He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. After a ferry is bombed in New Orleans, an A.T.F. 13 of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Fans of Ridley Scott will appreciate the length, and I've no doubt will enjoy it to the very end. The combination of Scott, Crowe and Washington, the staggeringly excellent story and the stunning authenticity really bring this vivid, gritty and increasingly dark story to life. In desperation, Roberts stops a yellow cab and shows his badge, argues with the uncooperative cabbie to use it, and eventually decks the cabbie in the face to take control of the cab and quickly pursues the escaping drug pusher, ending with Roberts following the unsuspecting Scott on foot. Other formats. It is certainly not like other 'gangster' movie classics such as 'Goodfellas' or 'The Godfather', despite many reviews mentioning them in the same breath as this film, if for no other reason than those other classics focussed entirely on the criminals and their personal lives. While chasing dreams of stardom, six Hollywood wannabe actors and writers make ends meet by working for a posh Los Angeles catering company, which tackles a different event -- senior singles mixer, porn awards after party, a Super Sweet 16 bash -- in each episode. One of Scott's best films although the script and acting are far better than his direction, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2015, An Engrossing Cops vs Gangster Drama With Notable Leads, BUT Blu-ray Presentation Is No Better Than DVD, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2012, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2012, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2014, It's true, and some amazing acting from both lead characters, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2020. Now you can stream Black culture: the movie favorites you remember, the TV shows you love and exclusive new originals streaming each … It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. This is a masterpiece of a movie, directed masterfully by Ridley Scott. [01/08/21 - 09:48 AM] BET+ True Crime Hit Series "American Gangster: Trap Queens" Returns for Its Second Season on Thursday, January 14 Narrated by female hip hop icon Kimberly Jones a.k.a. -No one's gonna believe this. Watch Hollywood blockbusters, Australian favourites and arthouse flicks from around the world on Stan’s 30 day free trial. I've added a photo of the back of the box, which details the disc specification/extras, to the main Amazon page for this Blu-ray. Rated R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality, ‘Bulletproof’ Co-Creator Nick Love Developing Sky Gangster Series Set During Costa Del Sol Crime Wave, The Man Who Fell to Earth Reboot Gets Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Lead Role, ‘Man Who Fell to Earth’ Series at Paramount Plus Casts Chiwetel Ejiofor in Lead Role. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? He then asks Eva if she wants to go out, nevertheless. Secondly, be advised there is a lot of nude scenes. Execution methods explained. Wow! This is a masterpiece of a movie, directed masterfully by Ridley Scott. I only gave my review that title because of how Denzel's character takes over the territory and whacks out the previous gangster who held it over 20%!! He discovers a way to do both, but his dream leads him down a path of danger and tragedy. I have watched it twice. Stream instantly Details Format Prime Video (streaming online video) Devices Available to watch on supported devices. American Gangster is "a gritty masterpiece" (GQ). One more talented actor is Josh Brolin he also does a fantastic job, I’m... Firstly, let’s discuss the acting. So, this film should not disappointment anyone who enjoys a good, but violent, drama; it is well produced/acted and is presented perfectly adequately on Blu-ray. Need some streaming picks for the month? After multiple viewings however I have come to like the film more and more. The theme of this movie is stereotypical illustrating cause and effects are due to self-imposed deviant behavior with drugs, women, and self exploitation in the African-American community. Gangster tales mostly come from the United States, but Peaky Blinders showed us that they don’t have to in order to be good. As I watched this movie, I was completed captivated by the action, drama and the plot as it moved along. Lil’ Kim, season two presents new and fascinating true stories of fierce and savvy women who hustled hard and solidified their place … I already owned the extended edition on DVD (which like the Blu-ray also allows you to see the original theatrical cut) in Region 1 form which comprised 3-discs (and a unique book casing+colour book); as far as I can see this Blu-ray replicates the disc content completely, so you get it all on just the one platter ! His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. The period production-values are excellent and perhaps suggests why the presentation does not come across as 'modern' in terms of sharpness/clarity. I have a relatively large soft spot for American Gangster. New to Stream: Starz December 2020 Movie & TV Titles Announced. Also, the story of the detective who took him down, with the help of others. There is a lot of outstanding performances in this movie. The biggest similarity between this film and the FC is that the respective gangsters are both ruthless yet almost classy in their demeanour and the policemen are both rather shambling yet strangely effective; the one difference being that Richards is (almost) completely 'legitimate' and honest, as well us getting to know a lot about his personal life (eg failed marriage, law education), whereas 'Popeye' in the FC often transgresses and all we ever see of him is while he is 'on the job'. A rookie cop spends his first day as a Los Angeles narcotics officer with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears to be. Also, the story of the detective who took him down, with the help of others. Whilst there are significant detail differences in the 'story', overall it is not unlike the earlier classic film 'The French Connection' in the sense that we have a policeman who becomes almost infatuated with tracking-down a single 'personality' in involved in local illegal drug dealings. New queens, new crimes and new stakes are examined during Season 2 of American Gangster: Trap Queens, streaming now on BET+. A lot of twists, and suprises. What are the differences between the theatrical version and the extended cut? Celebrating 25 years 1995 - 2020. