American Gangster - 4 1/2 stars

Two Oscar winners - one, Russell Crowe, playing a Detective Richie Roberts with a personal life that's in shambles. Another, Denzel Washington, portraying a drug lord Frank Lucas who takes care of his people, family and his city. Who are you going to root for? You'll be surprise in this riveting crime drama that sets the bar for all crime dramas to follow. It is that good.

The beginning starts out a little slow but as Denzel Washington's drug empire builds and builds, so does the tension and the pressure of being on top. Crowe's the Detective that heads a narcotics division set on bringing in the big guys, not the street pushers. That is how the two cross paths and what follows is poetic waxing on the American dream where the line blurs between good and evil.

I want to say more but the more I say, the less you get to enjoy. Did I mention that it's based on a true story? Did I also mention that American Gangster got the biggest opening weekend for both actors? It's that good.