FILMMAKER MOVIE REACTION!! American Gangster (2007) FIRST TIME REACTION!! 

When I get recommended a good movie...."MY MAN." Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MANDALORIAN will be uploaded tomorrow! Enjoy the day!

Interesting fact about the production of this film is that Denzel Washington was paid twice. He was given a 20 million dollar pay-for-play deal when it was going to be directed by Antoine Fuqua. The project fell apart for one reason or another and Washington was paid 20 million. Then, when Ridley Scott was attached he wanted Denzel, so the man got another 20 million.

Denzel is an actor I just can not picture playing a villain, as he is so friendly. But when I see him play a villain, I can not imagine him playing a protagonist as he looks like the sort of person who would gun you down for just looking at him wrong.

Man on Fire is another excellent movie featuring Denzel.

Reaction to The Departed please. One of the best films ever made, and one of the best crime films ever put together.

ugh that scene with the sugar is so iconic. Denzel is really like no other. Also have to throw in a rec for Nightcrawler, I know you love Jake G so Nightcrawler is a must see IMO

Weirdly enough, I found this movie really rewatchable, seen it like 6 times already, dunno what kept pulling me back, gonna give it a 7th watch, its been a couple a years

This film is so accurate in its NYC - South depiction, I Love the fact that he bring his southern family down to the city, most black American New York families are from the south & during these times (great migration) folks were coming to the north for better opportunities. So accurate and so beautiful.

"High frame rate, somethings about to happen." I never think like this, it's really cool you notice things like that.

Ladies and gentlemen... Ridley Scott. Even his first flick, The Duellists, still holds up magnificently and showcases how much of a master craftsman he was way back when. A worthy film to check out. I hope you try Scorsese's Mean Streets as well.

FLIGHT is a fantastic Denzel movie. Surprised at how much I liked it.

nothing i love more than denzel saying "my man!" in his movies. And btw i love your videos. I learn so much from you, sometimes to the point that i feel stupid for not noticing all the details that you notice. Would love to see a movie from you someday.

“Frank, Quitting While You’re Still Ahead, Is Not The Same Thing As Quitting.”

One of my favourite movies ever. For a 3 hour long crime drama it is really rewatchable too because of how well everything comes together. Time really flies with this one.

Man, I forget how stacked this cast is.

Straight bangers of movies the past few months! As always your insights are always the best, excited for more content to come and hope all is well with you

It's amazing how denzel passed his talent and charisma onto to his son

As a fellow movie buff I’d love to sit down and watch a movie with you, none of my friends enjoy movies like I do so I end up watching them alone.🥲 This is definitely one of my favorite Denzel movies, he’s just incredible. Glad to see your channel continuing to grow, keep on grinding man! 👊🏻

My favorite thing about this is the way they contrast between Frank and Richie. Frank is living a beautiful life. He has a beautiful house, a beautiful family... Everything about his life, apart from the way he makes his money, is so wholesome. The scene where his family is eating dinner is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting (Seriously, look up his paining 'Freedom from Want' if you have not seen it before). Richie is not a great guy. If you knew him outside of work you would think he was morally bankrupt, but he does his job the way he should.

YES YES YES YES YES. This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I'm so glad you're watching this. Keep up the immaculate videos man!

This is the extended cut of the movie that you're watching and I haven't seen that it adds 18 more minutes of the film plus an alternate ending. Great reaction. Definitely one of my favorite Ridley Scott films and one of my favorite Denzel Washington performances.

Please react to Ad Astra, No Country for Old Men, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I think you’d love those movies

It’s very refreshing to watch someone so honest and genuine in their videos

Denzel just owns the screen in this movie. Straight beast. Also, watch Hell or Highwater, lol. I'll keep mentioning it until you watch it, it's phenomenal.

One of my all time favs, gotta love that cafe scene, "You are what you are in this world either your somebody or nobody" Love it! + I hope your well and life is good :)

Some other good movies starring Denzel Washington are ‘The Book of Eli’ directed by the Hughes brothers and ‘Inside Man’ directed by Spike Lee. The first time I ever saw Denzel Washington was in the movie ‘Glory.’ His acting in one particular scene where he did not say a single word was beyond incredible and was absolutely worthy of his Oscar win for his performance. I still tear up thinking about it.

