PAWN

Plot:


Nick (Faris) just released from prison for stealing cars, promises his pregnant wife Amanda (Reed) that he will stay out of trouble. Well that promise will soon be tested when Nick stops by a late night diner and while in the restroom it gets held up by three English hoods led by Derrick (Chiklis) who was sent there to retrieve a specific package at a specific time, but greed getting the best of the trio causes them to go in earlier which creates a chaotic crisis when police patrolman Will (Whitaker) comes into the diner which just so happens to be owned by a notorious mobster. Nick now caught up in a hostage situation must do whatever it takes to save his life and the other patrons in the diner as well as his wife's life when she becomes detained by a mysterious man (Liotta) and his partner even if it means being a pawn for the crime he did not commit.


Reel Talk:


Right off, this is a film that you would want to get your restroom and snack runs before the movie starts because if you miss any part of the movie you will be lost. Every scene is crucial to the plot. It will take you there and bring you back here, building up your anticipation and then leaving you to use your imagination. But this is by design from the movie's upcoming screenwriter Jay Anthony White and director David A. Armstrong, making his directorial debut, but known for his cinematography work on the horror movie series SAW. Both men seem to borrow a page from Alfred Hitchcock by engaging the audience and then leaving you to guess what happened without actually giving you the visual. Pawn is a good movie with an all star cast that will definitely not leave you disappointed. Truly a must see movie that will be shown in limited theaters from April 19th to April 27th and available for purchase on Blue Ray and DVD April 23rd. Check out the picture below from screenwriter Jay Anthony White's visit to his hometown of Detroit, MI to host a private red carpet screening for PAWN

Starring: Sean Faris, Michael Chiklis, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Nikki Reed, Marton Csokas, Stephen Lang and Common
Directed By: David A. Armstrong
Written by: Jay Anthony White
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs and a soda on the side.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY

Plot:


Up until the late 40's Major League Baseball was played by all white players and the colored people were led to form their own faction known as the the Negro League just to have an outlet to play baseball amongst themselves. During 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers' owner Branch Rickey (Ford) decides to shake up things in the major league by drafting the first ever African American baseball player to the Dodgers. After scouting through countless of recruits he decides on a young talented but hot headed player in Jackie Robinson (Boseman). Knowing the obstacles that would befall the young Negro player, Rickey sets out to groom Robinson so that he will be able to endure the racial challenges setting the tone so that this will allow other talented African American players to follow. But along with the support from Rickey, much of Robinson's stamina to overcome the racial barriers was from his wife Rachel (Beharie) who stood with through it all.


Reel Talk:


There have been several films about Robinson's story even one during 1050 that starred Robinson himself, but now with the new age of film making, this one gives a broader prospective on the ball player's life and career. I personally like movies that tell the true stories about any person or team that shines light on the historical periods which may not be told in the history books or is either watered down. This movie is excellently performed by both Boseman as Robinson and Ford as the straight to the point Rickey. Definitely Oscar nominations are in order for them both. Even though there is so much more to Jackie's life and career that can be told, this is still a great movie well worth the admission that you will enjoy.

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Merriman, Lucas Black and Andre Holland
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
Rated: PG-13

I give it 5 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

THE SAPPHIRES

Plot:


It's 1968 and four young Australian Aboriginal women Gail (Mailman), Julie (Mauboy), Kay (Sebbens) and Cynthia (Tapsell) aspiring to become famous singers, but due to the racism within their country sets their sights on performing for the U.S. troops in Vietnam during the war. They enlist the help of a local talent scout named Dave Lovelace (O'Dowd), a soul music scholar who must transform the women from local country western singers to sensational soul singers that soon will become a superstar females group that rivals The Supremes while entertaining the soldiers overseas. The group will learn thou that the price of fame does come with a cost as it pushes them to realize that while trying to survive the war, they must also overcome the indifference's among themselves as well as learning some lessons about love.


Reel Talk:


They say you can learn something everyday and this is the case about The Sapphires which is the true story about four Australian women who rose to stardom while entertaining the U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. This is another story about people who had an historical impact during a time period that you will not learn from the history books. For this film to be stacked with a bunch of unseasoned talents because for most, this is their first starring role in a big screen movie. Actually the only two faces that are recognizable are Chris O'Dowd and Tory Kittles from previous films. This also marks the freshman directorial debut for Wayne Blair who does an excellent job directing The Sapphires. This is a must see film that will have you laughing and dancing in your seat from the hot old school soundtrack. Also be sure to check out my interview that I had with director Wayne Blair and the songstress/actress Jessica Mauboy while they were in town to promote their movie.

Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell and Tory Kittles
Directed by: Wayne Blair
Rated: PG-13

I give it 5 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

The Reel Hustler Interview for The Sapphires

CLEAVER FAMILY REUNION

Plot:


James (Ireland) a prominent attorney and his wife Stacy (Simmons) a doctor are a childless LA power couple, that are living the dream life. But when they get a call demanding them to head to a small Texas town for a family gathering (a family that he has shunned for years and whose existence is a surprise to Stacy), they head out on a journey that will forever change their lives. Once there James (or Tinkle as his family calls him) and his dysfunctional family members let loose on individual  secrets that may leave permanent and devastating damage amongst them.


Reel Talk:


This is like a cross up of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' and Madea's Family Reunion which spawns the Cleavers, a wacky bunch of family members that will leave you wondering if they will make it through the weekend without killing each other. Although the cast not boasting with superstar caliber, they still each one add good unique performances to their characters, like the feisty grandmother, the British accented uncle or the jail bird brother to name a few. A good family movie that will touch all your emotions, from laughs to even maybe a tear, citing the values of what is needed to keep a strong family bond and mending estranged relationships of old. This is a movie that is worth checking out and can be seen only at various AMC theaters nationwide so please check your local listings.

Starring: Trae Ireland, Sandy Simmons, Efe', Tamara Goodwin, Arthur Richardson and Kevin Yarbrough
Directed by: H.M. Coakley
Rated: n/a

I give it 3 corn dogs and a soda on the side.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

Starring:

Actor Trae Ireland and Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler at the private screening in Detroit at the AMC Star Southfield for Trae's new film Cleaver Family Reunion.

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

Plot:


Duke (Tatum) from the previous movie is now the captain of the G.I. Joes who along with his friend and fellow Joe, Roadblock (Johnson) continue to wage the war against terrorism until they are soon targeted as terrorist by the evil villain impersonating the President (Pryce) who pretty much annihilates all but a small group of the special task force. Out numbered and out gunned the remaining team led by Roadblock must enlist the help of the now retired original G.I. Joe played by Bruce Willis. The clock ticks away as the Joes rush to find the terrorist group that has armed nuclear weapons timed and set to go off destroying the United States.


Reel Talk:


This sequel to the 2009 blockbuster movie G.I. The Rise Of Cobra is a major let down. It follows up with very few cast members from the original and lacks all the technical gadgets that defined the elite squad known as the Joes. Sure you add in Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis, give them a bunch of cheesy lines and you just have a basic action movie. We are led to believe that the army of unique soldiers that once had a secret lair were so exposed that they all almost got eliminated by just one order by the President. Adding Johnson who is racking up screen time with the 5 movies released or releasing this year is a good addition but get back to the secrecy and special weaponry that separated the G.I. Joes from the average Joes.

Starring: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Jonathan Pryce, Byung-Hun Lee, Elodie Yung, Bruce Willis and RZA
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler