Best Movie (Insert Time Period Here)

So maybe "ever" is too strong, but certainly "in recent memory," or maybe "this year," are applicable.

We went to see American Gangster last week and I am still thinking about it. It was so good! The acting was good, the story was good, they got the bad guy, then ending was good. Good.

American Gangster is the movie with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and is based on a true story. Frank Lucas (Denzel) was a heroin dealer and general Harlem kingpin in the '60s and '70s. Then Richie Roberts (Russell) heads up a drug task force and makes it his life's work to find the guy who's responsible for Blue Magic heroin, the most pure, most available, and pervasive heroin on the street.

Oooooh it was so good! It was the perfect balance of Hollywood story telling, with the cat and mouse action, and and the human condition story. And I never think much of Russell Crowe when he is listed as a lead, but then I watch the movie and I am always impressed. It was great.

I picked up a bit of vernacular from the movie and have since noticed it being used more often. That is, the phrase, "My man," which Denzel says a lot. I am sure it is refelective of the times, but he does so much with just that one phrase. I am hooked on it now.

The soundtrack was great. It brought back lots of memories of the days hanging out with the Glory Revival. Tons of funk and soul. I gotta get the soundtrack.

And that concludes my enthusiastic praise of this movie. I highly recommend it. Don't forget the popcorn.