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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 900
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2007 - 09:52 pm: | 
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The movie American Gangster was filmed in my neighborhood in Harlem. The steps of the church Denzel Washington is standing, in the photograph above, is just around the corner from my home.
My home is just a short walk from where I grew up. The street just behind Denzel’s head is the street where Maya Angelou and Kareem Abdul Jabar own brownstones.
Once you get past the street closures, and parking restrictions the filming of a movie requires; it is pretty cool to have one made on your block. They did a decent job making the area look older with the vintage automobiles and false store fronts. They even changed the street signs – renumbering a few which startled the heck out of me one morning (I thought I’d snapped). But the coolness ends there.
I saw the movie, and was not impressed. The characters were just so poorly developed. Kam Williams, a frequent reviewer for AALBC.com, articulates many of my feelings quite well: http://reviews.aalbc.com/american_gangster.htm giving the movie 1.5 stars (out of 4).
A poor movie with a talented cast is a regrettable waste of limited resources. However, in this case, waste is not the only problem.
The character of Frank Lucas is being glorified in the process. Frank Lucus was the MAN, clocking, purportedly, one million dollars a day over a five year period. He is the Black Scarface who survived the game. He is revered by many and reviled by few.
To Lucus’ credit he says “I’m not the one to glorify” but those around him seem to be doing the exact opposite. Even Denzel Washington seemingly gives him a pass, in the most recent Jet Magazine; pointing to his tragic childhood as a cause or explanation for being a murderous drug lord.
Here’s the thing: I grew up during the hey day of heroine epidemic in Harlem. I can’t tell you how bad and on how many levels Harlem has been adversely affected by the drug trade. Drugs destroyed families and has continued to effect our children for generations – into the present day.
Of course it is not ALL Frank Lucus’ fault and if it were not Frank, there would have been someone else in his place. Obviously the local government was actively involved and profiting from our nightmare. The federal government, at the very least, turned a blind eye, but more likely was actively involved too.
Our more progressive Brothers, who I argue are contributing to the glorification of Frank Lucus, say “who better than Frank Lucus to warn our youth about the dangers of selling drugs”. I hear where they are coming from but why do we ALWAYS feel the best person to tell someone how to be law abiding, is someone that never was -- At least not until they were really too old that they are incapable of doing otherwise.
It seems to me that one would get an individual who is actually successful, legally, to tell our children how to do it.
But I know it is far more exciting to hear crime does not pay from a celebrity gangster, than it is from some unknown barbershop owner or an accountant for a Fortune 500.
BET has a program called American Gangster which profiles Black criminals. It would be nice if they had a program called American CEO which profiled Black captains of industry.
I wonder if anyone would watch.
From my blog: http://troyjohnson.name
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10601
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 12:15 am: |
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BET is currently running a documentary on Frank Lucas, and it is quite interesting, featuring interviews with Lucas and Richie Roberts, the white policeman who eventually brought him to justice. Other prominenet figures from this era also appear in this documentary, sharing their recollections. I don't know about the calibre of the movie but, as a character study, Lucas makes a compelling subject.
In an appearance on David Letterman, Rapper Jay-Z said he was drawn to the story because, as an ex-drug dealer turned multi-millionaire, he could identify somewhat with Lucas. So the torch has been passed in a way. But the new narcotic is gangsta rap.
In any case, Lucas is a legend, and legends become immortal whether they led the lives of sinners or saints. America has never outgrown its fascination with gangsters. That's why "The Sopranos" was such a hit, and why they're still making movies about Jesse James. |
Robynmarie
Veteran Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 568
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 07:43 am: |
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Denzel is fine. Yum. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5685
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 10:31 am: |
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This story is as American as Apple Pie, and Jessie James, Al Capone, John Gotti etc etc etc.
If the story was not true we would have something to kick about. It is true. It is our version of "Scarface","The Godfather" or "The Sopranos".
If you want to change it, change America. Rots of ruck.
By the way it racked up 46 mil at the box office.
By By the way--
How come it is you and I can watch such stuff, and not become dope dealers but everybody else is so weak if they see it they will bite?
