American Gangster
starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Armand Assante, John Ortiz and John Hawkes
written by Steven Zaillian
directed by Ridley Scott
Based on the true crime life of 1970s-era New York drug king Frank Lucas (paroled in 1991 after serving a 15-year sentence that was reduced from a 70-year sentence for conspiracy, racketeering, murder and narcotics charges), American Gangster lays out a tale of New York police corruption, plus the rise to the top of a black man in a traditionally white, Italian crime business. Denzel Washington is great. Russell Crowe is less great as the New Jerseydetective who tracks him down, but that might not be because he is less of an actor than that he is just not as cool as Denzel Washington is. The two deliver a powerful performance and you will enjoy this film.