Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

The Book of Eli is an action adventure film about a post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, The Book of Eli opens on January 15, 2010.

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The Taking of Pelham 123 is a film based on the novel of the same name starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Denzel Washington in "The Taking of Pelham 123"

In a busy New York City, a few suspicious men led by “Ryder” (John Travolta) hijacks a subway train but the overtaking of the train is not seen on the CCTV as these hijackers are not amateurs. The gang then uncouple the front car from the rest of the train as it is easier to take hostage of one car than ten cars.

Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) who used to be an MTA dispatcher is demoted to the Rail Control Center due to an ongoing investigation that he took a bribe. Garber numerous attempt to call Pelham 123 train is unanswered until Ryder takes over the microphone. He demands $10 million in ransom money to be paid within one hour, otherwise, for each minute after the timeline, one passenger aboard will be killed.

In the background, Ryder men set up a wi-fi booster to enable Ryder to access the Internet through his laptop to watch stock market as well as to view the camera set up just outside the RCC building in NYC. Unknown to him, one of the male passengers has an active laptop with a webcam connected to his girlfriend’s desktop. The girl witnesses the hostage situation through her webcam and provides the live feed to a local television station. Garber and his colleagues are able to instantly recognize Phil Ramos (Luis Guzman) as one of the hijackers since he used to work for MTA. Meanwhile, the Mayor is transported to RCC and he has agreed to pay the $10 million ransom money.

When NYPD Negotiator Lt. Camonetti (John Turturro) enters RCC, Garber’s boss orders him to leave the premise as Camonetti will take over the hostage negotiations but Ryder is angered by that and demands Garber be put back on the microphone. When Camonetti refuses, Ryder shoots and kills the motor man, who was Garber’s classmate in motor school. Camonetti has Garber brought back to the RCC at once. Camonetti is suspicious of the relationship between Garber and Ryder and even asks Garber for consent to search his home. When Ryder learns about Garber’s ongoing bribery investigation, he forces him to confess by holding the boy with the laptop at gunpoint.

A sniper accidentally fires a gunshot and kills Ramos instantly when a rat bites his leg.

In the meantime, NYPD transports the money using high-speed police patrol car but the car is involved in an accident in which the patrol car overturns. The NYPD motorcycles continue to transport the money to its destination. When it reaches Grand Central, Ryder demands Garber to deliver the money personally in 7 minutes. Garber delivers the money together with a 9mm gun hidden under a secret compartment in one of the bags. Garber is ordered to operate the train to another stop where the hijackers exit. When they reach their destination, Garber manages to escape from the hijackers. As the hijackers try to escape through an emergency exit underneath an abandon subway station, they are clueless about Garber’s pursuit. Ryder manages to grab a cab while his hijackers friend are surrounded by the police before getting killed.

In the cab, Ryder checks his laptop and it is revealed that Ryder has made over $300 million through his investment in gold as the stock market plunges tremendously. Not known to him, Garber is chasing from behind. In the end, Garber finds Ryder trying to walk away from the Manhattan bridge but he confronts Ryder with his gun. When Ryder threatens to kill Garber if he doesn’t kill him first, Garber open fires and instantly kill Ryder.

The mayor offers his gratitude to Garber and even vows on backing him up in the bribery investigation. The mayor later offers Garber a ride home in his car but Garber refuses, saying the subway is faster.

Overall, The Taking of Pelham 123 is a great movie although it lacks a number of elements of a successful film. While actors Denzel Washington and John Travolta gave inspiring performances, there is time when the film intentionally shows that both the cops and the crooks are human with loopholes and careless mistakes greatly visible. Why transport the money using patrol car when you can use the helicopter? Even the Mayor knows that.

My ratings: 7 out of 10.

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The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is the remake of 1974’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The film will be released on June 12, 2009.

