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

JUMPING THE BROOM

Plot:

When the beautiful Sabrina Watson (Patton) finally meets her knight in shining armor in Jason Taylor (Alonso), the two decide they are the ones for each other after 6 months of dating and so let the marriage take place. Things are going well until the weekend of the wedding when the families of the two love birds meet for the first time, with Sabrina’s shrimp and caviar eating parents meeting Jason’s neck bone and greens eating mother and uncle. With devastating secrets revealed and constant debates, the main debate being about whether the couple will honor the tradition from his side of the family regarding jumping the broom at the wedding, the two may not even make it down the aisle.

Reel Talk:

This T.D. Jakes production about the union of two and their families of urban and suburban differences is the reel deal. With a star filled cast with everyone getting in on the fun, this was a hilariously funny movie. Mike Epps continues to show why he is one of the funniest in the game with his silly performance as Uncle Willie Earl. A good cast, good story, good messages, good laughs, a just all around good movie.

Starring: Angela Bassett, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Loretta Devine, Meagan Good, Tasha Smith, Julie Bowen, DeRay Davis, Valerie Pettiford and Mike Epps
Directed by: Salim Akil
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

FAST FIVE

Plot:

Fast Five immediately picks up where the last Fast And Furious movie ended, with Dominic Toretto (Diesel) getting caught and sentenced to jail. While in route to jail he is busted from the prison bus by his sister Mia (Brewster) and her boyfriend, the now ex FBI agent Brian O’ Connor (Walker). Now outlawed in the states they relocate to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and hook up with old friend Vince (Schulze) from the first movie and return to their old trade of boosting cars. But when a heist goes bad and DEA agents are murdered, Dominic is framed and is now the target for the stone cold, merciless FBI agent Hobbs (Johnson) who has no boundaries or limits to how he gets his man. On the run again he puts together a plan to rip off the wealthiest and most ruthless man in Rio, who just also happens to be the man who set him up. In order to pull off this caper they enlist the services of some friends from the previous four Fast and Furious movies and take Rio for one wild ride.

Reel Talk:

All I can say about this movie is "WOW"!!!! Action junkies beware, because you will overdose on this movie. From the beginning to the end this movie will have you on the edge of your seat with some breath taking stunts and action from the cast of stars from the Fast series. Dwayne Johnson also brings a new punch to the Fast installments. You can bet he will be in the next one. This is a must see movie that will not dissappoint!

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang and Joaquim De Almeida
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

SUCKER PUNCH

Plot:

While trying to prevent her pedophile step father from sexually assaulting her younger sister Baby Doll (Browning) accidentally shots and kills her sister causing her step father to have her admitted to a mental hospital. During her wait to be lobotomized she is forced to join a small group of girls organized by Dr. Vera Gorski (Gugino) who perform erotic dances for clients arranged by the corrupt head orderly Blue (Isaac). Realizing that when she does her supposedly provocative dance it takes her into a dream world of sword battles and shoot outs, giving her incite to how she and the other girls can escape from their imprisonment.

Reel Talk:

Don’t get sucker punch by this movie! I mean it has all the makings for a good movie, director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) at the helm, action with fights and shoot outs by scantily clad women in high heels if that’s your thing, but it falls flat with the story. The one thing that really got me was that we never saw her supposed seductive dances, I thought I was going to see her drop it like it’s hot, but nope, didn’t happen. Of course Snyder adds his special blended visual effects, it just was not enough to give this movie the punch needed to be a good movie. Even the action was just par at best. This one you can wait for the DVD, not one to rush out and see.

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm and Scott Glenn
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

THE LINCOLN LAWYER

Plot:

Mick Haller (McConaughey) is a hot shot criminal attorney that prosecuting attorneys can’t stand to see in the court room. He’s a wheeler dealer who has it on the ball until he takes on a high profile case of a rich kid played by Ryan Phillippe who is being accused of brutally assaulting a prostitute. This case proves to be one of his toughest yet as it takes him back to a previous case that may have had him send his earlier client to jail wrongfully as well as jeopardizing the lives of his love ones.

Reel Talk:

McConaughey has done some cheesy movies recently, but he has certainly redeemed himself with this one. His portrayal of the witty and deviously charming fast track attorney is superb! This was a great suspense thriller with a great cast. From beginning to the end you will be glued to the screen. This is a must see movie, one of the best so far this year.

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo and Michael Pena
Directed by: Brad Furman
Rated: R

I give it 5 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

LIMITLESS

Plot:

In a person’s lifetime I think it’s been said that only around 20% of the brain will be used. Well what if you could take a pill and use 100% in a matter of hours? In Limitless Bradley Cooper plays Eddie Morra a burned out writer that has hit rock bottom and when it seems he’s about to wither away he runs into his ex brother in-law who gives him a mysterious pill that when taken gives you limitless brain access. Now with his new found power he becomes a major power broker for Carl Von Loon (De Niro) who is planning a huge corporate takeover. But unfortunately there are devastating consequences behind the drugs potential like its deadly side effects and the attention it lures to the menacing men that are following him.

Reel Talk:

If this drug was really available, man oh man, but if only ifs and buts were candy and nuts. This movie was refreshingly good, with what’s lacking in most movies that have been dropping lately, this one offers an original plot. While the role of Eddie seemed custom made for Cooper it was just a paying gig for Oscar Award winner De Niro who doesn’t have a stand out performance in the film. Still this movie is worth checking out, so get your snacks early and enjoy the ride.

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Johnny Whitworth
Directed by: Neil Burger
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler