PREMIUM RUSH

Plot:

Wilee (Gordon-Levitt) is a talented New York City bicycle courier that lives life on the edge, his philosophy  and how he rides is no gears and no brakes, take whatever  that comes your way head on. Even though that’s a reckless way to live, his life has never been threatened more than when he is assigned to deliver a package from a friend that is also the target for an erratic, compulsive gambling cop named Bobby Monday (Shannon) who must retrieve the package so that his debt to the Chinese mob will be forgiven, so he will stop at nothing to stop Wilee from delivery it. But what the dirty cop doesn’t count on is that Wilee will use all his skills and resources to deliver his package on time, even his cycling courier buddies.

Reel Talk:

On one hand this is an action film junkie’s type of movie because it is action packed pretty much the entire movie but on the other hand it is so farfetched and unbelievable that you may not take it seriously. I understand that cycling and driving can be hectic in NYC, but there is no perfect calculation in either, so the way they were riding in the film is not happening in the real world. But for the sake of entertainment it is a fast paced movie that will keep your attention and Michael Shannon as the dirty cop is hilarious. There is no need to rush for this one unless you are in dire need for some fabricated action.

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Wole’ Parks, Michael Shannon and Aasif Mandvi

Directed by: David Koepp

Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

HIT AND RUN

Plot:

Yul Perkin (Shepard) is living in a small quiet township with his girlfriend Annie (Bell) under the witness protection program under the assumed name Charles Bronson. All is great between the two until Annie either must, take a job in LA or become unemployed. When the couple agrees that she should take the job, he promises to drive her there in his super charged classic Lincoln, compromising his safety from the witness protection group.  Once they set out on their journey to LA they realize that they are being pursued by his old gang that he testified against led by Alex Dimitri (Cooper), Annie’s ex-boyfriend Gil (Rosenbaum) and a accident prone U.S. Marshall agent played by Tom Arnold, causing Charles to convert back to some of his unsavory ways as Yul that eventually affects his relationship with Annie.

Reel Talk:

This is a decent movie despite the cheesy written story.  I give credit to Dax Shepard, who I think is a very talented actor on the rise who wrote the cheesy plot, produced, co-directed and starred in with his real life girlfriend Kristen Bell, which their real romance exudes on the screen making it easy for them to perform the couple’s roles. Like I said this is not a great movie, but it is an entertaining film if you’re in need of a worthy date movie. It is also good for a few laughs, of course you can count on Tom Arnold to provide his off brand style of humor for some laughs. Walk, you don’t have to rush out for this one.

Starring: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Tom Arnold, Michael Rosenbaum, Bradley Cooper, Joy Bryant and Beau Bridges.

Directed by: Dax Shepard and David Palmer

Rated: R

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

SPARKLE

Plot:


Sparkle (Sparks) is a young talented church going songwriter as well as singer, but would rather take a backseat to her charismatic and sultry but worldly older sister named Sister (Ejogo). While on one of their sneak out the house ventures because of their over protective and GOD fearing mother Emma (Houston), they encounter a young but ambitious manager named Stix (Luke) who wants to make the  two young ladies in addition to their other sister Dolores (Sumpter) a powerhouse girls group that would rival the Supremes. Along with worrying about being caught by their mother, they also have to deal with the negative aspects that comes with being in show business like drugs, domestic abuse and failed relationships, that mainly engulfs Sister as she engages in a dangerous affair with a ruthless Comedian named Satin (Epps). Eventually the sisters will realize that the price for fame does not come without the price of blood as all their lives will take drastic changes as they pursue the performance spotlight as singers.


Plot:


I have made no secret that I am a skeptic of remakes, because most remakes don't do the original classics any justice. Well this one is one of the exceptions! Where there are some major changes from the 1976 version to this one, it still works to the advantage in making this a good film. Director Salim Akil does a great job with a superb talented cast that puts in work on this film. You will be compelled with emotions as you watch Whitney Houston in her last screen performance before her unfortunate and untimely death in months to follow. Jordin Sparks delivers big in her cherry popping role as Sparkle, but I must honestly say that Mike Epps performance as the menacing Satin is worthy of an Oscar nomination. This is by far his best role yet as an actor. Filmed entirely in Detroit, some of the city's celebrities such as R&B Artist Kem and actor Sidi Henderson make cameo appearances along with the music from the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin which contributes to an awesome soundtrack. Definitely a must see and be sure to carry a napkin in case you feel the need to shed a tear or two because there are some powerfully emotional moments in this film.

