American Gangster DVD Release

Today's the day for "American Gangster". Buy it in the 2-disc Collector's Edition:

The 3-disc Deluxe Edition:

Or the HD version:



Just buy it! THE best movie of 2007! (Except, maybe, for "3:10 To Yuma).

[tags]Russell Crowe, Crowe, American Gangster[/tags]

American Gangster Lawsuit Dismissed

A U.S. judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by former drug agents who claim that the movie "American Gangster" misrespresented them.

Former DEA agents had filed the lawsuit, claiming that the film had suggested they were criminals, and didn't accurately reflect their role in bringing down Frank Lucas, the title character.

The judge dismissed the case on the basis that it had no merit. The agents' lawyer plans to appeal the decision.

[tags]Russell Crowe, Crowe, American Gangster, Frank Lucas[/tags]

Nottingham News

The team of Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott goes merrily on-with merry men, that is. Cinematical has the latest news on Sir Ridley's movie about Sherwood Forest. Whether he's calling it Nottingham (as IMDB still lists it) or Robin Hood, as the director himself refers to it in this article, it's still sure to be great, with Crowe playing the Sheriff of Nottingham and producer Brian Grazer on board. Filming is set to begin in March, now that the writer's strike has (hopefully) ended.

[tags]Russell Crowe, Crowe, Ridley Scott, Sir Ridley Scott, Nottingham, Robin Hood, Brian Grazer[/tags]

If It's Russell Crowe, He Must Have Hit Someone

Can't a man wear a bandage without being accused of violence?!

The Daily Mail posted these photos of Russell from the set of his movie "State of Play" and were , apparently, unable to resist bringing up old issues (click link for details). Their snide remarks aside, this is going to be one terrific movie. Russell stepped into the lead role after Brad Pitt pulled out of the movie. Co-stars include Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, and Robin Wright Penn. It's based on a BBC miniseries of the same title and is scheduled for release in 2009.

[tags]Russell Crowe, Crowe, State of Play, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn[/tags]

Beginnings

For me, it started with 1995's "The Quick and the Dead." Just who was this guy playing a gunslinger-turned-preacher-turned-gunslinger again?

How many westerns have you seen? When the gunslinger draws, shoots down his opponent, and the gun's in it's holster again before you have time to blink, one of the lines is, invariably, "He's good!" That's how it was with Russell Crowe, the actor. I was amazed by his presence, his intensity, his ability to draw your eyes and hold them, mostly with his own eyes. About halfway through the movie, I was saying to myself, "He's good!"

Since then, I have watched each subsequent performance-L.A. Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster (just to name a few)-with the same awe. "He's good!" And, after all those performances, I find myself wondering something. Can Russell Crowe give a bad performance? I've begun to doubt it. There have been less-than-great Crowe movies, but his performances have never been less-than-great.

Then came the time when his personal life began to overshadow his professional life. Or, maybe I should say, when the media creation ate up the actor. Because, personally, that's how I see it. I won't comb through the details in this post. If you're a Russell Crowe fan or, if you've followed his career, you're acquainted with at least some of the incidents.

All of a sudden, it seemed to be open season on Russell Crowe. A few minor incidents that could have happened to anyone and, suddenly, everyone's taking potshots at the man. His name and his talent were dragged through the mud relentlessly.

Recently, things seemed to have calmed down somewhat, and with "American Gangster" and "3:10 To Yuma" this past year, the focus has been back on his acting, where it should be. And once again, you have to watch the screen and admit (even if you're not a fan) "He's good!"

So, why a blog about Russell Crowe? Well, as I said, I've been a fan since 1995. And I've seen a lot of overly harsh negative things said about him. To the point where I felt moved to point out more of the positives. And besides, "he's good!"

[tags]Russell Crowe, Crowe, 3:10 To Yuma, American Gangster, The Quick and the Dead, L.A. Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, westerns, actors[/tags]