... It hasn't got any Oscar buzz around it, but its just the type of movie I like, its fast moving, action, drama, and crime all mixed up and packaged together to create the breathtaking "American Gangster".
American Gangster was written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott, and starred ... Read review
A slow burning, yet entirely gripping, mobster film,American Gangsterpits Denzel ... more
Washingtons Frank Lucas against Russell Crowes law enforcer Richie Roberts. Spread over a necessarily prolonged running time, their story is then brutally, expertly, told....
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Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe team with director Ridley Scott ... more
in this powerful epic story. Armed with the ruthless, streetwise tactics and a strict sense of honour, crime boss Frank Lucas (Washington) rules Harlem's chaotic ...
A slow burning, yet entirely gripping, mobster film,American Gangsterpits Denzel ... more
Washingtons Frank Lucas against Russell Crowes law enforcer Richie Roberts. Spread over a necessarily prolonged running time, their story is then brutally, expertly, told....
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In 1970s New York the ruthless Frank Lucas was the king of the Harlem drug trade ... more
bringing in more than a million dollars a day. This book presents an account of the life of Frank Lucas along with other tales of New York City. It paints a portrait of one of the most fascinating cities.
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Conceived as an unofficial soundtrack to the Ridley Scott movie of the same name, American ... more
Gangster sees us getting reacquainted with a quite different Jay-Z to the mainstream-courting comeback kid that hooked up with Beyonce and Coldplays Chris Martin on 2006s Kingdom Come. This, Jay-Zs second post-retirement album, is hip-hop to the bone: a record steeped in the sounds, iconography and soul of the New York underworld, with the lions share of production handled by P Diddys in-house team The Hitmen and guest spots from Beanie Sigel ("Ignorant Shit"), Lil Wayne (the crunk-like, Beastie Boys-sampling "Hello Brooklyn") and long-time rival Nas. The Nas track, "Success", is a particular winner, the pair burying the hatchet over a gorgonzola-scented organ break, rejecting the trappings of success with a truly lordly arrogance: "How many times can I go to Mr Chows/Taos, Nobu hold up!/Let me move my bowels". Other highlights come with the Neptunes-produced "Blue Magic" and slick dealers anthem "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)", and while you feel American Gangster is something of a stasis for Jay-Z, an album that sees him revisiting those well-worn themes of hustling and shotting, it remains a treat to hear him on the mic. -Louis Pattison
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Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe team with director Ridley Scott ... more
(Gladiator) in this powerful, epic story. Armed with ruthless, streetwise tactics and a strict sense of honour, crime boss Frank Lucas (Washington) rules Harlem's chaotic drug underworld. When outcast cop Richie Roberts (Crowe) sets out to bring down Lucas's multimillion-dollar empire, it plunges both men into a legendary confrontation.
For decades the Mafia controlled the flow of heroin onto the streets of Harlem. Frank ... more
Lucas changed all that. Born in rural North Carolina he came to New York and rose to power under notorious mobster Bumpy Johnson. When Bumpy died Frank moved to take over the drug business. Caught in a squeeze play between the Mafia and the street dealers Frank got creative. Instead of being a tool of the mob he went straight to the source - Cambodia - and set up his own unique distribution system.Using his brothers as his lieutenants and selling "quality" heroin in trademark blue plastic bags Frank Lucas and his "Country Boys" became the kings of One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Street. Frank had it made. He was rich successful and untouchable...until Richie Roberts came along. Roberts the Eliot Ness of drug enforcement became a pariah among other detectives in the NYPD when he turned in the million dollars in cash he found in the trunk of a dealer's car. His personal life was a mess - his wife left him and his son hardly knew him anymore - but on the job Roberts was all business and his business heading up a Federal Narcotics Squad was busting big-time dealers. His next target? Frank Lucas.
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Intro Pray American Dreamin' Hello Brooklyn 2.0 Feat. Lil Wayne No Hook Roc Boys (and the ... more
Winner is)... Sweet I Know Party Life Ignorant Sh*t Feat. Beanie Sigel Say Hello Success Feat. Nas Fallin' Blue Magic (Bonus Track) American Gangster (Bonus Track)
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
...breathtaking "American Gangster".
