Right as everyone's buzzing about Denzel Washington's award-worthy turn in American Gangster, we get a trailer for The Great Debaters, another movie that has Washington's magical charm all over it. Add to that an inspirational historical plot fraught with race tensions, and a tight-looking cast — which includes another Oscar favorite, Forest Whitaker — and you've got the makings for a huge Hollywood success.
Washington plays Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at the all-black Wiley College in Texas in 1935. He helps form the school's first debate team which goes on to challenge Harvard's team in the national championship.
Weird sidenote: One of the young actors in this movie is actually named — and I'm not kidding — Denzel Whitaker. He's not a relative of either Denzel Washington or Forest Whitaker, though he was named after Denzel. Weird, right?
To watch the heartwarming trailer for The Great Debaters which opens December 25, read more
J by Jasper Conran
ras
Laura Biagiotti
Denzel's been a busy man. I've heard good things about American Gangster, but isn't it kind of long? I'm sure the Great Debaters will be good too.
1terryt — American Gangster is definitely long (about 2.5 hours, which comes out to nearly 3 once you take into account previews), but it's so worth it. It's a great movie. And it doesn't feel that long.
2Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker--and Denzel Whitaker--sounds like a winning team to me. Looking forward to seeing this one in December.
3oh look another "race" themed movie with denzel. Yawn.
4Race is probably kinda important to Denzel don't you think? Also, I saw American Gangster last night and it is long, but not at all hard to sit though. Sadly, I have to disagree with Buzz here, I really didn't think it was great. I was not prepared for the gratuitous and graphic intravenous drug use (call me naive!). I also just didn't care that much about Frank Lucas - he knew what he was doing was wrong and I knew what was coming to him, so I didn't find it compelling.
5Maybe I have a short attention span but 2½hrs in a theater is a long time to me.
6But I saw a clip of Gangster where Denzel shot a guy in the head in a neighborhood full of people. Yeah, that's gangsta. Drug use and violence doesn't bother my sensibilities.
I want to see American Gangster. Denzel's okay, I guess. Forest Whitaker rules, though.
7Seems like another quality movie from the both of them! Can't wait =)
8Denzel is the man! Can't wait to see this. I could watch this man act in ANYTHING he is fabulous!!!
9Denzel and Forest= brilliant actors!
10sounds good! Denzel Whitaker,how funny.
11I saw American Gangster and the movie is so good that it doesn't feel long at all. But again,I love all of Denzel's movies.
Anyone know what this is rated? I coach HS Debate and would love to take my kids to see this!
12A coworker's best friend is one of the Harvard debaters in this movie. I can't wait to see it!
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