Man I love your reactions, and I love film. Really appreciate your in depth analyse on the filmmaking itself. ✌ keep up the awesome work.

Love this film. 2 of my favourite leads, and the supporting cast is amazing, as is the film making. Never thought about the opportunity to show his nephew like suggested but that would have been a real nice touch. Thanks for sharing your thoughts like this, it's real interesting getting a more knowledgeable take on these films. Stay safe mate.

Him and chiwitel ejiofor reminded me of Inside Man, gotta react to that too if you haven’t seen

Sup James, been a fan since Snowpiercer. Should check out “The Aviator” if you haven’t already. It’s a Leo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese film and is about Howard Hughes. One of my favourites and also a great depiction of undiagnosed OCD.

This is the movie that got me into the gangster movie genre. Thank you for the amazing reaction!:) Love this movie very much!!:)

Still is and probably will always be my favorite Denzel Washington movie. One of my favorite quotes is "See, you are what you are in this world. That's either one of two things: Either you're somebody, or you ain't nobody."

This one was nominated for the Oscar for Best Achievement in Art Direction

I really like the ending. With films like these usually I don't, but the ending is perfect. And that elevates it to my favorite gangster movie ever. Loved your reaction and commentary, it was very insightful about the movie process.

Always excited to see a new vid from you in my feed. I don't use RU-vid as much as I used to, but I've found myself checking much more frequently to make sure I catch all your stuff. Thanks man, it's fun watching these.

The cinematographer was Harris Savides, who also did Zodiac which was released that same year in 2007.

FYI: Frank and Ritchie actually became somewhat friends in real life! They both actually did some collaboration on this movie!

Bro, I seriously love your channel. I'm such a movie buff, and I love all aspects of film, so it's nice to see someone who doesn't just comment on the storyline, but on the filming techniques, lighting, camera angles, directing. Just really enjoy your work. If you've never seen Scream, I'd be super interested to know your thoughts. Keep up the great work 👍

Man your movie choices are undefeated man everyone’s a banger

Amazing movie, definitely in my top 20 of all time. So many outstanding performances, but Ruby Dee as Mama Lucas always stood out to me the most...when she tried to walk him in off the ledge and warned him that both his wife and herself would leave him if he started killing cops...SO POWERFUL!!! Always fun when i find an old reaction that you've done that i haven't seen already, especially when it's a movie i really love! hope you're having a safe and happy holiday season!

It's a great point you made about T.I. wanting to be like his uncle Frank but the way they did it made it as much of a surprise to us as it probably was to Frank.

I recomend the movie BirdMan Starring Micheal Keaton. I think you will find it really compelling. It gives off The Life Aquatic vibes.

Watched a few of your videos and just subscribed. Great reactions. I’ve been on a war movie binge lately. “Full metal jacket” and “saving private Ryan” are a few good ones if u haven’t seen them yet. The cinematography in “Ryan” when they land on the beach in Normandy is awesome. Keep up the good work.

I love your reactions!! Your enthusiasm for the visual medium is really inspiring. Have you considered watching the first season of True Detective. You put it on the poll and it'll win against any show. Those 8 hours will change your life.

I really enjoyed your commentary in this one. I can tell you're someone who actually has studied film and story

The sunglasses scene (where he takes off Chiwetal’s glasses and knocks down the vase) was completely improvised by Denzel. This just shows you how much of a powerful and intense method actor he is.

James you are very good about interacting with people in the comments. You've commented on a couple of my comments and I really appreciate it alot. Just makes me feel more involved and connected to the channel. I'd still watch either way though cuz youre dope. Peace bro!

At 12:13, the big white house that he bought for his Mom....I lived in that house from 2009 to 2012. It's in Briarcliff Manor NY in Westchester. It's about 1/2 hour north of the city. It was an amazing place. We had 22.5 acres over-looking the Hudson River. We had dirt motor cycles for riding in the trails, snow mobiles, a lake with endless bass. It was amazing. The house was built in 1825 an was used a s a trading post after The Revolutionary war. It was located on the main road, RTE 9, and later it was dismantled and carried up the hill on Scarsborough Road via horse and buggy and reassembled. The name of the estate is Ash Ridge. It's a magical place. I'll always remember it with fondness.

