Despite his humble onscreen beginnings - playing an extra in Charles Bronson's Death Wish - Denzel Washington has slowly become one of the best actors of his generation, if not all-time.

Talk about range: The New York native has pretty much cornered the market on noble characters, yet some of his most memorable roles have come when he plays an amoral bad-ass.

It would appear that his role in Safe House, which hit theatres on Friday, requires him to dabble in both.

Poor reviews notwithstanding, Safe House will most assuredly be a hit. Not only is Washington one of the most bankable names in movies, he makes some of the smartest choices around. As a result, the two time Oscar winner's resumé overflows with more than a dozen must-see performances. Here's the best of the best.

1 Training Day (2001). For all its grit and grime, Training Day could be considered standard crime drama fare. Look deeper, and you'll find a Washington performance (playing a cop on the take) that is universally acknowledged to be the best of his career. Not only did it win him a much deserved Oscar for best actor, it proved to audiences that he can dig deep and play dirty with the best in the business.

2 Malcolm X (1992). His tour-de-force portrayal of Maclolm X, the controversial political figure at the core of Spike Lee's three-hour epic, drew its share of criticism from the black community. Washington braved the considerable pressure placed upon him and turned in a convincing, deeply emotional performance that earned him an Oscar nomination, if not the widespread respect of movie fans worldwide.

3 Cry Freedom (1987). Washington's first Oscar nomination was for his role as activist Stephen Biko in Cry Freedom, one of the many real-life reprisals that have become a regular recurrence throughout his career. The physically demanding role of Biko, who played a key role in South Africa's fight against apartheid, wasn't an easy one for Washington to bring to the screen, yet it remains a highlight of 1980s cinema.

4 Glory (1989). Washington's first Academy Award win - which saw him best Marlon Brando for the honour - was a showstopper for the ages. Playing a slave who joins the Civil War fight in Glory, Washington chewed the scenery during every second of his screen time. For a multitude of reasons, his tough-as-nails portrayal remains one of his strongest to date.

5 Man on Fire (2004). His performance as bodyguard John Creasy burns like a hot ember; slow and steady, but with enough temperature to scorch. Directed with typical flash by Washington's longtime collaborator Tony Scott, the film lets audiences see Washington's dark side and then some. Plus, it gave Christopher Walken one of the great lines in movie history: "Creasy's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece."

6 Philadelphia (1993). Though his role was deemed secondary to that of his co-star, Tom Hanks, Philadelphia simply would not work with another actor in Washington's shoes. Playing a personal-injury lawyer who must confront his own biases during a high-profile case, Washington's character grows deeper with each scene, developing into a nuanced performance full of deep emotion and honour.

7 He Got Game (1998). Outfitted with an afro to match his ego and tumultuous past, Washington reteamed with Malcolm X director Spike Lee for a basketball movie that had very little to do with sports. As parolee Jake Shuttlesworth, an absentee father trying to guide his star son through a difficult time both on and off the court, Washington turns in an all-star performance.

8 The Hurricane (1999). Washington has reams of real-life personalities on his acting CV, from drug dealer Frank Lucas (in American Gangster) to football coach Herman Boone (Remember the Titans). Malcolm X takes the cake, but an equally juicy role for Washington was that of Rubin (Hurricane) Carter, a professional boxer wrongly convicted of a triple homicide in 1967. The film, which had all sorts of flaws, was notable mostly for Washington's layered, Oscar-nominated portrayal.

9 Crimson Tide (1995). A terrific slice of mainstream moviemaking, this predictably rousing Tony Scott vehicle takes testosterone levels to new heights. Crimson Tide comes down to a battle of wits between Washington's do-gooder and Gene Hackman's rule-breaker, two polar opposites who despise each other. Acting sparks fly as a result.

10 Devil in a Blue Dress (1995). Film noir fans will rejoice - if they haven't already - at Carl Franklin's terrific whodunit, a stylish, steamy crime drama that allowed Washington to flex his acting chops. He is almost upstaged by Don Cheadle in a star-making role, but Washington (playing a hustler playing both sides of the law) once again proved untouchable.

mdevlin@timescolonist.com