So, I went to see A.merican Gan.gster on Friday, trying to help ensure box office success, and I wasn't alone. I was in a full house, cross culturally represented. Even in Satan's Anus the movie was on two screens, so I'm sure in a Black city like Detroit, it was likely on four.
My critique? Utter bullshit. I've been waiting for this movie since August, when the trailer played before The Bourne Supremacy, and I was sadly disappointed. I was telling my boy Three this when I called him after I left the theater. If there is a bloodthirsty, gun-waving, evil genius running around the streets of Ha.rlem, why the fuck spend half the movie showing me the boring muthafucka who's trying to catch him? Two hours and 30 minutes, split between Mr. Charisma and some asshole who's going through a rough patch in his life? The filmmakers made a bad choice on this one.
I get it. It's Hollywood. You gotta sell tickets. And how else do you sell tickets to the masses if you don't include white starpower. So making Ru.ssell Cro.we an equal partner to Den.zel is a smart business move. But story-wise, it fucked everything up. It ruined what had the potential to be great. Chiw.etel Eji.ofor is an excellent actor. Don't you think his role could've been enhanced as Fr.ank Lu.cas' right hand? He was WASTED in that part. Completely wasted. They even wasted a RARE good performance by Cu.ba Goodi.ng Jr. Who would have thunk it?
Ru.ssell Cro.we's a good man with a bad home life. Den.zel is a bad man with a good home life. Big fuckin' deal. The dichotomy is not interesting. Move on. Nothing to see here.
The whole endeavor is as useless as...well, you read the title.
Peace,
KZ
17 comments:
...ummm, I haven't seen this but thanks to you and your wonderful critique...
...then again, you liked The Simpsons Movie...so...umm...
Killing rabbits yet?
Choose which cut yet?
No?
Oh, ok
I liked it Z...I mean the story line with Russell Crowe could have been cut short...But Ridley scott was the director..That's Russell's Boy.
Overall I thought it was a good movie..Dude's Hustle was on point...Making that cash without the Flash!!! Classic gangsta moment
Now the real lesson in this movie to me was...Never listen to your lady and even your own family members can't be trusted.
Get dat money Denzel!
nothing i have heard about this movie, including TI's gun bust has made me wanna rush out and see it...
I was watching Inside Man again this weekend and Denzel is still one of most good looking men in films today, but umm..
I dunno i'm fighting the bootleg urge tooth and nail!
@BBB
"The Simpsons Movie" rocked.
So did "Gone Baby Gone" and "Michael Clayton".
No dead rabbits on my watch.
@Slish
I loved the Frank Lucas parts. Loved them. It was absolutely ruined for me by the Russell Crowe parts.
You got that lesson too, hunh? LOL
@RD
I agree! Denzel's loot stackin' is way overdue.
@AJ
"The Inside Man" was that junk, except for the ending. That blew!
Go ahead and cop the bootleg. They've made their money. LOL
KZ
I just wanted him to beat the Bootleggers and the Bee Movie, which he did. So Im happy. I wondered how they were gonna do the Crowe vs Denzel thing.
My father was a transit cop in Harlem in the 70s, so when I first heard about this movie, I thought Denzel was going to play Nicky Barnes, which is who we heard about growing up. Really hadnt heard of Frank Lucas until the movie. Both men are still alive.
The office bug knocked me out this weekend, so I will be seeing American Gangster today after work. So after tonight, Denzel will have made $46Million and Eight dollars!
:-P
It was slow to move, but overall I dug. Ya dig. I even copped a quote from it which is a rarety considering I usally get my "big come from lil shit" quotes from fucking rap music. You know I "stays on my shit I need a pamper on."
I completely agree. This was a movie that I don't ever have to see again.
I do agree with this part:
Chiwetel Ejiofor is an excellent actor, he was wasted.
"Don't you think his role could've been enhanced as Frank Lucas' right hand?"
YES, YES, YES!!!
Cuba Gooding Jr. was wasted as Nikki Barnes.
Common could have been given some lines!
Idris Elba (my future second ex-husband) could have been on the screen a lot longer!
But all in all it was an alright movie. I've seen better, I've seen worse.
@Cheznikki
TAD saw it at the theaters, then saw it on bootleg. Talk about a well-rounded woman. LOL
Help Denzel solidify his "bankable star" status. He deserves it.
I hope you're feeling better.
@Pro
I think the biggest thing I got out of it was something I need to remember. Cash beats flash, everyday. I used to know that.
@Diva
I'm with you. I'm glad the story was told, but they shoulda got a no-name white actor, concentrated on the UNIT that got him (in appropriate proportions) and focused heavily on Frank Lucas.
Once is enough.
@OneFrom
All the Black supporting actors got gyped. I'm not even a Russell Crowe hater. I like Russell Crowe. I just think the movie was about Denzel's character. He was vastly more interesting and I could have watched 2.5 hours of him and his crew making moves.
What white gangster movie concentrated on law enforcement as much as the gangsters, aside from Donnie Brasco?
Bullshit!
KZ
$46 Million, Ten Dollars and Fifty Cent! (But I brought in my own chocolate, soda and Henny. Cant give them all my money!) It did go a little long, but I liked it all. I cant say where I would cut anything out. But read my review on my blog anyway.
You would think TAD was well rounded if she was watching the muppet movie
:-P
Thank you.
I haven't seen it, but I am still hyped to see it.
i don't care what yall say, i'm gonna see it....on dvd ;)
I expected more of the hemming-folk-up-with-a-smile scenes, but oh well.
I liked it (long as hell tho), but I think alot of other moviegoers were expecting Denzel to deliver as he did in Training Day. Even tho I hadn't read up on different things that took place, you could almost tell who all would fold, midway thru the movie.
By the way, did you catch a few goofs??? Just wondering if you noticed a certain tat in one scene.
@Chezniki
Booo! Booo!
@Miz JJ
I hope you go see it and see if I'm trippin'.
@Aqua
That way you can fast forward past the bullshit. That's a good plan.
@YouTold
You would think they woulda "pancaked" the WuTang tat, wouldn't you?
KZ
Wu! Tang! Wu! Tang!
I figured they showed the Dubya on purpose, since it was such a close-up... maybe his character was just back from Vietnam or something? Personally, Im glad they showed the tat. I was sitting there wondering, "Is that The RZA?... Oh Okay! Yup, that's him!" LOL!
I liked the movie. I thought there would be more bloodshed.
I think Chiwetel Ejiofor is a great actor too. I find him attractive too. :)
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