FMC 087: Hustlers Written and Directed by Lorene Scafaria

Full Episode Transcript
This episode of Filmmaker Commentary explores Lorene Scafaria's "Hustlers," delving into its production, themes, and controversial elements, alongside discussions on current events and other watched films.

Opening Discussion & Film Details
Reginald Titus Jr.: Welcome to Filmmaker Commentary, where we give you insights from our favorite filmmaking commentaries. These commentaries can be heard on your DVD and Blu-rays of your favorite movies. We'll show you how you can use these commentaries and apply them to improve your video production and filmmaking techniques. This is Filmmaker Commentary. I'm your host, Reginald Titus Jr. I'm joined by Casey G. Smith.
Casey G. Smith.: Welcome back, sir.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Good to be back, sir. And this is quarantine edition.
Casey G. Smith.: Aha.
Reginald Titus Jr.: So, uh, today we're gonna talk about *Hustlers*, directed and written by Lorene Scafaria. This film had a budget of 20.7 million and had a box office of 157.6 worldwide, which ended up breaking up to 104.9 domestically and 45.5 internationally. That's a win.
Casey G. Smith.: That is a win. And, surprisingly enough, opening weekend, 33 mil. Uh, which, so it's like made their budget and, and probably even their, their, uh, P&A. So, first weekend, it's like it made its, you know, broke even.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, did this one win any awards? I, I, you know what, it won one award, but it was like one of those weird awards, like, I think it was like TNA type, you know, it was like one of those weird categories that Jennifer Lopez won. You know how, like, sometimes they have those like fun little, uh, award shows, like Best Kiss and stuff like that. Um, but I just can't remember what organization gave that to her. But, uh, I think it had like 20 nominations, if you go on like IMDb. It had like 20 nominations. None of them for like the Oscars, 'cause I think that was like kinda like a, that was 2019, right?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, snubbed. They got snubbed at the Oscar, yeah, Oscar nods or nominations, they got snubbed.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, that was one of those things, like, it was, um, a situation where people were like, "Oh, there are no women." Remember, it was like, no women being represented for, uh, director nominees, her being a writer, director. 2019 was a, it was a very competitive year.
Casey G. Smith.: Did you know that there's an AARP, um, movies for grown-ups award? And apparently it was nominated, Jennifer Lopez was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. I had no idea.
Reginald Titus Jr.: No, I didn't either. Me neither.
Casey G. Smith.: Yes. Uh, so, yeah, they got nominated for, for that. Um, yeah, and there's a couple of, um, award circuits.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow.
Casey G. Smith.: I think they got nominated. Austin Film Critics Association, uh, Jennifer Lopez got Best Supporting Actress.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. Okay. Before we dive further into *Hustlers*, let's talk about news and movies watched.

Current Events & Media Consumption
Casey G. Smith.: All right. So number one, we hope here at Filmmaker Commentary, as of the recording of this podcast, that everybody is staying at home and staying safe, uh, in light of everything that's going on in the world. And so, of course, one of the things that's taking place is that I'm sure all of you are out there streaming all kinds of content. Uh, I don't know about, about you all, but I know I'm definitely missing, uh, the freedom of being able to go to the theater. One of my favorite things to do was to watch Marvel films, and so got a little update from the MCU. Uh, according to The Hollywood Reporter, uh, Disney/Marvel, they, of course, are adjusting and moving their slate back. So, Black Widow, which was originally slated for May 1st, has now been moved to November 6th of this year. So, they're still trying to get it out this year and in the theaters. Previously, you know, there had been rumors that maybe, oh, they're gonna maybe send it straight to Disney Plus. But that'd be a, that would be, number one, a big box office revenue loss, uh, but it also would be a bit of a disservice to Black Widow who's waited this long to have her own solo film. So, November 6th, Black Widow. Um, the other film that was slated to come out in, in 2020 was *The Eternals*. Now, I'm sure that many of you hear that name, and you're like, "Who the heck are The Eternals?"
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep. What is that?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, they're, they are a group of, of characters of immense power. Um, and I think it's one of those things where we will just, you know, have to just trust Marvel, just like we did with *Guardians of the Galaxy*. Uh, originally that was slated to come out this year, but that's been pushed back to 2021, and February 12th of 2021. Uh, so in addition to The Eternals coming out in 2021, we can also in 2021 expect to see *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*, uh, which will come out May 7th. And then lastly, in 2021, we will see the next Doctor Strange movie, entitled *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, which will drop on November 5th of 2021 with, um, with director Sam Raimi stepping in to take the helm after, uh, director Scott Derrickson, uh, departed the film earlier this year. So, a couple of small updates for the MCU. And they've launched and mentioned some of the other slates, but I won't, I won't go through all of that, but that's kinda the most immediate things we can expect. Um, and of course, we'll see what happens with some of the MCU Disney Plus live-action features. But, but yeah, that's what's going on there.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow. So, pushed, basically, yeah, pushed up a year, huh? So, just kinda 2020's a wash and just wait till everything pans out and come out in theaters for 2021?
Casey G. Smith.: Well, at least Black Widow will still come out this year in November.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah, that's right. That's right.
Casey G. Smith.: But yeah, but right, but yeah, but they only had two planned. So, what they're saying is that this wait for Black Widow will be the longest, the longest wait we've had in between MCU films since, uh, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2. Like, Incredible Hulk was like somewhere in 2008, and then Iron Man 2 came out like 2010.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow. Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, so it's like the biggest wait we've had in between MCU films like since then.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. Okay. Um, what I have in news is, um, there was a slight little controversy with the film *Self Made*, which is, which is a Netflix production, came out, uh, March 20th. And it's celebrating the life of CJ Madam Walker. And it's, it's, um, I don't know if they say it's inspired by or based on her, her story, but kinda like the backlash that the community, like, online, what they've been saying, especially kinda dealing with the niche audience, um, dealing with African-American women, they were just like, one of the characters, uh, in the film wasn't true, wasn't what really happened in the situation. It depicted her, this character in a way that was against like her legacy, kinda made a lot of people angry, um, in regards to that. And so, there's been like a lot of conversation online saying, "Hey, you know, when, when you're dealing with people's legacy, you just need to, you know, kinda be true," and things like that. And I know we talked in the past, just, dealing with films, when you turn it, instead of making it a documentary, you turn it to a feature, you know, there's a lot of liberties that people can take.
Casey G. Smith.: A lot of liberties.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And so, and, you know, online, I kinda, I was like, "Well, at the end of the day, it's a feature. And I believe if you want more control over your, the films, you, you gotta produce them yourself." Uh, this film, I know LeBron James, his company, helped produce it. And, um, what's that actress name that, I wanna make sure I say the right, I'll take a minute.
Casey G. Smith.: Octavia Spencer?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Octavia Spencer. Okay. Who stars in it.
Casey G. Smith.: Who plays Madam CJ Walker? Yeah, Octavia Spencer.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Thank you, sir. She was also, um, a producer as well. But, you know, when certain things kinda slip through the cracks, you kinda wonder. You know, there were other producers as well. Um, you know, certain things that are like real major key points, you're like, "Hey, y'all shouldn't do this." But I don't know. You know, sometimes you wanna know why, like, "Hey, what, what was, what was the thought behind it?" You know, sometimes you see things that people do to kind of increase the drama or whatever. But, but if it's gonna kinda tarnish somebody's legacy, you kinda wanna know why. But yeah, that was the only controversy, you know, Self Made. It's kinda unfortunate, 'cause I was actually looking forward to watching that.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, I was looking forward to checking it out also. And I still, I mean, I still, I think I still will. I mean, Madame CJ Walker's story is a pretty powerful one.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Um, I'm curious if the other black female millionaire, uh, also makes an appearance, uh, within. Trying to remember her name, it's, it's slipped my, my mind. Madam CJ Walker, but the one but it's like, just before her.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm. And she was selling products as well? Or is that what CJ Walker got her, kinda idea for, for her products?
Casey G. Smith.: Um, I, I don't remember exactly, yeah, but I, I didn't know that.
Reginald Titus Jr.: There is a, there is a good documentary, um, that's out, um, by, I think Firelight's distributing it, and it may have possibly did the, uh, production of it. And, uh, Stanley, Stanley Nelson, who's over there who's got the MacArthur Genius Award. He, um, he's the one who did the Black Panther, um, documentary. The Panthers, was it called Panthers? Or Black Panther, the Black Panther documentary?
Casey G. Smith.: The one on PBS, that was on PBS?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh-huh. Yeah, Stanley Nelson directed it.
Casey G. Smith.: Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Boom. Um, and it's free. If you go on like YouTube and type in, uh, CJ Walker story, you can get like the, the real story, 'cause they did this documentary a long time ago. And, um, it's potent too, because, you know, people that have passed since then, they were old at the time that this documentary was being recorded. So, they have the memories of, yeah, if, like, one lady was like, "If you were a Negro in the South, you knew who this lady was. Everybody knew who she was." And people kinda wonder how she became a millionaire. She was one of the marketing geniuses of the time, because when you think of Avon or Mary Kay, those people kinda took that distribution model from Madam CJ Walker. So, she's a pioneer in that industry.
Casey G. Smith.: Indeed. Indeed.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's all I got for news. Uh, did you watch anything during this quarantine?
Casey G. Smith.: No. Not too much. Man, yeah, I've been, I've been, uh, just watching all kinds of things. Some things for the sake of nostalgia, some things for the sake of what's, what's new. Some things I watch, and I'm like, "Ah, I don't know if I'm gonna talk about that." That's just all kinds of stuff. Um, so, was kicking off like for nostalgia's sake, I, I watched, uh, I went back and watched the old HBO animated *Spawn* series. I started playing some, some *Mortal Kombat 11* and downloaded the character, and I was, I actually even before it came out, I was kinda gearing myself up for it. And so, I was like, "You know what, let me go back and check out this old, old Spawn." The seasons are super short. There's like, I think, six episode seasons, and there's only three seasons.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: So, uh, 18 episodes in, in total. But still really well done. It's, it's crazy dark, but, uh, but yeah, I, I, I, I enjoyed it going through and seeing it. Again, uh, man, a lot of people, they may or may not know, maybe you saw the original Spawn, but I mean, Spawn is, he's a black character. He's an African-American character.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Uh, and so it's always fascinating to go back and watch that. And I began to read some of the original comic, and it's, it's so different from the TV show, uh, from the animated feature, as far as how it starts off. I'm like, "Oh, this is really different." But anyway, you know, that's always that, right, the, the book and the adaptation. So yeah, that's one of the things I've been watching. How about yourself, Reginald?
Reginald Titus Jr.: The *Tiger King*.
Casey G. Smith.: Aha.
Reginald Titus Jr.: The, the show that everybody in, I don't know if around the world, but for sure America has been talking about. The memes popping up everywhere. This show, you probably lose a few IQ points, but it is entertaining as hell, to say the least. Um, uh, uh, uh, I think the, I think the tagline is Tiger King, Murder, Mayhem, and something. Kinda, kinda give you insight. Uh, do you, have you heard anything in regards to the Tiger King, what it's about, or anything like that?
Casey G. Smith.: I watched the trailer for it. I almost dove in. It's been a couple times where I almost dove into it, and I watched the trailer, and I'm like, "Man, I know I'm gonna watch this, and I know it's gonna be crazy and sure entertaining." But again, you know, I don't watch a lot of reality-based TV, and it feels like almost this is like reality.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Like a reality TV show almost. Not that the events aren't real, but I'm just like, I'm watching real people in their drama, I'm like, "Okay."
Reginald Titus Jr.: It's a mess.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, that's what I, that's what I hear. It's a hot mess. I'm like, so I'm just trying to gear my mind up for it, 'cause I know I've got to absorb it just from a cultural standpoint, because it's so hot. Everybody's talking.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Right. Yep. Uh, but yeah, man. What were your, uh, impressions?
