STAGE PLAY: HE'S MY HUSBAND. NO HE'S MY MAN...

While sitting in doing my movie reviews with Billy T. for his radio show "The Billy T Experiment" on 88.1FM WHPR a week ago, we had as a guest the lovely Christina Chatine, a stage/screen play writer who stopped by to promote her upcoming play "He's My Husband. No He's My Man". Where as I am not a big stage play attendee, she carried on how her play was one not to miss so I accepted her offer to review her play. He's My Husband. No He's My Man...centers around primary characters Nila (Chiquetta Bunts) a regular church going woman and her abusive and womanizing husband Carl (Rodney D. Story). While she struggles to maintain her faith in God, be a good mother to her daughters and be a loving wife to her husband it is not enough to keep him out of the arms of his new boo Karma (Chanae Jordan). He even goes as far as savagely beating her at one point just so he can get out the house to be with his mistress. Yes very intense!

Christina Chatine who also has a cameo role on the stage presents an emotionally filled play that rides like a roller coaster, you go from happy, sad, mad and then you will laugh. Two of the male characters Rodney D. Story who plays Carl and Stephone Terrell who plays Marty will have you rolling with laughter, they provide the majority of the humor to the play. The rest of the cast was very versed on their roles as they did well during their performances. There were some scenes that could have been omitted trimming the time down some (remember my speciality is reviewing movies which average time length is 1 hr 45 mins). But overall I was thoroughly impress with the play and the messages that it delivered regarding relationships with God, marriage, your children and friends. Also that every reckless action comes with consequences that can even be fatal. Job well done to Christina Chatine who says she's on Tyler Perry's heels so he needs to make room.

Cast: Chiquetta Bunts, Rodney D. Story, Chanae Jordan, Stephone Terrell, Christiana Chatine, Pepper Holton, Nedra Spencer, Chayil Chanda, Edward Dunbar, Ayriel LaTauja, Nakaya Thompson and Andreana Beard

ESCAPE PLAN

Plot:

Ray Breslin (Stallone) has an interesting career, his job is to be placed into maximum security prisons and then break out of them exposing security loop holes in the systems. After his last escapade he is approached by a CIA agent who wants him to go into a new state of the art maximum security prison that he nor his team even know where it's located. Once inside he realizes that instead of this being a job it is more a setup for him to never get out. Unlike his previous stints in previous prisons his skills will be tested to the limit and he must also join alliance with Emil Rottmayer (Schwaznegger) an inmate that Warden Hobbes (Caviezel) is trying to extract the secrets to the where about of his crime czar boss. Together the two will encounter harsh and brutal treatment in order that they can exercise their escape plan so that Ray can find out who set him up.


Reel Talk:

First off....who takes a job getting locked into prisons trying to find a way out? Secondly I went into this screening thinking that with these two old time action stars (Stallone & Schwarzenegger) who star together for the first time in a full featured film, this would be a cheese fest movie. Well of course there was the occasional  corny dialog but surprisingly this was a good movie. Sure these guys are old and it shows in their facial features but physical appearance these guys are fit, even to the point of embarrassing my physic...LOL. Then you got Jim Caviezel as the evil warden who was out cold in his performance. A good story along with a good cast makes for a good movie. Worth opening the wallet and plunking down the cash for this action movie showcasing these two fossils.

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Caviezel, Amy Ryan, Vincent D'Onofrio, 50 Cent and Vinnie Jones
Directed by: Mikael Hafstrom
Rated: R

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

THE FIFTH ESTATE

Plot:

Daniel Berg (Bruhl) a young computer nerd while at a computer convention befriends an ambitious and rebellious Julian Assange (Cumberbatch) and together the two launch Wikileaks, a website that exposes the dirty little secrets of the world's conglomerate corporations leaked to them by anonymous tipsters. It doesn't take long before the site becomes the biggest whistle blowing website in the world that will threaten to expose the United States and their misdeeds that could jeopardize the lives of several key players and will pit the two computer hacks against each other for what each feels is the morally right thing to do...to expose or not expose the secrets?


Reel Talk:

Although this suspense story was based on a true story, it was still long, drawn out and boring! The story is interesting if you really care to know about Wikileaks but other than that you may be struggling to stay awake on this film. Honestly this would have been a good movie for the Lifetime channel with the commercials allowing you a much needed break. So this is one you can wait and catch on cable, save your cash.

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Stanley Tucci, Laura Linney and Anthony Mackie
Directed by: Bill Condon
Rated: R

I give it 2 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE

Plot:

On the gritty streets of New York City, survival is the name of the game and Mister (Brooks) and Pete (Dizon) must learn fast so they won't be devoured by the system. When Mister's heroin addicted mother Gloria (Hudson) gets arrested and Pete's mom who is also an addict is no where to be found, the two boys must become a team in order to fend for themselves for most the summer, doing whatever they have to do so they can eat and to avoid being captured by the authorities and placed in the state's system for homeless children. But the pair will learn that the streets are brutal and that all they have is each other as they will get no help from the various people they may know.


Reel Talk:

This was a depressingly good movie! Yes it was truly a depressing movie, the depiction of two boys hustling in the ghetto to survive, seeing their mothers prostituting to feed the heroin addiction that holds them and the fact that they don't even try to hide it from the boys. But it is still a good story of how the boys unite and work together to maintain for each other. The two young stars Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon along with Jennifer Hudson, put in outstanding performances. This is definitely a film to check out but be warned it will weigh on your heart.