American Gangster was written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott, and starred Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. I had heard about this film being in the works for some time, and was even more excited when it was released, purchasing a ticket on the opening weekend the film premiered. Now people seem to have mixed reactions to this film, some love it and some hate it, its understandable, ... ...the closest thing to a decent gangster movie since the days of the Godfather, or Scarface. The film was written brilliantly, no question directed superbly because Ridley had made it, and the characters were portrayed very well the respective actors. The film had an all round good connection, and I would also like to commend the supporting actors for making this film a bit grittier.
Well another day and another movie review, I'm actually get exited about writing a review on this film, because for me it was one of the best films to have been released in 2007. It hasn't got any Oscar buzz around it, but its just the type of movie I like, its fast moving, action, drama, and crime all mixed up and packaged together to create the breathtaking "American Gangster". American Gangster was written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott, and starred Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. I had heard about this film being in the works for some time, and was even more excited when it was released, purchasing a ticket on the opening weekend the film premiered. Now people seem to have mixed reactions to this film, some love it and some hate it, its understandable, but for me it was simply genius, it was like the closest thing to a decent gangster movie since the days of the Godfather, or Scarface. The film was written brilliantly, no question directed superbly because Ridley had made it, and the characters were portrayed very well the respective actors. The film had an all round good connection, and I would also like to commend the supporting actors for making this film a bit grittier.
Plot:
The film picks up with Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson a intelligent and respected Gangster who controlled most of Harlem, his replacement or second in commend was an aspiring street man named Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who looked up to Bumpy as a father like figure, Bumpy was proud that Frank would one take control over Harlem. One day as Frank and Bumpy were in a department store, Bumpy sufferers a major heart attack and dies instantly, the year was 1968. With his death Frank had to take orders from a new gangster, who was pompous, arrogant and well just plane dirty, and Frank didn't like him one bit, Frank himself wanted control and thus started planning his life as a gangster if you would. To gain a substantial control of the streets and therefore make money Franks would have to sell the miracle drug of the 60's Heroin. The popularity of the drug meant Frank could tap into a market. Unlike most of his competitors Frank got his supply directly from Bangkok, through his military connections his cousin had. The heroin their was a lot stronger, potent and therefore more likeable to the addicts in Harlem. Frank set up a new distribution channel and called the drug "Blue Magic". It was a success in every way, he soled it cheap and in the masses, addicts everywhere poured in for it. Meanwhile jumping characters, a local detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), has been ordered to crate a new drugs division that must try and track down the major distributors or some of the major drugs on the street, and this would somehow lead him on Franks Tail. The story follows Frank's gain of power and rise to the top, whilst also exploring Richie's efforts to try and catch him. What happen next well you have 158 minutes to watch and see for yourself.
Characters:
Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington): I don't quite no what it is but Denzel is just simply a brilliant actor, he has everything, emotion, power and the ability to really give you a sense his character is real, growing up watching Training day, and John Q, really made me admire his talents as an actor. Franks character for me is like a story of the "American Dream" in the sense that you can live in America and achieve so much success, even if it means doing it the wrong way. We see the story of Franks life, from his every beginnings to his rise to the top, Frank wants to be successful in everything he does and he would do just about anything to do it. His character reminds me a lot of Al Pachino's in Scarface, a struggling man who makes his way to the top, although the scenario is somewhat different. Whilst Frank has a deep dark side, we also see his caring side, especially the scenes with his family, in particular his mother. He really wanted to make her proud, to give her something back for all she had done, to give her a new hope in life, however I would think it would be rejected if she found out what he was doing.
Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe): Like Denzel, Crowe is also a brilliant actor, watching Gladiator along with his other films shows you what he is capable of. His character is so different to the normal cop in a gangster film; he refuses to be corrupt, is struggling with his marriage, doesn't have time for his son and is in the process of loosing custody over him. Although he looks clumsy and daft, he's a brilliant detective and probably the only one who can seem to trail down and get something on Frank Lucas. His character has a lot in common with Frank, they both want to be successful in their line of work and will do anything and work hard to get it.