A good choice. You really, really should consider reacting to a movie called NARC starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patrick. A very underrated film. It's a dark, gritty cop thriller/mystery. It has some interesting cinematography too. Hope you get to it at some point.

Denzel is one of my favorite actors. I have nothing but respect for that man

No one brings up Crimson Tide w/ Denzel when they talk about his movies, but that one is great.

The way he shot Idris Elba...MY MAN!

40,000? I think this is just the beginning James. Your videos are entertaining and insightful, and your film choices are excellent. I'll be sticking around to see how far your channel goes. Oh, check out Bladerunner if you haven't already - would love to see your take on this.

Love the review! Can't wait for the next.

A good followup to this would be Denzel's film _Roman J. Israel, Esq.,_ wherein he plays a civil rights lawyer.

This is one of my top favorite all time movies ever and the fact that its based on a real person makes it even better. Also I was able to learn many important and useful things about this movie like that lesson he's says about cutting the middleman and going directly to the producer to get the cheapest option. Also to not let things stop you from taking business decisions ( If you see an opportunity take it and don't discourage user self with what if scenarios )

No way! YES! such an amazing film! excited to watch. cheers

A brilliant film love Denzel’s and Russell’s performances and the score was brilliant .

I love that you watch movies with your mum. I used to play games with mine and it was really nice.

There's this great Charlie Rose interview w/ Denzel, Crowe, Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts. Remember Denzel saying that he realized right away that he couldn't observe Frank when preparing for the role because of how charismatic he is to the point of manipulation, but watched him shoot one of his brothers the coldest stare in the middle of a conversation that it shut him up like a child. 🔥

Firstly, I'd like to finally comment under your vid. You are such an incredible reactor and I really love the whole vibe of the channel. Thanks for making content mate. Secondly, have you seen Training Day? Netted Denzel an Oscar.

Hope Public Enemies (that one with Johnny Depp) is somewhere on the list too.

Lol when Denzel tell him to take the sunglasses off and when he hits the bucket across the room that was improv the other actors weren't expecting that, always makes me laugh it was so perfect, he's my favorite actor of all time, also Man on Fire is my favorite movie he has done! hope you get around to that one!

Hey James, diggin' the channel. Gotta couple of recs from the crime drama/thriller, gangster, heist genres that have been good recent rewatches. Not sure if you've done them yet: The Untouchables / Sexy Beast / Lynch's 'Wild At Heart' / True Romance / The Orig. 'Point Blank' / & The Bank Job. Keep up the good work, man!

I always watch through the full length for my favorites then come here to get your end review. I'd love to see the outro on the Patreon uploads as well, but either way, keep up the great work!

The high frame rate during action sequences is a Ridley Scott signature move

Damm bro, what a timing!! I just watched in the weekend, I really liked this movie. One of the best mob movies ever I loved the scenography

I got to see this movie at an early screening and absolutely loved it. I do like the ending in the extended version a little better though. Denzel had several great collaborations with the late Tony Scott, but this one with his brother Ridley is very notable. I could watch this movie anytime. P.S. Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe worked previously years before in a movie called Virtuosity from 1995.

Denzel and Chewetel working together again. Great combo. This and Inside Man.

Saw the big short for the first time yesterday. Great film. Didn't expect it to be as funny and engaging as it was. Being about banking & house pricing.

Another great vid! love the videos, keep up the great work.

Denzel, Russel, Brolin, Cuba Gooding, Common, T.I., Idris Elba. Wow, All-star cast!!

My favourite Denzel movie is probably still Deja Vu. Amazing, underappreciated movie, would love to see a reaction to it!

One of my favorite channels to watch rn 🙏

This is a really underrated film. Much more interesting than Training Day, in my opinion. And Denzel's performance is just so much more nuanced and powerful than it was in that film.