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. Steaming along the same, intertwining, rich story is the character of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a former enforcer turned heroin empire kingpin. The film plot (to repeat, based on the real-life characters) essentially involves the evolution of Lucas and how he expands his power by virtue of a direct, novel, way of procuring/importing/distributing heroin to his local customers. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge. With an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. In the Bronx, right after Spearman drops off Roberts and informs him that he'll circle the block, an extended scene takes place where Roberts sees both Scott take off in his Jeep and Spearman getting blocked by a broken-down truck, unable to reach Roberts. The story sees disgraced cop ( Russell Crowe) Richie Roberts indefinitely struggling with his current predicament. God bless you you are loved! American Gangster The picture is soft and grainy (intentional I'm sure) with a level of sharpness suiting the period be covered; the audio might get a 'boost' to English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 but the soundtrack didn't really need it. This specific release of American Gangster presents the viewer with a choice of the theatrical release, or the extended version. After the Christmas visit with Charlie Williams, there's an extended scene with Frank and Eva back at their home, where Frank reminisces how Bumpy gradually stayed more and more at home towards the end of his life because of constant police surveillance. Denzel Washington's performance in this movie was quite an eye opener. Finally, the lead actors (Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe) are, as more often than not, very good and convincing - Crowe in particular manages to let you forget the Hollywood personality he is and instead concentrate on his characterisation (which bares some similarity to his earlier marvellous performance in the similarly excellent drama (The Insider'). His performance as Frank Lucas was just as powerful as his performance as Alonzo the corrupt cop in Training Day. agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber, but soon finds himself becoming obsessed with one of the victims. Here are the trailers from Super Bowl LV, including "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," F9, and more. Just buy it. I have to admit, when I first saw American Gangster I was not that impressed. The theme of this movie is stereotypical illustrating cause and effects are due to self-imposed deviant behavior with drugs, women, and self exploitation in the African-American community. List of the latest gangster movies in 2021 and the best gangster movies of 2020 & the 2010's. Denzel really gives, in my opinion, his best performances since Training Day (complete with all the usual facial expressions!) Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. The most I have seen so far. This article is about the (mainly British and American) best mafia and gangster tv shows of the 10’s including the new gangster … I don't mean that I like the movie 20%, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Fine... An above average movie about both rise and eventual fall of a gangster, his corporation and the shady people who did business with him, based on a true story set in the early 70's. A flashback with Frank Lucas and Bumpy Johnson on a boardwalk, A short scene showing Richie Roberts acquiring office space for his new narcotics task force (this added scene follows immediately after Toback assigns Roberts to head up the federal investigation using honest cops of Roberts' choice), A nighttime scene where Roberts and his team tail a drug pusher with a stash of Blue Magic to an auto body shop; the next morning, Spearman strikes a deal with the shop owner "Scott" over the phone, which leads up to Roberts under disguise dropping off $20,000 to get a supply of Blue Magic. I don’t care for them because I love Jesus. To balance things up (and justify the near 3-hour running time of the extended edition) the biopic also follows, in almost equal measure, the progress of loner police narcotics detective Richie Roberts as juggles his attempts to bring to book those involved in New York organised crime with part-time educational activities in order to become a fully-qualified lawyer. Based on a true story. It is the best gangster movie of recent times, based on a true story, with the excellent performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe really taking this title to another level. Although the characters are different, the acting was brilliant, insightful, well thought... Denzel Washington's performance in this movie was quite an eye opener. BET+ announces the return of its hit unscripted series AMERICAN GANGSTER: TRAP QUEENS ­– a true crime series detailing the criminal chronicles of some of America’s most notorious female gangsters.Narrated by female hip hop icon Kimberly Jones a.k.a. An outcast New York City cop is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, whose real life inspired this partly biographical