Happy Birthday, Denzel Washington!

Today, we're celebrating the 57th birthday of two-time Academy Award-winning actor, Denzel Washington. He got his acting start with an uncredited role in 1974's Death Wish but didn't make his first real splash until 1986's Power. He worked periodically throughout the 1980s, but it wasn't until 1989 that he crashed his way into the collective public consciousness after winning his first Oscar for his supporting performance in Glory. From there, Washington landed roles in some big-time early 1990s films like Malcolm X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993) and Crimson Tide (1995). After a bit of a break, Washington came back strong with performances in 1999's The Hurricane and 2000's Remember the Titans, and he nabbed his second Oscar win for his leading role in 2001's Training Day. Denzel has continued to work periodically since the turn of the millennium, and in his entire career, he's managed a total of five Oscar nominations with the two aforementioned wins. Most recently, audiences have seen him in 2010's Unstoppable, and they'll next be able to see him in 2012's Safe Room and Flight. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite Denzel performances. I hope you enjoy the videos! Once again, happy birthday, Denzel Washington!

5. Detective Keith Frazier
Inside Man (2006)


*****

4. Frank Lucas
American Gangster (2007)


*****

3. Pvt. Trip
Glory (1989)


*****

2. Coach Herman Boone
Remember the Titans (2000)


*****

1. Det. Alonzo Harris
Training Day (2001)

Happy Birthday, Ridley Scott!

Today, we're celebrating the 74th birthday of Academy Award-nominated director, Ridley Scott. He got his directing start in the mid-1960s working on short films and television programming but made his feature film debut with 1977's The Duellists. Two years later, he garnered universal acclaim for his sci-fi horror film, Alien. He followed that smash-hit with the thoughtful and thought-provoking 1982 film Blade Runner, and from there, a masterful career was created. He received his first Academy Award nomination for his direction of 1991's Thelma & Louise, and he nabbed two more nominations in the same category for 2000's Gladiator and 2001's Black Hawk Down. Audiences most recently saw his work in 2010's Robin Hood, which marked the fifth collaboration between he and Russell Crowe. You'll next be able to see a Ridley Scott film in 2012 when he releases Prometheus. So, for this birthday, I've created a list of my five favorite Ridley Scott films, and I've supplied videos for each pick. Once again, happy birthday, Ridley!

5. Blade Runner
1982


*****

4. American Gangster
2007


*****

3. Gladiator
2000


*****

2. Black Hawk Down
2001


*****

1. Alien
1979