Mo' Better Makes it Mo' Better

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.

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.

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.

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)!

dbg

Follow my Dolls for Sale blog

Please visit and "Like" The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen

Washington and Snipes, Dressed

Dressed playscale figures described as Denzel Washington-like and Snipes-like

It took a few days for "us" (as in me and my husband) to exchange "Denzel's" formerly gloved hands for his new "real" hands, but he's all fixed and dressed now.  Snipes is, too.

Now that he is dressed,  I think "Denzel" looks more like the actor, especially with the stingy brim straw hat as a perfect camouflage for his dated high-top fade hairstyle.  Click to enlarge the images and please let me know what you think.  Does he look more like Denzel now or not?

Full length picture of the guys dressed; do you recognize Snipes' fashion?

dbg

Follow my Dolls for Sale blog

Is That Washington and Snipes?

11-1/2-inch action figures by Blue Box and Dragon Models Ltd. 

These two were described as Denzel-like and Wesley Snipes-like by Old Joe Infirmary.  I saw them at their website when picking up some extra separate clothing items for my Head Play Michael Jordan. 

If you look at these two really close and use your imagination, a slight resemblance to the two aforementioned celebrities might formulate. I can almost see a Mo' Better Blues Denzel, but I haven't figured out which Wesley character this figure might possibly represent.  If I were a Snipes fan, I would probably know, but fan of his, I am not.

It's unfortunate that "Denzel's" high-top fade dates him back to the 1990s, but it coincides with his Blue Box copyright year of 1999.   Also unfortunate are Denzel's gloved hands (see next image).  Replacements are definitely in order as my first option.  My next option is to go for brown acrylic paint coverage.

"Wesley" is by Dragon Models Ltd. and also has a copyright date of 1999.   His black hair is spray-painted on.  A clicking motion is audible when his arms are repositioned.

These guys are practicing control over mind and body while assuming the lotus position.

Short in stature, they are both only 11-1/2 inches in actual height.  Both have multiple, flexible, yet tight joints and can easily assume the lotus position as shown above.

Snipes and Washington height comparison

Above is a comparison photo of the guys standing alongside some of my other men.  In bare feet, they range in size from 11 inches ("Ernesto," far left--GI Joe) to 13-3/8 inches (Remi, far right by Integrity Toys). 

Since neither has his own clothing line or brand, they won't mind wearing anything I decide to dress them in and are even comfortable in their birthday suits.

Revelation:  Integrity's Remi can wear Ken's boots from the Barbie Basics Look No. 04 Collection 002 accessory pack.

dbg

Follow my Dolls for Sale blog