Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in "American Gangster"
courtesy of Universal Home
"Crime Story"

"American Gangster" had everything going for it to be a huge hit, but somehow it never made it to powerhouse status. What was the problem? It had two major actors - Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe; a name director - Ridley Scott; and an action driven plot - drug warfare on the streets of Harlem. Still, even with all of this, the movie was difficult to watch because it moved so slooooowly in the first two thirds of the film. But now that it is on DVD you can watch a while, stop and then move on.

The film is based on the true story of Frank Lucas (Washington), a drug lord in New York's Harlem district. In the 70's Lucas took on the Mafia drug lords by buying his product direct from the Asians in Vietnam and then cutting the price on the streets of Harlem. He became one of the most powerful men in the city and was rewarded with a huge fortune.

Lucas brought in his family from North Carolina to help run things. He also bought his mama (Ruby Dee) a huge mansion to live in. Lucas was living the good life until he came up on the radar of Richie Roberts (Crowe). Roberts was a police investigator who was above all a man of complete honor on the job. Off the job and in his personal life, well that was another matter.

Richie was assigned to investigate the drug trade and he did so with a vengeance. And at the same time he was going to law school and studying for the New York bar exam. Luckily he could multi-task and he did it all.

The movie is interesting but slowly presented in the first two thirds of the film. You get glimpses of the lives of both Lucas and Roberts but you don't feel as if you get to know them except superficially. There is not depth to the characterizations but this is more the fault of the screenwriter and the director than of the actors.

Both actors do everything they can with the roles they are given, and finally in the final one third of the movie it pays off. At this time the efforts on Roberts' part pay off and he comes face to face with his elusive prey. The scenes between Lucas and Roberts face to face are the most dynamic of the film. You are watching two extremely talented actors go toe to toe.

Another actor in the film who should be mentioned is Josh Brolin. He plays a corrupt cop who thinks he is above the law. His conceited manner and affected swagger say everything about the man he is. Brolin is good in every role he undertakes but in this one he is even better than usual.

"American Gangster" is worth watching on DVD. If the pacing of the first part of the film had been cleaner and swifter then the movie would have made a better overall impression. As is, the good times don't arrive until the end.

Be aware "American Gangster" is being released in a two-disc collection. One disc is the original theatrical film and the other is an unrated extended edition. It has eighteen additional minutes. This one also has an alternate ending to the film.

Jane Austen is one of the most famous female authors in history. In the new film on DVD "Becoming Jane" we get the backstory as to how her life was affected by one romantic encounter, and how it spurred her on to become one of the most celebrated authors who ever lived. It is a story full of charm, wit and drama and it perfectly establishes the mood of the times in which Jane Austen lived.

The movie opens with Jane (Anne Hathaway) living with her family. Her father (James Cromwell) is a minister and her mother (Julie Walters) runs the household. Her sister Cassandra (Anna Maxwell Martin) is engaged and her mother hopes Jane will soon follow suit. 

Jane has a suitor of sorts in Mr. Wisely (Laurence Fox). He is the nephew of Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith) one of the richest and most influential people in Jane's neighborhood. Jane likes Mr. Wisely but she does not love him, and she does not plan to marry without love.

Love comes to her in the person of Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), a barrister with no means of income other than the good favor of his uncle (Ian Richardson). Tom is a womanizer and an all around roustabout. Jane at first can not stand him, but later she begins to come under his spell. Their love story makes up the core of the film.

The movie opens slowly and spends its own sweet time getting its story told. But about halfway through it gains momentum and captures the audience's imagination. By the end of the film everyone is under Jane's spell.

Hathaway is very good as Jane. She gives her spirit and charm. She is not as immediately appealing as was Keira Knightley in "Pride and Prejudice" but she manages to endear herself to the audience in the long run.

Opposite her McAvoy (who is one of the stars of "Atonement") is charm itself. He manages to make Tom the bad boy of the group but his innate likeability stands him in good stead. He and Hathaway make a good match as Tom and Jane.

The supporting cast is wonderful. They sink into their roles and are swallowed up by them. It is always a treat to see Maggie Smith on screen, and Cromwell and Walters are scene-stealers as Jane's parents. Fox has some good moments as the lovelorn suitor, especially towards the end of the film.

"Becoming Jane" is a period piece that moves slowly but surely towards a satisfying ending. The script, the acting, the scenery and the music all add to the charm and enjoyment of the movie. It is Jane Austen's story told in the style of her books. She is a fascinating character from history but one we never knew that much about. This movie fills us in on all there was during this crucial time that made her who she became.

"Chaos" is an action packed thriller about a bank robber. Jason Statham, one of my favorite actors, plays a detective who is on the trail of a bank robber who didn't take them money and run, rather he planted a virus that will enable him to get millions through the bank computer.

Wesley Snipes plays the robber and Ryan Phillippe is Statham's partner. All three men are good in their roles and the suspense of the movie, as well as its unique plot, make this a DVD to watch. You can't go wrong with a Jason Statham film.

If you are one of those people who say there is nothing you and your family can watch together on DVD or at the movies, then do I have a DVD for you. It is titled "Greener Mountains" and it is a coming of age story set in Vermont. It is the story of a boy growing into a man and the way his life is changed by his environment and a new girl in town.

Chris Heuisler and Kimberly McCullough are the stars of this film but it also has a wonderful supporting cast of solid actors including M Emmett Walsh, Nan Martin and Curtis Armstrong. You may not recognize their names but you will know them when you see them in the movie.

This is a warm and wonderful movie that will leave you emotionally satisfied by its story. If you believe in family friendly movies, then support your feelings by watching this one.

If you like movies that feature a battle between the forces of good and evil then you are going to really like "Gabriel." This is a movie about a battle between Archangels and fallen angels and that always makes for interesting times.

In this movie Gabriel (Andy Whitfield) is an Arc and is sent to help out in the battle for reborn souls. He has to become a human and that causes him to question who he is and what he is doing. Then there are all those battles against evil that involve him too.

Samantha Noble is the co-star of this film and both she and Whitfield do a good job. This is a solid action film and one you will enjoy.

Handy Manny is a favorite of the younger kids and now there is a DVD of his adventures with his talking tools. Most of the episodes have been seen on "Playhouse Disney" but there is one never before seen episode that is just on this DVD.

Wilmer Valderamma is the voice of Manny and he adds a lot to the character. When he says, "You break it, we fix it" then you know there is going to be a job well done." Kids love this attitude and so will you. So get the new DVD of "Handy Manny: Fixing It Right."

Finally there is "Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive, Volumes 4 and 5." These chapters tell the end of the search for the lost jewels of Corona Aurora that has been going on in the first three episodes.

There are all types of special features in this DVD set and your kids will love them all. So get the DVD for the great episodes and for the additional fun it brings.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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