Official Synopsis:
The record-breaking suspense-filled American Gangster is back! See an in-depth look into the life and times of the 20th century s most notorious African American crime figures. In a forensic survey of the rise and fall of these plagues to the community American Gangster speaks to a generation who isn't sure if crime pays. After viewing this hard-hitting show there will be no doubt that the wages of sin are death.
  
Our Take:
True crime is something I greatly enjoy immersing myself in. I love learning about the mysteries that plague the world we live in. I want to know the reasoning behind these criminals; what makes them tick, what their goals are, etc. With all the programming I’ve watched and books I’ve read about true crimes, I realize there is very little I have learned about the black community of criminals and bandits. Enter American Gangster: The Complete Second Season.

Each episode of this show focuses on one man or one group of men from the African-American gang life throughout the years. The show is narrated by Ving Rhames, who sounds like he’s always ready to kick your ass so you never lose focus from listening to him.

The title is American Gangster but it’s not really related to the Denzel Washington movie of the same name (there is, however, an episode featuring the man whom Denzel played in the film). The problem with the title is that it doesn’t encompass everything the show gives us. Not every episode is about gangsters. In fact the best episode on the set isn’t about gangster at all, but rather about The DC Snipers, John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo.

Special features include:

* Melvin Williams Extended Interview (32 minutes).

* Frank Lucas Extended Interview (23 minutes).

* Frank Lucas, Jr. Interview and Tour (27 minutes) – Interview and tour of the neighborhood his father used to run.

* Bo Baines Extended Interview (4 minutes).

This set is something all crime enthusiasts need to pick up. It’s great documentary filmmaking that gives you ten episodes of knowledge on a subject you probably know only about five percent of.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Overall Picture:
Show: A-
DVD: B

- Landen Chase Pelish
Staff Writer