5 Favorites: Jamie Foxx

Another entry for 5 favorites during Black History Month, and this week I'm looking at Jamie Foxx. A stand-up comedian turned sketch comedy star when he was cast on "In Living Color" in the early 90's (my second "In Living Color" alum for 5 favorites). In 1996 Foxx was given his own show by the W.B., and began, what would become, his illustrious film career with roles in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" and "The Great White Hype". In 2004 he was nominated for two Oscars, these are, so far, his only two nominations. He earned one for Best Supporting in Michael Mann's "Collateral" and one for Best Actor for Taylor Hackford's "Ray", which he won. So, now to the list!

5. Booty Call (1997)

This is one of those picks where I know there are a few, maybe more, performances that could go on this list instead, but this is Jamie Foxx before he was the A list actor he is today. "Booty Call" is a goofy safe-sex comedy in which Foxx plays Tommy Davidson's (another "In Living Color" vet) wingman, as Davidson is trying to consummate his new relationship. Foxx is extremely funny as Bunz (yes, you read that correctly), a character who is dragged all around the city by his friend looking for needed materials to make his night go a little smoother. Fresh off of "In Living Color", and his new sitcom, he shows beautiful comedic timing in a film that may not be all that funny, but it does hold a certain place in my heart, because this was before Black Comedies had to have cross-dressing to sell to wide audiences.

4. Jarhead (2005)

You can almost see the channeling of R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) in this role. Foxx plays Staff Sgt. Sykes in Anthony Swofford's tale of combat, or lack there of. He's the commander of a platoon in Kuwait who can't seem to get into battle, but are instead sent to protect oil fields. His drill instructor scenes at the beginning of the film are where the spirit of Ermey seem most prevalent. He leads his squad through the deserts, and even gives a bit a sage advice to Swofford (played beautifully by Jake Gyllenhaal).

3. Dreamgirls (2006)

Look at that sleazy smile. Those shifty eyes. That horrible haircut. It isn't hard to see why Bill Condon would pick Foxx to play fast-talking Curtis Taylor Jr. in the adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical, putting his music degree from United States International University to work. He brings a certain charm to the role, and gives him an almost devil-in-disguise feel. You want to like him at first, but his ruthless management tactics put an end to that. And, when Jennifer Hudson's Effie is crooning "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" at him, as he walks out her, you begin to downright hate him with each mournful, "You're gonna love me".

2. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann cast Jaime as Max, a cab driver with big dreams, in this pulse-pounding thriller. This was among my favorite films of 2004, and Foxx was a big reason for that. His timid performance, as he is held hostage, and made to take hitman Tom Cruise around L.A. in one night, is marvelous. He sells the fear as he watches the body count rise, and the danger become more and more real. The scene in which the two men visit Max's ailing mother (played by the always delightful Irma P. Hall) in the hospital is especially terrifying, because you're not absolutely sure how it might end, and you can see it in Foxx's eyes the whole time. It did never make sense to me how he is the main character of the piece, and only managed to pull off a Best Supporting nod for this charming performance. There is barely a frame that doesn't have him in it.

1. Ray (2004)

There are a few times every year when I watch a film, and forget that I'm watching a well known actor play somebody else. Such was the case with "Ray". At no point in this movie were you watching Jamie Foxx play Ray Charles. Jamie WAS Ray Charles. He played the role with such a pitch perfect mimic, that you never saw his personality peek through. This is the moment that Foxx established himself as an A list leading man in Hollywood. Despite his "In Living Color" co-star, Jim Carrey, being unable to reel in the Oscar for his performance in "Man on the Moon", for an equally perfect biopic performance, he got one. He hasn't been nominated since, but I doubt that means he won't be back.