Yesterday I was rewatching your reaction to City of God and wondering whether you've had watched American Gangster already. Glad I can watch your comments on this one too.

Ridley Scott is one of the GOATs

Great reaction to one of Ridley Scott's best films! In regards to the question you had regarding an extended cut, there's an unrated director's cut that was released shortly after that has an extra 20 minutes of footage, and is absolutely worth checking out. You get to spend a lot more time with the side characters and a lot of world-building in Frank's empire. Honestly when it comes to Ridley Scott films, they're like Zack Snyder films in the sense that you always want to watch the extended cut, they end up being miles better than the theatrical considering how much the studio likes to cut, and turn what are at times mediocre films into great films. Two great examples are Robin Hood and Kingdom of Heaven, where they didn't get a lot of love when they were released but when the director's cuts were released the praise they earned were in a totally different ballpark, even turning Kingdom of Heaven into one of Scott's best films to date.

Thank you for your perspective!

Do you thing brodie.. we're here for you, supporting you no matter what.. I apologize for my manic rants on the comments sometimes. Have a great day!

Oh I love this movie, but i have seen it way too often. For some reason this became like a "always on tv" movie where I live. It´s like any random day you can turn the tv on and hey American gangster is on again.

I feel like we're seeing Frank's plotlimes through Frank's perspective, so when his nephew said "I want to be you" we are surprised by it because Frank was surprised by it. Frank didn't notice so the camera didn't notice. I think it takes away from Frank's storyline if we go in to his scenes with a birds eye view. Part of that claustrophobic atmosphere you mentioned, we are in this story on the ground level too, so we only see what Frank sees or what Russell Crowe sees (I forget his characters name). Just my two cents, love the videos man!

I had seen this when it released. I put it on Netflix the other night and BANG; the guy on fire. My goodness. At least they fed him some rounds. How did I forget that scene from the theater!? It turned my stomach, just as Tommy knifing " Phil ' run home and get your shinebox ' Leotardo " in the opening moments of Goodfellas..

A good one to check out with a similar New York crime story vibe is Pride & Glory. Quite an under-rated film.

26:13 The song choice of amazing grace is also a great film making decision. Usually sung at funerals... it's Franks funeral in a sense

Ur reaction to this is very entertaining. Subscribed ❤️

You have two amazing actors in Washington and Crowe, each owning their scenes. They also have so few scenes together. Another great one with Washington, and oddly enough Ejifor, is Inside Man by Spike Lee. Another one with an amazing cast

Did you notice the high staircase? It was the same one in Joker.

Need to watch this again myself. Great reaction

Pulled out the trigger scene is insane! Mr. Denzel Washington is goat

I remember I watched the shit outta this when it came out on DVD when I was in 7th grade. Picked up many lessons while watching this film that stay with me today.

His mother was played by Ruby D, a legend actress.

So weird, that Denzel didn't win the Oscar for this movie. He won it for Training Day. The only other Oscar he won was for "Glory". The most underappreciated actor in Hollywood.

The best emotional powerhouse Denzel performance is training day. For as big as that movie was when it came out nobody really talks about it anymore.

Catching up on some missed videos, I became curious. You're always giving a technical review of excellent movies, but what about BAD movies? Your opinion varies from that of a critic because you look at movies from a film-maker's standpoint. I'm sure there is more than enough material out there, but "The Room" comes to mind immediately. This concept comes from reading the book, "How NOT to Write a Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flynn. You're always telling us what makes a movie good. What about what makes a movie bad? Think on it.

Loving your channel and reactions. Keep up the great work. By the way, was this an extended cut?

That drug raid shootout was just... *chef's kiss*

Great Reaction this movie is under appreciated

You could cast Denzel as Bozo Clown and he would make it a Masterpiece. Such a believable great actor. The shooting in broad daylight was the best scene. It shows you don't have to have a crazy over the top scene to relay fear and tension but it was all there in that scene. Such a Amazing film.

Denzel Washington is the legend, he just steals the screen from other actors . Great movies Training Day, Malcolm X,Man on Fire , Inside Man, Philadelphia,Crimson Tide.