No sophomore slump

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Two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington is not the first actor to try his hand at directing. In fact, the tradition is almost as old as movies themselves. Film pioneers D.W. Griffith and Mack Sennett both started out as actors. Even Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton didn’t really come into their own until they started directing. Then we have Orson Welles, the man behind the camera for a little movie called "Citizen Kane."

With his sophomore effort "The Great Debaters," Washington quickly proves a force to be reckoned with as it is even better than his auspicious debut "Antwone Fisher" in 2002.

Washington plays Melvin B. Tolson, who coached the Wiley College debating team against the Harvard debating team in 1935. Tolson gathers a squad of four very different people: Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), a smooth ladies man who has seen his share of juke-joint fights with jealous husbands; Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams), the only holdover from the previous team; Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), a modest but passionate young lady who hopes to become a lawyer; and James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), a shy lad of 15 who is striving to get out of the shadow of his father (Forest Whitaker, no relation) who just happens to be the college president. As different as a group of four can be, Tolson manages to mold them into a team

I don’t know the history of the movie or who pitched it, but you have to give somebody credit for one of the greatest sales jobs of all time. With franchise movies becoming the order of the day, the idea of a major motion picture about a black college debating team in the ’30s must have been a hard sell.

It makes you glad somebody took a chance, as this is easily one of most enjoyable films to come along in awhile. Washington makes it work by grabbing you from the first scene and never letting go. Although you couldn’t call it an action movie, "The Great Debaters" benefits from vigorous pacing and fully realized characters.

Ultimately, what makes this movie so special is the gift Washington has shown so many times in front of the camera and memorably in "Antwone Fisher:" The ability to make the audience feel.

If Washington ever decides to retire as an actor — perish the thought — he could make a significant impact as a director. "The Great Debaters" is a moving testimony to an incredible group of people and a powerful reminder similarities are much more important than differences.

The Great Debaters
PG-13
Three-and-a-half reels out of four
In theaters now

Director: Denzel Washington
Writers: Robert Eisele (screenplay, story), Jeffrey Porro (story) and Tony Scherman (article)

Recommended rental

All releases available Tuesday unless otherwise noted.

Evil Roy Slade
Not rated

If you were to ask me what is the best Western spoof ever, I’d say without hesitation Mel Brooks’ "Blazing Saddles." But if you asked me my favorite Western spoof I would blurt out, "Are you kidding? ‘Evil Roy Slade.’"

This 1972 gem stars John Astin (Gomez from "The Addams Family") giving a deliciously over-the-top comedic performance as the title character, the "meanest man in the West." Originally made for TV, this is a must-see comedy (co-written by Garry Marshall) for fans of all ages.

3:10 to Yuma
R

In 1957, Glenn Ford, who had played some conflicted heroes in a number of classic film noirs, went against type as outlaw Ben Wade in Delmer Daves’ "3:10 to Yuma." The result was a minor classic and one of Ford’s better performances.

Fifty years later, we get Russell Crowe, who has played his share of conflicted heroes, as Wade in James Mangold’s well-regarded remake. Christian Bale is Dan Evans (a role originally played by Van Heflin), a respectable family man and rancher who accepts the unenviable job of escorting the just-captured Wade to Yuma prison.

Sunshine
R

Directed by Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting") and written by longtime collaborator Alex Garland, "Sunshine" is about a team of astronauts 50 years in the future who are sent to revive the sun. Starring Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh and Cliff Curtis.

Movie schedules until Jan. 10 unless otherwise indicated. Call theaters for updates.

