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Jennifer Lopez

6.19 HUSTLERS, Sexuality and the Super Bowl

February 7, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Inspired by a true story, HUSTLERS follows a band of former strip club employees, led by the street-wise Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) and pragmatic Destiny (Constance Wu), who band together in order to take back power and independence against their Wall Street clientele. This week, we welcome actor Audra Choy, producer Diane Johnstone and Dwayne Choy to the show to talk about the power of sexuality, the Super Bowl and who really gets hurt.

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

6.19 HustlersDownload

Filed Under: DVD, Featured, Film, Podcast Tagged With: Cardi B, Constance Wu, Halftime Show, Hustlers, Jennifer Lopez, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, Lorene Scafaria, super bowl, Superbowl

Hustlers: Getting What’s Yours

September 12, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, Hustlers gives the audience an inside look at highs and lows of the adult entertainment industry. Set in the early 2000s, the film tells the story of Destiny (Wu), an up and coming stripper who is taken under her wing by Ramona (Lopez), an older stripper with a knack for landing high-end clients. Together, the two women soon find themselves earning thousands of dollars a night until the global financial crisis of 2008 hits suddenly. Hitting every industry hard (even the adult entertainment business), the changes force the women to rethink their strategy to earn high-end money. For fear of losing the lifestyle to which they have grown accustomed, they and their friends band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.

Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, Hustlers is inspired by a New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler that went viral. (In fact, the narrative of the film is framed through flashback as reporter Elizabeth [Julia Styles] is trying to get ‘the facts’ of what really happened.) Shot with energy and fun, the film mostly maintains a playful tone throughout, even in its more serious moments. As the lead women of the team, Lopez and Wu have genuine chemistry as their relationship balances between a battle for leadership and the joy of sisterhood. Though all the cast are clearly enjoying themselves, it’s Lopez who knows how to handle comedic material. As the troupe leader, Lopez laughs and dances her way through the film with her signature charm, even in moments when the script is lacking. This is a film that wants the audience to enjoy the show, with all its glitz and glitter, while celebrating the strength and sisterhood of women. (The film even ends with the lead cast members dancing together onscreen ‘one more time’.)

 Through the use of satire, Hustlers examines sexual exploitation from a decidedly unique perspective. Rather than focus on the abuse of power at the hands of men, Hustlers is interested in exploring what happens when that power is taken back by confident women. Working in an industry built upon the male gaze, these women are determined to reclaim their sexuality into a position of dominance. (“This is a story about control,” the film’s opening voiceover proclaims.) For Ramona and her crew, there is strength in sexuality that allows them freedom from control. As a result, there is a feeling of empowerment within the film, despite their spiral into criminal activity.

Having said this, it’s also interesting that the film chooses not to judge the characters for their actions either. Despite the fact that Ramona, Destiny and her team are drugging and robbing men nightly, their justification is that their marks likely had it coming. (“I don’t judge you,” says Elizabeth “because they probably deserved it.”) Right and wrong become blurred as the women’s decisions become more and more unsafe so that they can protect their way of life. As a result, the women come to view themselves as heroes of their own stories, even as their actions become more villainous. 

Despite a script that misses its potential at times, Hustlers achieves its goals. While Scafaria wants to engage her audience visually, it’s Lopez’s charm and Wu’s unwavering poise that help give the film the confidence it needs to entertain. Despite its flaws, Hustlers knows what it wants to be and invites its audience to sit back enjoy the ride.

Hustlers dances into theatres on September 13th, 2019

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Cardi B, Constance Wu, Hustlers, Jennifer Lopez, JLo, Julia Styles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, strippers

TIFF ’19: Hustlers

September 7, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, Hustlersgives the audience an inside look at highs and lows of the adult entertainment industry. Set in the early 2000s, the film tells the story of Destiny (Wu), an up and coming stripper who is taken under her wing by Ramona (Lopez), an older stripper with a knack for landing high-end clients. Together, the two women soon find themselves earning thousands of dollars a night until the global financial crisis of 2008 hits suddenly. Hitting every industry hard (even the adult entertainment business), the changes force the women to rethink their strategy to earn high-end money. For fear of losing the lifestyle to which they have grown accustomed, they and their friends band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.

Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, Hustlers is inspired by a New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler that went viral. (Shot with energy and fun, the film mostly maintains a playful tone throughout, even in its more serious moments. As the lead women of the team, Lopez and Wu have genuine chemistry as their relationship balances between a battle for leadership and the joy of sisterhood. This is a film that wants the audience to enjoy the show, with all its glitz and glitter, while celebrating the strength and sisterhood of women. (The film even ends with the lead cast members dancing together onscreen ‘one more time’.)

Despite a script that misses its potential at times, Hustlers achieves its goals. While Scafaria wants to engage her audience visually, it’s Lopez’s charm and Wu’s unwavering poise that help give the film the confidence it needs to entertain. Despite its flaws, Hustlers knows what it wants to be and invites its audience to sit back enjoy the ride.

Hustlers is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival. You can look up alternate showtimes here.

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Premieres, TIFF Tagged With: Cardi B, Constance Wu, Hustlers, Jennifer Lopez, JLo, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, strippers, TIFF, TIFF19

20 Years Young: Selena, The Movie

June 8, 2017 by Julie Levac Leave a Comment

In the 1950s, a group of young Mexican-American men joined forces to make doo-wop music in hopes of making it big in the music business.

‘The Dinos’, including Abraham Quintanilla Jr., experienced racism from venue owners and patrons alike. Owners would send the band away when they found out the members were of Mexican descent.  Patrons of Mexican venues would be upset when a band of Mexican descent would play doo-wop music, rather preferring music they could dance to.

Image result for edward james olmos selena

Eventually marrying and having children, Abraham began noticing his youngest daughter, Selena’s musical talent. He began projecting his music dreams onto his children, encouraging them to learn to play instruments.

Although initially uninterested, Abraham’s children, Abraham III (A.B.), Suzette, and Selena, began performing at the family restaurant. They called themselves ‘Selena y Los Dinos’ and played mainly Tejano music, a Texan-Mexican fusion inspired by many elements including pop, rock, polka, mariachi and cumbia. Despite preferring to perform English music, Abraham’s influence dictated a belief that they should tap into their Mexican heritage.

After a slew of financial misfortunes, the family took their act on the road, performing at minor gigs to earn money for food and gas. The band grew in popularity but continued to have their fair share of disadvantages. A female lead in the Tejano world was unheard of at the time and the band were often turned away by Tejano venues.

Selena y Los Dinos began recording music and making promotional appearances and, once she was ‘discovered’, she went on to win Female Vocalist of the year at the Tejano Music Awards.

Selena’s story is a true example of never giving up on your aspirations despite all the difficulties you may face. It proves that the bond of family is strong and can carry you through hardship.

Image result for jon seda in selena

The band went on to hire a guitarist, Chris Perez, despite Abraham’s concerns over how Chris’ image would make the band look. Eventually, Chris and Selena began a secret romantic relationship. Upon finding out about their relationship, Abraham stopped it and attempted to force them to end it but they continued the relationship discreetly. Then, when Abraham found out they were continuing to see each other, he fired Chris from the band.

This particular situation brings up many interesting relational elements. We have the strict father and fairly virtuous daughter who shows defiance upon falling in love with an unconventional suitor. It’s almost painful to watch Selena experience being pulled in two different directions and forced to choose between the two most important men in her life.

Chris and Selena eventually elope and have to face the family after their ultimate betrayal of Abraham. Contrary to their worst fears, Abraham, although heartbroken, learns to accept what has happened and welcomes Chris into the family.

Image result for selena etc

We go on to see Selena thrive. Continuing to succeed in the music business, she plans an English language cross over. She tries her hand at fashion design and, upon successfully tapping into that world, she opens her own boutique, Selena, Etc.

In late 1994/early 1995 the family began having difficulty with the manager of the fashion boutique, and fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar. Soon after, however, they discovered that Saldivar was embezzling money and forging cheques.

On March 31, 1995, Selena went to the hotel Saldivar was staying at in an attempt to retrieve financial documentation. Instead, Saldivar shot Selena in the back right shoulder, severing an artery. Selena died shortly after in hospital at only 23 years old. The police were in a nine and a half hour standoff with Saldivar before she surrendered. She remains imprisoned to this day.

The 1997 movie about the life of Selena was a fairly accurate and respectful depiction. It was mostly well cast, with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Jon Seda and Edward James Olmos rounding out some of the main roles. This was the role that shot Jennifer Lopez into stardom, and inspired her to pursue a singing career.

Although Constance Marie performed well, particular as young Marcela, it was somewhat awkward having her play Selana’s mother later in the movie given her young age. To compare, Constance Marie is actually younger than her on screen daughter, Jackie Guerra.

Image result for selena quintanilla perez

Despite being 20 years old (and Selena being gone for longer), this movie is still incredibly relevant today. Selena’s impression on the world is a lasting one that has shown no sign of fading. Selena represented hope and love. She was a down-to-earth girl who was just like the rest of us. She brought the Latino community together. She paved the way for female artists in the Tejano genre.

Image result for selena statue

A statue memorializing Selena continues to stand by the shore in Corpus Christi, Texas. A museum, also in Corpus Christi and run by her family, houses Selena’s most precious memorabilia, including her concert outfits, Grammy award, recording equipment, and Porsche. Fans continue to flock to the museum and gain access for only a few dollars each.

This movie is the 11th highest grossing biopic of all time, only recently being bumped from 10th place by Straight Outta Compton, and is in the company of such others as Walk the Line and Ray.

Is this movie scripturally and visually ground-breaking? No. Is the acting top notch? Not entirely. But somehow, it just doesn’t matter. It digs deep into a beloved tale of an even more beloved figure and pays rightful respect to her honour.

Image result for selena and family

Filed Under: #tbt, Film Tagged With: Abraham Quintanilla, Chris Perez, Constance Marie, Edward James Olmos, Jackie Guerra, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Seda, Selena

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