American Gangster: B+

Based on the life of famed Harlem gangster "Frank Lucas", this movie takes place in the late 50's mid 60's amid the Vietnam conflict.

Russell Crow is excellent as a driven, ethical (all-be-it morally flawed) cop leading a group of trusted police in the pursuit of "Frank Lucas" (Played brilliantly by Denzel Washington) one of the most Lucrative drug smugglers in U.S. history.

All though slow to start and never quite clear how lucrative Frank Lucas is, this movie creates a picture so graphic and bloody of Lucas while at the same time convincing you that he is nothing more then a family man trying desperately to create a better life for his future, Lucas refers to this as "White man Rich". The acting is flawless, and with director Ridley Scott at he helm I expect nothing less.

This movie is rated "R" for extreme Violence, Language.

*See Also: Good Fellows, Malcolm X, and Scar Face.