Morgan Bell
Kynaston
Jason King
Mike Cullen
Morgan Freeman's Top 5 Films
September 26th 2010 06:55
In keeping with keeping all things on Movie Train either Movie Train or Morgan Bell related my second post is about Morgan Freeman - did you see that deep thought of genius that came forward to help me on this one?
It is because Morgan Bell and Morgan Freeman look identical. Haha. OK ok - they share the same first name - just incase you didn't pick up on it.
I love Morgan Freeman in film but have to say that I think his earlier films were much better than the films of late. I did like Invictus and his portrayal of Nelson Mandela but, for me, it just wasn't as good as his roles in these films. You will probably also notice that he is not the lead actor in any of my top five films of his - I find him a perfect support actor who may not be credited as the lead actor but sure does a superb job in these films.
5) Glory
Glory is a 1989 American drama war film based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as told from the point of view of its commanding officer, Robert Gould Shaw during the American Civil War. The 54th was one of the first formal units of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African-American men (apart from the officers). It stars Morgan Freeman (of course), Matthew Borderick, Denzel Washington and Cary Elwes. It was released in 1989.
4) Unforgiven
Unforgiven is a 1992 Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a screenplay written by David Webb Peoples. The film tells the story of William Munny, an aging outlaw and killer who takes on one more job years after he had hung up his guns and turned to farming. A dark Western that deals frankly with the uglier aspects of violence and the myth of the Old West, it stars Eastwood in the lead role, with Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris.
Eastwood dedicated the movie to deceased directors and mentors Don Siegel and Sergio Leone. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hackman), Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Picture. Eastwood himself was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, but he lost to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman.
I bloody love this film and it is one of my top 20 films of all time.
3) Se7en
Seven (stylized as Se7en) is a 1995 American crime film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey and Kevin Spacey. It was distributed by New Line Cinema.
David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Freeman) are police detectives working in a crime-filled city, who become deeply involved in a case involving a series of sadistic murders. The murders are all in correspondence to each of the seven deadly sins: Gluttony, Envy, Lust, Pride, Sloth, Greed and Wrath.
Filming took place in California and Pennsylvania. The film was released in the United States on September 22, 1995. Grossing $327 million at the box office internationally, Seven was a commercial success, and received very positive reviews from most critics.
2) Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same title for Warner Bros. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford with Morgan Freeman reprising Hoke's role and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy. The story defines Daisy and her point of view through a network of relationships and emotions by focusing on her home life, synagogue, friends, family, fears, and concerns. Hoke is rarely seen out of Miss Daisy's presence, although the title implies that the story is told from his perspective. Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
In October 2010, stage and screen legends James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave will star in a revival of the original stage version of Driving Miss Daisy at the John Golden Theatre, marking the films Broadway debut. Four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines will also join the cast in the role of Boolie Werthan.
1) The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film portrays the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife. During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis "Red" Redding and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
Despite a lukewarm box office reception that was barely enough to cover its budget, the film received favorable reviews from critics, multiple award nominations, and has since enjoyed a remarkable life on cable television, VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.
This film is just brilliant and gets better and better with multiple viewings. Not only is this Morgan Freeman's best role, in my opinion, but it is Tim Robbins' career role.
It is because Morgan Bell and Morgan Freeman look identical. Haha. OK ok - they share the same first name - just incase you didn't pick up on it.
I love Morgan Freeman in film but have to say that I think his earlier films were much better than the films of late. I did like Invictus and his portrayal of Nelson Mandela but, for me, it just wasn't as good as his roles in these films. You will probably also notice that he is not the lead actor in any of my top five films of his - I find him a perfect support actor who may not be credited as the lead actor but sure does a superb job in these films.
5) Glory
Glory is a 1989 American drama war film based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as told from the point of view of its commanding officer, Robert Gould Shaw during the American Civil War. The 54th was one of the first formal units of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African-American men (apart from the officers). It stars Morgan Freeman (of course), Matthew Borderick, Denzel Washington and Cary Elwes. It was released in 1989.
4) Unforgiven
Unforgiven is a 1992 Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a screenplay written by David Webb Peoples. The film tells the story of William Munny, an aging outlaw and killer who takes on one more job years after he had hung up his guns and turned to farming. A dark Western that deals frankly with the uglier aspects of violence and the myth of the Old West, it stars Eastwood in the lead role, with Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris.
Eastwood dedicated the movie to deceased directors and mentors Don Siegel and Sergio Leone. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hackman), Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Picture. Eastwood himself was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, but he lost to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman.