Reginald Titus Jr.: I think this is rare to see, I think, just, um, you know, we talk about race and things like that, but, uh, a lot of times you don't see this side of white America. You know, they kinda keep it under wraps, you know, you don't really see it like be on TV in this kind of way. Um, you know, a lot of times you'll see, for example, like, when it comes to like African Americans, you'll see like, kinda like some of the ratchet stuff that goes on. You'll see it like on, like, on, online, like, uh, TV show, not TV shows, but, uh, websites, like WorldStarHipHop, and you kinda see like the debauchery of, of Black America. You know what I mean? And people kinda get a kick out of seeing that crap. A lot of times you don't see, in my opinion, you don't see like the white version of that. And that's kinda what Tiger King makes me think of, is like, "Okay, this is the other side of, you know, this doesn't represent white America, but if all we saw was this, people might think that's white America." And, um, and it kinda make it makes me think about like how important images are, because it doesn't, this isn't a good look for America. Uh, this show. And so, it's just kinda made me think, you know, when we put images out there, we wanna make sure that we're putting some positive images, because if, if all people are seeing are negative images, and that's internationally, people are gonna think bad things of, you know, I'm gonna use African America, they're gonna think bad things, because if all they're seeing is terrible images, they're gonna, they're gonna think that's true.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, it's, it's amazing how, again, you talk about images. You know, people for the long, there's still plenty of people that think, who have never been to Texas before, that think that everybody's riding on horses and, and, and wearing cowboy hats. Now, yeah, there are some people who wear cowboy hats? Sure. Some who ride on horses, maybe have ranches? Sure. But not the vast majority, not even. But TV shows like *Dallas*
Reginald Titus Jr.: Right.
Casey G. Smith.: Kind of enforced, I mean, the show was so popular. It enforced a lot of, quite a few, uh, of those stereotypes even in the '80s and then going forward because it went into syndication. So, those images prevailed and persist.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Sure. Sure.
Casey G. Smith.: But yeah. Uh, yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, and Texas is a big place. I think we make up like 10% of the population of America. Um, and certain cities are kinda more cowboy friendly, like, you go to Houston, it's nothing to see, but Black folks on some cowboys, I don't mean on some horses, like, just riding up the street, you know, just like if it was a car, you know, and they're, and they're, and they're swagged out on their horses.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, in the right, in the right part of town. Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: So, but yeah, that's what, uh, the Tiger King is. Very interesting. I'm, I'm actually I'm glad stuff like that is out so that you can see more, you can see different facades of what's going on in, in America, even though this is crazy. Entertaining though, but a lot of unfortunate things in there. Um, another show, HBO's, I think I'm saying this right, *McMillions*? I might have to look this one up.
Casey G. Smith.: Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Does that, does that ring a bell?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, McMillions. Yes.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. So, McMillions is about, kinda remember the Monopoly game for McDonald's?
Casey G. Smith.: Yes.
Reginald Titus Jr.: So, this is basically talking about, uh, kinda like a mob ring that had this thing rigged to pick winners. And they document it.
Casey G. Smith.: What?
Reginald Titus Jr.: I would probably recommend watching McMillions before watching Tiger King, because McMillions, it's, uh, it's more cinematic, and the way that, uh, the FBI get involved is kinda like more strategic, kinda funny and hilarious when you see the different characters that represent the FBI that are willing to talk, versus when you watch like Tiger King, and you see how the FBI get involved in the Tiger King. You see kinda a difference of, um, a whole organizations ambitions, and why they would get involved in certain cases, and, you know, did they do it the right way or not, you know, when, when, when an organization like the FBI gets involved in a case. So, I would probably recommend watching McMillions first, then you'll probably have more appreciation for Tiger King and how the FBI get involved.
Casey G. Smith.: Fascinating. Okay. McMillions. Uh, also still with HBO, uh, I've, I've been going through the second season of *Westworld*.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm. How's that?
Casey G. Smith.: Really enjoyed the first season.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, me too.
Casey G. Smith.: Started, yeah, started the second season a year ago, and it just felt slow. And so, I said, "Find," you know what, I, I saw the trailers for the third season, man, I was, I'm like, "Man, the third season looks interesting, but, you know, I gotta finish the second season." So, I've been diving back into that, and maybe I just needed a break, I guess, I don't know, but it's kinda, it's moving, it's moving along.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: And I'm, I'm, I'm close, I think I only have like, maybe one and a half episodes left. I know I'm really close to the end, so I just need to, to, to finish it up. But, uh, I've been, I've been enjoying it, you know, and it's, it's, it's kinda playing into, I guess, some aspect of some of the movies where, you know, it's not just Westworld, right? And they showed in the trailers for the, the second season, you know, you have other worlds that were, that were built. And, it's interesting, the, the, the whole concept is just fascinating, right? These automatons that can be built to, to seem so human-like, and, and to begin to blur that line, uh, to get to the point where you don't know who's real and who's is not. And what does it mean?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep.
Casey G. Smith.: Right? What does it mean to, to, to exist? And free will, yeah. Uh, constantly diving into those tropes. But yeah, so, it's been, it's been pretty enjoyable.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Um, I watched *Endgame* with the kids.
Casey G. Smith.: Avengers Endgame?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep. Avengers Endgame. I still think *Infinity War* is better. Yeah. I said, yeah, I said it.
Casey G. Smith.: That's okay. They're two, they're two quality, quality films. It's, it's, yeah, it's, you know, like, yeah, I, I don't fault, I don't fault anybody for, for choosing one over the other. Man, they're just, yeah, for like, they're just like amazing cinematic achievement.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, they are. That's a, that's a Marvel, un-un-un-unintended. Rule on, Snake.
Casey G. Smith.: Rule on, Snake.
Reginald Titus Jr.: But yeah, we watched that, I was like, "Dang, this is pretty, pretty well done." You know, some good drama going on, you know, tying up all the ends, all the loose ends. Haven't watched it since watching it in the theater. And so, kinda going back to, yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, wow.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Going back to it, I was like, "Wow, this is, this is great." It's longer, isn't it longer than Infinity War?
Casey G. Smith.: They're about the, they're about the same.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It's about the same.
Casey G. Smith.: Mhm. Yeah, two, like, like two and a half.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Maybe because it's so, you know, it's got that somber vibe to it that it's just like, it feels like it's the first like 20 minutes, you're like,
Casey G. Smith.: The first 20 minutes, yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: But it's, it is, it is, but, you know, it's, but it's also, again, the, the fact that it is such a, it is, I mean, they're both films are so tied to each other, you know, when you see how that first one ends, and then the fallout from that, and then the, you know, the five years. Like, I've seen that in the theater, I was like, "What the heck?"
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Five years. Oh, man. I, I, but I kinda like a good, I kinda like a good time jump. I don't mind a good, a good, well-done time jump in my movies or my TV show. If it's, if it's, if it's done well, I don't mind that.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. It was good.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm probably gonna be diving back into some MCU films very, very soon. I, I've been itching to watch, um, *Winter Soldier* and *Civil War* again. I mean, Capt my dude, I, I love those films, but yeah, I'm gonna be diving back into those very, very soon.
Reginald Titus Jr.: We covered those pretty well. I forgot what episode.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. Yes, sir, yes, sir.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Casey G. Smith.: So, another show that I watched, I'm not gonna dive into details about, 'cause it's one of those I watched, and I was like, "Wow. Okay." *Beastars* on Netflix.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Beastars. Um,
Casey G. Smith.: *Beast*. B-E-A-S-T. *Beastars*. Uh, anime, it's an anime, uh, about anthropomorphic animals, like, they're anthropomorphic animal teenagers at a school where they're doing performing arts, but there's a, there's a, there's a firm distinction between those animals who are like predators, like carnivores, and those animals that are, you know, the herbivores and typically the prey. There's a, there's a, a clear line of distinction even societally between these two, but even at this school, that, it's, it's, things are handled a certain way to keep those animals that are, are more of a predatory nature, keep them in check, like, they don't, they don't serve meat, like, they eat vegetarian meals. But it's, it's very fascina-, it's a very fascinating, very fascinating show, and it's got this dark kinda tone behind it. And there's even a booming kind of love story, but it's, yeah, it's something else, man. Uh,
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, man.
Casey G. Smith.: But yeah, you know, basically like a, a, a wolf having potential feelings for a, uh, a rabbit.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. It's just like, "Huh?" You know, but it, but it's also, it's speaking from like, it's, but it's a commentary, right? At the end of the day, it's like a, a commentary on just different, uh, people types, if you will, and, yeah. And so, and so, what you, what you have within that is a conflict of nature. Like, a literal conflict of nature within, with, within this, uh, wolf, who, interestingly enough, specifically carries himself in a way, Reginald, to, to not offend others. Like, he lives his whole life pushing back his true wolf nature to seem less intimidating, less, fill in the blank, as to not have others be scared of him because he knows the true power he has inside. And if he flexes, people will treat him differently. And part of him, part of him doesn't want that. So, you see this, this, this, this struggle and fight against his instincts. And when he first meets the rabbit, like, it's a moment where those instincts come out. And, yeah. So, yeah, it's, it's fascinating, but it's not for kids. Let me repeat, this is not, not, this ain't, this ain't for children. This ain't for children. Oh, God. Uh, there, there are some scenes that pop up. I was like, "What, what?" I, I did not expect, I was like, "Surprise." Yeah, I was like, "Ah." Anime can do that to you sometimes. Sometimes you're watching like, "Wait, what?"
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Indeed. Indeed.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Even though they're in high school.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. It's not, it's not.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, I almost expected. My first experience with anime was in high school. *Ninja Scroll*. And I was like, "Oh!"
Casey G. Smith.: "Oh, what?"
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, I was like, "Oh, so this, this is actually pretty cool." You know, you know, the high school brain, high school mind, like, "Oh, oh, okay. I didn't know cartoons could do that."
Casey G. Smith.: Yes. And that's, that's when I said, "Oh, this is not a cartoon." This is grown folks.
Reginald Titus Jr.: No, this is grown folks. Grown people do this.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. When you start talking, that's when I say animation. I think this is, this is that, there's like this distinction that comes in like, "Oh, this is not for children." Ah, yeah, yeah, it's, uh, anyway. But yeah, *Beastars*. Uh, another one that I, I, I recommend.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Ah.
Casey G. Smith.: Recommend *The Morning Show*.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: On Apple, on Apple Plus. Now, I don't have an ongoing subscription to Apple Plus, but I after a friend recommended the show to me, I surely went ahead and did the, the trial run. It's 10, 10 episodes. Um, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell,
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: Reese Witherspoon. Powerhouse cast, man, and, wow. All I can say is, is, wow. So well done, so well acted, well directed, nominated for multiple Golden Globes. Quality show. And, uh, again, speaking to things in, in, in society, speaking to them, like, the Me Too movement, but what, what really impressed me is showing this multiple sides, multiple sides of it, and different people's perspectives. Kinda really kinda forced people to stop and, and, and look, but being well done, the whole time, and, and, yeah, The Morning Show on Apple TV, yeah, Apple TV Plus, The Morning Show. Yeah, you can bang it out.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. That makes me think of, uh, what's the movie that came out with Charlize Theron and, I can't think of the other lady, and they were kind of tackling the Me Too movement.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, *Bombshell*?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, that's what, that's what, when you, when you explain it.
Casey G. Smith.: I didn't get a chance to watch that, but I heard good things, though.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, that's what that reminds me of when you, when you talk about it. When you were talking about the wolf, it remind me of, uh, what's that video game with the Fables and, the, uh,
Casey G. Smith.: *Fables*.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, it's called Fables. Uh, yeah. That's what, it's, that's a comic book series it's based off of.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. Oh, uh, but that, yeah, but the, the specific game is, yeah, Fables of a Wolf Among Us. I think a Wolf Among Us. Yes. And, don't they have a new season coming out? Telltale was like bought out by another company.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I thought they had just, I thought they had just shut down us all together.
Casey G. Smith.: Somebody saved them.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Another company saved it. So, I think it's, it's coming out soon. Um, but when you talk about like the wolf character and like, kinda, trying to hold back.
Casey G. Smith.: That's good.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Big B wolf.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, that's exactly.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, that's exactly. I was like, "Man, I like that style." One last thing, I watched, uh, man, uh, *Avatar*. Just scrolling through the Disney app, I'm like, "Oh, Avatar. Uh, click." And ended up watching it. I was just kinda, I was scanning. I didn't, I watched it, but certain parts, 'cause there's like a lot of dead parts too. Like, kinda scrolling through it, and, uh, enjoyed it. You know, there's some stuff in there, it's like, I don't know. But, but just in general, it's, for entertainment, it's kinda, it's kinda fun. I remember watching it, uh, the 3D version when the, when that was a, the new thing, the 3D where you didn't have the color between red and blue, whatever. Right. With those glasses. So, I remember watching it and being astonished. But, um, yeah, I watched it.
Casey G. Smith.: Breaking. It was. Money maker.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It was.
Casey G. Smith.: So, last two things I checked out. Uh, one, again, nostalgic. Uh, was on the Stars Network, and I ended up watching the old animated *GI Joe The Movie*. Dang. You ever seen that? You ever seen the GI Joe The Movie?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh-uh. I remember you talking about it. You talked about this on another episode when you were talking about like some of the storylines were like kinda messed up.
