The Friday Five: Chadwick Boseman

The Friday Five:
Chadwick Boseman



Chadwick Boseman was a superstar on the rise, an accomplished actor who gave 110% in every role he did, and forever changed the landscape of cinema especially for minority fans.  His shocking passing at only 43 from colon cancer shocked the world, and took away one of cinema's most powerful stars.  In honor of his memory, I take a look at my five favorite Chadwick Boseman films.




**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**







#5
21 Bridges
In "21 Bridges," Boseman stars as NYPD Detective Andre Davis, a man who became an officer after the murder of his father at a young age, and always sets out to do the right thing.  When two criminals are accused of killing cops, Davis has all twenty-one bridges out of Manhattan shut down so he can find the culprits and bring them to justice - but that's just the beginning of this twisty film filled with action, suspense, and a spectacular performance by Chadwick Boseman.











#4
Get On Up
Chadwick Boseman was known for playing real-life African American men who changed the world in various ways, and "Get On Up" finds him playing the role of the real-life Godfather of Soul, James Brown.  Boseman transforms himself completely into Brown right down to the smallest detail, and offers a unique look into the life of the larger-than-life singer, accompanied by a strong supporting cast including Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Lennie James.











#3
Marshall
Taking on the life of the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Chadwick Boseman stars as Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall," telling the story of one his earliest cases before landing on the Supreme Court - the case of the State of Connecticut vs. Joseph Spell.  He is brought on to defend Spell (Sterling K. Brown), who was charged with raping his wealthy white female boss, played by Kate Hudson.  Marshall brings in insurance lawyer Sam Friedman (Josh Gad) to assist in the defense, and the film showcases Bowman's dramatic prowess with fierce abandon, giving deeper insight into Thurgood Marshall's life.











#2
42

Portraying baseball player Jackie Robinson, "42" was Chadwick Boseman's breakout role, and its this role that made Hollywood take notice of this up-and-coming powerhouse.  Boseman encompasses Jackie Robinson's personality perfectly, showing the strength of a man who only had the love for the game, but also set the groundwork for racial integration in baseball.










#1
Black Panther

With one chant - "Wakanda Forever!" - "Black Panther" easily ascended to the hierarchy of superhero films, and to call it that doesn't do it justice.  Boseman takes the mantle of the Black Panther and was able to show millions of African Americans all over the world that they too can be a superhero.  The film became the fourth highest grossing movie of all time in America, and Boseman's performance raised it above typical superhero films, along with a stellar supporting cast.

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