Denzel easily IMHO.Why? because People still talk about His Performance in "Malcolm X"&how He got Robbed.Tom Hanks is a Damn Good Actor&Probably will be a Even better Director in Time but Denzel is the Kind of Actor that no matter what you throw His way He Nails it.Both Came from TV Shows.I Mean Denzel has Been a Badd-Ass for So Long it ain't even Funny.Hanks was cool in the 80's as well for a few of His Roles.even though Denzel has made some Bad Films He hasn't been Associated with Nothing as Cheesy&Wack as "That Thing you Do! in His Prime Years as a Actor IMHO.Denzel Washington IMHO is like Barry Bonds is to Baseball just gets better with time&is always a threat at Winning THE MVP of there Professions.in fair World Denzel WOuld Have His Shaq 3-Peat for Best Actor at the Oscars&what not.Tom Hanks kinda fell off after the "Forrest Gump" Era&Russell Crowe has His thunder IMHO.but Denzel:nobody has taken Jack from him.Both Cats are still very Young at 45&nobody knows what lays around the corner but at this stage in there Career's Denzel is the One.

mistermaxxx said:

guess what... they really don't.

Aaron said:

oh yes they do...where were u during the Oscars when all the pundits were saying Denzel would win because he was robbed in the past? well, you probably dont hunt down every Oscar tidbit like i do...obsessing over goldderby essays and what not...damn, i need to quit that...

hmmm i dont pick either...i liked training day and tom hanks in bachelor party and big...but eh.

what about hanks in castaway...brilliant!

You just named two of my favorite actors. I like them both a lot, but Denzel Washington seems to have far fewer embarassing moments in his past. He's been solid all the way through his career, as far as I've seen. Though, I must say that Denzel often plays himself (or characters that aren't much different from each other). I like him just the same, but they say actors are supposed to be diverse. With that said, I haven't seen his last Oscar-winning movie which I hear is quite different for him.

Nep2nes said:

Sorry Neppy, gotta disagree. Ask any actor, and they'll tell you that Hank's Oscar win for Forrest Gump was undeserved. All he did was revisit his Big character, adding in a southern drawl. It is a huge misconception by most non-actors that playing a mentally challenged person is difficult. It is actually far harder to play opposite someone in such a role ( I know, I've played both). Hanks win for Philadelphia made a lot more sense, since there was a much wider range of emotions that he had to convey. Gary Sinise had a much more difficult role in Gump, IMO

Now, as to the debate of Washington vs. Hanks, I'd have to say that both are quite talented. Unfortunately, they both tend to play roles that are beneath their talents as actors (many of todays Hollywood stars are doing this). They tend to take roles where they essentially play themselves, because the general public wants to see their favorite actors be consistent. This past year, both of these guys bucked this trend and went out on a limb to perform roles that were not typical for them (Denzel with Training Day and Tom with The Road To Perdition. I wholeheatedly applaude these guys for having the guts to take risks with their careers (the same has to be said of Mel Gibson, with his role in Signs ).

Looking back on their past work, Denzel gets the edge for his performances on St. Elsewhere, and for his role in Glory.

On a totally unrelated note, I just realized that thechronic is from the Golden Triangle! That explains a whole lot! All those chemicals have seeped into his brain! (Y'know I'm just funnin' you man!)

Seriously though, whereabouts? Port Arthur? My parents used to live in Neederland. I used to hate going to visit them there. Just a little too close to Vidor for my comfort, ifyaknowwhatimean!

JediMaster said:

I have to disagree...what's so gutsy with taking these parts? I mean, what have they got to lose? Fame? All in all not much if you ask me. It's not as if they're trying to find a part to put food on their tables...

Oh and definitely Denzel over Tom any day!

QstnOfU said:

that's what Demi Moore thought too...

Aaron said:

Yes but they have talent

QstnOfU said:

maybe, but they rarely use it. and it was said that they have nothing to lose by taking these parts, because they're already fabulously rich and will keep drawing a paycheck. Demi used to be one of those $20 million actors too. but it all went a bit wonky for her. there are no guarantees when you take risks. that's why they're risks.

follows aaron then, hides shhh... he can't see me after him {tip toes}

JMG1 said:

i have a stalker

aaron... {{tip toes}}}