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American Gangster is a 2007 movie based on a true story. The film stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington plays Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Harlem who smuggled heroin into the US on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. While Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to crack down Lucas’ drug empire. American Gangster was released in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007 and in Malaysia on January 10, 2008.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

“Bumpy” Johnson (Clarence Williams III) is a black gangster who runs much of Harlem and hands on his wisdom onto his former driver and body guard, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington). When “Bumpy” Johnson dies of a heart attack in 1968 at the age of 62, Frank decides to take control as he dislikes the way the new, loud gangsters deal with things. In order to gain money and power, he travels to Bangkok, and with the help of his cousin who is an Army Senior Noncom, strikes a deal with a Thai (Kuomintang) general who supplies him with pure heroin. Frank then has the drugs transported back to America via military service planes, hidden in the coffins of seven dead U.S. soldiers from the Vietnam War.

Frank Lucas and his men in American Gangster

Frank’s unique drug supply has enabled him to sell potent drugs (nicknamed “Blue Magic” heroin) at very low prices. Not too long after that, he quickly makes a fortune and buys several nightclubs and apartments. This also enables him to buy a huge house and bring in his family from North Carolina.

At the same time, outcast detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is taking late-night law school classes to become a lawyer. Richie’s wife is leaving him and is bringing her son to Vegas. When Richie and his partner, Javier Rivera, discover nearly $1 million in unmarked bills in a car, Richie resists temptation and turns the money in. His rare honest ways make him a hated member of his precinct, causing his partner to be exiled from the force. After his exiled partner dies from overdosing on Blue Magic, Richie’s honesty catches him a break when his superior Captain Lou Toback (Ted Levine) puts him in charge of a newly created task force to stop drug trafficking in New Jersey and New York City. Richie handpicks honest cops and gets to work on finding out who is supplying Blue Magic.

As Frank’s business blooms, he makes a point of operating quietly and dressing with a modest conservatism both as a sign of strength and to avoid attracting the attention of the law. However, Frank disregards this habit for his wife for one ostentatious night out, attending a Muhammad Ali boxing match with several known mobsters in a gaudy fur coat and hat, and with a ring-side seat. As it happens, Roberts sees this unknown, but obviously wealthy, person associating with high-level criminals, as well as having better seats than the Italian mafia. Robert becomes suspicious, and he begins to investigate this unknown (to him) figure in New York organized crime.

Even as Frank realizes he has exposed himself to police scrutiny, he must make deals with the Italian mafia and fend off corrupt NYC detectives, such as Det. Trupo (Josh Brolin), who extort and threaten him. He must also contend with local crime figure Nicky Barnes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is taking some of Frank’s product, diluting it himself, and selling it under Frank’s “brand” name. Unidentified assassins try to kill Frank’s wife, further destabilizing him and worsening his unsteady marriage. Things finally turn to the worst when Frank sees the U.S. Military vacating Vietnam, which in turn cuts off his primary heroin transportation.

Richie catches another break when his men witness the driver of one of Frank’s cousins shooting a woman. They use the driver’s bad predicament to get him to wear a wire. The wire allows Richie and his task force to discover when a plane carrying drugs is landing. Meanwhile, Trupo leads his band of police officers to Frank’s mother’s mansion where they take Frank’s emergency cash supply. When the plane lands, Richie and his men follow the drugs into Harlem’s projects and obtain a warrant. A huge group of police and detectives raid the drug apartments en bloc and a large shootout occurs. Frank is at the church when the bust goes down, but he is arrested after the service ends. Frank and Richie finally meet, and Frank’s attempts to bully Richie are unsuccessful.

With no other options, Frank decides to provide names of numerous other criminals, including his and Richie’s common enemies: corrupt NYC detectives. Numerous corrupt cops are arrested; Det. Trupo kills himself to avoid arrest. Richie, having passed the Bar Exam, prosecutes Frank, but he leaves the prosecutor’s office after the Lucas trial. The first client he takes after becoming a defense attorney is Frank. Because of his cooperation, Frank receives a relatively light sentence of 15 years rather than the original 70. His wife has gone back to Puerto Rico. His mom has returned to North Carolina. 30 of Frank’s family members are also arrested for involving in drug trafficking. At the end of the movie, he steps out of jail to the sounds and era of the 1990s, significantly older and out of place.

Overall, the movie is superb. Great actings by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Rap stars Common and T.I. who play Turner Lucas and Stevie Lucas respectively did well too.

My ratings: 8 out of 10, my man!

Popularity: 2%

American Gangster is the new upcoming movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and will open on November 2. It is also the title of JAY-Z’s upcoming album to be released on November 6.

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