My View: For me this film had everything I wanted in it, a great director, well written story, a good plot and superb characters. It was at times very dramatic and very dark, the scenes were Frank kills people come to mind, he was more expression when killing these people, it's just as if they are nothing to him, something that has no bearing in life. We have two contrasting characters, who seem to always be one step ahead of each other, the characters are so different personality wise, yet they are the only two that could probably get inside each others minds to no what they are thinking and no what they are doing. Franks character was genius, who would have ever thought the buy the drugs supply straight from the Army in Bangkok. His character is really clever and very street smart, I guess all those years of growing up with Bumpy paid off. Franks family mean the world to him, its all about family for him, his mother is the women that he loves the most and his brother an cousins are all given jobs, he is always around them and always there for them. In contrast, Richie is so job orientated he has a failing marriage, a son he doesn't even no that well and only one real friend; he's almost a loner type character. Another aspect which really makes you like the film is that it's different to most gangster movies, in the sense that all films have drugs a war etc and two opposite characters, but they never really show you what effect these drugs have on the community. This film shows so many scenes were people are addicted to the drugs, the whole set up of women, men and even little children buying drugs. I think the most powerful scene of a women stoned whilst her baby was crying next to her, really makes you feel compassion, that so many lives are being destroyed and Frank is directly responsible for this. Frank is the love to hate character, you hate him because of what he does to society, but in retrospect you can stop but admire him because of the empire he has built from a simple gamble.
Cast:
Denzel Washington Russell Crowe Chiwetel Ejiofor Josh Brolin Lymari Nadal Cuba Gooding Jr. Armand Assante Ruby Dee
Run Time: Theatre 158 minutes, but extended version is 175 minutes Budget: £100 million Turnover: $245 million plus
Advantages: It's just an all round perfect film Disadvantages: Some scenes of drug taking
...Hearing news stories about how American soldiers in Vietnam are addicted to hard drugs as they're so cheap and easy to get gives him an idea. Enlisting the help of a cousin who is serving in the Far East, he is able to tap into a cheap supply of drugs and move himself up the food chain, as well as make a lot of money and attract some beautiful women.
Richie Roberts is unusual in New York as he's an honest cop. He's been vilified by his colleagues ... ...street instead of keeping it for himself. When his partner dies of a drug overdose, Richie is invited to join and put together a new Narcotics Unit and this brings him into direct opposition to Frank Lucas.
The film follows the lives of these two men; both their professional and personal lives. Although they are both decent men deep down, their lives could not be more different with the one having his family around him and the other losing his family ...
Soho_Black 16.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Gangster (DVD)
Advantages: Some good performances and a nice re-creation of the period. Disadvantages: It takes an age to get to the point.
In 1970s New York police corruption is rife and the Mafia controls the lucrative heroin trade with an iron grip. But a new force rises in the drugs world in the guise of Frank Lucas, an enterprising young black man from Harlem who applies his ingenuity and business acumen to the trade. He smuggles drugs from the so-called Golden Triangle in the coffins of dead soldiers. His wealth and notoriety help him to become a hero and role model to his community. ... ...Richie Roberts, who is determined to bring Lucas down despite the best efforts of his colleagues and his adversary's men.
Director Ridley Scott is not in the habit of saying things concisely if he has the option of an epic running time. That's certainly the case in this hundred-and-fifty-seven minute gangster epic. It follows in the footsteps of pretty much any gangster rise-to-power film since "The Godfather". It shows the humble beginnings of ...
afy9mab 25.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Gangster (DVD)
Advantages: Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, Ridley Scott, a great screenplay and story Disadvantages: A little slow for the first hour
...true story of Frank Lucas American Gangster follows his life from the late 60's when his mentor Bumpy Johnson dies to the end of the Vietnam war in the early 70's. The role of Lucas fell to Denzel Washington who stars as the former driver and big time drug lord, cutting out the middle men and buying Heroin straight from the source in Vietnam. The only danger to Lucas is the formation of a new Narcotics unit within the police and the fact it's being ... ...reliable Cop determined to sort out the major Drugs problem following the death of his partner from an overdose.
The subject matter of the film is a little graphic and while I felt it really was an interesting story and one I was very keen to learn more about it won't suit everyone's taste. There is quite a lot of graphic drug use throughout the film and it doesn't hold back with the violence either. That said these make up interesting aspects of ...
Andy.mack 10.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Gangster (DVD)
Advantages: Interesting portrayal of one of Americas most succesful gangsters Disadvantages: Overlong, and distracting sidestories
...to me and the movie American Gangster a movie I anticipated about a year ago. Online reviews were really positive and coming from trusted sources my hopes were increased to a new level. But sadly Boxing Day 2007 bought me a little sadness.
