Happy Birthday Angela Bassett: Exploring Her Top 10 Movie Roles As Actress Turns 66

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As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Angela Bassett‘s films, I am left in absolute awe of her extraordinary talent and versatility. With each role she embodies, she breathes life into characters that resonate with audiences far and wide, making us laugh, cry, and cheer for their triumphs.

In 2023, Angela Bassett became the initial Marvel actress to secure an Academy Award nomination. This recognition came for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Interestingly, she had previously been nominated for a similar honor nearly thirty years ago, when she played Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but gush over Cicely Tyson’s illustrious career and the unforgettable women she’s brought to life on both the small and silver screens. Her acting prowess has graced some of the top-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, whether she stole the show as a leading lady or left an indelible mark in a supporting role. As this remarkable actress turns 66, I’m eager to share with you some of her finest cinematic masterpieces.

10. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Four years later, Angela Bassett returned as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In this film, she continued to lead Wakanda without the presence of Black Panther, dealing with numerous obstacles that threatened her nation. Alongside her were Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke. Bassett’s portrayal as a Marvel character broke new ground by winning major awards, setting a precedent for what a performance in a Marvel movie could achieve and making history. Critics rated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 17th among MCU films with an impressive score of 84%.

9. Mission: Impossible—Fallout (2018)

2018 saw Angela Bassett play Erika Sloane in Mission: Impossible—Fallout alongside Tom Cruise. In this sixth installment of the iconic series, her portrayal breathed life into Sloane. This time around, Ethan Hunt and August Walker find themselves teaming up to avert another catastrophe. The storyline demands that Hunt’s exceptional skills be employed quickly to thwart the potential release of nuclear weapons into dangerous hands.

In the year 2018, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Vanessa Kirby were some of the stars featured in a film. This movie is among Bassett’s top-rated films according to the Tomatometer, but it earned an audience score of 88%.

8. Black Panther (2018)

Bringing comic book characters to life can be tricky due to fans’ specific ideas about their appearance or behavior. Angela Bassett undertook a challenging role by portraying Queen Ramonda, transferring her from the pages to the big screen. Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright played key roles as members of the royal family of one of the most powerful nations in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ryan Coogler, along with Joe Robert Cole, penned the screenplay for this movie, inspired by Marvel Comics. Critically acclaimed, Black Panther ranks high in the Marvel Cinematic Universe according to the Tomatometer.

7. Nothing But The Truth (2008)

In the movie “Nothing But The Truth,” a journalist exposes a CIA operative and maintains her right to confidentiality, potentially facing imprisonment. This film, helmed by Rod Lurie, features Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Vera Farmiga, David Schwimmer, and Angela Bassett portraying Bonnie Benjamin. Despite receiving 80% from critics, it garnered a remarkable 73% rating from audiences, making it one of Bassett’s top-rated films to date.

6. Akeelah And The Bee (2006)

In her initial significant on-screen appearance, Keke Palmer portrayed Akeelah in the film “Akeelah and The Bee.” This movie follows Akeelah’s journey to qualify for the National Spelling Bee competition. Tanya, Akeelah’s mother, was brought to life by Angela Bassett. Alongside Palmer and Bassett, there were performances from Laurence Fishburne, Curtis Armstrong, and J.R. Villarreal. Doug Atchison served as both the writer and director of this well-received film, which garnered over 80% approval from both critics and audiences.

5. What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)

In 1994, Angela Bassett received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It. While she didn’t win the award, her performance as Tina Turner is widely regarded as one of the greatest depictions of a music legend. To tell the story of how she rose to icon status and escaped from her abusive marriage with Ike Turner, Bassett drew upon her talents in singing, dancing, and acting. The film was directed by Brian Gibson, based on the book I, Tina, with a screenplay written by Kate Lanier. This movie is considered one of Bassett’s finest works among her 107 acting credits, according to both audiences and critics.

4. Passion Fish (1992)

In terms of its Rotten Tomatoes rating, Passion Fish is Angela Bassett’s top-rated film, scoring a perfect 100%. The audience score of 82% indicates that the movie successfully achieved its objectives, resonating with both critics and viewers alike. Notably, Angela Bassett portrayed the characters Rhonda and Dawn in this film.

In this film, we follow the story of an actress who becomes paraplegic after an unfortunate accident. As she embarks on her journey to recovery, she encounters a nurse dealing with personal challenges as well. Starring Mary McDonnell, Alfred Woodard, and Lenore Banks, the movie unfolds their interwoven struggles and triumphs.

3. Malcolm X (1992)

As far as audience approval goes, the 1992 movie “Malcolm X,” starring Angela Bassett, ranks exceptionally high at 91%. This film narrates the life story of Malcolm X, from his youth to his involvement with the Nation of Islam. Denzel Washington portrayed Malcolm X, while Spike Lee, Albert Hall, Theresa Randle, and Tommy Hollis also starred in key roles. Remarkably, Bassett played Betty Shabazz, a character inspired by a real person, much like her portrayal of Tina Turner.

2. Boyz N The Hood (1991)

In Angela Bassett’s filmography, it often receives a high rating of 96% on the Tomatometer, and one such movie is “Boyz N The Hood.” This film delves into themes of race, personal relationships, violence, and the future for residents in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. Bassett portrays Reva Styles in this production, sharing the screen with Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Miya McGhee, Lexie Bigham, and Nicole Brown. The audience gave it a score of 93%, mirroring the critics’ positive reviews for its plot, acting, and overall quality.

1. City of Hope (1991)

In 1991, Angela Bassett starred as Reesha in City of Hope, a film written and directed by John Sayles. This movie revolved around several characters who were interconnected through an apartment building scheduled for demolition. The movie was well-received, earning an 82% from the audience and critics alike. Alongside Bassett, Vincent Spano, Tony Lo Bianco, Stephen Mendillo, Chris Cooper, and David Strathairn also appeared in the film. Sayles’ screenplay brought the characters to life and provided engaging storylines for each of them.

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2024-08-16 06:38