icon.
That’s the first thing that comes mind with thespian Chiwetel Ejiofor. He’s underrated because he has a funny last name and Americans don’t take too kindly to having marbles in their mouths when pronouncing anything.
To start off with pronunciation: It’s chew-ih-tell edge-ee-oh-for. And his first name means “God brings” in Igbo, the native tongue of the 34-year-old actor’s Nigerian parents.
Chiwetel is one of those actors that has it. Jeffery Wright has it. Don Cheadle has it. Andre Braugher used to have it. It, is that charm, depth, intrigue and mystery mixed with being a straight up and down renaissance man. You can’t tell me that this man doesn’t know how to buy a bottle of wine, hasn’t written poetry or doesn’t own a John Coltrane album. You can see the intellect oozing out of this man’s eyes..
Nevertheless, the man from across the British pond can act. From Kinky Boots to Inside Man to Talk to Me..Chiwetel is niiice with his. Boris is eye candy; Chiwetal is food for thought.
What actors do you feel are underrated?
Posted by gt on October 21, 2008
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InstantVintage — October 21, 2008 @ 1:12 am
He’s an awesome actor. And I LOVE Kinky Boots! That was such a great movie.
He was great in Talk To Me, too!
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gt — October 21, 2008 @ 1:19 am
IV.
I hope you’re feeling better. Vitamin C much? It’s great for colds and your immune system…
And Yes! I love Talk to me…another great film with poor box office sales…
I loved Kinky Boots as well…fun film….
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Huemanity — October 21, 2008 @ 1:49 am
All those men you mentioned are underrated because black people do not like (or appreciate or even understand?) quality films. So since they are not slumming it in some nonsense playing the women-hating sidekick or magical negro, hardly anyone knows who they are.
Jeffrey Wright is another underrated black actor.
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Huemanity — October 21, 2008 @ 1:52 am
LOL, I see you already mentioned Wright.
But yeah, I’ll throw in S. Epatha Merkerson as a nod to the ladies.
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 2:24 am
Huemanity.
I couldn’ve agreed more about Epatha. I loved Lackawanna Blues and I feel like it’s one of the best stories to be told about regla black folks and day to day living.
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 2:25 am
Huemanity.
Now were talking. Lackawanna blues was my movie.
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Ramona — October 21, 2008 @ 8:00 am
GT & Huemanity,
I almost got put out of the potluck on Saturday because I attempted to have a discussion about the difference between a Tyler Perry movie and serious film-making.
Those sistah’s shouted me DOWN… I also made the mistake of saying something like, ” I am a person who watches good films, so I have to judge Jennifer Hudson’s performance(s) against a real acting standard.” If looks could kill, I would be dead right now.
Anyway, I LOVE Chiwetel! I show my students a clip of him reciting some Shakespeare lines; I always end up in tears. He is so passionate. I must mention the fact that he makes me want to take my clothes off… LOL.
~Ramona
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ceecee — October 21, 2008 @ 8:57 am
I still haven’t seen Kinky Boots, need to blockbuster it.
Anyway, I’m soooooooooo proud of him cos he is doing the damn thing. I always try to support him, Don Cheadle and Djimon Honsou. Can’t wait for him to take an Oscar home!
..and his name, his name, his name, love his moms for giving him the name, “God brings”, I’m a firm believer in your name being a part of your destiny.
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 11:03 am
CeeCee.
I wholeheartedly agree that your name says a lot about your destiny. It takes really in-tuned parents to give their newborn a name that will carry for a lifetime.
But there’s hope for Boom-Quesha. You can create you own desitny. Look at Oprah….
Off the cuff…my name is Melinda…its of “Latin” origin and it means “Sweet, Honey Sweet, or Gentle.” Go figure.
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 11:11 am
LOL @ Ramona.
I though I was the only one who felt that way about Chiwetal.LMAO! He happens to be a Cancer and most of my successful relationships have been with Cancers.
As far as Tyler Perry movies..yes there’s a huge philosophical divide between those who like film and those who go to the movies. People get me wrong and think that I’m all about not criticizing anyone but that’s just not true.
I believe in constructive criticism. When it becomes a belittling and beleaguered mess is when I know that there’s something deeper going on with the person criticizing.
At one of my Get Togetha’s I had about 35 people over and the question of Tyler’s movies came up and I was surprised at how many of my crowd hated his flicks.
I was like “Dang!” I happen to like Madea…lol
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Ramona — October 21, 2008 @ 11:29 am
Names:
I legally changed my name on my 26 birthday; I could not do the “Shanequa” thing any longer. My mother is still mad–almost five years later, but I think my new name is beautiful.
Ramona is a pseudonym.
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Ramona — October 21, 2008 @ 11:31 am
LOL @ GT!! I laughed and cried during a few Tyler Perry movies, too… I am not really a hater, I just seek to be honest about the medium. LOL.
~Ramona
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Simone — October 21, 2008 @ 11:57 am
I love Chewitel, but then I think smarts and talent are sexy indeed! I’m a Larenz Tate fan and have always believed he has “it” as well. He’s truly gifted and it pisses me off that I don’t get to see him anymore.
I believe Kimberly Elise is TOTALLY underrated along with N’Bushe Wright. We have such wonderful talent among our people and yes, I said “our” people. I dont’ care of they are across the pond or over the damn rainbow.
We need to show more love and support for talent and ability.
Whew! Glad I got my rant out.
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Naturally Alise — October 21, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
I agree with Don Cheadle being underrated, I have been up on him for years and this man is magnificent, I have seen him play an array of character types and he always pulls it off with flying colors. I love that he is able to not be typecast and seems to not settle for mediocre or stereotypical roles.
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Don Cheadle doesn’t settle for sure. Did you see him on that PBS special that they have every Black History Month with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr?
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GT — October 21, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
Kimberly Elise is most definitely a slept on gem. But I think she’s also the type of actress who won’t just take any role thrown her way. I think she would have been great in The Secret Life of Bees.
And Gurl…N’Bushe Wright? Wow…she has been off my radar since Dead Presidents…It makes you wonder what happened to her career? Maybe she can make a comeback the Mr. Perry?
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