By by by the way--how would it go with American CEO.
Day in the Life of American CEO--got up at the break of dawn after 4 hours sleep. Went to the office. Did meetings and memoes all day. Went home near midnight. Started it all over the next day.
Not very exciting, you think? |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5689
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 10:45 am: |
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Of course, you could do this one--it may not be over yet, though
http://www.kare11.com/money/business_article.aspx?storyid=268478
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 903
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
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I believe I've seen every episode of BET's American Gangster (thanks to DVR). The episode on Frank Lucus was the best of the lot, in my opinion. While all of the subjects are compelling, the BET programs usually feel like they are making an hour broadcast out of 15 minutes of content.
Cynique, most of us are drawn to stories like of those like Frank Lucas. It just seems that too many of us are glossing over the reality of the story; and the reality is a complete disaster.
The Sporanos, I submit, was popular for a different set of reasons. Because of those differences I have less of an issue with the Sopranos than I do with the American Gangster.
Why is it called “American Gangster” when they are talking about “Black gangsters”? Are they trying to ease in there and make the two terms synonymous?
Yes, the torch was passed, not to the rapping Hova, who may be glorifying the life style, but to the folks dealing crack and crystal meth who are continuing the legacy of swapping our future for a short lived payday.
Yeah, we are all curious and drawn to the leaders of crime, like the stereotypical car wreck. But the car wreck it is only “interesting” when you are not the one involved – then it is your worst nightmare.
Only the sick or blind celebrate and glorify car wrecks.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5693
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 11:26 am: |
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Cynique, most of us are drawn to stories like of those like Frank Lucas. It just seems that too many of us are glossing over the reality of the story; and the reality is a complete disaster.
(I think you're wrong. "Seems" may be the operative word. You have been doing anything but glossing over it here)
Because of those differences I have less of an issue with the Sopranos than I do with the American Gangster.
(Which you wouldn't if you were Italian and damn sick of being portrayed as mafiosos--as were some heated persons in a Q and A session with David Chase I heard)
Why is it called “American Gangster” when they are talking about “Black gangsters”? Are they trying to ease in there and make the two terms synonymous?
(Blacks are Americans and they are gangsters. What can you do about it?)
but to the folks dealing crack and crystal meth who are continuing the legacy of swapping our future for a short lived payday.
(I ain't on crack. I ain't on meth. Are you? You get real plural when it is something bad, don't you?)
Only the sick or blind celebrate and glorify car wrecks
(You say this and you watched every chapter of American Gangster. You must have gone to church yesterday and are still feeling holy.
Wait until about Thursday)
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A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2019
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 12:12 pm: |
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All I know is that I can't wait to see it! All my friends who have seen it say it is so DA BOMB!
On the downside, someone "leaked" a clear copy to the internet and a lot of people are downloading it for free. This undermines Denzel's ability to make money on his investment. Therefore, I am plunking down my duckets at the theater!
Now, if only there were a way for me to get MR. Denzel to give me a blurb for my book! HAHAHAHA! |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10603
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 12:25 pm: |
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I've only seen snippets from the movie, but from what I saw and from what other reviewers have said. this picture didn't celelebrate Lucas' life; it exposed it. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 904
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:09 pm: |
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A_womon, I bet if the person who leaked the movie made a lot of money on the illicit sale of the bootleg DVD and killed a few people who got in the way we'd be rejoicing around that cat too.
Local talk in the hood is that only the Black movies get clean copies leaked prior to the moives release – or at least disproportionately so.
Chris I think a normal adult is capable of watching American Gangter and take it for what it is. However I don't think the same can be said for a lot of our youngins or some of the abnormal adults running around here.
It is sort of like the way they got kids used to play war. When those kids actually got in a war it was not much fun anymore...
You may not know this but going to jail, as I've said many times before, has the same allure in some circles – a right a passage of sorts. Today going to jail for a drug related offense (in particular) carries zero stigma.
Very little carries a stigma in our community. I guess raping a child, still does, but thats 'cause convicts feel that way.
Seems we are directed a great deal in our attitudes by incarcerated persons.
