Sunday, June 3, 2007
THE POPCORN REEL
If Robert De Niro and Al Pacino enjoyed one of the best acting face-offs of the
1990's in Michael Mann's "Heat" -- considered one of the greatest American
cops-and-criminals dramas ever, then acting titans Denzel Washington and Russell
Crowe are sure to do the same in the 2000's era in "American Gangster".
There is already word that Oscar is written all over Ridley Scott's film, which
opens on November 2 in the United States and Canada.
Sources suggest that at the very least Mr. Washington will be in the running for
Oscar come awards season with his portrayal of Frank Lucas, a real-life 1970's
Harlem drug dealer whose powerful empire is taken down by Richie Roberts
(Russell Crowe), an outcast New York City Police Department detective (also a
real-life figure) with an ear to the streets.
Both actors are considered among the world's very best. Both have Oscars
to their names and are joined in this film by fellow Oscar winner Cuba Gooding,
Jr., Chiwitel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Idris Elba (of "Daddy's Little Girls" and
"The Reaping"), Common (of "Smokin' Aces") and RZA.
Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as
Richie Roberts in "American Gangster", which already has some strong awards buzz
and Oscar potential, according to several sources. Ridley Scott's film
opens on November 2 in the U.S. and Canada. (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Written by Omar P.L. Moore