SOUTH PHILLY

United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219

One Missed Call (PG-13) Fri.-Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 2, 4:10, 6:20, 8:30, 10:45
The Great Debaters (PG-13) Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 1:05, 2:20, 3:50, 5:10, 6:40, 8, 9:30, 10:55 Fri.-Thu.: 12:40, 1:50, 3:30, 4:40, 6:40, 7:45, 9:40, 10:30
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (R) Thu.: 12:40, 1:45, 2:55, 4, 5:15, 6:10, 7:40, 8:30, 10:05, 11 Fri.-Thu.: 12:35, 1:30, 2:55, 3:50, 5:15, 6:05, 7:30, 8:20, 9:45, 10:40
Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG) Thu.: 11:20 a.m., 12:45, 1:35, 3, 3:45, 5:30, 6, 7:45, 10:15 Fri.-Thu.: 11:55 a.m., 12:45, 2:15, 3, 4:30, 5:25, 7, 7:50, 9:15
I Am Legend (PG-13) Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 12:20, 1, 2:10, 2:40, 3:30, 4:45, 5:40, 6:20, 7:10, 8:10, 9:15, 9:50, 10:35 Fri.-Thu.: 12:05, 12:55, 1:40, 2:30, 3:20, 4, 5:05, 5:45, 6:50, 7:40, 8:10, 9:20, 10:10, 10:50
The Golden Compass (PG-13) Thu.: 8:15, 10:50 Fri.-Thu.: 1:15, 4:15
Charlie Wilson’s War (R) Thu.: 1:25, 4:30, 7:30, 10 Fri.-Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:10, 7:35, 10:05
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG) Thu.: 12:35, 1:40, 3:40, 4:10, 4:40, 6:30, 7, 7:50, 9:40, 10:10, 10:45 Fri.-Thu.: 12:25, 1:20, 3:40, 4:20, 6:30, 7:20, 9:30, 10, 10:20
P.S. I Love You (PG-13) Thu.: 1:30, 4:25, 7:15, 10:30 Fri.-Thu.: 1:05, 4:05, 7:10, 10:15
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R) Thu.: 1:15, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20 Fri.-Thu.: 1:45, 4:35, 7:25, 10:35
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (R) Thu.: 12:30, 3:10, 5:45, 8:05, 10:40 Fri.-Thu.: 7:15, 10:25
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (PG) Thu.: 12:50, 3:35, 6:50, 9:45 Fri.-Thu.: 1, 3:45, 7:05, 9:50
Enchanted (PG) Thu.: 1:20 (Ends 12/3

CENTER CITY

Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (R) Thu.: 1:45, 4:10 Fri.-Thu.: 12:15, 3:15, 6:15, 9:15
Juno (PG-13) Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 1, 2:30, 3:30, 5:05, 5:45, 6:30, 7:30, 8, 9, 9:45 Fri.-Mon., Wed.: 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 1, 1:50, 2:30, 3:30, 4:15, 5:05, 5:45, 6:30, 7:30, 8 Tue., Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 1, 1:50, 2:30, 3:30, 4:15, 5:45, 6:30, 7:30, 8, 9
I’m Not There (R) Thu.-Thu.: 12, 3, 6, 9

Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-7900

There Will Be Blood (R) Fri.-Sat.: 11:45 a.m., 12:45, 2:50, 3:50, 6, 7, 9:15, 10:10 Sun.-Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 12:45, 2:50, 3:50, 6, 7:30, 9:15
The Savages (R) Thu.: 12, 2:25, 4:55, 7:25, 10 Fri.-Thu.: 12, 2:25, 4:55, 7:20, 9:50
Atonement (R) Thu.: 12:10, 1:10, 3, 4, 6, 8:45, 9:45 Fri.-Thu.: 1:10, 4, 7, 9:45
The Kite Runner (PG-13) Thu.: 12:10, 1:10, 3:10, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10, 9:50 Fri.-Sun., Tue.-Thu.: 12:10, 1:10, 3:10, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10, 8:50, 9:50 Mon.: 12:10, 1:10, 3:10, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10

Ritz East
Second Street between Chestnut and Walnu
215-925-7900

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (PG-13) Thu.-Thu.: 12, 2:30, 5, 7:20, 9:40
No Country for Old Men (R) Thu.: 12, 3:30 Fri.-Mon., Wed.-Thu.: 12:30, 3:30, 7, 9:30 Tue.: 12:30, 3:30, 9:45

Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-6699

I Am Legend (PG-13) Thu., Sat.-Sun.: 12:30, 2:45, 5:15, 7:35, 9:50 Fri., Mon.-Thu.: 2:45, 5:15, 7:35, 9:50
P.S. I Love You (PG-13) Thu., Sat.-Sun.: 12, 2:30, 5, 7:30, 9:45 Fri., Mon.-Thu.: 2:30, 5, 7:30, 9:45