Success carries more of a stigma. Condi and Clarence are despised while Lucus is revered.
Most kids listen to Lucus and learn. They learn is where he went wrong. So that they don't make the same mistakes -- like drawing attention to yourself by wearing a $50,000 coat to a prize fight.
They also learn that you have to instill fear to get paid or respected. The game is not for punks or the faint of heart.
Like Biggies 10 Crack Commandments the lessons taught is how to achieve in the game. Funny how we even call it something so innocuous as “the game”.
I care about as much of what David Chase think about the Sopranos and he does about what I think about the resurrection of Blackploitation.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10605
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:23 pm: |
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The Wesley Snipes character Nino in New Jack City is reminsicent of Lucas, so it's not like young audiences haven't been exposed to this scenario before. And since, currently, all drug dealers are doing what Lucas did but just on a smaller scale, I don't think this movie will inspire or motivate impressionable young people. This generation is rather blase. They do what they do. And some do and some don't. |
Mony
Regular Poster
Username: Mony
Post Number: 93
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:36 pm: |
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Why don't they make more movies about people who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve great things? To me personally, movies about infamous criminals are ain to watching 'freak' shows, you cringe and turn them off. How come they never mae movies based on the victims of crime? I guess it's not entertaining enough. erhaps they shoud start making movies about people such as Elijah 'The 'real' Mcoy or Sisserita Jones who overcame many obstacles to excel in their respective fields. |
Mony
Regular Poster
Username: Mony
Post Number: 94
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:44 pm: |
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Sorry for the typos, my keyboard is about to bite the dust as it were. Some of keys aren't working. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10608
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:51 pm: |
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We seem to be forgetting that this time last year, the inspirational movie about Chris Gardner's spectacular rise to success, "The Pursuit of Happyness" was topping the box office. There was also "Akeelah and the Bee" for those looking to be uplifted.
"The American Gangster" is a paragon of its genre. It's a classic crime story, not about black people, but about the underworld, and the crooks who rule it - aided and abetted by the corruptness that exists in society at large. |
Moonsigns
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Moonsigns
Post Number: 2033
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 02:37 pm: |
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Cynique:
""The American Gangster" is a paragon of its genre. It's a classic crime story, not about black people, but about the underworld, and the crooks who rule it - aided and abetted by the corruptness that exists in society at large."
Moonsigns:
My husband and I saw the movie, and I couldn't agree more with Cynique.
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 906
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 07:02 pm: |
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One big distinction between our American Gangsters (both the movie and BET's version) and the Sopranos and Nino Brown and the others is that the American Gangsters are real people many of whom are still running around.
OK, maybe I'm overreacting. But when I think of all the junkies, and the resulting street walkers, crime, and blight I witnessed as a direct result of the heroine epidemic; I think you can understand why I’m not exactly a cheer leader… Plus Lucus’ increased exposure, here in Harlem, is probably more than the rest of the nation has to tolerate.
Plus ignoring the social implications the movie was simply not well done. Then again most movies are not well done. It is not surprising that a Gangster Movie with Denzel and Russell crow and more rap stars than a prison would of course draw create lines out the door. But that does not mean it was a well done movie.
Now "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Akeelah and the Bee" were, of course, two well done and successful movies. "The Pursuit of Happyness" of was of course particularity inspiring given it was a true rages to riches story.
Cynique, let me know what you think AFTER you see the movie.
I think your average discerning viewer would find the movie simply mediocre. Perhaps if it did a better job of conveying Lucus’ humanity, and the source of his motivation my reaction would be different. Interesting enough the BET documentary did a much better job of this than the movie.
American Gangster just made Lucus look like your garden variety socicopath.
In the end Lucus himself is trying to do the right thing. He is speaking to kids and telling them the dangers of crime. His daughter has started a not for profit to help children of incarcerated parents and that is wonderful and needed service. Anybody who takes the time to help point kids in the right direction is worthy of all of our praise. Which I do not hesitate to give.
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 907
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 07:20 pm: |
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Chris what is up with that article?!
quote:O'Neal is the descendant of a former slave who grew up in poverty in Alabama before rising to become one of the highest-ranking African-Americans on Wall Street.
