Initially I was uncertain if the title of this post is an actual line from the 1990 Spike Lee joint, Mo' Better Blues, starring Denzel Washington. The line came to mind after I dressed the above shown "Denzel Washington" lookalike action figure as his Mo' Better Blues character, Bleek Gilliam.
Denzel Washington, born this day in 1954, is by far one of my favorite actors. I-love-me-some-Denzel. Have you seen his air of confidence strut? No one, but no one can walk like Denzel. Lord-give-me-some-mercy, please, right now! I need a hand fan. The man is not only extremely handsome with an unmatchable stride, but his acting is impeccable as is his real-life character. He is a family man first and has not allowed his celebrity to interfere with his morals and beliefs. As an actor, he becomes the characters he portrays. I especially enjoyed his role as Malcolm X in the movie by the same name. He was Malcolm X!
After a Google search for "mo' better makes it mo' better," I discovered I had the line partially right. Clarke, one of the love interests of Denzel Washington's character, Bleek, spoke the line as, "Cause mo' better, makes it mo' better." Mo' better, was Bleek's reference to making love and he does this with two women in the movie.
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| Mo' Better Blues characters, Indigo Downes, Bleek Gilliam, and Clarke Betancourt, played by actors, Joie Lee, Denzel Washington, and Cynda Williams, are shown in this Internet-captured photograph. |
The playscale Denzel figure was purchased nude through an eBay auction win. I was disappointed upon its arrival because there was heavy facial shading chiefly along the sides of the face. I was unhappy mostly because it was to be a gift for someone who collects celebrity dolls. Because I would never give someone something I would not be happy with myself, I was forced to paint the head. I didn't take before pictures... that's how disgusted I was with the shading, and I actually didn't know if I could achieve the desired effect.
Painting the head of a playscale doll or action figure was something I had not attempted before, but I was pleased with the end result of an even skin tone. I used acrylic paint and sealed it with matte varnish. Both the paint and the varnish were applied with a makeup wedge.
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| Playscale Denzel wears part of his tan suit and holds his brass trumpet. |
Because of the figure's 1990s high-top fade hairstyle, I chose to transform it into Denzel Washington as Bleek Gilliam. Bleek has been dressed in a brown (more tan in appearance) suit that included a tan/peach shirt; brown belt, socks, and shoes. This ensemble was also found on eBay.
His brass trumpet is actually an ornament that is the perfect scale for him.
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| Denzel action figure as Bleek Gilliam from the 1990 movie, Mo' Better Blues |
Denzel is looking good and has long since arrived to his new home. I miss him, but I have a real-live Denzel, and that's a mo' better that truly makes it mo' better. (I also have my own playscale Denzel, first seen here with a followup appearance here.)
To the real Denzel Washington: Happy Birthday may you have many, many mo' (more)!
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You did a great job on the facial painting, Debbie. I had not thought about using a make-up wedge to apply acrylic paint. He looks great in his ensemble. Happy Birthday to the real Denzel!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roxanne. I do not like the appearance of brush strokes. Make-up sponges solve that problem.
DeleteI use make-up wedges religiously when I paint.
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Yes, you did a great job on making your mini Denzel fill this role. I'll see if I can send birthday greetings to Mr. Washington on FB. Thanks, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a great post as tribute to our favorite actor on his birthday :) I love him when he plays goody guy roles, but it's smashing when he's a baddie, like that in Training Day :) Thanks, Deb and Have a Happy New Year to everyone...
DeleteThanks, D7ana. I never thought about seeing if he has an official FB page. That would have been nice to extend birthdway wishes to him directly there.
DeleteThanks, Shasha. I prefer his good guy roles, too. I was not at all happy to see him in what I believe might have been his first villain role in Training Day. He played the role well, however.
I remember seeing that movie when it came out! It's great that you were able to turn him into the character.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Muff. I was there, up front and center at the theater when Mo' Better Blues was released, probably with my daughter, who would have been a teenager at the time.
Deletedbg
Wonderful job. I love Denzel too, he is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eve*Sparkle. I welcome you as a new follower. Hope you enjoy future posts.
Deletedbg
You re-made him perfect!! We can talk for days about his walk!! Obama has a walk too, I mean a stroll, just sexy. Only you can find a scaled trumpet, lol. I know he will be well love in his new home!
ReplyDeleteThat walk... I know Brini... I can talk about it for days. Our president has a cool stride, too. It is indicative of a heavy but appropriate dose of self-confidence. Self-assured individuals like Denzel and President Obama have a natural "swag" from the inside out. It is often imitated but can never be duplicated!
DeleteAbout that trumpet: First off, I began working on the Denzel figure in probably October and began looking for a brass trumpet -- it had to be brass and properly scaled -- around the same time. Initially, I was going to go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but decided to surf the Internet first. I found a few, but many were either too large or too small. I actually ordered one that was scaled correctly but had to return it because it was flat instead of three dimensional. Finally, I found this one on Amazon.com; and after several other buyers confirmed that it was 3D, I ordered it.
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Excelente trabajo.
ReplyDeleteGracias, Lindaivette!
DeleteI hope your husband didn't see this post. All that fanning and what not. lol. Great job fixing him. This was a great movie. I remember over using that phrase mo' better for a number of years. Nice trumpet!
ReplyDeleteLOL! He won't read it, but even if he does, he knows how much I love-me-some Denzel, Vanessa.
DeleteNice job with Denzel.
ReplyDeleteThank you MDW!
Deletedbg
Wow! he certainly favors Denzel!!! Who is he dating?LOL one of my girls would love a chance with him!
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy,
DeleteDenzel is dating no one, at least not here. I put him -- the figure, his clothing and trumpet -- together for a friend as part of her Christmas present last year. She has a huge celebrity doll collection. I felt he would be a welcome addition to it.
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