Reason 2: Training Day
The hardest part about loving Training Day so much is the uncomfortableness of knowing it seemed to take Denzel Washington playing the “bad guy” in order to secure a hard-earned Oscar win. Keep in mind, around 2001 people were used to watching Washington doing feel-good films like Remember The Titans. So seeing him as Alonzo Harris – the corrupt narcotics cop – punking co-star Ethan Hawke’s Jake Hoyt character was a bit troubling – although it helped get Eva Mendes a little bit of shine before going on her own Hollywood roll. Easily an all-time classic.