Hustle and Flow (-5) hard out there trickin for the Man

Just how many stereotypes can you fit into a movie, exactly?

Well, we have the pimp with a dream turned rapper, there's two right there. Then there's the midwestern white hooker turned business woman. Then there's the pregnant black woman who stands by her man (who happens to be her pimp) and the one with the kid already that challenges and derides him cause she is a B!#$@. I guess they had to split them up into two separate characters even though they only start follwoing the former after he kicks out the latter.

And an award?!? What is with America when they dole out awards for the lamest shittiest crappiest sellout piece of shit writing/acting in hollywood. The just love to reward anyone who will fuck over people of color in the pictures, don't they? What did it win, best song? for it being hard out there for a pimp?

Why oh why do white people write movies about People of Color? Oh yeah, cause they win awards for it. Why oh why do people of color star in these goddamned movies? Oh yeah it's cause they win awards for it... What? Oh, Terence Howard didn't win? I guess you have to sleep with the white killer of your black murdering husband before you get recognized by the Academy. It really is hard out there for a pimp, but that's what you get, T.

Upon further investigation, our beloved anthem of pimping angst was written by Juicy J of the three 6 Mafia. What is wrong with people? I just must not be as down as I thought. Mybe if I was poor or something I would join the ranks of those who want to claim that this is what life was really like, that this shit was REAL. Like that time I was dating the woman who grew up in the whore house and looked at me funny when we started watching American Pimp. I rolled my eyes at the pimps on the golf course and their love for pimping and boy did she give it to me.

The director said in the extras he really wanted to make a movie that was about standing by your man through the thick and thin. I guess he just figured that the lowest man he could think of to stick by, that no woman would want to stick by was a Black man pimp.

If I was Black, I would be outraged. Hey wait, I'm not Black and I'm outraged.


Black Movie Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Terrence Howard (Winner)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Taraji P. Henson (Winner)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Anthony Anderson (Winner)
Outstanding Motion Picture: (Nominated)
Black Reel Awards
Best Actor: Terrence Howard (Winner)
Best Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson (Winner)
Best Original Soundtrack: (Winner)
Best Film: (Nominated)
Best Supporting Actor: Anthony Anderson (Nominated)
Best Ensemble: Nominated

At least it didn't win any Image awards even though it was nominated.

Zoot Suit (+6)

This movie was based on a play and stars both Edward James Olmos and Daniel Valdez. It has high theatric value as its background warrants and brings to life this old era in a way that is very artistic and engaging. This is not your regular "I'm gonna be a counter culture pachuco" flick. This is based on a real life 1940's murder trial in LA and is very thoughtful and interesting.

Since it is dated some (1981), the sound quality is a bit off at times. Otherwise it being older only lends itself to the theatrical quality and surrealism of a play-like set with the play-like dramatic interludes enhanced with movie making technology. I love how the freeze frams of the actors are done with the actors holding the pose rather than relying on the technology to freeze them and some CGI ehanced interaction between Valdez and his alter ego.

Overall, I found it an interesting watch for its historical signifigance, its storytelling, the acting and musical theatrics, and the fact that I learned something I had never known before.

As an aside, did Olmos ever look young? He just looks so old in everything I have ever seen him in. Was he ever a young man? I would love to see some early movies of his if anyone has any recommendations!

Zoot Suit seen Oct 19th, 2008