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).

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.

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

http://lkthayer.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/duke1.jpg

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

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".

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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

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. :lol:

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.

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

I like him in Predator, but not in Commando.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

So you only kinda like it.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

I would've voted option #4: Who?

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

I remember him well in CAR WASH and AMERICAN GIGOLO.

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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!

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

Me too. Until I saw the pic.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

One of my favorite all time quotes.

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.

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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

Re: Bill Duke: Underrated, Overrated, or Just Right?
 

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