American Gangster

A fine movie. The best lighting and costumes I've seen in a studio film since...since I can remember. Seriously. Tremendous lighting. Incredible opening scene. Solid performances, writing, directing, all around...just a well crafted movie. Not as epic as Scarface...didn't get a performance like Pacino possessed by a demon. But what can you say - you go out to make a great movie and sometimes magic happens. Nothing magic here, just fine, professional work.

And to be fair, there wasn't a montage set to cheesy 80s pop with Denzel leading a parade of actors. I dare anyone to watch that midpoint moment in Scarface today and not laugh. If there were cinema cops, they would confiscate all copies of that movie and remove the scene.