Hustle & Flow

I watched for the second time tonight, Hustle & Flow. I can now say conclusively that it's one of the best movies I have ever seen dealing with the rap game. Almost a masterpiece (I had some issues with the ending). In a world that urban based movies have become almost parodies of themselves and crap like 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' is supposed to represent the urban genre - it's amazing to see a moving so dripping in realism, sweat, and a true interpretation of the black experience in America. But it's even more than that. Hustle & Flow trancends the rap genre and becomes a story so much more universial. It's about telling "your" story creatively. In the end, thats probably what I appreciated most. Terrence Howard turns in a incredible portrayal of a pimp turned rapper that you will root for (and feel sorry for) in the end. I read that Howard was bitchin' that he only made acting scale of something like $25,000 for the Hustle role and his other great 2005 acting turn in Crash. But after these performances and buzz it won't be long before he's pulling down Jamie Foxx type numbers. Another shout-out has to go to Ludacris, who's proving he can flat out act as when he's on-screen the movie sizzles (like Howard, also following up a great role from Crash.) I know every rapper seems to think he can act, and after painfully sitting through almost anything Dre, 50 Cent, and even to some extent Snoop attempts to act in - Ludacris is seeming the real deal. To Mr. John Singleton - a director I once so admired and respected, you have gained a measure of respect back in my books, after the embarrassment that was Four Brothers, it's nice to see you haven't totally lost your sense of whats real as you fought to bring Hustle & Flow to the big screen. To the twenty studios that passed on financing a film like Hustle & Flow, but willingly write checks to bring something like "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" to audiences - your place in hell is secured.