ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Plot:

With the holiday just five days away, Walter (Glover) a recent widower who fondly remembers the good times he shared with his wife and four children throughout the years and the awesome dinners especially the sweet potato pies, is still looking forward to the family tradition so he prepares for the arrival of his sister in law May (Mo'Nique) and his now grown kids Cheryl (Elise) and her promiscuous husband Lonnie (Smooth), Christian (Malco), his wife Sonya (Parker) and their two kids, Rachel (Union) and her daughter and the youngest son Evan (Usher). But when they reunite the results are not festive as Walter had expected but rather chaotic as there are unresolved issues along with some new pending concerns that have the siblings fighting and arguing among themselves. Then there is the matter of the dinner which no one's cooking can compare to Walter's wife without her infamous recipes that have not been found. This just may be the last time that the dysfunctional family gather for the holiday unless they figure what it takes to work things out.


Reel Talk:

Right off, this is just another typical holiday movie designed to make you laugh, somber you and then give you the happy ending. It is just a movie because in the real world that just doesn't happen. With a star stacked cast it was somewhat entertaining as well as somewhat comical. But who really made the movie pop with the laughs was J.B. Smooth, he was hilarious. The other performances were good also with all the seasoned talent Like Danny Glover, Mo'Nique, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Nicole Ari Parker and Romany Malco. There are also the large array of celebrity cameos along with the young rising actors that hold their own in this film. Good movie if you need that holiday jolt and want a few laughs. It is worth cashing out.

Starring: Danny Glover, Kimberly Elise, Mo'Nique, Romany Malco, Nicole Ari Parker, Gabrielle Union, J.B. Smooth, Omar Epps

and Jessie T. Usher
Directed by: David E. Talbert
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

WALK FASHION SHOW & CATWALK

A NIGHT OF FASHION FOR A CAUSE!

On a brisk and chilly night in Detroit, one may have thought they were in New York City at one of the lavish fashion shows they are known to showcase. Instead the fashion event took place at the Eastern Market Shed # 5 located at 2934 Russell Street and it showcased some of the city's hottest fashion designers. The event known as the Walk Fashion Show & Catwalk is an annual affair produced and hosted by Lisa Duncan, Crystal Bailey, Rodney Howell and Daishawn Johnson with Remy Martin as one of their primary sponsors. Yes THE REEL HUSTLER had to clean up and step up in the place and peep all the exciting and vibrant fashions from Detroit's visionary designers and the fashionable trend setting patrons.

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

THE GETDOWN PARTY FOR MOODYMANN

GETDOWN ON IT!

If you are a true die hard house music fan or also known as a house head, then you were probably at the Tangent Gallery located at 715 E. Milwaukee last night for "THE GETDOWN" party for internationally acclaim DJ Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann. The event which was hosted by Theresa Hill Events brought out the house music enthusiast as well as some DJ's like legends Carl Craig, Marc Duncan, John Collins and RayBone Jones, Big Bob, Special K, Seth Carter just to name a few, some graced the turntables and some were just in the house to just show love. Oh yeah the music had you getting down and jamming on the one with Moodymann closing out the show into the early morning. Now you know that THE REEL HUSTLER had to drop in and capture some moments!

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

THE BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!

Plot:

It is November in Detroit and Kevin (Seals) is looking forward to the best Thanksgiving ever because he plans to spend it with his girlfriend, but when he stops by her house midday and sees her having sex through the window it turns out to be his worst Thanksgiving ever. When he confides his situation to his best friend Brad (Paulus) who is married to his beautiful wife Liz (Adair) but unappreciative of their relationship, Brad invites Kevin to spend the holiday with him, his wife, some relatives and friends. Unfortunately this did not cheer Kevin up because of the wild and craziness that his friends serve up. So the two best friends agree to head out to hit the town on the holiday with hopes of taking the edge off the bad circumstances, only to encounter even more mishaps when they stop into a strip club and bars. They go from one whacky situation to another turning the holiday into one big misadventure.


Reel Talk:

OK now you all know that I always keep it real, so I almost missed this screening because at first glance of the trailer I was not moved to eagerly see this independent film. So while out attending another screening the previous evening I was asked if I was going to attend the premier for "The Best Thanksgiving Ever!" and so since I didn't have anything else going on for that evening I reserved to attend. Man oh Man...did I almost miss out because this was a very funny film. You can not tell that this is a low budgeted indie film because it is so well put together, from the cinematography, the editing, the acting, the story and even the soundtrack which includes songs from legendary songwriter G Tom Mac and Detroit's own Obie Trice. The story which was written by Michigan native David Paulus (Brad in the film) and directed by J.D. Shapiro was based on some actual events that happened one Thanksgiving to a friend of David. Again this is one hilariously funny film with cameos from Eric Roberts and Ed O'Ross, that I truly suggest people should see if you don't mind some raw sexual humor. I have not laughed this hard for a movie except for Porky's, Bachelor Party, There's Something About Mary, to name a few. "The Best Thanksgiving Ever!" is showing on limited engagements at select Emagine theaters only, but I am hoping that it gets a major distribution deal so that it can be seen on more theater screens. Support this movie!

Starring: Jay Seals, David Paulus, Heather Adair, Tate Hanyok, Eric Roberts, Ed O'Ross and Jason Whisman
Directed by: J.D. Shapiro
Rated: NR

I give it 4 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

DOCTOR STRANGE

Plot:

Dr.Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is one of if not the best neurosurgeons in the country but along with his unmatched skill is his huge arrogant ego. He is so wrapped up into himself that he can't even accept that he is cared for by his colleague Christine (McAdams), even after he has a bad automobile accident that damages his hands severely. It comes to the point that there is no medical solution to repair his hands which causes him to become heavily depressed. But he will soon be given a sliver of hope when he is informed of a miracle cure that lies deep in the midst of a village within Kathmandu. Once there he encounters Mordo (Ejiofor) who takes him to meet his master The Ancient One (Swinton) who is not impressed with his arrogant and  selfish demeanor. Reluctantly she takes him in as a student but soon realizes that he is far more advanced than the other students and he will be given the power and responsibility to do battle with Kaecilius (Mikkelsen) a former student who now serves the dark master who plans to destroy the planet.


Reel Talk:

Doctor Strange is the latest super hero to be launched on the big screen from the Marvel Comic book pages. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays the crimson caped wearing, mystic mind bending superhero and he does well. The movie is entertaining, not off the hook good but passable. The one thing that weighed on me was how much similar this film was to the 2010 Leonardo DiCaprio hit "Inception" which show how much the originality was lacking from the film. But again still not a bad movie, it is worth checking out and if you can catch it at a matinee fee that would be even better.

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Wong and Benjamin

Bratt
Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Rated: Pg-13

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

CELEBRITY ACTING WORKSHOP ft WESLEY JONATHAN

TAKE THREE AND "ACTION"!

If you are an aspiring actor and serious about the craft, you were probably at the celebrity acting workshop this past Saturday morning that was facilitated by actor Wesley Jonathan and of course THE REEL HUSTLER was on hand to capture the moments. The celebrity actor gave incite to various avenues to becoming an actor as well as have the class attendees prepare and hold acting sessions to showcase their skills. The site for the workshop was the Motor City Java & Tea House located at 17336 Lahser Rd.(about 2 doors down from the Redford Theater).This is the third celebrity acting workshop that is produced by promoter Al Maddin who has also brought in actors Carl A. Payne II along with Dennis "L.A." White for the first class and actor Obba Babatunde for the second. These workshops are very enlightening and informative those that have an interest in becoming an actor, so be on the lookout for the next one coming soon.

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

WESLEY JONATHAN AT TV LOUNGE

ABOUT LAST NIGHT!

Was out and about and stopped in at TV Lounge to catch up with the homies Al Maddin and actor Wesley Jonathan who is in Detroit for his Celebrity Acting Workshop training session Saturday morning. Can you say "All The way Up"...LOL!

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