What the F**K? My paternal grandparental great grandparents were enslaved -- this is not unusual, but who mentions this in a description of a CEO?
quote: His elevation to CEO was seen by some as an experiment by the company's board...
What the hell is that supposed to mean. Now I’m in a bad mood again. A Negro works his way through Harvard climbs the corporate ladder and his elevation to CEO is a “experiment”.
My God. How long must this bullshit go on.
Did you see the NY Times Article? Is There Room at the Top for Black Executives? http://tinyurl.com/2wm3qk
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5701
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 12:29 pm: |
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How come they never mae movies based on the victims of crime?
(Surely you jest. Who wants to identify with the victim? They want to be the doer not the doee.)
But when I think of all the junkies, and the resulting street walkers, crime, and blight I witnessed as a direct result of the heroine epidemic; I think you can understand why I’m not exactly a cheer leader
(How about all the corrupt government officials who took money to look the other way and have retired peacefully.
I guess we should celebrate them, eh?)
Chris what is up with that article?!
(The nigga cost his company 8 billion dollars. You think he deserves a medal?)
My God. How long must this bullshit go on.
(I been seeing this and worse for 60 years. Get used to it) |
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 966
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 06:39 pm: |
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Im my view the bootleg tape is akin to bootleg liquor, the street number and any other hustle folks have come up with to make a living getting around the legit way to earn a living free of taxes etc. I think I would rather they bootleg than sell dope..if they must
LiLi..who has always held a legit job..well thats my story and Im sticking to it. |
Lambd
Regular Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 41
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 12:42 am: |
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I saw "American Gangster". I got a bootleg two weeks ago. I watched it twice. They could have done a better job with the backgrounds of some of the characters, like
Troy said, but I thought it was a pretty good movie.
Troy, maybe you are too close to the subject to be objective. I thought the movie wasn't violent enough. However, not bad at all. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 909
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 08:39 am: |
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Lambd, weren't we supposed to hook up? I have no way to contact you? I don't even know your government.
Nah, Lambd, I don't think I was too close. I expect more depth from character driven movie.
Now if it was supposed to be an action flick it fell even flatter. What did you like about the movie?
As in the movie's trailer there is a scene of a guy walking up to someone and shooting then in point blank range in the face. I did not notice this scene in the movie. Did I miss something? Is this common?
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5711
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 02:34 pm: |
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This bootleg stuff is incredible. The studios must be losing millions because of it.
I understand they are also bootlegging books, primarily in China or overseas--but has anybody run across bootlegs of, say Harry Potter? |
Crystal
Veteran Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 370
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 03:00 pm: |
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Chris - my son read the last 2 HP books on line for free [shhhhhhh!] the same day they came out.
Bootleg/internet access is what the tv and movie writer's strike is about. The studios have not yet figured out how to make money off the new way their products are distributed with the current and future technology and the writers want to get their 4cents in now.
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Nels
Veteran Poster
Username: Nels
Post Number: 982
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 09:24 pm: |
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Very good movie. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 912
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 10:31 pm: |
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Nels, wow, you taught it was a very good movie too.
Help me understand what very good means in you book. On a scale of 1 to 10 where does very good land? (I'd give this movie a 4, I'd give Talk to Me, for comparison purposes, an 8).
When American Gangster is out on DVD (legal) would buy it? Would you pay to see it again? (I'd say no to both).
Crystal, it would seem one can find anything they want on the internet. I have a buddy who has burned, to DVD, well over 1,000 movies. He can get you anything you want.
Chris, I believe Movies tickets sales are actually up (not sure how muc of it is due to increases in ticket prices). The people who watch the bootleg DVD are not the same poeple who are going to plunk down 10 to 12 bucks to buy a movie ticket. So I can't see this cutting into movies sales much. DVD sales perhaps, movies sales no.
In New York City the actual movie starts 25 full minutes AFTER the published start time. The first 25 solid minutes are commecrials and movie trailers. I remember when this took 15 minutes. I don't even watch commercials at home.
This BS is probably contributes more to stunting the growth of movie sales than anything else.
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