18TH ANNUAL URBAN TAILGATE

TOUCHDOWN!!!

THE REEL HUSTLER was in the place hanging with actors Uzo Aduba who plays Crazy Eyes in Orange Is The New Black and Richard Schiff who has starred in West Wing,Once Upon A Time, Innocent, etc... Both were on hand to kick off the 18th Annual Urban Tailgate party for Michigan State University vs University Of Michigan at the Key Club. Oh yeah, it was off the chain!!!

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

BOO! A MADEA HALLOWEEN

Plot:

When Brian (Perry) is called away for the weekend and not trusting his rebellious teen daughter Tiffany (White) to be home unsupervised he recruits and hires Madea (Perry) to stay to keep an eye on the girl. What he did not count on was Madea coming with a package deal which includes the foul mouth Joe (Perry), Aunt Bam (Davis) and Hattie (Lovely). But not to be deterred the teen schemes up a plan which allows her to sneak out the house to go party with her friend at a nearby frat house. The always witty Madea figures out the plan and rounds up her crew to foil the night festivities for the group of young party goers but the Ben Gay Posse must also endure a night of horror themselves if they want to get Tiffany back.


Reel Talk:

OK...now you know that I got to keep it always real, so I have to give this film an incomplete rating because on the night of the red carpet screening, your boy got into that reclining chair and my butt was so tired that I fell off to sleep. Now let me be very clear that it has nothing to do with the movie being bad or anything like that, I was just dog beat tired and fell asleep. Sorry Madea!!!

Starring: Tyler Perry, Cassie Davis, Patrice Lovely, Bella Thorne, Yousef Erakat and Diamond White
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Rated: PG-13

I give it an unwrapped pack of corn dogs (Incomplete)

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK

Plot:

Looking to fulfill a promised date from Major Turner (Smulders) who has assisted on a few of his assignments, retired major Jack Reacher (Cruise), now a nomad mercenary of justice stops on the military grounds to take her out for that date only to find that she has been imprisoned. Following up on his suspicions that she was wrongly jailed he realized that the plot is thicker than being issued and that she is targeted to be murdered. So he aids in helping her escape being jailed and killed so that they can find out who is behind the corruption conspiracy and to clear her name. But they are being hunted by a relentless and merciless assassin (Heusinger), also a former soldier who learns that Reacher may have a rebellious teen daughter named Samantha (Yarosh) and he intends to use her to get to Reacher and Turner to complete his mission of murder.


Reel Talk:

This is the follow up movie to the 2012 hit that also starred Tom Cruise as the mysterious drifting former military man that crusades for justice for those who need his help. Just as the first film he is into kicking some serious bad guy booty but this time he has help with Cobie Smulders as Major Turner who may be a beautiful woman but willing to fight like a man to prove she is a military leader. Patrick Heusinger as the assassin also proves to be a worthy opponent for the normally tough Reacher. The movie is full of action and very entertaining, so it is certainly  one that you can check out.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge, Danika Yarosh, Patrick Heusinger and Holt McCallany
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

THE ACCOUNTANT

Plot:

U.S.Treasury Agent Ray King (simmons) is just months away from retiring but their has been one case that has been haunting him so he recruits a young up and coming Agent Marybeth Medina (Addai-Robinson) to work on finding an elusive man only known as The Accountant. They have very little clues that reveal that the man known as The Accountant is Christian Wolff (Affleck) a mathmatician genuis who tends to the accounting records to some of the world's most scrupolous people and is also one who stacks the body count behind most his clients. While working on his latest case he along with the company's accountant Dana Cumming (Kendrick) are soon targeted to be assassinated  so Christian breaks his tradition of bailing out unnoticed so that he can stay and protect the clueless Dana. He must also find out who is pulling the strings and who ordered their termination.


Reel Talk:

I was on the fence when I went to screen this movie because the trailer did not reveal a lot with regards to it and honestly Ben Affleck has not had a good movie in a minute. Well all I can say is this one here is a winner! Affeck as an accountant who turns mercenary is a action thriller that will keep you engaged from beginning to the end. Plus you have to stay with the movie to follow along and figure out where the plot is taking you. This was a excellent movie with a good story and a good cast. A must see definitely worth going to see.

