Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?

Boba Fett · 07-10-10, 09:51 PM

Watching "Predator" on DVD earlier this week, I was reminded of how awesome Bill Duke was. It got me thinking, that the man just doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Aside from being an 80s movie badass in "Predator" and "Commando" he's turned up from time to time in movies and TV as a dependable character actor.

Even more surprising to me, was his work as a TV and film director, handling a wide variety of genres ranging from "Deep Cover" and "Hoodlum" to "Sister Act 2" and "Not Easily Broken" (a sappy, but decently made drama).

Frankly, I think the guy deserves a lot more credit than he gets (most people I know only remember him from Commando and Predator).

Solid Snake PAC · 07-10-10, 09:55 PM

Funny you should bring that up. I've been watching Predator on repeat for a while right now...just finished listening to the commentary by McTiernan on the SE DVD. I enjoy it..neat trivia..about the film. ANYWAY....even he says that about Duke. And when I started this marathon of the film...I too thought...damn..he's badass. I don't give him the credit he deserves. Saying that....I hated him in Payback. Such a crap role he has in there. I like him though. I'd like to see him in something now...something...I dunno. With a great dramatic range so that people can give a fuck about him.

Blu Man · 07-10-10, 10:02 PM

He's a good actor, and I like him, but I don't think he's underrated.

inri222 · 07-10-10, 10:04 PM

You know you done fucked up, don't you? You know it, don't you? You know you done fucked up.

gryffinmaster · 07-10-10, 10:07 PM

Underrated? Not really. Bad-ass? Hell yeah. He was perfectly cast in the role he played for an episode on "Battlestar Galactica".

Blu Man · 07-10-10, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC

I've been watching Predator on repeat for a while right now.

Just out of curiosity, how many times would say you've watch Predator this year? Be honest...

cardsfan111 · 07-10-10, 10:26 PM

Can't be overrated since I had to look him up to see exactly who Bill Duke was.

Seriously, I think I've missed most of the films he's been in--it's been a long time since I've seen Predator.

d2cheer · 07-10-10, 11:08 PM

Really?? A poll for someone most people only know for one movie? He is a bit character actor at best. He is neither over or underrated as most people have no idea who he is. Nothing against him and I hope he is still getting work but...oh nevermind.

Supermallet · 07-10-10, 11:13 PM

I like him in Predator, but not in Commando.

JumpCutz · 07-10-10, 11:20 PM

He's got a very narrow range, but is effective in his low key understated way.

Solid Snake PAC · 07-11-10, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu Man

Just out of curiosity, how many times would say you've watch Predator this year? Be honest...

well..since Wednesday....7 times to get me into the Predator mood (saw it once w/ commentary). This year overall.....probably 20-25 times?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

I like him in Predator, but not in Commando.

It's been forever since I fully saw Commando...all I vividly remember is Arnold essentially taking out everyone in end of the 3rd act. Everything..got thrown out. I know Duke was in it but...I don't remember him at all.

Blu Man · 07-11-10, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC

well..since Wednesday....7 times to get me into the Predator mood (saw it once w/ commentary). This year overall.....probably 20-25 times?

So you only kinda like it.

PopcornTreeCt · 07-11-10, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2cheer

Really?? A poll for someone most people only know for one movie? He is a bit character actor at best. He is neither over or underrated as most people have no idea who he is. Nothing against him and I hope he is still getting work but...oh nevermind.

I would've voted option #4: Who?

wm lopez · 07-11-10, 05:07 AM

I remember him well in CAR WASH and AMERICAN GIGOLO.

Jaymole · 07-11-10, 05:10 AM

I think mentioning that he is the director of Sister act 2 pretty much negates any thoughts of him being underrated.

Charlie Goose · 07-11-10, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpCutz

He's got a very narrow range, but is effective in his low key understated way.

See now, you done fucked up. You know that, don't you? See what I'm sayin'? I'm sayin' you fucked up now. You know that, don't you? You know you done fucked up, don't you? You know it, don't you? You know you done fucked up.

Ash Ketchum · 07-11-10, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wm lopez

I remember him well in CAR WASH and AMERICAN GIGOLO.

I would argue that CAR WASH (1976) was probably his best performance. He played a militant who worked at the car wash and pissed everybody off with his political rants. He's also a homophobe (before that word was invented) who provokes the memorable retort from gay co-worker Antonio Fargas, "I'm more man than you'll ever be and more woman than you'll ever get!"

I remember an AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony in the late '70s or so (sometime after CAR WASH), where Lillian Gish stood up (yes, that Lillian Gish--who else?--the star of BIRTH OF A NATION, 1915) and introduced three student filmmakers who'd gotten some kind of AFI directing fellowship or something. And one of the "students" was none other than Bill Duke!

rexinnih · 07-11-10, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

I would've voted option #4: Who?

Me too. Until I saw the pic.

FRwL · 07-11-10, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inri222

You know you done fucked up, don't you? You know it, don't you? You know you done fucked up.

lol. Yeah he was da bomb in Predator and Commando yo.

bootsy · 07-11-10, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inri222

You know you done fucked up, don't you? You know it, don't you? You know you done fucked up.

