FASTER

Plot:

Dwayne Johnson plays a man who survived being shot and left for dead along with his brother who died after the two were set up behind a bank robbery. Upon being released from prison after doing 10 hard years he sets out to serve as the judge, jury and executioner to all the persons that were behind the death of his brother. Carla Gugino plays a detective who teams with a heroin addicted cop played by Billy Bob Thornton so that they can try to stop the constant killings brought on by the avenging ex-con and before he encounters a showdown with the relentless hired killer who is sent to wrap up all loose ends from the earlier robbery.

Reel Talk:

This is not the best action movie, but it is entertaining. Outside of some corny dialog, the action is decent along with your typical predictable outcomes. After a brief stint doing some family films for Disney, it is good to see Johnson returning to some hard core action movies. And well I guess it’s just good to see Thornton doing anything theses days. So if you’re an action junkie who likes fast cars, brawls and shoot outs, this is definitely a film to catch.

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Carla Gugino, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Maggie Grace, Mike Epps and Tom Berenger
Directed by: George Tillman Jr.
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

Demented Genius

This week, West, 33, releases his fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It is in many ways pop’s event of the year, a stunning comeback for an artist whom many people had started to think of as more of a clown. It reveals West in all his complicated splendor: the bully, the innovator, the polymath genius, the diamond-studded blowhard. Most of all, it showcases the undeniable singularity of his talent, which has gotten lost in months of extraordinarily bizarre behavior. But it also complements that behavior: “Power,” the first single off the album, is not its only anthem of defiance. The entire angry album is a flipped bird to the preprogrammed narratives of celebrity culture. It’s not self-defense; it’s a premeditated attack on West’s haters and a rough exultation of his ego, his impulsiveness, his mess. “Immature adult? Uh-huh,” West raps. “Insecure asshole? What else?”


Demented Genius

Jay Electronica is an official member of Jay-Z's Roc Nation.

He produced the first track, "Queens Get the Money", on the 2008 Nas album Untitled. The unconventional nature of much of his music, and the lack of conventional release methods for that music, have since 2007 made him the object of much attention. He was perhaps best known for the piece of music Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), until the release of the Just Blaze-produced track "Exhibit C" in late 2009 . Announced Friday, November 12, 2010, Jay is an official member of Jay-Z's Roc Nation.

50 Tyson, “I Don’t Know How To Dougie” [NEW MUSIC]

Your boy 50 Tyson is back with a song title that is optimized for search engine success (”How to Dougie” must get Googled about a thousand times a day) so we’re more than happy to post it for your reaction and comments.

Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh out and about in the community.

Horatio Williams gives back

Horatio Williams believes it is easy to reach kids – just show them some attention. That’s the idea behind his eponymous foundation, and he sees results every day.

“Kids don’t respect older people because they think they don’t care,” says the 42-year-old Grosse Pointe resident. “If we show them we do care, these kids will turn their way around and change the way they think.” Williams saw this firsthand when he was visiting a group of teens at a local gym. One he calls “the toughest one” was being disruptive and uncooperative, so Williams warned he’d have to kick him out. “I said, ‘I don’t want to because I love you,’ and the kid started crying. He said, ‘No one has ever said I love you to me before,’” Williams says.

That kind of response keeps Williams, a single father to an 11-year-old son, motivated to continue the success of the Horatio Williams Foundation. The Detroit-based organization is dedicated to helping innercity youth realize personal success and achievements, primarily through sports and education.

UNSTOPPABLE

Plot:

Unstoppable the new railway thriller that was inspired by actual events involving a runaway train, stars Denzel Washington as Frank, a veteran conductor who just received a 90 day notice that his job is up and Chris Pine as Will, a troubled you man who is newly hired base on his family’s ties to the railway system. The two are just trying to get through a routine day until they set out to rundown an unmanned runaway locomotive that’s moving at a high rated speed and harboring some toxic cargo that upon impact will destroy a city. The two along with the help of railroad supervisor Connie (Dawson) set out to attempt some risk maneuvering efforts to stop what can possibly be a major catastrophe that will cost thousands of lives.

Reel Talk:

All I got to say is WOW! This was one of the most action intense movies that I have seen all year. Directed by Tony Scott who has worked with Washington on several movies prior, shows why he is one of the best action directors out with his work on this film. This is also a stock booster for Chris Pine who really came to be notice with his role as Capt. Kirk in the 2009 blockbuster Star Trek., with his role alongside Denzel. I would advise you to get there early to get your snacks and make your restroom runs because once the movie starts you will be glued to your seat with unstoppable heart pounding action.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee and Kevin Dunn
Directed by: Tony Scott
Rated: PG-13

I give it 5 corn dogs and a soda on the side

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

The blog for the STREET: Kanye's full-length 'Runaway' film

The blog for the STREET: Kanye's full-length 'Runaway' film

Kanye's full-length 'Runaway' film

MORNING GLORY

Plot:

When Becky (McAdams) a franticly talkative morning news show producer with aspirations of one day producing for the Today Show gets fired due to cut backs, she desperately seeks out other producing opportunities. Her only reply comes from a station managed by Jerry Barnes (Goldblum) whose morning show ratings are the worst in the area. Now assigned to increase the ratings in a limited time, she desperately tries to make it work between her two aging anchors Colleen (Keaton) and the legendary but disgruntle Jack Pomeroy (Ford) who just can’t seem to come together on the show. While in the midst of all this she tries her hand at something that she is not accustom to (which is dating), when a young producer named Adam (Wilson) takes an interest in her.

Reel Talk:

With a talented line up of actors ranging from Keaton and Ford to McAdams and Wilson, this was an enjoyable movie. A typical feel good film, that provides some much needed humor despite some cheesy dialog. Ok this is not a movie worthy of any Oscars or even any nominations for that matter, but it is a delightfully predictable movie worth seeing.

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum
Directed by: Roger Michell
Rated PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

Keri Hilson, Ciara Heat Up BET's 'Black Girls Rock!' Show

Keri Hilson, Ciara Heat Up BET's 'Black Girls Rock!' Show

NEW YORK — As she took the stage at the start of BET's "Black Girls Rock!" event, host Nia Long announced, "The golden rule for this evening is to believe in yourself fearlessly." Her smile seemed to invite the audience to give it a try.

Anchored by stellar performances from Jill Scott, Keri Hilson, Ciara and other heavy hitters, the program's 11 honorees — including Lifetime Achievement Award winner Missy Elliot — carried a message of empowerment. "Black Girls Rock!" is a tribute devoted to honoring African-American "Icons, Moguls and Sheroes" and will be televised for the first time on BET Sunday (November 7) at 8 p.m. ET....... For more click here.

DUE DATE

Plot:

Just wrapping up a business meeting in Atlanta, Peter Highman (Downey) sets out to catch his flight home so that he will be on time for his wife’s delivery of their first child. But when he has a chance encounter with Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), a weird wanna be actor who was in town for his dad’s funeral, Peter’s journey is about to become an adventure. When the two are put on the no fly list and Peter is stranded with no luggage, ID or money, he is left no choice but to accept the offer of Ethan to drive back to L.A. in a renter car., which immediately becomes one nightmarish ride leaving him to wonder if he will make it home in time to be with his wife.

Reel Talk:

This was a funny movie! The combination of Downey’s uptight and intense role to Galifianakis’ strange and nerve wrecking character made for an entertaining film. It was like watching The Odd Couple on wheels. Galifianakis who has blown up since his role in The Hangover is starting to really become a comedic force in a host of films. Even the cameo roles of Jamie Foxx and Danny Mcbride were good for laughs. Very enjoyable buddy movie worth purchasing a ticket or two to see it.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Fox, Danny Mcbride and Juliette Lewis
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

FOR COLORED GIRLS

Plot:

This film derives from the 1974 stage play by Ntozake Shange, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, taking you through the lives of various women who are represented by colors and poems. Their trials and tribulations, and how they strive to overcome the obstacles that plague them because of their womanhood, everything from physical abuse, rape and abortions.

Reel Talk:

This movie is truly an intense film that deals with a lot of intense situations. Situations that are befalling us all or people that we may know, helping us to relate to what’s going on with the characters in the movie. With Tyler Perry at the helm as producer and director and an all star cast consisting of Kimberly Elise, Janet Jackson, Kerry Washington, Whoopi Goldberge, Phylicia Rashad and Thandie Newton just to name a few, the performances are powerful. If you were ever privileged to have seen the stage play you will surely appreciate the movie and if you did not, you will still enjoy it.

Starring: Kimberly Elise, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad and Whoopi Goldberg
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

Be sure to check out my interview with Kerry Washington for her role in the film.

KERRY WASHINGTON INTERVIEW

With Tyler Perry at the helm as producer and director for the film adaptation of the 1974 stage play For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, there is always a buzz because everyone wants to know will his goose lay another golden egg because his films do considerably well. In town to help kick things off for the movie was one of the stars, Kerry Washington, who is just as intellectual as she is beautiful and you know that The Reel Hustler had to sit her down for some Reel Talk and a little star gazing. LOL

The Reel Hustler: Are you excited about this movie?

Kerry Washington: I am, I really am. I feel very honored, truly honored and humble and blessed to be a part of this cast and to be a part of this film. It feels like an important moment in the American cinema, to have this many women of color, up there, each one of us telling an important story.

The Reel Hustler: You play Kelly, a child case worker with your own set of issues. Have you ever personally experienced any of the challenges that the women in the film did?

Kerry: Gosh….what an intense question, because there’s so much. I definitely could relate to every one of the characters in someway, if not someone personally close to me. None of these women felt like they were living a journey that was completely foreign to me. So either I could identify with it or someone close to me has gone through something similar.

The Reel Hustler: How was your experience working with Tyler Perry?

Kerry: It was great! Yeah I had never worked with Tyler before so I was really excited, because he is very inspiring. What he created. When you’re in Hollywood you go to work and you work in the Cary Grant Theater and then you go to work on the Charlie Chaplin stage and the Rita Hayward cafeteria, and you think ‘wow’, I’m a part of an important film legacy, a tradition of film making. You go to Tyler Perry’s studio, you get to work in the Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis Theater and you work on the Sidney Poitier stage and you realize that he’s honoring the contributions that we have made and continue to make, specifically as people of color. It’s very special, very profound for me to be a part of that legacy that he has created.

The Reel Hustler: With so many women involved with this movie and most with super star caliper, including your self, what was the chemistry like on the set? You know what they say ‘a bunch of women can’t get along’.

Kerry: Yeah I think that’s a lot of talk. I don’t know who says that, but it’s not true. We really loved working together. We’ve been talking about it a lot, like a marathon, you know that you would come to work and there would be a buzz on the set like “Ooh Thandie threw down this morning, Thandie really brought it, Thandie and Whoopi, they were tearing it up over in Studio A. And you be like ok, you take that baton after lunch and you say it’s my turn to bring my A game. It wasn’t competitive, it was supportive and encouraging. We really kinda carried each other and just held each other through the process. Everybody has such a different way of working and we were very respectful of each other’s different process. As you might imagine with all these women, the hair and make-up trailer was always a party, 24/7, music pumping. It was great! For me a lot of these women, quite honestly are the reason I do what I do. These women have been like lighthouses for me, inspiring me. Phylicia Rashad, Whoopi Goldberg,Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, these are women whose work I have looked to and to be able to be among them now, to be working along side them, is a real honor.

The Reel Hustler: You got 16 years and a host of movies under your belt. Out of all the movies you’ve done which is your favorite?

Kerry: You Can’t Ask That!!! (laughing). It’s like asking somebody who their favorite child is, because they are all so special. Because for me I say no a lot, so when I make the decision to do a film, it’s because I really want to do it, for whatever reason. One of my favorite films quite honestly or I’ll say the film I had the most fun making in my entire career was when I made ‘Little Man’ with the Wayans brothers. That’s the most fun I had on a movie set ever.

The Reel Hustler: Who would you like to work with now, seeing that you have already worked with some of the best in the game?

Kerry: I have worked with some really great people. I’ve been really blessed. I’d love to work with Clint Eastwood. I would love to work with Ben Affleck, I think he is on top of the game of American directors right now. Umm I would like to work with umm… oh my gosh, there’s so many, to be honest, I just want to keep working (laughing). I want to keep working. I want to keep being able to do what I love to do for a living for as long as I want to do it.

For Colored Girls opens in theaters November 5, 2010.

Follow Kerry on twitter @kerry washington