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An Excellent Early Review Of AMERICAN GANGSTER!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
This is one of those films I’m itching to see right now. People close to the production are calling it one of the best films of Ridley Scott’s career, and seeing Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington go head-to-head at this point in their careers (a loooooooong way from VIRTUOSITY) is an exciting prospect.
Especially when a review like this shows up in my inbox:
Hey Moriarty,
I thought I'd send you this, since you're my favorite writer here at AICN. I bet it’s a pretty good scoop, since the movie doesn't come out 'till November. ;)
A few days ago I got to sit down to watch all three hours of AMERICAN GANGSTER with Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe, which will no doubt be soon ranked right up there with the great gangster/cop movies. I see it as more serious and realistic then THE DEPARTED was, a terrific movie, too, but with sometimes hard to believe dialogue. GANGSTER plays it close to the vest and takes its time to develop its story, particularly in setting it up. Its around three hours long, but you get hooked in after the first twenty minutes and the pacing is very well done so that you don't get bored. Main actors Washington and Crowe are so good in their portrayals that even the slow scenes work remarkably well. It reminded me in that respect of ZODIAC. Also like Fincher's movie, GANGSTER is based in the 70s and early 80s (In one scene, Russel Crowe's character "discovers" the microwave), and the look and feel of the era is very well portrayed.
As I mentioned earlier, this is a movie that takes its time to tell its story, which is a true one, by the way. The writers and director Ridley Scott were smart to do so, because this is such a rich story, and while I was shocked that it hasn't been adapted before, you can see where true stories like this one have influenced countless screenplays, in CASINO, The DEPARTED, SCARFACE, HEAT.
Here's a quick rundown of the story.
START SPOILER WARNING:
At the beginning, Frank Lucas (Washington) is the right-hand man of who is probably the Don of all black gangsters in New York. The Don however is upset over the "hard" times, keels over and dies, thrusting Lucas in the role of boss. However, he realizes that his mentor didn't manage his business well and didn't really "own" the town at all. So all of the other bosses dismiss him, and he has to assert himself...
... and boy, does he.
To become the #1 drug lord, Lucas goes to Vietnam (it's set partly during the War), deep in the jungle to cut a deal with the heroin-producer himself. He transports this 100% pure stuff back to NY through the use of Army cargo transports (everyone gets bribed on the way), and soon, Lucas is on top of his game, selling heroin that's cheaper and far superior to anything on the market. Everyone hates him, of course, and he cuts deals along the way with other crime lords and the corrupt police as well.
Enter *REALLY* good cop Russell Crowe, who is hated and distrusted in a completely corrupt police force for having, among other "goodness," refused to keep a million bucks in cash he finds in an abandoned car. He is obsessed with cleaning up the force, the city, and half the movie is about his search for the top crime boss, the one responsible for this new influx of top-notch heroin. We also get a sub-storyline about his struggles to keep his ex-wife from leaving with their kid, which is not greatly developed because the director Scott was more interested in the detective's quest for truth than too much fleshing out of his character. Same goes with Denzel's Lucas, who we see as a family man, husband, but far more doing the wheeling and dealing that brings him to the top.
And that's all I'll give away about the story line.
END SPOILER WARNING:
As for the actors, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe pull off solid-to-terrific jobs, although its hard not to take their work for granted, because I think if anyone else carried this movie like they did, we'd be touting them as the "next big thing", but instead we expect them to be this good. I liked the supporting cast with some recognizable faces—Such as Cuba Gooding Jr's blink-and-you'll-miss-it turn as a pimp/mob boss, Josh Brolin as the head of the bad cops (evil as can be and probably as impassioned about his role as that actor will ever be), TALK TO ME and CHILDREN OF MEN's Chiwetel Ejiofor as one of Denzel's character's brothers, or Carla Gugino as Russell Crowe's character's ex-wife. Oh, and I should not forget of course Armand Assante, in a role we've seen him do so well for so long, as a crime boss.
As they always say: if you use this call me Funboy.
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it looks fucking awesome! and wow, Cuba in a good film, too bad he's given a blink and you missed it scene. actually sounds like his real movie career.
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So I'm all over this...
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The Director's cut of that film kicks 7 different kinds of ass.
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hard to get into a review by a guy that doesn't seem to know the name of one of the main characters...it's on imdb for god sake, brother. google is your friend.that being said, I have been looking forward to this since the first preview I saw. every damn movie I've seen in the last month or so has had this preview in front of it, they are really promoting the hell out of it. I hope it's as great as it looks!
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especially after the lame Kingdom of Heaven which despite the good battle scenes had a "let's not offend muslims policy" running through it.
