Movie: American Gangster.
Released: 2007.
IMDB rank: 8.1.
IMDB link.

Notes: Denzel Washington has repeatedly shown the range of his acting abilities. In Training Day, he was a mean, nasty cop who had already crossed the line. So his role as Frank Lucas, a Harlem heroin kingpin in the 1970s (based on a real character), is quite believable. (Though the only Oscar acting nomination was for Ruby Dee as Best Supporting Actress.) Russell Crowe is a narc detective, Richie Roberts, trying to bring Lucas down. The movie is more thoughtful rather than violent.

Director: Ridley Scott.
Categories: Crime, Drama, Thriller.
Writer(s): Steven Zaillian, Mark Jacobson.
Cast: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, RZA, Ruby Dee, Carla Gugino, Cuba Gooding Jr., Armand Assante, Common, Clarence Williams III.
Runtime: 157 min (176 min unrated)

Trailer: