Trailer Blazer: 'American Gangster,' 'I Am Legend'

Rob Grizzly Thu, Jul 26, 2007 at 12:48 PM EST

Will be excited for American Gangster. Washington and Crowe's first team up since Virtuosity!

Greg Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM EST

I've got to agree with Jack Fear. The opening footage of Cillian Murphy wandering the empty streets of London are deeply creepy (although admittedly I do live in the city, so possibly that has something to do with it), and I just felt that Will Smith zooming around in a handily available supercool car and so on bodes badly for the film. Obviously I haven't seen the movie yet, so I'd hate to condemn it out of hand, but Mr Smith has hardly got the greatest track record, has he?

Tim Tue, Jun 12, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

Nikita, I am Legend has been kicked around Hollywood for at least a decade. Schwarzenegger was attached at one time but bowed out.

Winn, what I'm most curious about I am Legend is the ending. Since you know what I'm talking about (and others may not) I won't spoil it but I'm wondering if IAL's ending will be the same as the others.

Price's version is dark and offers no hope. And yes, Heston's version is pretty hammy.

Winn Mon, Jun 11, 2007 at 01:26 PM EST

Tim, you beat me to the punch on I am Legend and the fact that this is the third film adaptation of Matheson's novel, not the first, as Nikita assumed. Of the two previous versions, I prefer Vincent Price's hamminess-in-service-of-the-plot, as opposed to Charlton Heston's hamminess-as-a-matter-of-course. But Rosalind Cash rocks!

poochie Mon, Jun 11, 2007 at 12:59 PM EST

Been waiting for "American Gangster" since I heart both Denzel & Russell were involved. I don't know if I can wait until November.

Tim Mon, Jun 11, 2007 at 08:43 AM EST

I'm interested to see I am Legend, and how it will defer from its predecessors, Last Man on Earth and Omega Man.

Team Washington Mon, Jun 11, 2007 at 07:55 AM EST

Chuck U. Farley Totally Co sign. Cannot wait for this flick.

Chuck U. Farley Sun, Jun 10, 2007 at 10:23 PM EST

At the serious risk of getting flamed, American Gangster has the potential to be what The Departed was not. Jack, Leo, and Baldwin were slightly overcooked hams; meanwhile Denzi and Russell look like they might be able to pull this one. On the other hand, Ridley is no Martin so well just have to wait and see ...

Nozaki Sat, Jun 9, 2007 at 11:20 PM EST

There's not a word in the English language that can capture the awe that the "American Gangster" trailer inspired! Bring on the Oscar season with a brick on the gas pedal!

Jasper Sat, Jun 9, 2007 at 06:09 PM EST

I admittedly get nervous when I see too many rappers in a movie cast but I'm sure Denzel and Russell will be more than enough to combat that. I'm glad they're working together again because their last pairing didn't match their talent. As for Will this looks like it could be intriguing. I'm glad someone mentioned it's not like the book because now I probably won't read it until after I see the film just so I won't be biased.

DRS Sat, Jun 9, 2007 at 12:33 PM EST

Awwww come on noodles!! Virtuosity was a sci fi experiment done back when Russell was still trying to find his talent and Denzel wanted to do something new. This is a drama based on actual events done by two actors who are the best at heavy dramatic film acting and one of our best contemporary directors...we all know at the very LEAST this film will be "very good"!!

noodles Sat, Jun 9, 2007 at 12:53 AM EST

Don't get too excited about "American Gangster," everyone. Remember Denzel and Crowe's last teaming was the dreadful "Virtuosity" and Crowe and Ridley Scott last teamed up on the lackluster "A Good Year." Maybe it will be good or even great, but let's not rush to judgement.

Chase Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 08:20 PM EST

NO! wha??? Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in the same movie?! whoa, hold up a second! showing the preview for this before "O13" pretty much ruined the movie (thru no fault of its own). as a matter of fact, my anticipation for any other movie this year just nosedived! i don't wanna see any movie unless it's American Gangster!!!

Mike D. Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 08:14 PM EST

Absolutely cannot wait for "American Gangster", but then again - who isn't? That movie's gonna be a smashing success with the critics and the everyday moviegoer. I just love what a perfect film this is to pair up Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington under the direction of Ridley Scott!!!

I concur that the "I Am Legend" trailer rocks. Nowadays, Will Smith is consistently making must-see movies. Without a doubt, another slam-dunk for the Fresh Prince. Not to mention, Francis Lawrence is a neat choice as the director of this project, especially a contemporary remake.

Nikita Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 08:10 PM EST

I somewhat recently read I am Legend (written in 1954) and was very skeptical when I heard about it being turned into a movie.

After viewing this initial trailer I am very disappointed. I'll have to watch additional trailers with the mindset that no it is not going to be faithful to the original & Will Smith could pull off a modified version of the story.

furry_tom Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 07:47 PM EST

It's good to see Smith reprise his role as Bagger Vance.

professor74 Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 07:06 PM EST

Its nice to see Denzel and Russell working together after Virtuosity (I actually really liked that movie).

Of course, Denzel is the bad guy and Russell is the good guy this time around.

Jack Fear Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 06:55 PM EST

Pleasantly surprised by the "I Am Legend" trailer. When I heard that Will Smith was attached, I feared they were going to crass it up; but the trailer is somber and low-key, with no cheap seat-jumper moments. I like the way they let the vision of an empty NYC speak for itself.

Funny thing is, though, another recent movie kind of beat them to the punch; looking at that empty city, all I could think of was "28 Days Later."