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Early Addition
Two movies set in New York are coming out today, and both are getting a lot of press, promo and opined upon.
American Gangster is set in 1960-70s New York and stars Russell Crowe as a detective working to take down a real-life heroin kingpin, Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington). Lucas claimed to gross $1M a day on 116th Street dealing drugs, which he got to the States by smuggling in the coffins of soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Some are calling the flick the next crime classic, and Jay-Z has even written a concept album (of the same name) to accompany it. None of his songs are included in the soundtrack, however, in an effort to keep that '60s and '70s feel.
On the flip side of the big screen today is Bee Movie, which has been built up with an overactive ad campaign that has made us cringe at the very sound of Jerry Seinfeld's voice (we hate you, NBeeC!). This one's about a bee who graduates from college, befriends a Manhattan florist, sues humans for eating honey, yada yada yada. USA Today smashed the Dreamworks creation with a D rating (1/2 a star, out of 4), and we don't expect to see many sweet words poured onto this one.
Rotten Tomatoes shows an average rating of 7.1/10 for American Gangster, with Bee Movie only getting a 5.9 -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
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I'm so glad Jay-Z cut a concept album cuz yano, one can justify being a drug dealing lowlife as long as like, you know, you're the boss and all.
Then its ok.
I hope it does I'm so tired of the corporate shill that is Jerry Seinfeld.
corporate shill? how do you figure?
Well, I'm excited for Bee Movie!
Then again, I happen to be obsessed with bees.
All I can say is American Gangster was bad ass!
Glad to see Denzel playing a "bad guy" again.
Those white sneakers and high waisted jeans don't pay for themselves, Neil.
Agree, Neil. That HP ad and his appearance on 30 Rock were way over the top. Looks like DreamWorks didn't give the movie much of an advertising budget, so he had to resort to ridiculous levels to promote.
I mean, actually looking in the camera on 30 Rock to mention the release date?! They might say it's some brilliant po-mo ad strategy, but I say it's not.