Whitaker is mentioned for this role as Burnham in Panic Room. At first glance the inclusion of this performance might not make much sense, but after reading the criteria I set forth, it certainly fits.

Forest Whitaker is an outstanding actor, has won an Academy Award for Best Actor, and is one of the best at his craft regardless of color. Having said that, I really haven't watched too many of his movies ... shame on me I know. So, when I put this list together I felt a need to include Whitaker and since I enjoyed Panic Room, here we are.

MATT'S TAKE: What I love about Luke is his honesty. He's willing to admit that in no way is this the performance Forest Whitaker SHOULD make this list for but that Whitaker deserves to make this list for his overall talent. On that note, I have no problem being honest and saying I've never seen and never wanted to see Panic Room. But I have mad respect for Forest Whitaker and his acting ability.

I have seen a number of his movies (Platoon, Phenomenon and Phone Booth -- man, do all his movies start with P?) and been impressed with his performance every time. He has a way about him with his characters that really makes him believable. And he has good range as well. He is more apt to play a powerful-type, such as a policeman or soldier but I am convinced he coudl pull off comedy if he so chose. I know he probably never will in the rest of his career but I see him as a better Chi Jackson, the black guy from Ally McBeal. Like Luke, I have also heard Whitaker's Oscar-nominated performance in "The Last King of Scotland" is amazing. One day when I actually find that movie free on demand, I'll check it out.

Alright, we're back in action. Check back soon for the next post as we make up for time missed. I leave you with the...

B.H.M. Quote of the Day: “I'm an actor. And I guess I've done so many movies I've achieved some high visibility. But a star? I guess I still think of myself as kind of a worker ant.” ~Forest Whitaker

Black History Month - Day 4

Hello all, sorry for the slight delay in getting this post up on the blog. Long day to say the least, but a good day as all days all during Black History Month. Hope you are enjoying the countdown, whether this is your first go-round or third on this blog. Luke is out of the state for the weekend so we may be a bit delayed over the weekend but I am sure when he gets back, we'll jump right back on track. Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get to #25.

#25 Lauryn Hill as "Rita Louise Watson" in "Sister Act II"


Read Luke's full post here

LUKE'S TAKE: It only took three years, but we finally have a female represented on my Black History Month list. Who would have guessed it would be Lauryn Hill? Well, twenty years from now when Jeopardy puts up the answer, "This is the first female to appear on the King of Arguments BHM list," you all will know the question.

I was eight years old when Sister Act II came out and I can distinctly remember walking out of the movie theater with a huge crush on Lauryn Hill. She was gorgeous in that girl next door kind of way. She didn't need to wear a bunch of makeup, or wear sexy outfits to get guys' attention. She was naturally beautiful and had the voice of an angel. To this day, I don't think I've heard such a sweet voice. Sister Act II was her coming out party, and I was head-over-heels for her.

MY TAKE: First off, let me commend Luke for FINALLY putting a woman on the countdown. I know the many women who follow this countdown appreciate the gesture and recognition as well. Also, let me say that YES, I did see this movie! Yes, I've seen Sister Act II and not Boyz 'N The Hood, make fun of me all you want. With that said, Sister Act II is one my favorite movies of all-time so including a performance from this movie really makes me happy.

I agree with Luke in his assessment of Lauryn Hill. She has never been the one to wear sexy clothes or a ton of makeup. Instead, she's always just been herself and that's how she is in this movie. Hill is clearly a singer first but in this movie, she shows some decent range as an actress. She clearly shines in the singing parts, especially "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" (video on Luke's post). But she also does well as she grips with the decision to be in the choir, ultimately betraying her mother's wishes to focus on studying instead of singing.

Now when it comes to this movie, I think Whoopi has the more memorable performance so I hope down the road she makes this list. But including Hill is not a bad thing because she is a central figure in the movie. This is a movie that will forever be one my favorites for 3 simple reasons. First, great music. Second, good comedy. And finally, an underlying message that we all should follow our dreams and if we put our mind to something, we can achieve anything. That's exactly what Hill did as "Rita" in this movie and that's exactly why I am glad Luke included her performance on this countdown.

Again, with Luke out of town, not sure exactly when the next post will be up. I know it will be as soon as he can. For now, enjoy the weekend and check back when you can to see if either of our blogs have been updated. For now, enjoy the...

B.H.M. Quote of the Day - "If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention" ~ Sister Act II

Black History Month - Day 3

Happy day after National Signing Day everyone! My response post yesterday was a little later than usual but it was a LONG day for yours truly. But with that said, it was a very rewarding day as I got to cover a great day for kids all over the nation. The day they sign their National Letter of Intent to play football at a university and as well as playing football, also (and most importantly) pursue an education. Congrats to all and hope them all the best (but especially the ones playing at Ohio and Ohio State).

As far as the countdown goes, we're now in Day 3 and so far Luke has been not only been making insightful selections and posts on his blog, but also been right on time, posting them at midnight eastern time. If he keeps this up (which I don't anticipate because something is bound to come up one day), then this will be the smoothest B.H.M. countdown yet. Speaking of that, let's go...

#26 Michael Clarke Duncan as "John Coffey" in "The Green Mile"


Read Luke's full post here

LUKE'S TAKE: John Coffey finds himself on The Green Mile because he was convicted of raping and killing two children. Unlike Big Ben and Ray Lewis however, Coffey had to pay for his crime ... with his life. As the film progresses we realize that Coffey might just not be the big dumb Negro everyone thinks he is.

Similar to Heath Ledger's supporting role of the Joker in The Dark Knight, Michael Clarke Duncan - though not the lead actor - commands the screen in every scene and has you walking away remembering him, not Tom Hanks.