One of my favorite all time quotes.

Shannon Nutt · 07-11-10, 06:11 PM

He was good in a LOST episode playing Sawyer's warden in prison.

He's a good character actor.

TheNightFlier · 07-11-10, 10:24 PM

Really liked him in Payback as one of the dirty cops tailing Gibson.

Solid Snake PAC · 07-11-10, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu Man

So you only kinda like it.

well I think it's most viewed movie of the year for me considering I'm still buying more movies than I should.

View Poll Results: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
Underrated	6	31.58%
Overrated	0	0%
Just Right	13	68.42%
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll

07-10-10, 09:51 PM	#1
Boba Fett DVD Talk Reviewer Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5,598	Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Watching "Predator" on DVD earlier this week, I was reminded of how awesome Bill Duke was. It got me thinking, that the man just doesn't get the credit he deserves. Aside from being an 80s movie badass in "Predator" and "Commando" he's turned up from time to time in movies and TV as a dependable character actor. Even more surprising to me, was his work as a TV and film director, handling a wide variety of genres ranging from "Deep Cover" and "Hoodlum" to "Sister Act 2" and "Not Easily Broken" (a sappy, but decently made drama). Frankly, I think the guy deserves a lot more credit than he gets (most people I know only remember him from Commando and Predator).

07-10-10, 09:55 PM	#2
Solid Snake PAC DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 22,167	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Funny you should bring that up. I've been watching Predator on repeat for a while right now...just finished listening to the commentary by McTiernan on the SE DVD. I enjoy it..neat trivia..about the film. ANYWAY....even he says that about Duke. And when I started this marathon of the film...I too thought...damn..he's badass. I don't give him the credit he deserves. Saying that....I hated him in Payback. Such a crap role he has in there. I like him though. I'd like to see him in something now...something...I dunno. With a great dramatic range so that people can give a fuck about him.

07-10-10, 10:02 PM	#3
Blu Man DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: United States Posts: 2,507	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? He's a good actor, and I like him, but I don't think he's underrated.

07-10-10, 10:07 PM	#5
gryffinmaster DVD & Video Game Reviewer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flagler Beach Posts: 4,983	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Underrated? Not really. Bad-ass? Hell yeah. He was perfectly cast in the role he played for an episode on "Battlestar Galactica". __________________ "He thought each memory recalled must do some violence to its origins. As in a party game. Say the words and pass it on. So be sparing. What you alter in the remembering has yet a reality, known or not." -- Cormac McCarthy's The Road Thomas Spurlin, Staff Reviewer DVDTalk Reviews \| Personal Blog/Site

07-10-10, 10:04 PM	#4
inri222 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 9,376	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? You know you done fucked up, don't you? You know it, don't you? You know you done fucked up.

07-10-10, 10:26 PM	#7
cardsfan111 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 11,368	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Can't be overrated since I had to look him up to see exactly who Bill Duke was. Seriously, I think I've missed most of the films he's been in--it's been a long time since I've seen Predator. __________________ DVD/BD Spending Tab: 2010 2011 2012 2013 Rank 'Em As You See 'Em: 2010 2011 2012 2013 "i 'm new here. most of people in here are good. but there is a miserable person. Look into your mirror. Superboy!" --New Member, robert11

07-10-10, 11:08 PM	#8
d2cheer DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 5,520	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Really?? A poll for someone most people only know for one movie? He is a bit character actor at best. He is neither over or underrated as most people have no idea who he is. Nothing against him and I hope he is still getting work but...oh nevermind.

07-10-10, 11:13 PM	#9
Supermallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Termite Terrace Posts: 38,682	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? I like him in Predator, but not in Commando. __________________ "if you truly want to discuss Sodom with me, send me a PM" - dvdjunkie32 Watch me squawk on Twitter: @Supermallet Check out my Bond commentaries

07-10-10, 11:20 PM	#10
JumpCutz DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south of heaven Posts: 11,092	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? He's got a very narrow range, but is effective in his low key understated way.

07-11-10, 05:07 AM	#14
wm lopez Suspended Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 7,565	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? I remember him well in CAR WASH and AMERICAN GIGOLO.

07-11-10, 05:10 AM	#15
Jaymole DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: N.Y, N.Y Posts: 5,244	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? I think mentioning that he is the director of Sister act 2 pretty much negates any thoughts of him being underrated. __________________ Seeegnature? I don't I have to show you any steeenkin seeegnature!

07-11-10, 06:11 PM	#21
Shannon Nutt DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9,747	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? He was good in a LOST episode playing Sawyer's warden in prison. He's a good character actor. __________________ http://www.highdefdigest.com/author/shannon-nutt.html XBox Live Gamertag: PittsburghNutt

07-11-10, 10:24 PM	#22
TheNightFlier DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,682	Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right? Really liked him in Payback as one of the dirty cops tailing Gibson. __________________ Ain't so funny meow is it? My DVD Collection XBL-Ohcrapifell