My mother and grandmother have always been in love with Denzel.  And, while I was a fan of Glory (1989) and Malcolm X (1992), it wasn't until his heel turn in this Antoine Fuqua crime thriller that I declared that I, also, would bear the man's children.  Yeah, I said it.

     The film centers around Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) as he traverses through his first day with the LAPD, riding alongside Detective Alonzo Harris (Washington).  Through the course of the day, Jake slowly realizes that Alonzo is a dirty cop who has no interest in serving the public trust.  But Jake will do anything to make detective.

     With beautiful cinematography, good pacing, and a magnificent supporting performance from Ethan Hawke, another actor that changed my opinion with this movie, you'll be screaming at the screen right along with me.  In a good way, of course.

 

     What Makes This Movie Cool:  Denzel Washington.  From the second Denzel comes into the movie, he just exudes cool.  It's really to the point that you need to take a shower afterwards to remind yourself how much you suck.  He robs people and steals their Angel Dust.  He robs people and shoots their friends.  He bangs Eva Mendes.  Shoooo, he's so cool, he makes Snoop Dogg throw up.  He faces life threatening pitfalls constantly, yet the man never runs.  Why?  Because real gangstas don't run fast.