Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 14, 2005 | | Summary | Whoop this movie! Toss it! Whoop this movie! Toss it! | Content
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This movie reminded me of Master P's cult classic
"I'm bout it" which has poor production and acting but a better story line.
It's nice to see a movie about people in "the hood" trying to get out.
Afterall, "everyone has to have a dream". cool. Even when you're a
20 dollar pimp. A Pimp named DJ (Played by Terrance Howard) he wants
better for himself but didn't know how until a crackhead gives him a trade
with a Keyboard that looks like that old Casio SK-5 from back in the day
(the one with the dog sample saying "woof-woof")
He gains aspiration just from touching two keys on the board and boom!
He's got that itch to become a rapper.
I find this totally unbelievable.
It would've been more believable if he got a drum machine or a
Turntable at least to say "Maaaaane I gotta do something with my talent
herrr" (that's countrified slang just to let you know)
Now don't get me wrong you don't always have to get something creative
to want to be creative to fullfill a dream or an aspiration,
but I didn't and couldn't see how much he WANTED
to be a rapper. It was more like an afterthought at times.
He never did any kind of research on how to rhyme,
or figured how to "Flow"...but yet when he layed down
his first track or to show his skill he sounded like he'd been
doing it for years. Yeah some people are just naturals when
it comes to certain things but again I would've liked to see
more effort put into learning the craft than in 2 scenes
rhyming like you're Snoop Dogg.
Anthony Anderson takes on a non funny and more serious
role playing the aspiring producer hooking DJ up with his
sound...DJ Qualls (the skinny nerd from Roadtrip) plays
a Beatmeister who controls the drum machine and chorus
hooks...he's pretty funny as the white guy genious Dr. Dre
wannabe.
Then you have a rapper named "Skinny" played by real
life rapper Ludacris who is a famous rapper
from DJs hometown who made it but forgot where
he came from...for some strange reason DJ
feels he HAS to deal with this guy in order to get
a record deal. Which again I find totally ridiculous and comes
back to the lack of effort this Pimp wannabe rapper has.
Again why didn't he do the research and sell his demo
out of his trunk or something, send them to record
companies and test the waters to see where it takes you.
The movie instead lags and lags on more unecessary
scenes than others and does get really boring at times.
This movie had great potential but was missing some
crucial and believable scenes to make this happen.
I won't tell you but the ending is VERY predictable.
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| Rating | | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | Dirty-beautiful | Content
| From an ugly palette of ghetto life--pimping, dealing, and violence--writer-director Craig Brewer, star Terrence Dashon Howard, and the talented supporting cast have created a compelling and often beautiful portrait of desperation and hope. The product is not a film that glorifies pimping, that degrades women, or even that glamorizes rap music. Instead, it is an archetypal story of trying to make it against all odds. This has led to critics sneering at Hustle & Flow's cliched storyline, but the sneers are too quick and misguided. The story arc may be conventional, but it's the boldness of the vision as a whole--capturing the truth of Memphis and DJay's life--and plotting it out with the necessary commercial compromises to make it happen. The film deserves more than knee-jerk dismissal on grounds of being a retread, portraying blacks poorly, or being evil towards women. These criticisms can be briefly addressed. Quick name all the movies that deal with a sensitive pimp trying to get out of poverty. As far as the portrayal of blacks, there are a number of very positive portrayals, from the character of the producer Keith, to the choir singer who inspires DJay, even the bar owner who encourages DJay. And ultimately, it's a movie about a pimp. It's hard to have a strong female character in a movie about a pimp. But note that Shug provides the hook for DJay's song and Nola is crucial too.
This dirty-beautiful movie should not be prejudged, it should be savored. It has something to say to anyone who has a dream and is trying to make it. Very compelling and far too short.
Quick facts:
--Craig Brewer's wife worked as a stripper for two years.
--Terrence Howard says he doesn't like rap music because it is violent and he doesn't listen to it or allow his children to listen to it.
--The executive producer of the film is a woman. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 06, 2005 | | Summary | MOVIE OF THE YEAR MATERIAL | Content
| I saw this movie last night, I'm almost speechless, Terrence Howard (after 10 years of supporting roles finally gets the spotlight) was magnificent as DJay, a Memphis drug dealer/pimp/hustler trying to break into the rap game. Rumors were flying of Oscar nominations. Anthony Anderson once again lends his touch to this piece with grace. Beautifully performed and directed. A must see, well worth the $8.00 I spent at the movies. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 02, 2005 | | Summary | Gritty, Raw, Fantastic Movie | Content
| Just when it seemed the movie season was as stagnant as the weather, another great one pops up. HUSTLE & FLOW stars Terrence Howard, last seen in a totally different role in CRASH, as a pimp who dreams of becoming a rapper. "Everyone should have a dream," he says. The film is gritty and in your face but very well directed, acted and filmed. The entire cast gives great performances although the movie ultimately belongs to Howard who is in practically every frame. He is sure to be nominated for an Oscar for best actor.
Filmed in Memphis, the movie does not have one dishonest frame. While it may not be for the squeamish, the rest of us are glad we saw it. Oh, near the beginning of the film soprano Jennifer Byneum does a wonderful rendition of the spiritual "Changed Mah Name." Hearing that song, which makes Howard cry, convinces him to follow his dream. There is also a kiss between Howard and his pregnant girl friend that is steamier than an August afternoon in any Southern state. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 02, 2005 | | Summary | Try so sick, you could throw up... | Content
| THIS SUMMER IS REALLY TURNING INTO A CRAP FEST OF BAD MOVIES. IF THE ISLAND AND STALTH MAKE YOU LAUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BAD, THEN THIS MOVIE WLL MAKE YOU SICK BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS ARE SO REPULSIVE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT A PIMP WHO WANTS TO GIVE UP THIS LIFE AND TRY TO BE SOMETHING BETTER THEN THAT, BUT THE PERFORMANCE IS SO BAD THAT THERE IS NO WAY YOU COULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. EVERYTHING IS TOO FORCED AND UNFOCUSED. A REAL CRAPPY MOVIE THAT WILL MOST LIKELY BE RELEASED AS UNRATED VERSION ON DVD, WHICH IS ALMOST THE EQUAL OF A FILM THAT GOES STRAIGHT TO VIDEO. |
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