Starring: Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jennifer Hudson, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Jordin Sparks, Anthony Mackie and Jeffrey Wright
Directed by: George Tillman Jr.
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs.

 By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

Plot:

Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks) and his crew aboard the cargo vessel Maersk Alabama are in route to Africa during 2009 to drop off containers  when they are chased by two skiffs occupied by Somali pirates. Able to ward off the initial attack Phillips and crew prepare for the possibility of a follow up attempt by the pirates led by the relentless Muse (Abdi) who has no choice because he can not return to his country empty handed. Upon Muse's second effort he along with three of his cohorts are able to take control of the Maersk Alabama only to run into complications that forces him and his team to take Phillips hostage aboard a motorized free fall lifeboat with hopes that they will get money for his release. Captain Phillips must use all his knowledge and resources to try to keep himself and the Somali crew alive while the Navy prepares to make their move on the lifeboat.


Reel Talk:

This movie based on the true events of the 2009 hijacking of Phillips' vessel by the ocean pirates is definitely an edge of the seat thriller. From the initial attack to the end this film is filled with intensity. Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi put in excellent performances as the two captains of their respected crews. There is no doubt that they may both be up for Oscar nominations for their worthy portrayals. This is a great movie worth every dollar for the admission. Be sure to get your snacks before the film starts because you will be glued to the screen otherwise.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdirahman and Mahat M. Ali
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Rated: PG-13

I give it 5 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

DOUG E FRESH - LEGENDS of HIP HOP - DETROIT

Kenya Moore Hosts Catwalk 2013 Fashion For A Cause (Aids Awareness)

PARKLAND

Plot:

This film is the latest depiction about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 while in Dallas, Texas. From the moments leading up to his being shot to the post events of him being rushed to Parkland Hospital and the staff's attempt to save his life. It takes you into the lives of the many various people and the impact it had on their lives, there was the salesman who inadvertently filmed the shooting, the First Lady and the presidential staff, the doctors and nurses and then there is the family of the shooter Lee Harvey Oswald who would get shot and then rushed to the same hospital as his victim. Everyone was affected by this tragic event both directly and indirectly.


Reel Talk:

This was a good movie, very educational and insightful. I was not born when JFK was assassinated so my knowledge about it was naive. This gives light to some key people surrounding what happened on that fateful day. In talking with some of my movie reviewing colleagues they pointed out a few omissions that could have been entered into the movie but it was still a good solid movie, with a good solid cast. I recommend this movie, especially to those who appreciate revisiting or those willing to get the historical re-enactment to the events of that era. This is one that you can cash out.

Starring: Marcia Gay Harden, Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti, James Badge Dale, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks and Jeremy Strong
Directed by: Peter Landesman
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustle

RUNNER RUNNER

Plot:

Richie Furst (Timberlake) is a bright and ambitious student at Stanford University who happens to earn his money by being a bookie for an online gambling site. When he is forced to shut down his operation by the school's dean and unable to pay his tuition he resorts to gambling on the online site so that he can gain the money. But after mysteriously losing all his money on the site he decides to head to Costa Rica to confront the mastermind behind the gambling web page, tycoon Ivan Block (Affleck). Eventually he is taken in and under the wing of Block, putting him in the fast lane for success until he soon realizes that everything is not always as it appears. Now with FBI Agent Shavers (Mackie) trying to recruit him to help in bringing down Block and now his deep involvement with the criminal activity surrounding the gambling empire, he must figure a way to get out the clutches of both parties.


Reel Talk:

This movie is suppose to be based on actual events. My questions is, if these people (Block and his crew) were taking in millions and millions of dollars, why be greedy to the point of being busted? When is enough is enough? Mind boggling! This suspense thriller is a typical love of money film that is pretty predictable but I gotta say I enjoyed it. I also got to admit this is one of Ben Affleck's better performances in awhile. He actually does a good job as the bad guy gambling mogul Ivan Block, convincingly ruthless. A good thrill ride movie, worth the admission.

Starring: Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Gemma Arterton and Anthony Mackie
Directed by: Brad Furman
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

GRAVITY

Plot:

A pair of astronauts, veteran Matt Kowalski (Clooney) and rookie Ryan Stone (Bullock) are on assignment in outer space to repair a satellite post and while enjoying the breath taking view, they encounter a severe meteor debris shower that puts them in survival mode. The couple, faced with limited oxygen and limited options  must work together in an attempt to reach a neighboring  space station that would allow them any possibility of getting back to Earth. But the clock ticks as they must decide on what they each must sacrifice to further the chance for their fight to live.


Reel Talk:

The visual graphics for this movie is off the chain and may I suggest that you see this in Imax for an even better experience. But after you get through the early stages of the visual effects and the intensity from their initial outer space catastrophe it just fizzles out. At some point it is left up to Sandra Bullock to carry the movie but it may have been a little too much for her to burden. This does not mean that this is a bad movie. It is a good movie just not a great movie like it is being billed. Worth checking out just don't go in with high expectations.

Starring: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock and Ed Harris
Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

E-40 - CHUBB ROCK - LEGENDS of HIP HOP - DETROIT interviews