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This looks and sounds nothing short of awesome and will be the top bloke film of the year, no question.
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You want chaos? I'M the chaos! You want fear? I'M the fear! You want a new beginning?
I AM THE NEW BEGINNING! -
With this and Yuma to come it's good that he's getting back to being one of the best actors of his generation rather than Tabloid fodder.
With Ridders on form, Denzel and the still underrated Ejiofor involved too, this one definitely has my interest. -
The Directors Cut Of Kingdom Of Heaven is a masterpiece and one of scotts best films.American Gangster looks like it will be another one.
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Washington and Crowe are two of the finest actors around. I certainly am looking forward to it.
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EVER! I saw American Gangster in a dream, and it was approximately 3,257 times more powerfully directed than "A Good Year" and 400 times more potent than "Hannibal: The ADD Years." Russell Crowe is BACK, this time as the asshole he does his best work playing! Huzzah!
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This does look good, so my hopes are high for this one. I was flipping through the channels yesterday and ran across the end of Training Day. I just wasn't crazy about that movie for whatever reason. And the ending is such crap with 33 cars surrounding Denzel, and then plugging his car with bullets for 5 minutes.
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But decided against it. Sorry I did now.
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Harry, hire this dude. This is one of the best written reviews that I've ever read here. Very elegant sentences, clear train-of-thought, excellent grammar. Oh, it's probably a plant, but a highly educated one. Ca la vie.
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..the stuffy cop (not Crowe) shouts, "No Black man has accomplished what the Mafia hasn't, IN A HUNDRED YEARS!" That part is so fuckin' corny. It's like the filmakers want us to be jumping for joy at that part. As if we'll think Frank Lucas's criminal activity is a positive triumph for black people.
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It was about as well written as a highschool newspaper review.
"Its around three hours long, but you get hooked in after the first twenty minutes and the pacing is very well done so that you don't get bored. Main actors Washington and Crowe are so good in their portrayals that even the slow scenes work remarkably well." -
I just saw KoH, rented from NetFlix, but didn't know there was a director's cut? What was so much better in that version, and should I spend the time to rewatch it?
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Look, it's Denzel, now with all-new hair!! The man consistently plays the same character in every film he's in. I saw the trailer to this attached to "The Bourne Ultimatum" yesterday afternoon. As soon as I saw the leather jackets and the 70's hairstyles, my interest just completely waned. I have no interest in seeing this film in a theater. Absolutely zero.
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Lets see. Favourite actor 1 = Crowe; favourite actor 2 = Denzel; favourite director 3 = Ridley. Jeez, how good is this gonna be? :)And if your interested The Berg and PJ are 1 & 2.
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Nice Job Funboy...I could have figured these two guys could act- where's the review?
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It's ashame you don't give Denzel a chance. A lot of the great actors in history pretty much played different variations of themselves in their movies, but that didn't make their performances less powerful. Look at actors like Jack Nicholson and John Wayne. This movie looks absolutely incredible.
Oh, and I forgot all about them being together in Virtuosity. I wonder if they talked about that a lot on set. I wish I could have been there. Next time I will be. -
Sorry I just dont buy him in these tough guy roles.He was laughable in Training Day and looks just as bad in this.
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was one of the best movies that came out that year. The theatrical release did suck balls. The extended cut has all the character development that was missing in the other one. Lamerz, go watch the DD. It's well worth it.
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I guess I must have missed the episode where Dr. Huxtable shoved a plastic explosive up Elvin's ass.
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I hope his anger management issues won't short circuit what should be one of the great thespian careers. Really. HIs range is amazing. Even in fluff like A GOOD YEAR, he pulls it off and makes you forget the guy in GLADIATOR. Just a chameleon from film to film. But has made the critical mistake of letting himself become tabloid fodder. When will these movie stars learn that the more audiences know about your personal life, the less they'll accept you as an actor. With him, his phone throwing tantrum has definitely turned him off to a lot of people and has affected his box office appeal. Here's hoping we're way past that now.
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...is if they digitally remove Orlando Bloom and replace him with, well, anyone except Keanu Reeves. Otherwise, it will always be 'Kingdom of Metrosexuals".
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But the script is still a bit too on the nose, the cast is still too young, and while Orlando Bloom is surprisingly adequate in the lead, the movie is still begging for a stronger actor to anchor the film. But the film is visually magnificent with some great battle scenes. I never saw the theatrical cut of KoH, but I own the DC so I'd recommend it. This film looks like it could be great, so I'll be sure to check it out.
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Kneel before Ridley!
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I agree. I think compared with Will Smith's lighter skin tone, Denzel cannot command comical touches without coming off as an oddity.
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Sorry, couldn't resist.
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Cuba Gooding Jnr, as Anthony Anderson's left ball. The trailer for this movie has a vague whiff of The Departed, which is better than having a vague whiff of your girlfriend's undercrackers, I guess. Because they're doused with piss in anticipation of Merkin Gang Star. Ha. I cuss your girl.
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That would've been a sight to see. Rasshole Crowe for Birdman!
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Denzel can be pretty bad ass when he wants to. Case in point? Man on FUCKING Fire. Case closed.
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Along with 300 and The Bourne Ultimatum, American Gangster is the only must see film this year.
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I'm actually lookin forward to this one. I'll watching anything with Chiwetel Ejiofor(even Slow Burn). This had one of the best trailers i've seen.
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Between Scott's terrible direction and the mediocre script it was barely watchable.Denzel is about as much a badass as Sidney Poitier which aint much.Case not close.Try again.
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George Segal's gotta be available..
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Man on fire I mean
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hehooo Slow Burn I made that mistake as well
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Redbelt is gonna kick ass!!!!
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Aug 27, 2007 4:34:32 PM CDT
I only skimmed this review... afraid of spoilers... but
by daddylonghead
Mori's intro & the first paragraph have me fucking STOKED!!! The preview for this really grabbed me, now I can't wait for it!
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not even as a joke, not even to make a point.
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what about the comedy he did early in his career with Bob Hoskins. he was a ghost. something about "heart" or "condition"...I'm too lazy to go to imdb and look it up. it was kinda funny for a pg-13 late 80's comedy...Hoskins is always pretty good at least...
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heh. but everytime i see him i think of that Oddysey tv miniseries...
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How many outright stinkers has he been in? The only one I could think of was the hospital drama where he held up a hospital so his son could get a heart transplant.
Would love to see Denzel in a comedy or at least an Oceans 11 type heist film. -
I actually walked out of Man On Fire because the shakycam and avid farts were unbearable. They drove me from the theater, I couldn't stand it. I can't think of a single other film I have ever stopped watching solely because of the editing.
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So far, the movies these two have collaborated on are just barely made watchable because of Crowe's presence and intensity. Otherwise, they're shit. Ridley Scott has made a few seminal cinematic masterpieces - way back when. I think the only decent movie he's made since THELMA & LOUISE was BLACKHAWK DOWN, and even that is not up to the standard that he represents, but almost never seems to meet. As for Washington, he's a great actor in the right films, but JOHN Q, OUT OF TIME and DEJA VU are pretty fucking hard to forgive a double-Oscar-winner for. At the end of the day, AMERICAN GANGSTER rests entirely on Crowe's shoulders. Again.
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.....is one of the best actor's in American film, bar none. Yes, he has been in some subpar movies, but not many. And even in less than stellar films, Washington is always watchable. He was definitely badass in "Training Day", and let's not forget his Oscar winning turn in "Glory". He wasn't exactly a likeable character in that film, but if you ask me he was totally believeable. So give the man his due.
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You're absolutely right, Denzel is a great actor, and is always watchable. He just doesn't have Crowe's standards. He's got a hell of a lot more misfires than Crowe does at this point, and his presence, while appreciated, is not always an indictator of quality. While I might not necessarily like all of Crowe's movies - like GLADIATOR and GOOD YEAR - he doesn't sign on to anything destined from the outset to be complete shit. He works with A-list talent, every time out. Denzel, on the other hand, has no problem signing the dotted line on horrendous crapfests like JOHN Q. Even MAN ON FIRE, which has some legitimately badass stuff in it, is largely unwatchable. For every cool moment in the movie, there are at least five moments that make me want to claw my fucking eyes out. Why he thought it was a good idea to star in a remake of bad Scott Glen movie from ten years earlier that nobody saw the first time around, I'll never know.
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They pretty much all came AFTER he won an Oscar, which is a sign that he's getting lazy with his script choices. Or thinks that his very presence in them makes them good. BEFORE he won an Oscar, he took a lot more risks as an actor. Not so much anymore.
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Aug 27, 2007 6:59:29 PM CDT
And quite frankly, Ridley Scott's not the same guy...
by blue meanie 1138
..who started his career giving us DUELLISTS, ALIEN, and BLADE RUNNER, each of them legitamate candidates for "one of the most visually beautiful movies ever made". For me, the failure of BLADE RUNNER then LEGEND forced Scott to rethink his career, and he became more of a craftsman (BLACK RAIN???), and hasn't really come close to pushing the visual envelop since. As a matter of fact, I think his movies have become incredibly generic since those first 3 movies. I can't think of the last time he broke any new ground visually (even BLACK HAWK DOWN copped many of its visual tricks from PRIVATE RYAN).
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I don't care if Scott stole "visual tricks," the point is making good movies, and that was a good movie. There is much more to directing than technical innovation for fucks sake.
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Listen, assfuck, if you think anything Scott's done since LEGEND has had the sumptuous, groundbreaking visual style that his early work had, then you're a complete, fucking moron who doesn't know shit one about filmmaking. You can see how passionate the visual work is in DUELLIST and BLADE RUNNER. You're going to compare them to what? GI JANE? SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME? Check the box office, dipshit. BLADE RUNNER and LEGEND bombed in their time. Afterwards, he made workmanlike movies like SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, BLACK RAIN, GI JANE, and, yeah, recent crap like HANNIBAL. MOVIES ANYONE COULD HAVE FUCKING MADE!!!! His brother could have made them. And I have no fucking clue what George Lucas or Speilberg has to do with this discussion. But then again, when you make asinie conclusions that Kaminski is the real innovator of what Spielberg has done, it shows your pea brain knowledge of filmmaking. The DP is suppose to help the director with their visual style. That's his FUCKING JOB. But it is legendary in Hollywood that Speiblerg is one of the saaviest cinematographers, often knowing as much as his DP. Vilmos Zsigmond and Allen Daviau both have publicy stated they didn't feel the need to work with Spielberg because he knew so much about their jobs and meddled so much. Hell, I sat in on a Q&A with Scott and he essentially stated he shoots all his own stuff and the DP is just a collaborator. So, if you're going to make an argument, make one with something besides stupid, incindieary name calling... SKIPPY!
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If you read my post closely, i didn't say BLACK HAWK DOWN was a bad movie. I actually enjoyed a lot of it. I was making a point that Scott doesn't push the envelope as much as he used to. For a guy who said on the DUELLIST commentary track, "How can a movie be too beautiful?", this is mildly disappointing. This guy used to break ground with one movie after another...visually. He just doesn't seem willing or capable anymore. This is not a commentary on the entire work, just one aspect of it.
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I don't think I need to go to New York Film Academy. Why? Because between the two of us, I think only one of us has had a creative meeting with Anne Lai.
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Is it really that different from the original cut? I only lasted 45mins through that one. Hopefully this is a return to form for Scott.
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And as for badmouthing her "old boss". It's business, not personal, Skippy. Leave it up to a brain dead assfucker like you to not know the differnce between "critical analysis" (what I was doing) and blatant name calling stupidity (what you did...SKIPPY).
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Aug 27, 2007 9:26:50 PM CDT
YACKBACKER/SKIPPY: as more proof you don't know shit
by blue meanie 1138
You obviously looked up Anne Lai's name on IMDB before writing back, hence why you think she's only his "assistant" on GLADIATOR and G.I JANE. In fact, she was an executive at Scott Free. But make sure you bookmark that IMDB address. I'm sure its better education than NY Film Academy degree, eh,mate?
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But there's simply nothing I can do to help you now.
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That is the oldest, lamest rebuttal for someone who has no argument. Its like saying, "Well, let's see you do better." Its a non-starter. That's not the point of criticism. I would love to have the career of Scott (just like you wish you had my life -- see we're both right about something!), but we all have to start somewhere. If I have one BLADE RUNNER in me, I would die a happy man. But I don't know how there's any logical procession between that and making a coherent critical point of view. But then maybe I'm talking to the wrong guy. You seem to thrive on just bitching at people.
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I am in the minority in that I don't regard The duellists,alien and blade runner as his best films.My top 3 would be The directors cut of kingdom of Heaven,Gladiator and Blackhawk Down.I also prefer the visual style of those films when compared to his early movies.
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I make a point, I give my opinion...
And you respond by saying, let me see..
I"m talking out of my anus", ""ill informed", and should go to "NY Film Academy".
But I'm an egotistical prick? And I'm shoving my opinion in people's faces? Gee...you mean in a talkback where giving our opinion is the point.
And if you can ever find a line where I say Ridley Scott isn't makng good movies anymore, then you get the prize. As I said, which I will repeat, he is not visually the same director. That is a criticism of one aspect of his filmmaking, not a referendum on all of his movies.
And why should I tell you who I am? I already made it quite clear that I'm not some mogul. So what? That has nothing to do with anything, except you said I don't know shit and should go to NY Film Academy. So I mention a name of someone I know, just to test if you knew that same person, since you were so all knowing about everything. And its is fucking hysterical that you had to look her up on IMDB. And to further prove your intelligence, you prop up your arguments by making homophobic slurs. That's real good debating skills.
Sorry, Skippy (your name calling, not mine, btw), you started this. If you want to defend Scott, by all means, go ahead. That's what this forum is about. If you want to insult, then, well, don't start bitching if someone serves it right back at you.
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If by criticizing Scott's visual style means I think I'm better than him (as you argue), then it would be logical that you think you're better than Spielberg, as you criticized him as being someone who just "sucks on Kaminski's teet".
See how lame your arguments are? -
My posturing. In what world is an opinion "posturing" and "crass". And again, not one rebuttal using facts, just more blanket characterizations.
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enough already. i too work in this demented town, in this industry full of drug-addicts, leeches and sycophants. something it does, all too often, is get people REALLY FUCKING MAD LIKE THE BOTH OF YOU. come on, stick to the main debate - it was interesting for a while.
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http://imdb.com/name/nm0006613/
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I was having a bad day, and Yackbacker allowed me an opportunity to let off some steam. But now that that's done with...You are right.
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STOP JERKIN' OFF ON DA' INTERNET AND GO PICK UP MY CLEANING AND WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED, GO HAVE MY LIMO DETAILED AND FETCH MY DOUBLE MOCHA LATTE YOU USESLESS FUCKTARD. HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO GET PROMOTED TO HEAD ASSISTANT BEST BOY IF YOU'RE CONSTANTLY FEEDIN' YOUR OWN EGO WITH DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR? IF YOU EXPECT TO BE THE NEXT ED WOOD, THEN GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT AND IMPRESS ME BY DOING WHAT I PAY YOU FOR. I EXPECT UNDYING SERVITUDE FOR MY $8.00 AM HOUR. CHOP! CHOP!
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Can't wait.
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Get me every time.
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is that AICN was like the only well known movie site that wasn't smart enough to set up a link to Empireonline's link of the international trailer for this film. Its one of the greatest trailers I have seen this decade.
http://www.empireonline.com/video/americangangster/trailer.asp
Also there is now a rave review from Rolling Stone out there for this film. -
Whatever
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This is a very good film. I got the mood when I first stepped onto the set. I believe we should wait until it comes out before we judge. The period was back when drug pushers worked and ran things like businessmen. Frank Lucas was the most feared at the time. I'd work with Denzel in a scene but it was brief. Good to see Cuba in movie where he ain't shuckin' and jivin'. Could definitely do without rappers like T.I. and Common in a film. I don't try to rap so they should stay away from acting.
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I've seen the copy of it and they cite his being an artistic influence in the film industry to keep him here past the date on his expired visa. Wow. Nice to know I.C.E. has priorities now if only they could deport the child molesters and murders who are stateside illegally.
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You can call 'BS' on my statement all you want, but history shows that Crowe is usually the best bet out of the three.
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One of the finest actor in cinema History (Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Glory, Philadelphia, Cry Freedom, He Got Game, Training Day...) and now American Gangster ! The early reviews are outstanding for him : "Washington gives a monumental performance", "Another powerhouse performance by Oscar winner Denzel Washington", "Denzel is superb in American Gangster", "'Denzel Washington makes Jack Nicholson look weak", "The Best Actor Oscar heat is Washington's to run with" ...ALL the buzz is about his performance !!! A true Icon, A living legend ! That is the true H*I*S*T*O*R*Y ! Just in the trailers he OWNS the screen!! I can't wait !!!!!!!!
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It's my most anticipated movie of the year! Ridley Scott is a genius and Denzel Washington the best actor there is!
Cannot Wait for this sh*t! -
Don! Have I got a screenplay for you!! It's a Heavy Metal version of Dante's Inferno starring everyone from Ozzy and Dio to Tenacious D and the White Stripes, and all other available metal greats. In the finale at the frozen center of Hell, Lordi gathers the fallen angels and good demons in a battle of the Arockalypse against the forces of darkness and lameness, and everyone sings a Hard Rock Hallelujah! Call me.
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if he directs that post apocolyptice vampire movie "The Passage." Here the link to the article http://tinyurl.com/2s7fyp
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But can't FUCKING WAIT for this movie. And not in a "hater wants to tear it up sooo badly" way. I'm genuinely curious and excited. Go figure...
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I am not Don Murphy. I don't think anyone was actually confused about that, just want to make it super clear. I am in reality a no-name out-of-work writer.
That said, please feel free to pitch me any and all ideas you may have; If they're any good I'll happily steal them. -
Wouldn't have anything to do with this would it:
'Hey Moriarty,
I thought I'd send you this, since you're my favorite writer here at AICN.' -
Only one cry of "plant!!!"? How very uncynical of you. Have you taken your collective temperatures?
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