Cinderella Man (2005)

Jim Braddock, (Russell Crowe) a boxer, is doing well at the beginning of the film. But then, the Great Depression takes its toll on him and his family. A broken hand keeps him out of the ring for awhile. He's reduced to begging for work at the docks to provide for his wife Mae (Renee Zellweger) and their three kids. Then his fast-talking manager, Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), gets him another fight. Braddock is expected to lose, because he is considered to be washed up.

The plot focuses mainly on Braddock's struggle to keep his family together during tough economic times. Braddock is shown as a proud family man, a regular guy who just wants his kids to have a little more than he did. His wife never attends his matches in person, because she can't take seeing her husband get hit. Yet, she supports his decision to fight. As Braddock moves up in the ranks, his struggle brings hope to his family, and others as well.

There was a real Jim Braddock, who was a boxing champion in the 1930's. He eventually retired from boxing after losing to Joe Louis. The movie covers events leading up to a defining fight against Max Baer (Craig Bierko). There are some inaccuracies in the film. For example, Baer is made out to be a out-and-out villian, when he wasn't that bad. Otherwise, this is one of the better boxing-themed movies.

Mr. Crowe won an Oscar for his performance in Gladiator (2000). Mr. Giamatti was an odious radio executive in Private Parts (1997). Ms. Zellweger was the lead in Bridget Jones Diary (2001). Boxing fans will recognize the older man playing one of Braddock's corner men during the fights. It's Boxing Hall of Famer Angelo Dundee, the man who trained Muhammad Ali.

American Gangster (2007)

Here's a story of a very, very bad man: Frank Lucas, a real-life crime lord who had a huge heroin business in the late 60's to the mid-1970's. Lucas was a driver of legendary Harlem gangster Bumpy Robinson, and his protege. When Robinson (Clarence Williams III) sucumbs to a heart attack, Lucas (Denzel Washington) takes over his territory. With the help of a cousin (Roger Guevner Smith) who is in the military, Lucas transports heroin to the USA in the coffins of dead Vietnam soldiers. Unlike the Mafia, he sells the stuff uncut and for a lower price than they do.

Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is a cop whom, along with his partner, have been made persona non grata, because they found some drug money that was taken by other cops. They were honest and turned it in. Roberts other problems include his going through a divorce and fighting his wife (Carla Gugino) for custody of their son. He's also going to school at night for his law degree. Roberts is given a job as the head of a drug unit after his fallout over the drug money, and is able to pick his own guys to help out. Their dogged research to bring the big men down eventually lead to Lucas.

New York and New Jersey are shown in grimy glory, a perfect backdrop to the darkness and violence that permeates this story. Lucas is a smart guy for a long time, and keeping a low profile as he becomes richer. But he's dangerous when he shows his might, such as killing a rival in broad daylight then calmly returning to a restaurant to finish his meal. "Where did I leave off?" he tells his stunned relatives who work for him, as he sits down. Roberts has his flaws, too, but he holds on to his honesty and integrity while surrounded by a sea of cops who are on the take.

It's not The Godfather (1972), but the performances are good, including that of Josh Brolin, playing a particularly odious policeman. Clarence Williams III, who appears as Bumpy in early scenes, was one of the youthful cops on the TV series "The Mod Squad". Rappers T.I. and Common appear as a couple of Lucas' relatives. Acting diva Ruby Dee (A Raisin In The Sun)plays Lucas's mom. Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) portrays Nicky Barnes, a rival of Lucas. Former MTV VJ Fab 5 Freddie ("Yo! MTV Raps") has a small role.