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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