Denzel Washington

SAFE HOUSE Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 10:25 am

There’s no problem with delivering a solid action thriller that doesn’t reinvent the genre, but Safe House goes through the motions without an ounce of creativity or flavor.  It’s the bare minimum of what an action movie should be and marches through gunfights and car chases because that’s what the genre requires, not what makes the film exciting.  Denzel Washington doesn’t add much by doing a tamer retread of his Training Day performance, and Ryan Reynolds is the film’s redeeming aspect as he tries to bring a little nuance and shading to his character.  But the main fault lays with director Daniel Espinosa, who knows how to make Safe House loud, but not much else.

MALCOLM X Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 5:00 am

Spike Lee’s Malcolm X is twenty years old, but the controversy surrounding it still feels fresh. At the time, Lee was considered a dangerous filmmaker, and no one was sure how the film would be received and if it would start riots. And Lee made it of the moment; he opened with the Rodney King beating, which now may have no context to younger viewers. But now, it’s simply a great movie that is saddled with a bio-pic structure. Denzel Washington gives a career best performance as the criminal transformed into a great leader and thinker. Our review of Malcolm X on Blu-ray follows after the jump.

Denzel Washington in Talks to Star Opposite Mark Wahlberg in 2 GUNS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 7th, 2012 at 3:38 pm

It’s not official yet, but Denzel Washington is considering starring in a movie not directed by Tony Scott. Deadline reports that Washington—who’s been on an action drama bent for the past few years—is in negotiations to star in the action pic 2 Guns. The film has been in development with Mark Wahlberg for quite some time, with David O. Russell circling the director’s chair at one point. Wahlberg’s Contraband director Baltasar Kormakur recently signed on to direct, and now production is moving forward as Washington seems poised to become Wahlberg’s co-star. Based on the graphic novel by Steven Grant, the film centers on a DEA agent and an undercover naval intelligence officer who unknowingly investigate each other as each is stealing money from the mob.

When Russell was onboard and working on the screenplay, he described it as a romantic western. There’s no word on what the current tone might be, but with the addition of Kormakur and now Washington, I’m guessing we’re in for another hard-boiled action thriller. Washington will next be seen in the actioner Safe House, but we’ll get to see him stretch his dramatic chops once again with Robert Zemeckis’ drama Flight. Hit the jump to read a synopsis for the graphic novel.

4 Movie Clips and 18 Images from SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 28th, 2012 at 12:27 pm

With director Daniel Espinosa‘s action-thriller Safe House opening February 10, Universal has provided us with four clips and 18 images from the film.  The story centers on a young CIA agent (Ryan Reyonlds) who’s tasked with transporting a dangerous criminal (Denzel Washington) to a new location after their safe house is attacked by assassins.  Safe House also stars Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga, Fares Fares, Robert Patrick, Nora Arnezeder, Liam Cunningham, Joel Kinnaman, and Ruben Blades.  Hit the jump to check out the clips and images and let me know what you think in the comments below.

New Poster for SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 2nd, 2012 at 9:35 am

Universal has released a new and dull poster for the thriller Safe House.  As you can see from the image, Denzel Washington has sprouted a Ryan Reynolds.  No one is safe from Face Reynolds.

Hit the jump to check out the poster.  The film also stars Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga, Robert Patrick, Nora Arnezeder, Liam Cunningham, Joel Kinnaman, and Ruben Blades.  Safe House opens February 10th.

Sony Renews Deal with Escape Artists; Slate Includes THE EQUALIZER Starring Denzel Washington and SEX TAPE with Jason Segel

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 13th, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Escape Artists’s first-look deal with Sony Pictures has been reupped, extending the relationship between the two companies through 2015. Escape Artists has been with Sony since 1998, and produced its first film independently in 2001: A Knight’s Tale. The relationship between Sony and Escape Artists has birthed The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds, and the remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. Included in the release is news of Escape Artists’s upcoming slate.

