Man On Fire (2004)

 

Gritty, rough, and bloody, but sensitive too. Well directed with a nice set up before all the chaos ensued. 

Rating: C+

The Bone Collector (1999)

 

Credit to Denzel for a stellar performance using only his face and finger. His protégé Angelina Jolie plays his avatar at crime scenes as they attempt to catch a serial killer. Watching in 2025, the film seems quite dated. Not sure I buy the weird romance that felt shoehorned in at the end. 

Rating: C+

Gladiator II (2024)

 

Son of Maximus hits the gladiator circuit, making a name for himself while undermining the elites. It’s more of the same, and as good a reason as any to go to the theater over the holidays. 

Rating: C+

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

 

Another decent installment in the Equalizer series. Always satisfying to see the untouchable bad guys get touched by justice, usually in a bloody, violent way. 

Rating: C+

Equalizer 2 (2018)

This movie is all about waiting for those flashes of violence. I grew up with the television show and the Denzel films are a fun continuation of that--albeit more violent. The plot wasn’t anything special, but more coherent than most action movies.

Rating: C+

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

A decent remake of the classic Western.

Rating: C+

2 Guns (2013)

I liked the first half more than I thought I would. It was the second half that delivered what I anticipated—sloppy writing and too many explosions.

Rating: C-

The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)

A tightly wound thriller as only Tony Scott can deliver. I even got past my disdain for Travolta in order to enjoy Denzel's performance. I thought the wheels came off at the end, but the ride was fun.

Rating: C

The Book Of Eli (2010)

A Bible thumping approach to the post apocalyptic story. Don't worry, the film doesn't come off as preachy, but it is part of the central theme. Fortunately, there's some nice knife and gun play to satisfy even the most bloodthirsty moviegoer.

You'll need to overlook many plot holes in the script. Also, they didn't seem to put much thought into how things would wrap up.

Rating: C

The Equalizer (2014)

I watched this television show as a kid. This is a fun update that delivers everything its audience wants. Much better than it had any business being. Good guys win. Bad guys lose. People die in a kaleidoscope of blood. I’d enjoy watching a serialized version on HBO or Showtime.

Rating: B-

Training Day (2001)

Oscar worthy performances from both Denzel and Ethan. Gritty film that launched some Terrific TV dramas featuring dirty cops. (ie: The Shield) 

Rating: B+

Out Of Time (2003)

Not bad. Plot was a little far fetched at times, but it kept a steady pace. Denzel has done much better work.

Rating: C

Flight (2012)

A film about addiction, heroism, culpability, and recovery. Dark at times and somewhat depressing. Not a lot of likable characters to get behind. I felt it ended well though.

Rating: C+

Inside Man (2006)

Pretty intense, clever, and fun. Would have appreciated a better ending, but you can't win them all.

Rating: C+

Glory (1989)

From the opening scene, I couldn’t help but think, “What a bunch of morons!”. Surely men weren’t so stupid back then as to walk straight into their enemies bullets and cannon fire without so much as a strategy or defense? Get behind a freaking tree for heaven’s sake!

I’ve heard it’s an honorable way to fight, but is it honorable to lead men into a massacre? During the scenes that did not involve fighting, it felt more like a high school production. Very heavy handed and a lot of overacting.

Rating: C-

Unstoppable (2010)

About as exciting as a runaway train movie can be. Tony Scott is known for making hearts pound, however here it felt like he didn’t have much to work with besides a few real life events to fabricate a plot from. Character development is thin and feels forced. The actors give it everything they’ve got in what amounts to a very average action movie.

Rating: C

American Gangster (2007)

Solid film all around. Packed with top of the line actors. Plus you have Ridley behind the camera, so everyone looks great. The big budget enables a very authentic setting and art direction. Not one of my favorite mob/gangster movies, but a good one.

Rating: C+

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

It walks a thin, dark line between believable and science fiction. While the acting was good, the story wasn't very compelling to me and I was let down with how things wrapped up.

Rating: C