When black gang boss Bumps (or Bumpy as he is known with affection) dies, a situation that has long remained calm occurs. Lots of one time workers for Bumps all start vying for power in Manhattan. The one person ... ...most renown gangster of afro American origin and certainly most profitable in American history; American Gangster starts on an impressive level. Sadly however I found its story needlessly elongated and often littered with irrelevant side issues (a bit like one of my reviews I hear you cry!). American Gangster is just too long, for the story and script line that goes along with it. Don't get me wrong I love long movies, especially long gangster movies ...
sghawken 31.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Gangster (DVD)
Advantages: Some powerful moments and acting Disadvantages: Not as good as it should have been
I had visions of this being a masterpiece, it had been hyped up so much. What with awards nominations and rave reviews, big names such as director Ridley Scott and actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and it being based on quite an interesting true story, I was really looking forward to it.
And yes, it is good. Was it as good as I had expected? Probably not. It follows the the life of drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel) who sets his business in ... ...the biggest drug runners in New York. After many failures and finding himself at the last chance saloon as far as his career goes, detective Ritchie Roberts (Crowe) tags onto the rumour mill and slowly but surely edges towards catching Lucas. This would be a multi-billion dollar operation stopped in its tracks. Or, it could be disastrous. Either way, one of them will find their career is over....for good.
The acting from the two leads, let me just ...
pmcds 25.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Gangster (DVD)
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Advantages: Modern film, some great dialog Disadvantages: First time you watch it, it's hard to follow what is going on.
Pulp fiction is a film written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino, who is seen as a bit of a mad man in the movie industry and has always brought something new and shocking to his films. This is no exception, as this is an amazing movie, which has his shocking and surprising moments. The cast is excellent and the
actor brilliant, the actors and actresses chosen for the parts were spot on. John Travolta plays a part that you would never have thought you would have seen him play and Samuel L Jackson playing his gangster partner is perfect, his hard
hitting, clear American voice really makes his part original.
This is a two disk DVD edition, which has a disk containing the great movie and another disk packed full of special features. I've pointed out the special features and written about my favourites.
Story Line
This film has ...
Frank Lucas is a driver for Bumpy Johnson, one of the top figures in Harlem's criminal world. When Bumpy dies, Lucas swoops in, taking over his predecessor's empire and expanding it over the next few years with his sale of a particularly potent brand of heroin. Meanwhile, New Jersey cop Richie Roberts begins to investigate the New York drug world and discovers that there's a new power in town.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON), Universal Pictures UK Video Rental
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Steel book packaging, Alternate ending, Original theatrical version, Commentary with director Ridley Scott and writer Steve Zaillian, Deleted scenes, Fallen Empire - Making AMERICAN GANGSTER, Case Files featurettes, Behind the scenes picture in picture
A cocksure upstart that has swaggered onto the scene, confident that it can take its place at the table with the big boys (The Times, 04/02/2008)
Scott's best film since GLADIATOR is a classy cops'n robbers thriller where the latter outclasses the former. Crowe tries to redress the imbalance with a committed performance, but you can tell he knows it's Washington's movie (Total Film, 02/11/2007)
DVD Description
AMERICAN GANGSTER is based on a true story and set in 1968 Harlem, where Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a driver for Bumpy Johnson, one of the top figures in the city's criminal world. When Bumpy dies, Lucas swoops in, taking over his predecessor's empire and expanding it over the next few years with his sale of a particularly potent brand of heroin. Meanwhile, New Jersey cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) begins to investigate the New York drug world and discovers that there's a new power in town. Thanks to screenwriter Steve Zaillian, as well as Washington and Crowe, AMERICAN GANGSTER creates a convincing portrait of two men who are neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Washington plays Lucas as a man who buys his mother a palatial home but doesn't hesitate to beat his brother's head against a window. Crowe's Roberts may turn in a million-dollar find, but he cheats on his wife. Sadly, they only meet onscreen toward the end of the film, but the minimal interaction between the two Oscar winners is fascinating. Even though the focus is on Lucas and Roberts, AMERICAN GANGSTER is filled with a wealth of strong characters played by talented actors, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, John Hawkes, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Carla Gugino, Ruby Dee, Joe Morton, and rappers T.I. and RZA. It's an epic film, with a run time of over two and a half hours, but it's time well spent. Fans of classic crime films such as THE GODFATHER, SERPICO, and CARLITO'S WAY will certainly be pleased by this addition to the genre.
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