An interesting tidbit included mentions that Denzel Washington is now attached to the feature film adaptation of the 1980s CBS crime series The Equalizer. The project was initially developed for Russell Crowe and director Paul Haggis, but this new report only makes mention of Washington and producer Alex Siskind. Hit the jump to find out what else the upcoming Escape Artist slate includes.

Tony Scott to Direct Narcotics-Thriller NARCO SUB for 20th Century Fox

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 28th, 2011 at 5:13 pm

While most of us were busy stuffing our faces over the holiday weekend, Tony Scott and 20^th Century Fox discussed illegal drug trafficking. The Unstoppable producer/director is now lined up to direct Narco Sub, a drug-centric action thriller based on a spec script by David Guggenheim (Safe House). As of now, the plot details are being kept quiet, but the title indicates it will have something to do with submersible crafts used by South American drug cartels to smuggle product into the states. Although Denzel Washington has been a staple in many of Scott’s films, there is no news on his involvement at the moment. Hit the jump for more on Narco Sub.

New Trailer and Images for SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 am

Universal has released the first trailer for the thriller Safe House starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.  The story centers on a young CIA agent (Reynolds) who must team up with the dangerous criminal in order to survive when their safe house is destroyed by mercenaries.  The trailer goes heavy on the action, but it looks like director Daniel Espinosa (Snabba Cash) has done a great job.  But the biggest hook is the dynamic between Washington and Reynolds.  Few actors have as much fun playing the bad guy as Washington and he clearly relishes flipping between charm and malevolence on a dime.  My only complaint with the trailer is that it shows a little too much, but overall I like what I’m seeing.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer and the larger version of the poster and image released yesterday, plus two new images.  The film also stars Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga, Fares Fares, Robert Patrick, Nora Arnezeder, Liam Cunningham, Joel Kinnaman, and Ruben Blades.  Safe House opens February 10, 2012.

First Official Image and Poster from SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 10:43 am

The first official image and poster from Daniel Espinosa‘s thriller Safe House have gone online.  The story centers on a young CIA agent (Ryan Reyonlds) who’s tasked with transporting a dangerous criminal (Denzel Washington) to a new location after their safe house is attacked by assassins.  As you can see from the image slice above, Denzel is wearing his finely-crafted bad-ass face, and when you hit the jump to check out the full image, you’ll see that his character is holding a gun.  So the whole “transport the dangerous criminal” thing may have hit a bit of a snag.

Hit the jump to check out the image and the bland poster.  The film also stars Vera Farmiga, Nora Arnezeder, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Joel Kinnaman, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard.  Safe House is due out February 10, 2012.

Denzel Washington Offered Lead in Warner Bros. Remake of THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 15th, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Denzel Washington has apparently been offered the lead role in Billy Ray’s remake of the Oscar winning 2009 Argentinian film The Secret in Their Eyes. Twitch reports that they’ve learned that the part has been offered to the thesp. The project is set up at Warner Bros, and is set to be written and directed by Billy Ray (Breach). The original film centered on a retired legal counselor who decides to write a novel in hopes of providing closure to one of his past unresolved homicide cases, as well as his unrequited love for his superior.

It’s important to note that actors are offered roles every day, so this news by no means affirms that Washington will take on the part. The actor is currently gearing up to star in director Robert Zemeckis’ return to live-action, the drama Flight. Washington will play a commercial airline pilot who’s heralded as a hero after piloting a damaged flight to safety. His newfound fame comes under scrutiny when an investigation is launched to determine whether or not he had been drinking before the flight. Production begins next month in Atlanta.

First Official Synopsis for Robert Zemeckis and Denzel Washington’s FLIGHT; Film Begins Shooting in October

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 9th, 2011 at 2:25 pm

 

Back in June, we were pretty sure that the live-action drama Flight was going to be Robert Zemeckis’ next film. We were also confident that Denzel Washington would star. Today, we have confirmation of both courtesy of a press release from Paramount. Per the release, Flight (written by Real Steel‘s John Gatins):

“…tells the redemption story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.”