film. That said, I really enjoyed it and the two main characters are very well performed by Crowe and Washington, and also Josh Brolin sticks out in a great secondary and evil character. The Blu-ray is only an upgrade as the extras include those not on the UK 2-disc DVD, so I think that can be the only justification to move from DVD to Blu-ray. ... that was a tremendous revenue stream. ... Let us drink to a full liberation of the American people! Directed by Ridley Scott. Browse our movie collection and find something to watch tonight. There is a lot of outstanding performances in this movie. The depicted violence is often extreme, without being overtly gory but along with the portrayal of illicit drug-taking shows why an '18' viewing certificate is applied. Based on a true story. which is superbly balanced by the equally praiseworthy role played by Russell Crowe, who always seems to take his performance up by a few notches when working with Ridley Scott. An American soldier imprisoned in postwar Japan enters the dark world of the yakuza, adopting their way of life in repayment for his freedom. Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2020. This violent drama, from director Ridley Scott, is a modern production covering vintage subject-matter, namely the rise (and fall) of the New York real-life enforcer turned 'drug-lord' Frank Lucas from the late 60s to early 90s. While the extended version comes in at nearly 3 hours in length, I personally wouldn't have it any other way. It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. When I first saw the film, I didn't find it all that engaging, but by the time I got around to seeing the extended cut, I warmed up to it. With Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin. Although the characters are different, the acting was brilliant, insightful, well thought out and wonderfully played on screen. An airline pilot saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling. Stream instantly Details Format Prime Video (streaming online video) Devices Available to watch on supported devices He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. It is the best gangster movie of recent times, based on a true story, with the excellent performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe really taking this title to another level. In Mexico City, a former CIA operative swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. Search for "American Gangster" on Amazon.com, Title: A police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation. In essence, the story is a classic 'rise and fall' gangster epic, with the classic 'good cop on a mission' mix thrown in. Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. A strong and solid crime drama, well directed by Scott with not a unique and distinctive touch, so basically you do not have his usual photographic and glossy effects, which is good, but it seems like, by trying not to be the usual Ridley Scott, he did not replace his dated... A strong and solid crime drama, well directed by Scott with not a unique and distinctive touch, so basically you do not have his usual photographic and glossy effects, which is good, but it seems like, by trying not to be the usual Ridley Scott, he did not replace his dated style with something else that make him look different by any other good director (this film could have been directed by Antoine Fuqua and maybe better). It's as good the second time. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Martial arts master Ip springs into action when his son's school is threatened by a shady American, then defends his status as wing chun champion. An outcast New York City cop is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, whose real life inspired this partly biographical film. Below you’ll find a list with the recent essentials. If you're not big on crime films, most of your enjoyment from this will be based on how much you like the cast and how familiar you are with their work, but one can't deny how well made and polished the film is. This item arrived quickly Via Amazon prime. It may not be an entirely original concept, and as always we always have to question the credibility of 'Based on a true story', but American Gangster is truly a great film, pulled off by some really terrific actors. An above average movie about both rise and eventual fall of a gangster, his corporation and the shady people who did business with him, based on a true story set in the early 70's. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. View production, box office, & company info. My favorite performance is by Denzel Washington, for he does an amazing job. American Gangster presents the rare combination of a highly-compelling story line, that also happens to be true.. Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe do a masterful job portraying the gritty lives both men experienced while playing a part in one of the wildest drug kingpin... American Gangster presents the rare combination of a highly-compelling story line, that also happens to be true.. Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe do a masterful job portraying the gritty lives both men experienced while playing a part in one of the wildest drug kingpin stories you have likely ever heard. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe team with Director Ridley Scott in this powerful epic inspired by a true story. A man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him cannot stand idly by when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters. It’s very I opening to see how real drugs are on the streets, and the effects it has on peoples lives. Written by BET+ is a premium subscription streaming service with over 1,000 hours of your favorite Black content from the best Black creators. John Quincy Archibald takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant.