Hoodlum (1997)

Anybody see the irony?
Oscar nominees, Fishbourne, Roth, and Garcia were nominated for an oscar for playing bad guys; Tim Roth for playing a ruthless royal rapist, Lawrence Fishbourne for playing an drug-addicted abusive husband, and Garcia for playing a power hungry gangster. Either way these three guys made this movie great.

Kinda the prelude to American Gangster
Excellent movie .. and if you watch this movie then go see American Gangster...it follows a path. In American Gangster Denzel's character is the hier to Bumpy Johnson who passes away early in the film.

A FILM OF GREAT ORIGINAL GANGSTERS.
this is another one of those good films of street life brought to motion picture. hoodlum is a whole different kind of movie. it was a whole nother world out there in harlem back in the day, and this films delivers just that. it was a street war out there. survival of the smartest, and you can trust no one. everything was done so well. the era and the story. it's all about this man bumpy's survival and trying to help his people. he has to stay strong, dependent, legite, and honest to the best of his ability for his fellow people. that makes him a strong leader. someone everyone looks up to, that people want to be. he's runnin the streets of harlem, and for a while all is fine, until the one and only dutch moves in and tries to take over. he comes in violent and is a man of action and and many words. that's when all hell comes loose, and a street war begins. blood spills, things spiral out of control, and it seems bumpy's loosin the reigns of control. until he seeks the help of famous mobster lucky luciano to aide him in this rivalry against the dutch. all the while his friends get wacked, and his love can take no more and leaves. one day he's on top of the world and the next he's down, but always watching his back. it's a battle of the strongest, and smartest. racial tensions, and money are a deadly combination. superb film, one of the best, and it'll have your attention all the way through. laurence fishburne, as bumpy, is a wonderful actor. he kicks it like hell in his movies. this is no exception, great job, and he plays the part very well. andy garcia, as lucky luciano, is a classic man himself. fits the part, and has a strong presence no doubt. as for tim roth, as dutch schultz, the man's crazy. he's lost his damn mind. he acts and he doesn't think about the consequences and that leads to his downfall. great actor, love this guy. his i don't give a damn attitude is tight. he steals the limelight during his scenes. so many good actors, it's a should see movie for that reason alone. the rest is good stuff as well, chaos, blood, murder, betrayel, go head to head with survival, strength, street smart, and vengance.