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American Gangster - Review

American Gangster Before "Pablo Escobar" there was Frank Lucas. Based on a true story of Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Harlem who smuggled the drugs into the country in American service planes returning from the Vietnam War.

American Gangster, is destined to become a cult classic like "The Godfather" and "Scarface". Starring Denzel Washington and Russel Crow (no alpha-dog dominance was to be established between the two stars). They're together but apart, as their two stories move on parallel tracks and the movie simmers itself to a finale when they finally meet for movie justice to be meted out.

American Gangster seems on the surface to be what has been dubbed by some critics as "the black Scarface." Denzel goes even deeper into the role of the villain than he did in Training Day (another one of my favorite movies) he plays Frank Lucas as classic family man, cold businessman, and charming man-of-the-community. He makes it so much his role that you can't imagine anyone else going down a busy Harlem street and shooting a guy point blank in the head. Money and power is the name of the game.

Frank made upwards of one million dollars per day in drug sales during a time when twenty thousand a year was considered an executive position (now you see why the story had to be told).

The story line managed to include lots of naked women and make them absolutely plot-necessary.

You might recognize some of the other actors aswell - Armand Assante, Cuba Gooding Jr., RZA (from the Wu-tang clan), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Roger Guenvere Smith, , Ruby Dee, Carlo Gugino, Idris Elba, Common Sense, & T.I. (the last two I mentioned are Hip Hop artist).

I guess the real question here is - Does Crime really pay?? It does if your name is Frank Lucas.

I saw this movie with my brother and cousin as part of a guys night out. It's roughly two hours and forty minutes long. A great all around movie... for adults ONLY! Check it out.

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Posted by Vincent Martinez on 11/10/2007 12:12 AM

Comments (21)

prudential network of homes, vincent martinez, vicente martinez, frank lucas, american gangster

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21 Comments on American Gangster - Review

I heard this movie was really good...I want to see it, however because of its length, I have not yet found the time...

11/10/2007 01:11 AM

by Erin Attardi, Realtor - Sacramento, CA (Lyon Real Estate)

Vincent,

This looks good - I will check it out. I don't mind Denzel Washington at all his is generally a consistently good actor.

11/10/2007 01:29 AM

by Todd & Danielle Millar (Glenn Simon Inc.)

I have not seen it yet. But I can see why it is an adult only movie.

11/10/2007 07:25 AM

by Charles McDonald / Your Trusted Broker for Charlottesville Real Estate (RE/MAX Assured Properties)

Vincent, great post. I have seen the previews of this and have resisted going to see it, but now I think I might have to.

11/10/2007 07:54 AM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

i don't watch a lot of movies, but i do intend on seeing this one! great actors on board!

11/10/2007 11:04 AM

by Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)

Erin- When you have a chance, check it out.

Todd & Danielle- I agree. He does a bang up performance on this also.

Charles- I hear you. But my kids thought it was OK to go see it (I think NOT).

Danny- You're going to love it!! Based on a true story this movie has OSCAR written all over it. You're going to be in awe at how it all comes together in favor of the main character.

Bill & Barbara- Don't miss this one. See it as soon as you get a chance.

11/10/2007 01:28 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

thanks for the review Vincent, I'm still on the fence about going. Denzel is the best, and crowe's not bad either, just not sure if I want to see another gangster glorified

11/11/2007 06:42 AM

by Bill Carroll (Hampton Estates Realty)

Bill- I can appreciate how you feel. However, this is not a movie that glorifies gangsters. It's based on a true story and the corruption of the powers that be. Now I don't want to tell you too much about it, you'll just need to see it in order to understand what I'm talking about.

11/11/2007 01:19 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

Just read your Bee Movie review so I had to check out the Gangster movie review. From the previews I really wanted to see this movie, thanks for the review...I'm sure I'll check it out soon.

11/12/2007 05:33 PM

by Stephen Joos & Chris Brubaker- HouseFront (HouseFront)

Stephen & Chris- Thanks for checking out the reviews. Check this one out you'll see what I mean.

11/12/2007 06:05 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

I went to Universal Studios in Hollywood in Mid-October and this was one of the movies they were playing up and really backing. I haven't seen it yet but plan to soon.

11/14/2007 04:49 PM

by Oakdale Real Estate - Adam Dalton - Realtor® (Century 21 M&M and Associates - Oakdale Real Estate)

Adam- I think that this flick is worth the time and money. Check it out if you get a chance.

11/14/2007 09:36 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

Vincent, I guess we have everything we need here at AR. Now, movie reviews. Denzel is my favorite. I have yet to see it. I am waiting for 'Talk to me' to become available for sale with Don Chetham.

11/15/2007 12:08 PM

by Dionne Morgan REALTOR®,GRI, e-PRO (Realty World Solano Realty)

Dionne- Don Chetam is an excellent actor. I'll check out Talk to me as well. As for American Gangster... check it out.

11/15/2007 12:16 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

This is a great review. I can appreciate the background you provided to put the movie in perspective. I am not a big gangster movie person as the over the top testosterone can be a bit tiring (but then the machismo is somewhat the point). I must agree with you on Training Day It is a great movie! As for Crowe, I enjoyed his performance in Gladiator but I'm not generally a huge fan. I am still on the fence as to whether I want to invest that kind of time into American Gangster.

11/15/2007 03:37 PM

by Rich Dansereau Loan Officer Knoxville TN (Home America Mortgage)

Rich thanks for the comment. Great pic of Training Day. "King Kong ain't got nothing on me!!" One of my favorite movies.

11/15/2007 03:51 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

It's on my list, I love gangster movies and Denzel is great in everything he does. Maybe I'll slip away while Christmas shopping.

11/15/2007 06:58 PM

by Keith Neeley, RE/MAX New Horizons (ReMax New Horizons)

Great movie! I just saw it today. Denzel Washington was really good in this. I'm not a big Russell Crowe fan but I liked him in this. Lots of great actors. Worth going to see.

11/15/2007 11:24 PM

by Amelia Island Realtor® Brandi Hollerich (Watson Realty Corp.)

Keith- I agree Denzel is an incredible actor. In this flick he really pulls it off. See it the first chance you get.

Brandi- I see we're on the page with one.

11/15/2007 11:32 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

I learned that Dionne- Don Chethem is a decendent of slaves owned by Native Americans. When the Civil War ended, slaves ownd by Native Americans did not get the status of becoming Americans, nor were they given tribe recognition - these slaves were truly "without a country"

This information was disclosed in a PBS Special - "group - poet Maya Angelou, comedian Dave Chappelle, actor Morgan Freeman, theologian Peter Gomes, publisher Linda Johnson Rice, athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, radio host Tom Joyner and rock 'n' roll legend Tina Turner"

Researched by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Native Americans owning slaves is a news to me -- I also publish Hubs and plan to research and write one on this little known subject matter.

03/19/2008 07:07 AM

by Jaz Live Cash Culture

Jaz- Thanks for sharing that bit of history. I wasn't aware of that. I'm going to check the links above after this post.

03/19/2008 10:45 AM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)