Starring: Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Tamika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick
Directed by: Salim Akil
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs and a soda on the side!

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

Be sure to check out my Red Carpet interview with Jordin Sparks at the the Detroit Premier below the review.

SPARKLE - RED CARPET DETROIT - JORDIN SPARKS -ARETHA FRANKLIN INTERVIEW

TOTAL RECALL

Plot:


 Colin Farrell plays Doug Quaid a mine worker who feels dissatisfied with his life, seeking a little more excitement he is introduced by a co-worker to an underground mind vacationing program that would allow him the chance at being a super spy, but there is a set back when it is realized that he is already a top spy named Hauser in real life. Soon he is targeted by his wife Lori (Beckinsale) who is really an agent assigned to stay close to him by organization head Cohaagen (Cranston) and to terminate him if he was to go rogue which now is her primary mission. On the run and hunted by Lori and her squad of robotic goons and unable to determine what is real or a dream, he must enlist the help of a woman Melina (Biel) who he has seen in his dreams so that she can take him to meet Matthias (Nighy) who heads up the rebel forces that are trying to overthrow the corrupted Cohaagen.


 Reel Talk:


This is a remake of the 1990 classic film of the same title which starred Arnold Schwarzeneggar. Although I am a hard critic of remakes this one was not that bad, not great but acceptable. It does not compare to the original but offers it's own flair by way of the action (mainly with the cat fight scenes with Beckinsale and Biel) and the good visual ccinematography Not a big Farrell fan, i will say this is one of his more impressive performances. The action is fast and constant so you will stay focused on the screen and it doesn't even matter about the changes in this film, like it takes place on Earth oppose to on Mars in the original. still an entertaining movie worth checking out.

Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeem Woodbine and Bill Nighy Directed by: Len Wiseman
 Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

 By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

TONY n TINA'S WEDDING (LAS VEGAS)

Hey I'm back! Sorry I won't post any movie reviews this weekend because I was in Las Vegas for a seminar, so I didn't make any screenings this week. But as you know I am an entertainment correspondent, so while in Vegas I got the opportunity to catch a few shows courtesy of the show's producers. While all the shows were entertaining I most definitely enjoyed the production of Tony n Tina's Wedding. What's unique about this show is that it includes a full three course Italian dinner that places you at the dining table with family members and friends of the wedding couple. Not only will you be eating with them but you will actively take part in the actual antics of the wedding.Trust me, it is hilarious fun that you will certainly enjoy. Between the two dysfunctional families of the two love birds and their over the top friends this comedy dinner show is well worth seeing if you're ever in Las Vegas. You will not be disappointed by either the show or the food. Feel free to contact me for ticket information via email at grosslystated@yahoo.com or contact COLE COMPANY MANAGER TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING LAS VEGAS 702.376.1557 P | 702.889.8224 F www.facebook.com/tonyandtinasweddingvegas www.tonyandtinavegas.com By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

Plot:

Before Professor X he was Charles Xavier (McAvoy) and before Magneto he was Erik Lehnsherr (Fassbender). First Class takes you to the early days of the two young mutants who became friends, both with different agendas to help young CIA Agent Mactaggert (Bryne) stop a sadistic mutant named Sebastian Shaw (Bacon) from causing a global nuclear war. Because Sebastian is so powerful, Charles and Erik must recruit other young mutants so that they can combine their unique abilities, even if it means exposing themselves to humans, who most feel is their enemy.

Reel Talk:

Right off, this was a good movie! I like how it takes you back to origin of the X-Men, how they were just learning their mutant powers and how to control them to their benefit. It takes you into the indifferences that would lead to the division between Charles and Erik that would lead to their future conflicts. The story is well told and the characters, to be younger, are more menacing than the characters that are portrayed in the other X-men films. This movie even comes off a little darker than the others, especially with Erik’s deeply scarred revengeful character and Kevin Bacon as the sinister Sebastion. Overall this is a good visually enticing, solid action movie well worth checking out.

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Zoe Kravitz, January Jones and Nicholas Hoult
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

THE HANGOVER PART II

Plot:

Ding, ding, ding….it’s round two for the wolfpack. Part II has Stu (Helms) set to marry his fiancé in her homeland in Thailand. After the strong urgings of Doug (Bartha), Stu reluctantly invites Alan (Galifianakis) to the wedding but strongly refuses Phil’s (Cooper) desire for the foursome to engage a bachelor party, considering what happened in Vegas for Doug’s party. So they agree to one drink along with Stu’s future brother in-law and well Hangover Part II. The threesome of Stu, Alan and Phil wake up in Bangkok with no idea what happened or what strange occurrences that have taken place in between the time period. There only clue lies with there former nemesis Mr. Chow (Jeong) from their Vegas experience and a hard smoking, drug dealing monkey. With the clock ticking the group set out on another adventure, this time to find Stu’s missing future in-law.


Reel Talk:

This is one of the year’s most anticipated movies, so the question is does it live up to the hype? Well, with director Todd Phillips back at the helm and the complete original cast from the first film back together (yes even Mike Tyson), the laughs are plentiful. Although it’s pretty much the same story as the original, only difference being is the location, you go to see this movie for it’s over the top humor and nothing more. With Galifianakis back and Ken Jeong with some more juicer scenes, Hangover fans will not be disappointed. Overall this is a good follow up movie and if you are in need of some laughs, this is the one to see.

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Paul Giamatti and Mike Tyson
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Rated: R

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

EMAGINE THIS!

This weekend I attended the ribbon cutting event for the grand opening for the new entertainment megaplex the Emagine Theater and Star Lanes Bowling Alley located on the northeast corner of 11 Mile Rd and Main St. in Royal Oak, MI. Let me just say that this joint is a beast! This 71,000 square foot complex offers you all that you could imagine for your entertainment pleasures. It offers 1700 plush high-backed seats with leg space to die for (no more stepped on toes…lol) in 10 state of the art theaters equipped with digital projections, a few bars, a huge concession stand, a restaurant, 16 bowling lanes with four being located in the High Roller Room, which is designed for private family or business events that also features a pool table, shuffle board and a bar to name a few of the amenities. Believe me this place has been thought out to offer you the best in upscale entertainment.

The event was also a charity function for Judson Center and Gleaners Community Food Bank, but I got to say the food for the event was amazing with delicacies that would rival an Oscar party’s menu from chefs that will be on hand to cook for future functions held there. And although I’m not a drinker, the bar will be a major financial bonus for the venue. A movie, bowling and drinks….Oh My!!!

Oh and parking is not a problem any more because they have a 400 cars hi-rise parking structure that offers free parking before 6pm. Being that it’s right outside the Detroit belt, this will be convenient for people with limited transportation because the plaza is bus route accessible. Officially opening May 16, 2011, I strongly encourage that you go and visit this new entertainment venue, trust me you will be amazed and will thoroughly enjoy the experience. In the words from Nicki Minaj’s song, The Emagine Theater and Star Lanes just ‘doo doo’d’ on all the other movie theaters…..LOL

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

THOR

Plot:

In the distant galaxy amongst the stars is the planet Asgard, which is the residing place for Thor (Hemsworth) a mighty and fierce warrior as well as arrogant. When he defies the wishes of his father Odin (Hopkins) the king of Asgard and disrupts a truce between their main rival, setting off a war, Odin banishes Thor to Earth without his powerful hammer. While on Earth he is befriended by Jane Foster (Portman) a young scientist that is trying to figure out his connection to some of the strange occurrences that are happening among her small town. With Thor banished, his father becomes ill and his planet’s rulership now falls into the hands of his evil brother Loki (Hiddleston), who plans to hand it over to the enemy and sets out to destroy his brother while on Earth.

Reel Talk:

Thor being the latest installment from the Marvel Comic’s catalog to become a movie is a smash. Visually enticing and lots of action, this proved to be a very good movie. My only gripe is why hype this as a 3D movie with no 3D effects. In that area 3D freaks will be truly disappointed. Chris Hemsworth as Thor put in a worthy performance for his stellar role as the main actor. This film is worth checking out.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Clark Gregg and Idris Elba
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler