WILL DOWNING / CHANTE MOORE AT CHENE PARK

WILL IT TO BE DONE!

I have just gotten in from one of the shows at the Detroit riverfront amphitheater, Chene Park. The concert was part of the venue's Wednesday Jazzy Nights Series and featured Will Downing with special guest Chante Moore. I was worried that I might not make it to the show because it appeared that the weather was favoring a rain storm but it only ended up with just some slight rain for a brief little while, then it turned out to be a wonderful night. The two singers took turns doing solo
performances, one on then the other would come out while the other would go take a break. That went on the entire evening, each one belting out the songs that made them relevant, successful singers with only a fifteen minute intermission. After trading solo time, with Will singing to the ladies and Chante singing to the fellas, the two paired for the encore to perform a duet of Will's song "Nothing Has Felt Like This". And they just tore down the packed theater with that song. Will Downing
comes pretty much every year and you best believe that he will bring the ladies out and then he will show out for them. Great show and to think that I almost missed it. Still some hot shows on the summer lineup for Chene Park, so go to the site below and check out the schedule.

www.CheneParkDetroit.com

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

MOTOWN TO RELEASE "DETROIT" THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE FILM

MOTOWN TO RELEASE DETROIT THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE FILM DETROIT FEATURING AN ORIGINAL SONG BY THE ROOTS FILM OPENS IN THEATERS AUGUST 4, 2017

 Motown Records announces the DETROIT Official Soundtrack music from and inspired by DETROIT coming this July, 2017. The record features original architects of the immortal 'Motown Sound' as well as a new song from GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum hip-hop icons The Roots entitled "It Ain't Fair (feat. Bilal)."

"'It Ain't Fair' was designed to emphasize the importance of social justice through the prism of late-sixties Detroit, which means many things culturally and politically, and also certain things musically,' says The Roots drummer and producerQuestlove.

From Kathryn Bigelow, two-time Academy Award®- winning director of THE HURT LOCKER and ZERO DARK THIRTY, and Annapurna Pictures, DETROIT captures one of the most terrifying events during the riots that took place over five tumultuous summer days in 1967.

"It's been fifty years since the events of this film, but the powerful images I saw on the screen reminded me that we're still going through the same things now," says Questlove. "That knowledge produces anger, but not despair: music has the power to express both anguish and hope."

The DETROIT Soundtrack Album captures light amidst one of America's darkest times by illuminating the power at the heart of the Motown, Detroit, and late sixties cultures all at once. It's the sound of change in the face of oppression and a moment of revolution brought to life in song and on screen.

"We're honored and excited to work on such an important and special project as DETROIT," says Motown Records president Ethiopia Habtemariam. The music from this soundtrack highlights the 'Classic Motown Sound' which is a beautiful accompaniment to the story of tumultuous times in 1967 as well as the struggles we face within society today."

Good Time | Official Trailer 2 HD | A24

UNITED SOUND SYSTEMS STUDIO DEDICATION

THE UNITED SOUND OF MUSIC!

It was a beautiful Sunday and so after a wonderful Sunday service I headed over to the United Sound Systems Studios located at 5840 Second Ave. in the midtown area of the city for the historical marker celebration and dedication at the legendary studio that was used by some of the most influential and talented musicians to ever touch a microphone or instrument. The event hosted by current owner and manager of the studio, Danielle Scott along with her team opened the doors to the media and public so that they can tour the studio and meet with some of the spouses and children to the entertainers that made this a historical building. In attendance was Kiko Davis, wife to the late Don Davis, producer and entrepreneur and also the former owner of the studio, Brenda Wilson daughter of Jackie Wilson, Cheryl Ruffin daughter of David Ruffin, Kecalf Franklin son of Aretha Franklin, Eddina Camille daughter of Edward Holland of the famed Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team, Billy Davis who mentored and taught Jimi Hendrix to play guitar, just to name a few of the people there to help in the marker dedication. It was truly a good educational experience. Feel free to stop by and take advantage of a tour of the historical studio for a fee of ten dollars. Tell them THE REEL HUSTLER sent you...LOL!

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

MONICA / ASHANTI / DONELL JONES / CASE AT CHENE PARK

JUST ANOTHER NIGHT!

I so enjoy what I do! Where else can you take advantage of a beautiful evening at a wonderful outdoor venue, with performances from some heavy hitting R&B singers? Well that is how it went down last night at the Chene Park amphitheater that sits along the Detroit riverfront. It was some great weather as the theater was filled with patrons who came to enjoy the show. First up came singer Case who got the crowd going as he sang his hits and then went to the second tier section to sing within the crowd. Next up was Donell Jones who the women must have enjoyed because they were just singing along to his classic jams. Then came Ashanti...Oh Ashanti!!! She came out with a one piece bikini type outfit with some fishnet stockings looking so good and went to work singing all the hits from her catalog. She had the audience rocking. Closing out the night then was Monica, who was a gracious doll as she took to the stage and showed why she is becoming a legend in the game. I also like the fact that she had her children at the show with her and while she accommodated and engaged her fans she never neglected her kids. She is a winner in my book all day for the mothers take your kids to work program. I really had a good time at the concert and as I always say, that if you haven't been to Chene Park, you better check it out. They have an awesome lineup for this summer and music to suit everyone. Check out their lineup at the website www.CheneParkDetroit.com

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

ALL EYEZ ON ME

Plot:

Even as early on as his childhood, Tupac Shakur (Shipp) was taught by his mother Afeni Shakur (Gurira), who was a member of the Black Panthers, to be strong, outspoken, keep your head up and be heard. After experiencing the unwanted relocation from New York, leaving behind his good friend Jada Pinkett (Graham), to California he sets out to become a rapper and begins his career as an MC with the rising group Digital Underground. From there he becomes a solo rap artist who would soon become famous but with the fame would come various tumultuous events like him getting robbed and shot, accused and convicted of rape to which on both cases he believed he was set up by some of his fellow cohorts lead by notorious thug Nigel (Hardrict) along with his former rap buddy Biggie Smalls (Woolard). Upon his time in prison, the money becomes dried up and his label has turned their back on him, and so with no other options he turns to Suge Knight (Santana) to post his bail to have him released but for the price of his freedom he must sign to Suge's label as an artist. Now having become an official member of Death Row Records, he becomes their biggest top selling performer, making him a mega star but still he is unable to avoid the perils of the violence that surrounded him and the notorious record label, to which it would lead to his untimely death.


Reel Talk:

They billed this as the untold story of Tupac Shakur but it really did not expose anything that Tupac fans did not already know. It was more like a showcase for his music at best which fans will be able to groove along to. The film is a noticeably long two hours and twenty minutes with scenes that could have easily seen the editing cut. Even though the actors' performances were good with some even exceedingly good like, Danai Gurira as Afeni, Cory Hardrict as Nigel, Dominic Santana as Suge and there were scenes that Demetrius Shipp Jr. even had you thinking that you were actually watching Tupac himself. Overall, it was not a great film nor bad film, just an alright film. It will be best if you don't try to compare it with other bio-films because it may not live up to the standards, but if you are a true Tupac Shakur fan or new found admirer, just go and enjoy the film.

Starring: Demetrius Shipp Jr., Jamal Woolard, Kat Graham, Danai Gurira, Dominic Santana, Cory Hardrict and Hill Harper
Directed by: Benny Boom
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By; THE REEL HUSTLER

47 METERS DOWN

Plot:

When sisters Lisa (Moore) and Kate (Holt), get together to reunite for a vacation on the tropical beaches of an island in Mexico. Lisa who has just experienced a traumatic breakup from her live in boyfriend is encouraged by her younger sister to be daring and wild, with hopes that will help to take her mind off the past. The two woman eventually agree to go off to an unauthorized tourist excursion with two island natives, to go cage diving among giant killer sharks. Again reluctant Lisa is talked into getting in the cage on a old rusted ship manned by Captain Taylor (Modine), who assure the women that all will be just fine. Things start out wonderful at first until the old, corroded cable cord and winch breaks and the two sisters are dropped to the ocean bed at a depth of 47 meters. With limited oxygen, no communication and huge killer sharks circling around the cage, the women must console each other so that neither doesn't panic causing the usage of much needed air or any bad decisions.


Reel Talk:

Now at the end I said bad decisions, but this is a film with nothing but awful bad decisions. I spent probably the entire film screaming at how crazy these two woman were for the decisions they were choosing. I am sorry but movies like this are just foolish because although we may make unwise choices, I truly find it hard to believe that not one person in this film can make just one rational choice. Go see this at your own risk if you want to risk the money. This is one you can really wait and catch on cable.

Starring: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine, Yani Gellman, Santiago Segura and Chris Johnson
Directed by: Johannes Roberts
Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 corn dogs.

By: THE REEL HUSTLER

CINETOPIA FILM FESTIVAL - DESTINED PREMIER

CHOICES...MAKE THEM COUNT!

As I still continued to squeeze in movies from the Cinetopia Film Festival that started June 1, 2017 and runs to June, 11 2017, one film that THE REEL HUSTLER couldn't miss was "Destined", a film written and directed by Detroit native Qasim "Q" Basir. I have been knowing Q since his very first film that he filmed while living in Detroit and although now residing in Los Angeles he still holds Detroit in his heart and that is why he has filmed his last two movies (Mooz-Lum and Destined) in Detroit. He also wanted to come home and premier his film since it had been four years since his last movie was screened here. He also brought along some of the actors from the film Cory Hardrict and Jason Dohring to attend the red carpet premier that was headed off with a small intimate meet and greet where there was also a special presentation from another Detroit native, acclaimed Grammy, Tony, Emmy and Webby award winner and nominate songwriter Allee Willis. Allee has written songs for the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire, Patti Labelle, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge and a host of others. After the screening premier, there was a Q&A with Q and the actors to which I did not stay to the end, but later found out that Q proposed to the beautiful woman that has been holding him down. Congratulations Q!!!

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

#CinetopiaFilmFestival
#Destined
#QasimBasir
#CoryHardrict
#JasonDohring
#AlleeWillis

CINETOPIA FILM FESTIVAL - MCLAREN PREMIER

GO SPEED RACER!!!

THE REEL HUSTLER stopped in for my first movie screening June 2, 2017 for the Cinetopia Film Festival at the Henry Ford Imax Theater for the first United States showing of the film "McLaren", the documentary about race car phenomenon Bruce McLaren. Before the film started I indulged in the festivities of a VIP reception and then a pre Q&A session with the producer, director and some of the McLaren race team employees that worked alongside Bruce McLaren before his unexpected death. The Cinetopia Film Festival started June 1, 2017 to June 11, 2017 with a vast number of films (about 60 total) to chose from that screened in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.

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

#Mclaren
#BruceMclaren
#MclarenRacing
#CinetopiaFilmFestival