King Kong Ain't Got Nothin' On Him! Pt4 Quiz

Answer: Fences

Based on the August Wilson play of the same name, "Fences" (2016), was Mr. Washington's third foray into directing. Troy Maxson (Washington) is struggling to make ends meet for his family as a sanitation worker during the 1950s. Adding to his frustration is the fact that his son, Cory (Jovan Adepo), is about to realize his dream of playing college football. While this should be a great accomplishment for Cory and a time of celebration and pride for the family, Troy cannot fully appreciate the achievement because he wasn't able to realize his dream of playing major league baseball.

"Fences" garnered four Academy Award nominations, in 2017:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Best Adapted Screenplay

While, the film did not win any of those categories, it did win an award in its fourth category (Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role) for Viola Davis.

Answer: The Magnificent Seven

In 2016, Director Antoine Fuqua cast Denzel Washington in his first western with his re-imagining of the 1967 classic western, "The Magnificent Seven". Washington played Sam Chisolm, the leader of the rag-tag band of outlaws who were loners, only thinking of themselves, but who learn to come together to fight for a common cause when they defend a small town against a larger group of criminals.

Answer: The Preacher's Wife

"The Preacher's Wife" (1996) was a light comedy, directed by Penny Marshall, starring Denzel Washington as Dudley the Angel, Gregory Hines (Joe Hamilton), Courtney B. Vance (Rev. Henry Biggs), and Whitney Houston (Julia Biggs). It was the story of the sacrifices Biggs' family had to endure in order for him to go about his holy mission. Dudley is tasked to come to Earth and help the Reverend to remember that his family is just as important and that they need his attention as much (if not more) than his congregation.

Answer: The Mighty Quinn

Tasked with clearing his friend's good name (Maubee; played by Robert Townsend) after finding him at a murder scene in the possession of a briefcase full of money, Officer Xavier Quinn (Washington) discovers the truth to be a bit more complicated than he initially thought in the 1989 film, "The Mighty Quinn".

Answer: Mississippi Masala

"Mississippi Masala" (1991) was a love story examining two cultures (Asian-Indian and African-American) and the problems those differences caused for Meena (Sarita Choudhury) and Demetrius (Washington).

After Meena's family is forced to flee Uganda during Idi Amin's reign in the early 1970s, the family settles down in Mississippi and begins building a new life for themselves there. Once Meena grows up, she find herself in a passionate relationship with Demetrius Williams (Washington), who owns a carpet cleaning business at the hotel where she works. Because of the deep-seated resentment Meena's father, Jay (Roshan Seth), has towards African people due to his experiences in Uganda, this news doesn't go over well with him. Yet, Demetrius's family isn't as open-minded either, as their view of Meena and her culture is just as bad. Can the lovers remain together despite their families trying to pull them apart?

Answer: Remember the Titans

Taking place in Virginia and based on the true story of Herman Boone, the first African American football coach at T.C. Williams High School during the early stages of integration, "Remember the Titans" (2000) would have to rank at or near the top of Denzel Washington's best-loved movies.

Fighting racism both outside and within the team, Boone (Washington) manages to teach the young men to rely on each other to the point that they are able to trust one another and bring a championship to their school while also helping to heal a fractured community.

Answer: The Equalizer

"The Equalizer" (2014) was a revival of the CBS TV show starring Edward Woodward in the lead role, which ran from 1985-1989. Washington plays Robert McCall, a former CIA operative who just wants to live a nice, quiet life, but finds himself pulled back into action when he befriends a young woman who is being terrorized by the Russian mob.

Answer: American Gangster

Frank Lucas was one of the most notorious gangsters in U.S. history and Denzel Washington provided a stellar performance as the criminal in the 2007 Ridley Scott film, "American Gangster". Russell Crowe starred as NYPD Detective, Richie Roberts, the man who headed the task force that brought Lucas to justice. Washington and Scott were both nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 2008:

Washington for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Ridley Scott for Best Director - Motion Picture

However, neither won in their respective categories; the film also garnered a Best Motion Picture-Drama nomination, but also failed to win a Golden Globe. "American Gangster" also received a couple of nominations at the 2008 Academy Awards (Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Actress-Ruby Dee and Best Achievement in Art Direction), but again came up short of taking home a statue.

Answer: The Hurricane

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was a heavyweight title contender during the latter part of the 1960s who was wrongfully accused of a double homicide in Philadelphia, PA and Denzel Washington provided an award-winning performance as the boxer in "The Hurricane" (1999).

Washington's portrayal won him a Golden Globe in 2000 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama), as well as a nomination that same year for an Academy Award. Rubin Carter's plight was also outlined in Bob Dylan's 1973 song also entitled, "The Hurricane".

Answer: John Q

A parent's worst nightmare is that they can't protect their child/children and in 2002, we saw that scenario on display when Denzel Washington played John Quincy Archibald in the film, "John Q".

Denied medical help for his son because the family does not have sufficient medical insurance, Archibald takes matters into his own hands and hold the staff of the hospital hostage forcing the doctors to do the necessary procedure resulting in a bittersweet ending.