I bloody love this film and it is one of my top 20 films of all time.
3) Se7en
Seven (stylized as Se7en) is a 1995 American crime film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey and Kevin Spacey. It was distributed by New Line Cinema.
David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Freeman) are police detectives working in a crime-filled city, who become deeply involved in a case involving a series of sadistic murders. The murders are all in correspondence to each of the seven deadly sins: Gluttony, Envy, Lust, Pride, Sloth, Greed and Wrath.
Filming took place in California and Pennsylvania. The film was released in the United States on September 22, 1995. Grossing $327 million at the box office internationally, Seven was a commercial success, and received very positive reviews from most critics.
2) Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same title for Warner Bros. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford with Morgan Freeman reprising Hoke's role and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy. The story defines Daisy and her point of view through a network of relationships and emotions by focusing on her home life, synagogue, friends, family, fears, and concerns. Hoke is rarely seen out of Miss Daisy's presence, although the title implies that the story is told from his perspective. Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
In October 2010, stage and screen legends James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave will star in a revival of the original stage version of Driving Miss Daisy at the John Golden Theatre, marking the films Broadway debut. Four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines will also join the cast in the role of Boolie Werthan.
1) The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film portrays the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife. During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis "Red" Redding and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
Despite a lukewarm box office reception that was barely enough to cover its budget, the film received favorable reviews from critics, multiple award nominations, and has since enjoyed a remarkable life on cable television, VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.
This film is just brilliant and gets better and better with multiple viewings. Not only is this Morgan Freeman's best role, in my opinion, but it is Tim Robbins' career role.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
It's funny I don't even remember Morgan Freeman being in some of those movies, he must really blend.
I would probably go:
1. Shawshank
2. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
3. Kiss The Girls
4. Along Came A Spider
5. Wanted
That's a pretty "commercial blockbuster" kind of list, but for me those are the memorable performances.
He has a huge body of work.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Just hated Wanted
He has a great body of work.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
BOTH have same first name!
Does that mean... he is a gurrlish, or are you a gurrlyboy?
Anyhoo, doesn't matter... I agree with all your picks which is annoying coz I wanted to appear a know it all and stuff...oh weeeeellll
loved him in Daisy, and Unforgiven was the best Western I have ever seen, but like you, I can't remember him... loved Shawshank too.... can't think of another one...brain dead.
cheers
fog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
That being said I have been a fan of his earlier work.
For me Se7en is undoubtedly his finest film and role. From your list I also rank Unforgiven and Glory.
Never was that impressed with Shawshank myself, very average film that isn't good or bad, just generic.
A few additions I would make:
Gone, baby, Gone
Johnny Handsome
Eyewitness
The Power of One.
Comment by Jason King
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JD - Damn - I forgot about The Power of One - bloody loved that movie. It was Stephen Dorff's finest work before he became an idiot. I never read the book - so many people told me the movie totally sucked compared to the book but I loved it. The other additions didn't do much for me - although I really enjoyed Gone Baby Gone. I do agree he has gotten boring - hence why I heaps preferred his earlier work. What did u think of Daisy?
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Unforgiven
Driving Miss Daisy
Shawshank Redemption
Power of One
Million Dollar Baby
Love his narration work on doco's to boot!
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
so girls I like I call gurrlish...silly I know, but calling them my girlfriend gets some people confused, well, people who have never met me and presume I am a six packed bronzed manhunk bursting with.....I better stop here, for decency sake!
cheers
fog
Comment by Mike Cullen
The Authors Cafe
The Life Design Experiment
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
I still own the blog. Jason and Mike are just helping me out by doing the occasional guest post so it doesn't go inactive.
Had a little issue with Artist Quirk being snatched recently so the boys were gracious enough to lend a hand.
I've been having trouble with my back and just started a new job, so posting fell by the wayside.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
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Great list MNG - and u are so right - his narration is just superb.
Fogster - soz about that - I even knew you were king of the wagon - nice work bruvva. And yes I am taking over the world of Orble. You may now call me Jorble or excellency
Nice we agreed on Shawshank Mike - I need to watch it again.
And Morgan - when you are better I expect an article on my namesake - Jason King - the famous detective who helped inspire Austin Powers
Thanks all so much for reading and providing your opinions. U rock
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The First Wonderful Peter Yang's Variety Blog
The New Wonderful Peter Yang's variety blog
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Stay healthy and loose weight
Comment by Jason King
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