AMERICAN GANGSTER (Nov. 2)
This Ridley Scott film about real-life drug kingpin Frank Lucas has an intriguing plotline — he's a black gangster who threatens the business of other drug dealers as much as he threatens the communities he ''serves.'' And the ensemble cast is just as alluring — Denzel Washington as Lucas, Russell Crowe as the detective determined to bring Lucas down, plus supporting roles by Cuba Gooding Jr., rising star Chiwetel Ejiofor, rappers Common and T.I., and Spike Lee favorite Ruby Dee. —Bethonie Butler