I join the host of NewsTalk 1010’s “The Rush” for a segment called “Entertainment Court.” Each week I serve as the judge, Reshmi as the juror, and we render a verdict on the week’s biggest pop culture stories.
This week we ask, Is “Avatar: The Way of Water” a drama with lots of animation, or an animated movie with dramatic elements, like “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio,” which was only nominated in the animation category? Did the pandemic kill off movies for adults, or are adults to blame for the lack of success of recent movies aimed at mature audiences? Does Adam Sandler deserve the Mark Twain Prize for Humour?
Richard appears on “CTV News at 6” with anchor Andria Case to talk about the best movies and television to watch this weekend. This week he has a look at the brontoborus “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Richard joins CP24 to have a look at new movies coming to VOD, streaming services and theatres. Today we talk about the brontoborus “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Richard joins CTV NewsChannel anchor Marcia MacMillan to talk about the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion” and Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix).
Richard sits in on the CKTB Niagara in the Morning morning show with host Tim Denis to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Richard sits in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Richard joins NewsTalk 1010 host David Cooper on the coast-to-coast-to-coast late night “Showgram” to play the game “Did Richard Crouse Like This?” This week we talk about the dinobore “Jurassic World Dominion,” the Adam Sandler basketball dramedy “Hustle” and the Jane Austen riff “Fire Island.”
Watch Richard review three movies in less time than it takes to stare down a Velociraptor! Have a look as he races against the clock to tell you about the dinobore “Jurassic World Dominion,” the Adam Sandler basketball dramedy “Hustle” and the Jane Austen riff “Fire Island.”
“Hustle,” a new sports dramedy staring Adam Sandler, now streaming on Netflix, is an underdog story like “Rocky,” if that movie featured Burgess Meredith’s name above the title instead of Sylvester Stallone.
Sandler plays Stanley Sugarman, a veteran basketball scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. Decades spent on the road searching for new talent have left him weary and jaded, missing his wife (Queen Latifah) and daughter (Jordan Hull).
His new boss, the arrogant Vince Merrick (Ben Foster), isn’t making the job any easier. The two butt heads over Stanley’s latest find, Spanish b-ball phenom Bo Cruz (NBA star Juancho Hernangomez). On the court Bo is all unrefined power, used to hustling unsuspecting players for cash. Stanley sees greatness in him, but Bo’s troubled past raises alarms with Merrick and the 76ers management.
Convinced he has a winner, Stanley brings Bo to the United States. They form a bond based on their love of basketball and family, and together set out to prove that they have what it takes to succeed on the court and in life.
“Hustle” may be formulaic and easy to read, but it succeeds because of the chemistry between Sandler and Hernangomez. What begins as an odd couple pairing quickly becomes something more. This isn’t “Billy Madison” with a basketball, it’s a story of fathers and sons, of mentorship, one that provides uplift while avoiding the sentimentality that often shoehorns its way into movies like this.
Sandler’s performance is simple. It’s not as showy as his work in “Uncut Gems” or “Punch Drunk Love.” Instead, he infuses Stanley with world weariness tempered with resilience, to create a sincere portrait of a man and the game he loves. Screenwriters Taylor Materne and Will Fetters nail the seriocomic tone, feeding Sandler a string of self-depreciating one-liners that help define the character.
Director Jeremiah Zagar and cinematographer Zak Mulligan capture the excitement of the game with frenetic on-court camera work that heightens the drama and showcases the NBA action and player skills.
“Hustle” is an upbeat, predictable sports story but succeeds because of the stakes. You’ll know where this story is going (NO SPOILERS HERE) but it transcends the usual sports narrative because the characters have it all on the line. It’s not about the basketball, really, it’s more about the struggle of overcoming adversity and thus has a universal appeal even if you’ve never heard of an Alley-Oop.
I join the host of NewsTalk 1010’s “The Rush” for a segment called “Entertainment Court.” Each week I serve as the judge, Reshmi as the juror, and we render a verdict on the week’s biggest pop culture stories.