MY TAKE: For the second day in a row, I am disappointed to say that I have never seen this movie. Well, at least not the entire movie. Every time I caught it on TBS, it was right in the middle of it, so I would watch maybe 10-15 minutes before giving up because I had no clue what was going on. But I know exactly what Luke is talking about when he says Michael Clarke Duncan is the actor with the memorable performance here.

From the scenes I remember, I think I was struck with just how many layers there were to him. That's not easy considering he is a HUGE Black guy. You would think he would be typecast as a football player or bodyguard. But in this role, he really stands out. I am kind of sad to see that he has never come close to this performance in any other movie. Much of that can be blamed for his choice in movies lately (Sin City, Talladega Nights, and numerous animated movies). Hopefully, one day he can find a project he can really sink his teeth into and recapture the magic he had from "The Green Mile" because he is capable of another great role.

Apparently, Luke is going to choose an actress for tomorrow's choice. I know this simply because of the hint Luke has given on his blog. Again, you cannot get the full effect of this countdown without reading his blog as well as mine. Plus, his post is complete with videos that supplement his selection and provide you proof of just how excellent these performances are by these talented Black actors/actresses. That's all for now. I leave you with another great quote.

B.H.M Quote of the Day: “I always say YCDA: you can do anything. If you want to be a successful actor, you have to believe in yourself more than anything else, and don't let anybody tell you that you cannot do it because you can.” ~Michael Clarke Duncan

Black History Month - Day 2

Welcome back to the countdown...or for those of you who are just now joining us, you came in at a good time as we are just into the second day of a 28-day countdown of the best movie roles played by Black actors/actresses. I am not the one compiling the list. No, that is the responsibility of my good friend Luke. But I am responding to each of his picks right here on this blog. So if this is the first post you've read, catch up by going to the archives of this blog or Luke's blog which can be found by clicking here. Let's go!

#2 Laurence Fishburne as "Jason 'Furious' Styles" in "Boyz 'N The Hood"


Read Luke's full post here

LUKE'S TAKE: It's hard being a good father. It's even harder being a good father raising a son by yourself. It's almost impossible to be a good father while raising your son by yourself in a Los Angelos ghetto. Despite having all those odds stacked against him, Laurence Fishburne portraying Jason 'Furious' Styles did just that in the 1991 film, "Boyz n the Hood."

This ground-breaking movie had several performances that I could have picked, including Cuba Gooding Junior and Ice Cube, but when I thought back to this film it was Fishburne who came immediately to mind.

MY TAKE: I'm embarrassed to say that I've never seen this movie. Yeah, I know. Boyz N The Hood is an iconic movie. I've heard many a time that I need to see the movie, and not just because I am Black, but because it is an American classic. John Singleton is a great filmmaker and to think he made this movie at the age of 24 just makes me feel lazy.

As far as Laurence Fishburne's performance, I guess I have no comment. But I will say in the list I made of my top performances (not in order or even limited in number), Laurence Fishburne did not make my list. So I am glad Luke picked probably his best performance in his career, even though I have never seen the movie.

26 days to go everyone. Hope you continue to check back each day as we continue this countdown and celebration of Black History Month.. But before you go, check out the...

B.H.M. Quote of the Day: “Hiding a talent is not exclusive to any one particular group of people, young, old, black, white, Latin. It doesn't matter. It's universal. The idea that you have a gift or talent is always kind of threatening. Most of us are afraid of our success, that we will actually be great.” ~Laurence Fishburne

Black History Month - Day 1

Happy Black History Month!

First off, let me give a big thank you to all those who sent me calls, texts, facebook messages and more to wish me a Happy Black History Month. Some people even phrased it as Happy "your month". Well, I hope you all understand that this is not MY month, but OUR month, to learn, appreciate, and remember the great achievements of Black people past and present.

Speaking of that, the countdown has begun. In case you don't know what I am talking about, check out the intro post I put up yesterday. Luke has posted his first of 28 blog posts, counting down the 28 best movie roles played by Black actors/actresses. Let's get it started!

#28 Wesley Snipes as "Sidney Deane" in "White Men Can't Jump"

Read Luke's full post here

LUKE'S TAKE: Yes, I could crack some jokes about how it's tax time, but let's not. Basketball movies are hard to make because it will be judged on how real the game appears on-screen. Well, after watching White Men Can't Jump, I was convinced that Wesley could ball.

Wesley plays the part of basketball hustler extremely well. He has a sharp mouth, a witty sense of humor, and he's pretty damn good at basketball. As with most of the performances on this list, as you watch, you forget that it's Wesley Snipes, and you lose yourself in the actual character, or in this case, Sidney Deane.

MY TAKE: Not a bad selection. I haven't seen this movie in a VERY long time. In fact, all I remember about it are the basketball scenes, laughing at Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes hair. I also remember that I didn't think it was a great movie. Have a feeling too I would think the same if I saw it now.

But I like the selection because from what I remember, Wesley Snipes did a nice job in the movie. And the movie had some great lines and scenes, especially the basketball scenes. Now is Wesley Snipes one of favorite actors of all time? Absolutely not. Wouldn't even come close to my top 50 Black actors. But in this role, I think he is deserving of the countdown and I appreciate Luke finding a way to recognize that.

Come back tomorrow for #27 on Luke's list as we continue our countdown of the top 28 movie roles by Black actors/actresses. As always, I leave you with a Black History Month quote of the day.

B.H.M Quote of the Day: "Always bet on black." ~Wesley Snipes in the movie "Passenger 57"