American Gangster
The life story of Frank Lucas, a notorious drug lord who smuggled heroine into America in the coffins of Vietnam vets, has been greatly publicized in the last few weeks, because of this autobiographical drama starring Denzel Washington, as the kingpin, and Russell Crowe, as the detective who tries to bring him down. We know now from the Glamour article--and many other features--written about his daughter that he was swallowed up by the business purely for the money. As African Americans can attest to, an honest living that pays well isn't easy to come by if you're not well-educated or well-connected. From the numerous production backstories in the trades and the talk shows, we've learned that Lucas is still alive and still justifying what he did even though he's repentant. The story itself is an examination of a man--similar to the Godfather--who was capable of loving and caring for not only his family but his people, yet was equally merciless and terrifying. That ringing in your ear is the sound of Oscar buzz. Wouldn't be the first time that Washington won for playing a menace to society. Training Day proved he knew how to play more than just the hero. These guys are so sought after that people are failing to notice the rest of the stellar cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men), Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Josh Brolin (In the Valley of Elah).
Bee Movie
Animated films are all about discrimination and self-discovery. So naturally this movie, heavily promoted by Jerry Seinfield, is about a bee who has a bone to pick with humanity. He realizes that humans steal honey and bottle it for sale, so he files a lawsuit against mankind. Who does he have in his corner? None other than one of the bee population's human allies: a florist. The inhumanity of the situation is easily relatable, but I cannot say that I could possibly sit still for 90 minutes to listen to his complaints even if its voiced by Seinfield. Heck there are even the voices of Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Larry King, Ray Liotta, Opray Winfrey, Sting, Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace"), and Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement"), and I'm still not going to watch it. By the way, what's with Hollywood making dangerous animals seem friendly. First rats, now bees. The newest generation of kids are going to grow up to be tree hugging, rat petting, bee-loving corpses.
Martian Child
John Cusack has a knack for playing heartbroken loveable guys and he does no differently in this dramedy about a guy who adopts a kid who thinks he's a martian after his fiance dies. Amanda Peet and Joan Cusack star alongside him. It's sure to make your eyes well up.
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