Reverse Angle:
Who did the better job in “Fences” on Broadway?
Both sides of the fence
As the Denzel Washington-directed and -starring film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzerand Tony-winning “Fences” prepares to drop into awards season, some may wonder: Who did it better — Washington in his circa 2010 Broadway run, or James Earl Jones in his roleoriginating 1987 Broadway run? Both men won Tony Awards for playing towering patriarch Troy.
It’s a small sample size, but the curious can now judge a little for themselves. Facebook users calling themselves “In the Moment” have posted the famous “How come you ain’t never liked me” scenes from both productions in one video.
Although it may not prove one better than the other, it certainly is an instructive look at two very different approaches. Jones brings intimidating toughness and gravitas. He’s a bull. He’s indomitable. The shreds of concern and caring revealed by his stamping hooves feel like discovered gems.
Washington comes at it sideways; he’s still tough as nails, but he couches it in a kind of charm that comes from being the smartest guy in the room. The lesson he delivers comes from a completely different delivery.
It’s not that one is better — it’s more like one pitcher comes over the top with some goodold country hardball and the other goes threequarters with a slider that sounds like a strike.
Washington’s “Fences” film is slated for a Christmas release.
To see the comparison, go to http://bit.ly/ 2bpBDLs.
Trivia question
The year Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for “Training Day,” two other African Americans received major Oscars — one won a competitive acting prize and one was given an honorary award. Who were those two performers?
She won’t sit for it
The Bay Area’s Jessica Chastain is now shooting “Woman Walks Ahead” in New Mexico, heading a cast including Bill Camp (“The Night Of ”), Sam Rockwell (“Moon”) and Michael Greyeyes (“The New World”).
Oscar nominee Chastain, also a contender for this year’s “Miss Sloane,” plays 1890s Brooklynite Catherine Weldon, who “travels to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull, and becomes embroiled in the Lakota peoples’ struggle over the rights to their land,” according to a press release.
“Woman” is being directed by Susanna White (“Bleak House”) and is written by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”). The film is due out next year.
The Beatles No. 1
The Fab Four can add another chart-topping feather to their cap, albeit a “limited” one: The documentary “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years” ruled the specialty box office in its debut with $615,000.
How can we miss you if you won’t go away?
While the presidential candidates’ unfavorability ratings have many Americans wondering whether it’s too late to repeal the 22nd Amendment, Barack Obama’s screen presence continues to grow.
The Obama-Michelle Robinson first-date flick, “Southside With You,” has a 92 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although its gross in limited release is just over $6 million, that’s still quadruple its budget.
Now comes word that another young-Obama film, “Barry,” was sold to Netflix for around $4.5 million. It holds a 91 percent rating, but has only 11 reviews. Perhaps the most interesting thing about “Barry” from a distance: It’s directed by Vikram Gandhi of “Vice,” the HBO show doing some of the best investigative journalism on TV.
The “Southside With You” trailer is at https:// youtu.be/erpUF2ToUls.
Vikram Gandhi’s “Vice Debrief ” on underreported levels of radiation from the Fukushima accident is at https:// youtu.be/oU93_hmpUdw.
Trivia answer
Halle Berry, best actress, “Monster’s Ball”; Sidney Poitier, Honorary Award. The year was 2001.
Michael Ordoña is a Los Angeles freelance writer. Twitter: @michaelordona