Starring: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and John Lithgow
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Rated: R

I give it 5 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

KEVIN HART: WHAT NOW?

Plot:

Starting out with a skit that features some of his Hollywood friends, Kevin Hart is on a mission to raise money for his comedy tour. Upon winning a lot of money Kevin along with Halle Berry must fight through an army of thugs who are set on regaining the money back for their boss. But Kevin is able to elude the ambush and reached his destination, the Lincoln Financial Field, a football stadium that is filled with a record breaking crowd of over 50,000 people who are there for the documented taping of Kevin Hart's stand up performance in front of his hometown of Philadelphia. Kevin who is known to use material from his life experiences sticks to that format as he shares things regarding his wife now but was his fiance at the time of the show's taping, his children and his dad.


Reel Talk:

This was Kevin Hart's record breaking stand up performance in Philly and yes he used his family experiences as the premise for his act. Was he funny??? You can bet your popcorn and soda he was. From the opening skit featuring Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Ed Helms and David Meunier where he spoofs a few movies to the time he hits the stage Kevin is hilarious. Although I am not big on concert taped movies this was a good one, but still I could see it as more of an HBO special. So it is good for a matinee or you can wait for the DVD.

Starring: Kevin Hart, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Ed Helms and David Meunier
Directed by: Leslie Small and Tim Story
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

BILAL CONCERT

SUPER SOUL SATURDAY!

You all know that if it is something hot going on in the city of Detroit, THE REEL HUSTLER is gonna pop in. So on a beautiful Saturday evening I stopped in on at the N'Namdi Center For Contemporary Art located in the midtown of the city to check out neo soul singer Bilal who was performing there. I got there later than I had anticipated because traffic was pretty jammed coming through downtown so I missed the opening act which was local artist Charity who I had seen during the summer when she opened for Kem. The young lady can sing so I hate that I missed her performance.  But hey I made it just in time to catch Bilal as he took to the stage and gave a energetic and funky soul session. The concert held at the art venue was a small but intimate crowd  there to see Bilal. The show was powered by Drake Phifer and his Urban Organic group who is known for putting together shows that are smaller than the theater venues but at intimate artsy type locations, but as always they are truly appreciated and well supported by their faithful followers. Had an awesome time....good show!

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

MICHAEL FRANKS WSG KEIKO MATSUI

A JAZZY FRIDAY NIGHT!

kicking off the weekend on a chilly Friday night was a sold out concert at the Music Hall that starred legendary jazz singer and songwriter Michael Franks with special guest acclaimed keyboardist and composer Keiko Matsui. To get the show that was hosted by radio personality Theresa Hill off to a supercharged start was the sensational Keiko Matsui and her talented band mates who performed a mixture of some of her older songs and music from her current CD. Then came the laid back, smooth voiced Michael Franks who had the packed theater singing along to just about all his classics with the exception of "When Sly Calls" (I have yet to see him perform it live). This was certainly a show that was worth catching, with the two jazz performers giving the people a great Friday night of jazz.

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

THE DON DAVIS LEGACY FOUNDATION AWARDS & TRIBUTE GALA

DETROIT GLITZ & GLAMOUR 

It was lights, cameras and action in Detroit on the Thursday evening of October 6, 2016 as the red carpet was rolled out and the media and local paparazzi lined up outside the Music Hall Theater. The red carpet affair was the 89th Annual National Bankers Association convention and Don Davis Legacy Foundation Launch Awards Gala and Tribute which was to honor the late Don Davis who was a former Grammy Award Winning music producer who turned banker (First Independence Bank) in the year 1980 as well to serve as the convention for the NBA, an association of African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and women owned banks. The gala was produced by Kiko Davis the widowed wife of the late banker and now she owns the bank and wanting to continue the philanthropist ways of her husband she launched The Don Davis Legacy Foundation which is designed to help with the financial needs of the community to help them achieve their goals. Hosted by two of Hollywood's esteemed actors Vivica A. Fox and Laz Alonso, it was also a platform to honor and award some notable charitable dignitaries, the late Don Davis whose young son Don Davis Jr. proudly accepted his award, Daymond John, Dr. Karl Gregory and Vivian Pickard. 

