PATTI CAKE$

Plot:

Patti Dombrowski (Macdonald) is a plus sized young woman who in her New Jersey neighborhood is nicknamed Dumbo, a name that she hates. Along with a name she hates she is under financial pressure and trying to work two jobs to help her mom Barb (Everett), a washed up rock singer who is constantly getting boozed up and thinks she is more Patti's sister than her mom, with the bills. She also cares for her ailing grandmother whenever she finds the time to sit with the elderly woman. To maintain her sanity she along with her best friend Jheri (Dhananjay) perform rap battles against rival rappers who are some of the same ones who tease her about her weight. While at a showcase they meet a strange misplaced artist named Basterd (Athie) who they would later recruit and the trio would start a group called PB and J. When a radio personality DJ French Tips (MC Lyte) listened to some of their music, she reaches out to Patti and encourages the group to enter into a rap competition with a jackpot cash prize and recording deal. At the time of the call the group were experiencing some internal differences and must resolve them so that they can come back together for a chance to win the contest.


Reel Talk:

Patti Cake$  is pretty much a female knock off version of  8 Mile. It is not as good as its predecessor. This film is much slower, very predictable and the soundtrack was not as hot as it could have been. Now to say all that does not mean that the film was not good, it just was not as good as 8 Mile. It had some funny moments and for  what it was worth, it was fairly entertaining. The acting was a little stiff, but it was good seeing MC Lyte in a small cameo role. Again they should have really worked on the soundtrack and that would have really helped this movie out. Not a bad movie, it was just OK but, you can really just wait and catch it when you can rent it.

Starring: Danielle Macdonald, Bridget Everett, Siddharth Dhananjay, Mamoudou Athie, MC Lyte and Sahr Ngaujah
Directed by: Geremy Jasper
Rated: R

I gave it 3 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

WIND RIVER

Plot:

While out on a job, small town hunter Cory Lambert (Renner) stumbles across the body of a young Indian woman that had been raped and during her escape she froze to death from the extreme cold elements. Because this took place on the Wind River Native American reservation, FBI Agent Jane Banner (Olsen) is sent there to investigate the murder. Along with the local sheriff Ben (Greene), she enlist the aid of Cory to assist in finding the culprit(s) behind the heinous crime. With his help, the tracker will follow the trail that leads them to the scene where the events took place, but with costly consequences.


Reel Talk:

This suspense thriller, although slow at some points, was not a bad film. Having appeared in a few movies together, Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen team up in this film as the town hunter and FBI agent, which is totally different from their superhero characters they normally portray. Like I said the film is not a bad film, the story is interesting and there are some intense scenes. Not a film to rush out to see but one that is worth checking out. Probably even better if you catch it at a matinee.

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Kelsey Asbille, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham and Jon Bernthal
Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

THE HITMAN'S BODGUARD

Plot:

Special Agent Amelia Roussel (Yung) along with her team is assigned to protect a dangerous hitman, Darius Kincaid (Jackson) who has agreed to testify against corrupt Russian president Vladislav Dukhovich (Oldman) in exchange to have his wife Sonia (Hayek) released from prison. Her detail becomes compromised and her team depleted so she calls on the one person she can trust, her ex-boyfriend, demoted special bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds). When Michael reluctantly comes to assist he realizes that the person she wants him to protect is Darius who has tried to kill him on several occasions previously to his capture and is the one who caused his demotion. The two mismatched guys will have to rely on each other thou to fight and save each others life while on their way to the courthouse in time for Darius to testify. Meanwhile Amelia tries to find the mole in the organization that set her and her team up to be ambushed.


Reel Talk:

There is a new buddy combination team in town with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. They team in this fast paced, action packed, foul mouthed laden film and are pretty good together in it. Yes, you already know with Samuel L . Jackson that it is filled with profane language. You just stop counting how many times he uses the "MF" word. It is definitely an action junkies' type of movie, with action basically from start to the end. An enjoyable movie that will have you laughing and keep you entertained. This is one you can cash out to see.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Elodie Yung, Joaquim de Almeida and Selma Hayek
Directed by: Patrick Hughes
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

LALAH HATHAWAY WSG BLACK BOTTOM COLLECTIVE AT CHENE PARK

DETROIT REPPIN!

The summer shows are winding down at the Detroit riverfront amphitheater Chene Park. They have had an amazing season with some amazing shows. The Jazzy Wednesday Nights concert series has had beautiful weather to match the wonderful shows they have had at the venue and last night was no exception as the weather was pretty much on point for an outdoor concert. Opening up for the concert was a Detroit bred group Black Bottom Collective which consist of husband and wife team Khary Kimani and Tunesia Turner, Karen Vesprini, Carl Hollier, Kamau, Mark Harper, Edward Canaday and Duane Dawkins. The group had the nearly sold out audience grooving to their music which is a fusion of poetry, rap, singing and live music along with a DJ to give a hip hop, jazz, rock, reggae and R&B flavored sound. Then following up was the headliner Lalah Hathaway, who would pretty much mellowed out the crowd with her soulful voice. This was my first time seeing her do a solo show because I had seen her perform with Joe Sample on several occasions and I will say she was just okay. But overall it was a nice night to be out at a show on the river.

There are still a few, very few shows left for the summer at Chene Park. Go to the website to check the schedule of the remaining concerts at www.CheneParkDetroit.com and hopefully you will make it to a show or two. Hope to see you there.

This is my life, the life of THE REEL HUSTLER!!!

SHEILA E AND CECE PENISTON AT HART PLAZA

Just a few pics from my stop at the Ribs R&B Music fest at the Downtown Detroit Hart Plaza Riverfest on Saturday evening for the Sheila E and CeCe Peniston performances.

This is my life, the life of THE REEL HUSTLER!!!

SHALAMAR WSG CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS AT CHENE PARK

TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!

Wednesday was a busy day for me, so therefore I was very close to not making it to the evening Wednesday Jazzy Nights concert series that takes place at the Chene Park amphitheater. But am I glad that I made it, because the Detroit river front theater was rocking with that old school flavor. To start the evening off was soulful crooner Christopher Williams, who sang all his old songs that were huge in the 80's and then a few new songs that he has been working on. The guy still got his strong husky voice that won a lot of females hearts back in the day. Next after a very brief intermission, Shalamar came on stage, whose lineup consist of Howard Hewitt, Carolyn Griffey and guitarist Micki Free. The trio took the nearly sold out crowded theater way back to the early 80's by way of the songs that got them started and then through the rest of the songs that blazed the charts, and they had a bunch of them. Their songs really kinda took me back thru time because they had songs that were hits during my younger fun years. Again I am so glad that I did not miss this show, it was a really good show. The summer is coming close to an end so be sure to take advantage of the few remaining shows at Chene Park. Go to the websitewww.CheneParkDetroit.com to get the schedule and get your tickets for some great shows at one of the premier outdoor venues in the city. Hope to see you there!

This is my life, the life of THE REEL HUSTLER!!!

CHARIVARI 2017

#CHARIVARI17

This past weekend Detroit was host to another annual popular music festival, Charivari. The festival is a three day weekend outdoor event that showcases the musical skills of various DJ's, locally as well as statewide, with house or techno music being primarily the musical selection. Missing both Friday and Saturday, THE REEL HUSTLER made it out for Sunday's festivities and as always I was in for a musical treat from some of the baddest DJ's on the turntables. You know I had to freeze frame some moments of what went down. Another great event from the Charivari hosts Theresa Hill, Grant Gray, Todd Johnson and gone but not forgotten Steve Dunbar (R.I.P.).

This is my life, the life of THE REEL HUSTLER!!!