Like many, I’m a huge fan of much of Zemeckis’ previous work so I’m always excited for anything he puts his directorial stamp on. Moreover, I’m especially happy to see the filmmaker back in the live-action arena after nearly a decade removed from the format (2000′s Castaway was his last). Per the release, the film is slated to begin shooting in Atlanta this October which means a 2012 release is more than likely in sight. For a little more on Flight, read the full press release after the jump.

Watch 25 Actors Before They Were Famous in Three Minutes, Including Seth Rogen, Jack Black and Natalie Portman

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 15th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Thank the Maker for YouTube. With the advent of the video-on-demand digital age, no longer is that TV movie role that Actor X did when he was 11-years-old lost forever, and now someone’s put together a compilation of 25 “before they were famous” first roles for our viewing pleasure. Did you know that Daniel Craig was in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court? How about Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Roseanne or Jake Gyllenhaal in City Slickers? No need to hit up Netflix, some choice scenes are now all in one place.

Hit the jump to watch the montage, which includes 25 sometimes painful scenes featuring Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Seth Rogen, Jake Gyllenhaal, Harrison Ford and more.

Will Smith Wants Denzel Washington for Katrina Drama THE AMERICAN CAN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 28th, 2011 at 6:52 pm

Will Smith has been working on getting his Hurricane Katrina drama The American Can made for a while now, and it looks like he’s found his star. While Smith originally intended to both produce and star in the film, a schedule conflict with filming M. Night Shyalmalan’s One Thousand A.E. has forced him to take a strictly behind-the-scenes role on the flick. Vulture reports that Smith is now keen on casting Denzel Washington in the lead role.

John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) wrote the script and will direct the film, which tells the true story of a group of residents who were trapped in their apartment complex when the levees broke during Katrina. An ex-Marine named John Keller stayed with the group for days, which included dozens of aged (and white) residents, warding off looters and successfully obtaining much-needed air-dropped food, water, and medical supplies. Washington is currently giving notes on the project, and apparently Smith and Sony will make their casting decision based on his input.

Robert Zemeckis’ Next Project Confirmed to Be FLIGHT; Set to Shoot This Fall With Denzel Washington Attached to Star

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 4th, 2011 at 5:00 pm

It looks like after a decade wading in motion-capture films, Robert Zemeckis’ next film will be the live-action drama Flight. The Back to the Future director first entered negotiations to helm the flick back in April, but no one was certain which project he would choose as his next. He’s flirted with the time-travel films Replay and Timeless, and there’s always the ever-elusive Who Framed Roger Rabbit? sequel. Now 24 Frames reports that Zemeckis has firmed up Flight as his next project, with Denzel Washington expected to close his deal to star shortly and filming aimed for the fall.

The plot of Flight centers on an alcoholic/drug addicted pilot who saves a flight in distress, becoming an American hero in the process. The newfound fame comes with an investigation by the FAA to see whether drugs played a factor in the distress, while Washington’s character attempts to turn his life around. Hit the jump for more on Flight and Zemeckis’ other non-motion-capture projects in the works.

Vera Farmiga Joins Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in SAFE HOUSE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 25th, 2011 at 11:09 am

Filming on Daniel Espinosa’s thriller Safe House is well underway (we showed you some set photos from the film back in early March), but the production has just landed another great actor.  Deadline reports that Vera Farmiga has joined the film, which follows a young agent (Ryan Reynolds) assigned to escort a deadly operative (Denzel Washington) to safety after their safe house is attacked.  According to Deadline, “Farmiga will play a CIA operative supervising Reynolds’ character.”  The film also stars Nora Arnezeder, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard.

Farmiga recently co-starred in Source Code.   She recently signed on to co-star with Michael C. Hall in Love, Scotch and Death. Her directorial debut, Higher Ground, played at Sundance and will hit theaters this summer. Safe House is due out February 10, 2012.

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