After the award ceremony the party started as Vivica introduced the ultimate entertainer Doug E. Fresh who of course had the lavishly adorned crowded audience dancing and singing along to his classic raps. Then not letting up on the crowd She would bring out the premier guest for the event Johnny Gill, who had everyone on their feet and then by the end of his show a stage full of people including singer Keith Washington, city council president Brenda Jones and yes even your boy THE REEL HUSTLER...LOL! It was truly a beautiful affair, showing that Detroit does shine with some glamorous people, Bentley's and lavish gowns. Thanks Kiko Davis and I am so proud of you. And I got to give a shout out and thank you to publicist and coordinator Lisa Wilmore for a great job. 

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

Pics provided by Ken Sanders and Marius Bingue.

Tyler Perry's BOO! A Madea Halloween

                                                                                                                                                 THE REEL HUSTLER interviews movie mogul Tyler Perry on the red carpet

in Detroit for his new film BOO: A MADEA HALLOWEEN that releases in theaters 

October 21, 2016.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

RED CARPET PREMIER "BOO: A MADEA HALLOWEEN"

BOO POWER!!! 

It was a buzz of excitement as the photographers and videographers took positions on the red carpet to get the opportunity to get an interview or photo with film producer, director and actor Tyler Perry. The movie mogul was in Detroit for the red carpet private advance screening for his new movie "BOO: A MADEA HALLOWEEN" that will be in theaters October 21, 2016. Here are some pics of me and some of my colleagues as we prepare to to do what we do. 

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

Some pics provided by Big Hank Photography

MASTERMINDS

Plot:

David Ghantt (Galifianakis) is a stumbling, bumbling goofball who works for an armored truck company with his partner Kelly (Wiig) who he secretly has a crush on. One day while at the dispatch office Kelly has a meltdown with the supervisor and she decides to quit or either gets fired, but anyway she no longer works for the company. When she hooks up with with the jive talking Steve (Wilson) and his gang, he talks her into convincing David to Rob the armored car company of their cash delivery. So after a few mishaps while robbing from the armored truck David manages to steal $17 million and although he thought he took out all the surveillance cameras he missed one that got a clear pic of his misconduct. Now with the FBI on his back Steve decides to set David up to take the full rap so that he can keep all the money for himself, but when David eludes the FBI and is on the run from the law and threatening to expose Steve, the greedy crook hires assassin Mike McKinney (Sudeikis). What will he do now that the law is after him as well as a hired hit man?


Reel Talk:

This comedy film is based on the true events of the 1997 Loomis Fargo armored truck robbery in North Carolina that would be the largest cash heist in American history. The real David Ghantt who was portrayed by Zach Galifianakis worked heavily as a consultant on this film to bring his bank heist story to the big screen. This money was stacked with comedy talent so yes there are some very funny scenes, just not consistently. Some of the scenes were just sorta stupid and lame. This will be a good matinee movie or you can just wait to catch it in Blue Ray.

Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Jason Sudeikis, Owen Wilson and Leslie Jones
Directed by: Jared Hess
Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

INSTAJAM VOL. 2

LET'S JAM!!!

Saturday night is known to be the night to party, to just jam on the one. Well on Saturday, October 1, 2016 it was definitely a night to jam as Perfection Entertainment promoted the INSTAJAM Vol. 2 concert series at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. The packed sold out crowd were in for a treat as the show was loaded with some of the most talented singers to hold a mic who were once chart toppers during the 90's and early 2000's. The show started off with the hometown soulful singer Uncle Sam, then followed up by another homegrown talent Chico Debarge. Next to come on was singer Case who would then be followed up by Singer Donnell Jones. To level out all the male testosterone was the sultry sounds of singer Kelly Price, the only female on the bill. After the diva's set the stage was graced with definitely one of the females favorite, singer Genuwine. And then to close out the concert was the group Dru Hill. Every one of the performers put on a good performance as they had the crowded audience jamming to all the hits that made them the musical chart busters of the past. It was a good show. Thanks to Ivory and Perfection Entertainment for providing the D with a good show and all the artists had nothing but praise for the city and the Perfection Entertainment team. Again hats off to a good show!

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