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| Denzel Washington Besides being Hollywood's "It" man when it comes to films - he is just an all around likeable guy. I've been a fan for years and he usually never disappoints me. He delivers such a passion to all of his characters that it's hard to not either love them or hate them without always remembering them. He has such a talent and gift, when it comes to acting - that I'm in awe sometimes that he can take a character as shady as Det. Alonzo Harris (Training Day) - a character written to be a complete asshole and all around jerk - and make him one of the most talked about characters in Hollywood. Anytime Training Day is mentioned - what's the first thing you think about? "KING KONG AIN'T GOT SHIT ON ME"....Right? Famous Denzel (Alonzo) line and I think about it every time someone mentions Training Day. He's like the father we all wish we had, the friend we all wish we knew and the man of every women's dream. He's a complete package! |
| Alfred Hitchcock There is no man on earth that will ever direct as well as Alfred Hitchcock. He defied all rules regarding directing and made movies so terrifying for that time period that his movies are still classic to this day. He used techniques that at the time were unheard of - unknown to the film world and he did it all without any concern as to what others had to say. Alfred jumped into the movie scene around 1921 and started off drawing sets for films but not actually directing them. It wasn't until he was working on a film and the director became ill that he was introduced and pushed into the director role. What a lucky situation to be put in! He hated to shoot on location. He preferred to shoot at the studio where he could have full control of lighting and other factors. This is why even his later films contain special effects composite and rear screen shots. He uses a lot of "wrong identity" or "framed man" themes - which add for really twisting story-lines. To have been such a serious looking guy - He was infamous with cast and crews for his practical jokes. While some inspired laughs, such as suddenly showing up in a dress, most were said to have been a bit more scar than funny. Usually, he found out about somebody's phobias, such as mice or spiders, and in turn sent them a box full of them. He will remain - one of my favorite directors all my life. His movies are just phenomenal and always entertaining. |
| Phylicia Rashad She's like everyone's mother! She is soft spoken but fierce. Wonderful Broadway actress and just as amazing on screen. She has a way of making you feel warm and loved even though you don't know her. Of course, I love her because of role as Clair on "The Cosby Show" but she also played in a movie called "Polly" with Keisha Knight Pullam that I just love as well. She was cold and cunning in that role and that was the first time - I took a step back and started to see her for the versatile actress that she is. She can be type cast - as the mother of all mothers but she is famous because of those motherly roles she plays. One of my favorite roles - Gilda from "For Colored Girls". I love that movie and her role in it was just a honest and sincere as any other role she plays. |
| Rosario Dawson Where do I even begin with talking about this absolute beauty of a woman. I've been a huge fan of Rosario since seeing her in the movie "KIDS" from the 90's. It's a total hidden gem movie but if you haven't seen it...check it out! She's a truly versatile actress. One of my favorite roles played by her was in the movie - Descent. It's a movie with a lot of violence against women but it ends on a higher note with a revenge theme. Who doesn't love her as GAIL in Sin City? She has a knack for playing tough or rough around the edges characters which may or may not have something to due with her upbringing. She has a long listing of films that range from actions to drama to historical to non-fiction and she continuously wow's in them all. She's probably one of my favorites because I like most - love a happy ending story for someone who's hardworking and deserving and she is extremely deserving of the love. She was homeless and lived in abandoned apartments virtually all of her adolescence - making her my actress SHE-RO (HERO- A FEMALE HERO)! |
| Shonda Rhimes A woman who beats to her own drum. As an African- American writer and producer - she is taking Hollywood by storm. We can't get enough of her shows - Scandal, Grey's Anatomy & the upcoming How to Get Away with Murder! She is a phenomenal writer and deserves all the success she is receiving. She has come onto the scene and literally is paving a way for African American females in Hollywood to lead roles. The hiring of Hollywood favorites - Kerry Washington and Viola Davis for lead roles in two of her shows is just the beginning. She is in talks for other shows that will have multiracial male and female lead roles. This is the woman who is going to shake up the "White/Black/Latina/Asian" lead role on a popular show world and I'm all too ready to see what she will do with it. |