Comments on: My Man – American Gangster

By: John Mora

John Mora — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:33:42 +0000

Hrmmm… I guesssssss.

But to answer your question, I sat through enough.

By: Film Walrus

Film Walrus — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:40:00 +0000

I sort of vacillate between thinking Russell Crowe is just a lumpy muscular ball of anger and noise and thinking he is amazing. As for Ridley Scott, I think he broadcasts his failures far enough in advance that I always know when to see his films and when to stay away. I personally think his career is rather impressive, despite the low points. I guess I tend to assess by the highlights rather than the career average.

John,
How many Gladiators and Kingdoms of Heaven did you sit through? I agree with Magus that this film was one of the years best, at least within the crime genre, and deserves more consideration on your part.

By: John Mora

John Mora — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:57:16 +0000

Ridley Scott has sort of pissed away his credibility in my eyes. You can only make me sit through so many Gladiators and Kingdom of Heavens before I quit. On top of it, he keeps doing films with subject matter that couldn’t interest me in the least. I really don’t know if I’ll ever see this movie.

By: sirtmagus

sirtmagus — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:15:41 +0000

“Yes. The SHIT.” He was so daffy in that flick.

He was also Link in The Mod Squad but that was before my time. =(

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:02:51 +0000

I would tend to agree with you on this one. I went into it with exceedingly little knowledge of the film’s premise, except that it was sometimes hard to see the progress of the film because nothing big happens for a while.

I completely disagreed with that notion after getting into the movie, as it became apparent that, while there were no huge gang shootouts early on and all the subtle undercurrents of filthy police amounted to just more squalor and degradation of the city, the action was in the drama. The movie didn’t really play around with its themes or dance around their issues overmuch until right before the end when Lucas went off about things, but even given the nature of the beasts – pride and greed – handed so bluntly, nothing feels cheaply overstated by the end.

Also, of anything you could have referenced in accordance with Bumpy, you chose Tales From the Hood?! I didn’t know anybody else even KNEW about that movie. But that’s the only thing I ever think of when I see that guy. =3

By: recycledfilm

recycledfilm — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:55:24 +0000

Sounds like Ridley Scott has still got it. I enjoyed your comparison to “There Will Be Blood.” I would not have thought to compare those two films, although I have only seen maybe 1/3 of “American Gangster.” I’ll have to check that out again.

I did a review of “There Will Be Blood,” a few months ago on my blog. http://www.recycledfilm.net I’d love to know what you think.
I look forward to reading more of your work.