After the death of the top gangster in Harlem, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the man's former driver, moves into a position of great power in the drug market. Striking a deal with a Thai general, Lucas is able to smuggle heroin in the coffins of soldiers who died in Vietnam and makes a fortune. But, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a NJ detective with close ties to the streets, aims to bring Lucas down after he is put in charge of a drug trafficking task force. With Roberts bearing down on him, Lucas must do everything he can to stay on top, including dealing with the Italian mafia and corrupt NYPD officers. Directed by Ridley Scott. With Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Armand Assante and T.I.. Categories: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Based on a True Story. Year: 2007.
Steven Zaillian in American Gangster
"Boss" Willie Stark (Sean Penn), an idealistic southern politician loosely based on Governor Huey Long of Louisiana, appeals to the common man to earn his place of power. But, Stark's victories have their price, eventually leading him to his downfall after being corrupted by the system. Directed by Steven Zaillian. With Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo and James Gandolfini. Categories: Drama. Year: 2006.
Steven Zaillian in All the King's Men
In 1860s New York, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to the Five Points, the most dangerous section in all of Manhattan, to hunt down his father's killer. After sixteen years in an orphanage, Amsterdam locates his target: Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), who has taken over as leader of the neighborhood and detests the newly arrived immigrants. Amsterdam's fight for honor, freedom and the woman he loves ultimately collides with the 1863 Civil War Draft Riots. Directed by Martin Scorsese. With Cameron Diaz, Liam Neeson, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Brendan Gleeson and Stephen Graham. Categories: Crime, Drama, History. Year: 2002.
Steven Zaillian in Gangs of New York
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is a secret agent who specializes in performing the impossible. When everyone else on his team of agents is killed, Hunt becomes the target of a vast search for a traitor in his agency. Knowing he isn't the mole, Hunt must recruit his own rogue group to find the real double agent and take him to justice. Directed by Brian De Palma. With Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave and Henry Czerny. Categories: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Mystery. Year: 1996.
Steven Zaillian in Mission: Impossible
Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a self-absorbed, greedy German businessman, opens a factory in Poland during World War II using Jewish labor. After witnessing his workers' suffering and learning of their people's barbaric treatment at the hands of the Nazis, Schindler becomes an unlikely humanitarian, turning his factory into a refuge to save Jewish lives. Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and Caroline Goodall. Categories: Biography, Drama, History, War. Year: 1993.
Steven Zaillian in Schindler's List
When a new drug promises a miraculous recovery from a crippling mental disease, Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) tests it on Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), a grown man who became catatonic as a child. When the treatment proves successful, Leonard is freed from his internal prison. But, when the cure turns out to have limitations, both Leonard and Dr. Sayer have difficulty dealing with the outcome. Directed by Penny Marshall. With Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller and John Heard. Categories: Drama, Based on a Novel. Year: 1990.
Steven Zaillian in Awakenings