Casey G. Smith.: Dude, yeah. It's, and it's still. I remember watching it as, as a kid. It came on, because it was, it was originally slated to launch in theaters, but after they did the Transformers movie in theaters, and they killed, spoiler alert, you know, 20 year spoiler alert. After they killed Optimus Prime in the, in the theater, and kids were like, freaked out. Like, "What?" I mean, you don't, you don't see your, your main lead character in a, in a cartoon killed. And in the movie, they killed him. They killed most of like the first and second season characters. I mean, wiping them out. It was war, like, wiping them out. So, in the movie, uh, Duke, who was like the leader in the, in the movie, he was meant to die. And like, and there, there's a scene where he's clearly, it's, it's a kill shot where he experiences like, "Oh, that guy's dead." But then at the end, they just add a voiceover and say, "Hey, Duke survived!" You know, "Yay!" You know, but I was like, "Man, that dude, Duke was dead." Duke was dead.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Boom.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Shot in the face, bleeding.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, man. Like, I mean, like, he took a, literally a, a serpent spear to the heart. Was like, "Oh, no, this dude was dead." But, um, but no, no, but the movie is just, it's just, it's so dark, man. It, it, it's a, yeah, it's, it's dark, there's some dark stuff that happens. And then the whole Cobra-La thing. But the best, my favorite part is the intro.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, there you go.
Casey G. Smith.: Like, they take the GI Joe, you know, real American hero. They take it, and they do an extended mix of it. Okay. Where, not only do you have them saying, you know, GI Joe, real American hero, you got this whole build up at the beginning. This whole extra verse, you know, crashing through the night comes a, you know, fearful sight. And then you have this whole Cobra, like, melody, you know, the Cobra, you know, Cobra. That's like a whole different thing. And, and, and, and the animation on it is sick. It's so cinematic. So, even if you haven't watched the movie, just pull up GI Joe The Movie intro. Totally badass. But, the film is, is worth, is worth checking out. I peeped that, and I always, is, is a nice, a nice watch. And then lastly, I started watching on Netflix, a show called, a docuseries called *Pandemic*.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. I'll take it.
Casey G. Smith.: You want your mind blown, the first episode of Pandemic, which dropped in January of 2020,
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. There you go.
Casey G. Smith.: will kind, will, it will kind of blow your mind when you see what they're talking about. And when you see that it's following, the first episode is following four to five different doctors, physicians. And they're talking specifically about different pandemics, specifically about, um, different kinds of flu viruses. And they're talking about bird and swine. And there's a doctor who's based in New York, who talks about, hey, if a pandemic, the next pandemic, number one, is coming. And number two, if it were to hit New York, it would be catastrophic.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow.
Casey G. Smith.: So, this thing was filmed in 2019, and they're speaking to these things literally like months before, you know, Corona hit. I'm like,
Reginald Titus Jr.: Terrible.
Casey G. Smith.: "Huh?" What?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yikes. Are you petrified? Not yet? Got something for ya.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. It's, it's more, it's, it's fascinating, right? It's kind of just like fascinating. It's, it's, here's the hopeful part, to know that there are people out there who are actively looking and trying to have, trying to have things in place. Uh, so it, it kinda makes you think, like, "Okay, you know, we, it's not that we weren't, I mean, yes, we were caught off guard to a degree, but there were people who were on the, who were looking out for this thing." And yet still, that's, so that's just speaks to kind of how, you know, powerful this thing is, I guess.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Well, do we have anything else?
Casey G. Smith.: No, I guess I should've maybe ended with GI Joe instead of something more upbeat. But, uh,
Reginald Titus Jr.: I mean,
Casey G. Smith.: GI Joe The Movie.
Reginald Titus Jr.: People are dark, though. I mean, I mean, soon as this quarantine and the, you know, COVID and all this stuff happened, the first thing they watch is *Contagion*, and all these other films, like, people are just dark.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, man. When I went to go, when I went to, to rent *Hustlers* weeks ago, uh, it was right when this thing was starting, and literally people were calling in at the Movie Trading Card I was at, and they kept saying, "No, sorry, we don't have that." And then hang up, and then somebody asked, "What were they asking for?" Contagion. Everybody's asking for Contagion. Like, yeah. People were all looking for Contagion, outbreak.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. People are dark. The directors are like, "I told you! I told you! Now you wanna watch it. Okay."
Casey G. Smith.: Now you wanna watch it. Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: All right, let's jump back into the show. Thank you for tuning in to Filmmaker Commentary. We're talking about *Hustlers*, directed and written by Lorene Scafaria. Scafaria? Scafaria.
Casey G. Smith.: Scafaria will be a good, safe take. Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Um, the production company that acquired the rights to the story is Gloria Sanchez. So, that's kinda how this thing started from an article. Pretty interesting.
Casey G. Smith.: Very interesting. All right. Let's go into the synopsis.
Reginald Titus Jr.: All right, let's go into the synopsis. Inspired by a viral New York magazine article, *Hustlers* follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. *Hustlers*, rated R.
Casey G. Smith.: And if this is your first time listening to Filmmaker Commentary, please know that there will be spoilers. You've been forewarned.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. I think I might have been a little bit behind on that one.

Hustlers - Synopsis and Initial Thoughts
Casey G. Smith.: Is it the lag?
Reginald Titus Jr.: I think, I think I have a little bit of a, of a delay. So, for those who also may not know, typically, uh, Reginald and I, record in the same space. This is the first time we are recording from a, a distance. Uh, and so, you know, work with us, you know, pardon any, any technical difficulties or, or shifts, but yeah, I think there's a slight, uh, maybe a slight delay on, on our end. So, I was trying to time it out. I was like, where I would hear you at the same time. Uh, but yeah, so we're working through it. We're working through it.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Um, how did you watch this movie? Did you go to the theaters and support the box office?
Casey G. Smith.: Well, put the pressure on me. No, I did not. No pressure, they made money.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, no, no worries. No pressure.
Casey G. Smith.: But, but I did rent. I did rent it. Uh, a fairly, I think it was a new copy at the time. But, uh, yeah, I, I it was kinda on my radar, but not super on my radar, but then I started to get buzz around it. And I was like, "Okay, I'm, I'm interested in checking that out." And so, yeah, I watched it in the comforts of my own home. Uh, how about yourself?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Nope, I didn't go to the theater to watch it. Um, in 2019, I'm trying to think of, uh, any films I just had to go out and watch. This wasn't like, on my radar as far as like, I gotta go to the, to the theater to watch it. Um, but it did, I knew that I was gonna watch it, uh, just because, you know, J.Lo, and the kinda character that she's, uh, being, that she's portraying in this film. You don't really see her kinda like being the bad, kinda like the bad guy. Kinda almost like Denzel Washington, you don't normally see him be like a villain or like anti-hero all the time. So, to see that kinda change, like, "Oh, that'd be interesting to see him as a bad guy," her as a bad person. Um, so, that was a, a hustler.
Casey G. Smith.: A hustler.
Reginald Titus Jr.: So, yeah, intriguing, intriguing. But no, this was my first time watching it, you know, and it was entertaining. Yeah, entertaining.
Casey G. Smith.: It was, it was entertaining. Well-acted, it moved, the pacing is pretty good too. It moves, it moves along, you know, there's not like really any, like, dead spots. It's like, "Boom, on to the next, on to the next."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, I watched this one with the wife. Uh, she, she really dug it. I, I feel like it's a, it's a safe R, you know, it's, uh, you come into the world. Um, it's safe, especially during our current climate, you know, you're dealing with, I wanna assume they probably, they produced it around like 2017, 2018, around that time. Um, when you got all this Me Too crap going on, and you have changes in the industry as far as like different jobs, and who's responsible for like sex scenes and things like that. And then, yeah, you just wanna be careful. So, you wanna empower women, uh, from just like a political standpoint. You wanna be, uh, you wanna empower women. So, I, you know, during this time, I think it's just one of those movies where it's like, "Okay, this is, this is probably gonna resonate for the, you know, for the current climate."
Casey G. Smith.: I think they were also very specific in the, they were very specific in the tone that they were going for. They, they wanted to, they wanted to speak to, they, they mentioned, they wanted to speak to the, the, the attraction between men and women, pardon me, the attraction between men and women and kinda the, the, the mental, times, games, if you will, machinations that that just go on. And, and represent kinda both sides of that. So, but it does, yeah, it does, it does keep a lighter tone as a, as a whole. Yeah. Uh, it doesn't, it doesn't get like super dark. Yeah, if there's a, there's a lot of tone throughout the whole film.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. I, I know we were talking about, they got snubbed like for the Oscars and things like that. But I think, I think it's a successful film. I don't necessarily, you know, just judging, outside looking in and kinda seeing it. I don't think it was like groundbreaking enough to be like Oscar, I don't see Oscar when I see the film, you know. Everybody did their, everybody did their job well, but I think because there's some political brakes on it, it kinda stops it from being kinda like raw. Like, when you see films like we, you know, we cover like *Boogie Nights*, or I'm trying to think of something else. But when you're kinda dealing with a, a industry, when you have these characters that have like real issues and things going on, and they're, you know, committing crimes and doing whatever it takes, you, you're getting, you're getting invited to a just a raw world. And I just feel like there are some, kinda some brakes on, on this film in that regard.
Casey G. Smith.: Especially something like a, uh, strip club, I guess?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, you're dealing with a strip club, and, you know, you're talking about drugging people, and what might happen. Like, for example, there's a scene where dude literally falls out of a, off of the, the second, the flight, what, did he, he fell from like the second floor onto his head, right?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, he straight took a, a dive.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It, like, and I think like, scenes like, of a roof. Scenes like that are an opportunity to really, really show the graphic nature of when things go wrong when you're committing crimes and things like that. And, um, I think they kinda missed the opportunity there, and they kinda played it more for comedy in the trailer. And, uh, yeah, I think they kinda missed it right there. You know, it is kinda funny like, you know, kinda, especially when I look at it through like a woman's eyes, you know, it is kinda funny, but then in regards to like really showing like, you know, the weight of committing crimes, you know, what could happen, you know, how things go wrong, I think they kinda missed it there. And, and I think that's kinda like when you, like, certain parts like that in the film, that should be a little bit more raw and real, and not comedic, probably holds it back a little bit.
Casey G. Smith.: I think that they, what they wanted to focus in on, to me, what came across, they wanted to focus in on the sisterhood aspect of it. Right? They wanted to play that up, play up to a degree the, the empowerment, still, you know, recognize that, okay, what they did was wrong. Uh, and, and again, and then, and then keep the tone light and comedic, which, you know, that being their goal, they pulled it off, but, yeah, if they want, if they had gone, I think, darker and grittier, it, it could have been even, it, it could have been powerful in a different kind of way. Uh, impactful in a different kind of way. So, 'cause, 'cause, the reality of these situations is there was really no winner.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: No. You know, people get caught up that are, they're just, uh, "Today, I'm gonna go to the strip club." And they get caught up in your criminal activity, but you're looking at this person is just part of a society that, "Oh, well, it's because of y'all, the economy's messed up." But, you know, this, you know, but you need, as a criminal, you kinda need that to play in your head to justify committing crimes.
Reginald Titus Jr.: No. No.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. It's, it's, it's justification and, and, um, objectification. Yeah. You know? So, at the end of the day, they, uh, both parties were, were, you know, objectifying the other.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. I, I think also, the crazy part, 'cause, uh, Cardi B, she plays a, uh, a stripper in this movie. And at the time, I think that some controversy with this film is that she had mentioned that she used to drug guys like that. And, like, they'll wake up like next to a transvestite, you know, they'll do like some crazy stuff to these guys so they wouldn't talk. And she kinda mentioned and kinda like made fun of it. "Yeah, I used to do this, I used to do that." And, uh, like, some people are like, "Wait a second. You can't just say that, and then be pro like Me Too movement and all these other things, 'cause these are people that've been sexually taken advantage of." So, she kinda got some backlash with that, and so, when you, yeah, you have somebody like that in your film, it's, uh, you know, it, things can get out of hand. Because there is another side to the story, he's like, you know, we see the men taken advantage, but you don't realize like how often this other side is going on. You know, people didn't even know like, these kinda hustles were going on. 'Cause like she said, men aren't, men aren't talking about it. It's like, "Take that as an L and move on, move on with your life."

Themes, Style, and Production Insights
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, that, that pride, man. That pride and, and, and, and embarrassment. And, yeah, I mean, it, it's not, it's not, it's not justified, right? Uh, two wrongs don't, don't make a right. And there, there, I, I was, I, there was times I was watching, I was like, "Oh, I'm, I'm uncomfortable with some, some things." I was like, "Oh, I feel uncomfortable."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, so, yeah, that was the controversy with it. You know, it's, uh, you say pro this, but you actually did some of the things that y'all were portraying in this film. And that's when, it's like, "Whoa, wait a second. What are we doing here?" Anyway, what about, what did you think about the commentary, uh, in or special features?
Casey G. Smith.: I thought the commenta-, yeah, the commentary was, was, was, uh, insightful, uh, enough. I mean, the director had really done her, her research. Her homework, you know, very complimentary of the, of the cast and, and crew, gave some nice anecdotes and recaps of what was happening. Uh, seen to seen. Yeah, it was a solid commentary. It was a solid commentary as a whole. Special feature-wise, it was light on, on special features.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I think the one I have, I don't even think it had special features. I think outside of the commentary.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, so did I. I rent, I rented it as well.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I gotta rent it. I gotta rent it. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Rent Blu-ray?
Reginald Titus Jr.: I went it, uh, yeah, Blu-ray from, uh, the movie, not Movie Trading Company, from, uh, Family Video.
Casey G. Smith.: Mhm. Yeah, then we, I mean, it would've been the same thing. Yeah, yeah, I don't, there weren't. I was like, "Man, no, there weren't any special features." And it was just, it was just the commentary. So, no special features, you know, you know, we always want special features.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. But, yeah, I, I like the commentary. Um, it wasn't necessarily as technical as I would normally like. Uh, but she seemed genuinely excited, and it seemed like more of a celebration of like the women and, uh, this everybody just coming together to produce this film. So, it felt like a, a celebratory commentary.
Casey G. Smith.: Just commentary.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, it's definitely an, an accomplishment to get in and get through and, and, and get it done.
Reginald Titus Jr.: What are some themes you got? Do you have any themes?
Casey G. Smith.: Ah. Dude, so I kind of, um, made mention of one earlier. Uh, two wrongs don't make a right.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, it just, absolutely doesn't. I mean, yes, there were some horrible things going on, but then to go and do similar thing, then that doesn't make you better or vindicated or, or, or, or justified or stop, uh, what was previously going on. Now you just have two, two sets of people being, being, uh, wrong, if you will.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm.
Casey G. Smith.: So, yeah, two wrongs don't make a right.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Um, I have a theme of control. It's, uh,
Casey G. Smith.: Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I think that's more of the character of, what's our main character's name?
Casey G. Smith.: Destiny.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Destiny. Uh, I mean, even her in her name. Uh, but do they, uh, when the movie opens up, is it a Janet Jackson song playing, or is it later?
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And is that the control? It's a control song, right? It opens up with her.
Casey G. Smith.: It is. It is.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. So, that kinda sets the tone right there. Um, but yeah, it's a theme that we, that we, that Destiny is searching for and trying to maintain is control over her situation.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, I have, I have that also. I had control as well.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And then also I had sisterhood/family.
Casey G. Smith.: Yep.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh, as a, as a theme. Not only obviously we, we see the importance of Destiny's mother that,
Casey G. Smith.: Right, grandma. My bad.
Reginald Titus Jr.: No worries. Um, mother left, just bounced. You know, we, we see that later on, it's like, "What's wrong with this, what's wrong with Destiny?" Like, why is she doing all this stuff? But having that missing mother figure, and then she's always kinda searching for that, and Jennifer Lopez' character provides that motherly figure, and which we see, you know, so maternal.
Casey G. Smith.: So maternal.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Which I didn't hear you.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, yeah, for sure. You know, especially being a mother, you're just like, now she, she can really be that woman. Uh, we see that like in *Boogie*, like, talking about Boogie Nights. You know, that's what Mark Wahlberg's character was looking for his mother, and she played that, you know. And was happy to be that because she wasn't there for her kid. And, uh,
Casey G. Smith.: Same with *Rollergirl*.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's right. Yeah. With her, yeah, Heather Graham's character also was looking at her. She, she even, so much says that, you know, "Okay, I'm gonna call you mom." Oh, man. Oh, man. This is a, yeah, it's a, it's a, it's a broken-up porn family. Wow. And but you know what?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And then we got this stripper, stripper family. And when they go through something, you can really, you can appreciate it for the jacked up family it is.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. It's strip, strip down, no pun intended, but like, strip.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Uh, roll on, Snake. Roll on a roll tonight. Uh, everything broken down to the point of being just, just so raw, it's like, you know, you, you, you know, being willing to, to, being, I guess, you know, it's fascinating, being willing to bear it all from a physical standpoint, but then finding those that you can bear your soul to. Uh, that's fascinating. Where those connections happen. Those genuine connections happen.
Casey G. Smith.: Roll on, Snake. We're on a roll tonight. Uh.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. As a hustler, you're finding out how to work within a broken system. You know, this is a system where men, how much money you make, determines your value. And then women, how awesome, how pretty their body looks, determines their value. And this is the American system. And, uh,
Casey G. Smith.: Right.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah, everybody's just trying to figure out their way around it. Hustling, man.
Casey G. Smith.: But it's fascinating, it's fascinating initially, though, with, you know, when Destiny gets out there, it's not working for her. She, she's got, she's got, you know, whatever the looking, but it wasn't, it's not until she talks with, she needs some training, man.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, you know, she's, it's, it's, it's still, it's still took a dedication to craft. Yeah. In order for this to work, right? It wasn't just, it wasn't just looks, it was a combination of, it was, it was skill, right? It was attitude, salesmanship.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it took, it took legitimate skill. And then sometimes even, even, you know, finding the right partner, right? When her and Ramona teamed up, and then they could, yeah, they were, they were making it work. And, you know, like, with any profession, the economy, mhm, yes, plays, plays a role.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Right. Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And then, and then when that fails, it's like, trying to figure out, it's crazy, you know, kinda what, what we're dealing with now in the economy, and everything being broken. How do you find, what, what are you willing to do when everything is gone? You know, the economy is shot out. What are you willing to do, you know? She, she has to make that choice, you know. Some things, sometimes that she probably wouldn't have crossed a few months ago, today, she, she's gonna cross it. Oh, integrity. Yeah. And, yeah, the val, yeah, what, what happens to the value of certain things? Like, where, you know, the lap dance, all right, just, you know, thousands being, you know, thrown out. So, where now you've get, you know, girls from Russia who come in, and they're willing to do all kinds of different acts that are far beyond just, just stripping. Uh, for, far less money than what she would make from just, just dancing. It's like, you know, when you get, it's like with any, with any profession, when a, when certain people come in the market, and they undercut, right? They undercut the value of it, whether it's videography or photography or, you name it, who come in and they undercut the market, that hurts, that hurts everybody, you know, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts the pros as well. Like, "Wait a minute, you're give, you're giving away the farm. What are you doing?"
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That is real. Um, yeah, the, the customer changed, because the guys that were just giving away 10,000, the economy's crushed. They're probably without a job now. Uh, during that crash, 'cause this takes place during that, uh, 2008 crash. They're out of a job, or now they're gonna just hold on to their money, not gonna just throw thousands away like that. And so, so, the guys that do have extra money, they may, they may wanna get a little bit more bang for their buck.
Casey G. Smith.: Right. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh. Oh, man.
Casey G. Smith.: Roll on, Snake.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, Lord. Okay, um, any more themes?
Casey G. Smith.: That's all I got, brother.
Reginald Titus Jr.: All right. What kind of tone did this movie set?
Casey G. Smith.: I think it had a tone of, of fantasy and lies. Mhm. That people go out pursuing a, a fairy tale, you know, of, people go to a, to a strip club. It's definitely a form of, I guess, escape for them, and to, to feel, maybe, you know, some may, may be in legitimate places and positions of power, some, you know, maybe not so much, but being able to have a, a power, like, some, some men may get rejected by women, say, continually, but also then they go into this place, and they have the fantasy of then being in control, being able to say, uh, "No, I don't want, you know, your attention or affection." And some, some feel empowered by that. Or, "Hey, I put this money out, and you'll do what I want." And so, there's a fantasy within that. And then, you know, just kinda that, and then later on, you know, she calls him, calls him up, and, you know, she's trying to get, at the end of the day, more money off him. And, and, and seemingly like, oh, he's like, "Oh, you know, but I'm, I'm with my family, you know, family, all that stuff." He's like, "Okay, yeah, great." And he just, he just hangs off. The phone is clicked, just cold, like, "This ain't about anything else but money." So, tone of fantasy and, and, and, and lies. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. I think the tone too is set, you know, again, early on when we're in the, we start out just in the strip club. Music blaring, booties everywhere, naked, like, it's not a big deal. It's not a big deal. And I think, uh, because it, the tone is set, we're in the club early on, and we're hanging out with her, that kinda feels like home. Like, it feels like, like we really belong in the club. And anytime we're out of that environment, we're outside or at another job, that doesn't feel right. What feel right is the club environment. It's kinda weird how, how they were, able to pull that off, but it's like, I don't feel, during the day, it doesn't feel right. It's like, we need to go back to where we, where we belong.
Casey G. Smith.: Mhm.
Reginald Titus Jr.: We almost wanted to go back.
Casey G. Smith.: I wonder, I wonder if they had something to do with, you know, maybe how it's lit, and the, and the look, and lighting. Yeah, because, I mean, you know, the, yeah, well, I know we're getting into, into the, the style and all that kind of stuff, but yeah, that's, uh, yeah. Yeah, it does, when they, when they're back there, it does have that vibe. And they, they kinda, you know, reinforced it a little bit later on when, you know, connections are made. You know, that the main relationship, right? The main friendship forms and starts there in the, in the club itself. Uh, also, told, I had a tone of, uh, just, you know, ends justifying the means. Uh, that's kinda when everybody's take is, like, "Hey, you know, do what you have to do. Justify whatever, if, if it gets you what you want in the, in the end." And that means, sometimes that means betrayal, as well. Crazy.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh, style, what do you think about the style of the film?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, I mean, so this is, you know, a 2019 release, so it's crisp. Um, again, speaking to the club aspect, in the club there's a lot of, um, warm colors, right? Pinks and purples that you see, uh, every time you're, you're, you're in the club throughout. Um, so, okay, so when you, when you go to Destiny being interviewed, Oh, there's a contrast to the background she's sitting in. How she's dressed, like, everything is like, kinda all night, kinda like white and clean, like she's, quote unquote, maybe like, cleaned up, or acted, or trying to put, you know, forth an act, and everything is in order. Uh, there's a, there's a contrast between that, and then, bam, you know, you go back into the, into the club. That's what.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's true. Uh, yeah, the style is very nice, clean, uh, strong visual style. Uh, the production, um, the art department, you know, she talks about like, before the recession happens, the club looks a certain way. And then, after the crash, it's a little bit more dingy. It's not popping as much. Uh, it doesn't look as stylized, but it still has a style within itself. So, yeah, I think it's, uh, it, the, the way that it's lit, it's very enticing and, and pleasing to the eye. Even, when you say the contrast with the, when it's daytime, daylight, she's dressed up professionally, it's, it's a very clean, I don't even know what kind of texture it is. I don't wanna say, I guess crisp is kinda it, but it, it feels natural. It feels like, like, we're really there with them or something. I don't know.
Casey G. Smith.: That's true.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, there's a, uh, there's a warmth, an intimacy, um, almost to the, to the look of it all where it doesn't feel, doesn't feel overproduced. Right? It's like, it's like just enough. I'm like, "Okay, you can, it still looks good."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Maybe natural is what I'm kinda going for. Like, the, I mean, the cover, I mean, the club is stylized, but you don't necessarily feel that it's lit. Same thing with the, uh, like you were talking about like the, like the natural light, you know, when she's wearing the all white, it's in contrast. It still feels natural. Even in Ramona's apartment and, yeah. Yeah, I'll be interested in, in, uh, seeing what, how the cinematography pulled, cinematographer pulled that off.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah, definitely, definitely will. How the DP did that thing.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Tropes. What you got?
Casey G. Smith.: Uh, I got three, three tropes. Okay. Number one is, you know, strippers being abused. Uh, number two, Wall Street guys at a strip club. And number three, doing a crime and then getting caught. Um,
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay.
Casey G. Smith.: Trope, trope, trope. Trope, trope, trope, trope. Drugs, coke and strippers. You know, coke is always one of those things when involving like nudity in some kind of way, it's always gonna be there.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Drugs, coke and strippers.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh, part of, partying. And then like the wire, the snitch, the person that's gonna be the snitch, doing the wire and trying to set somebody up, like, that's, you gotta have that trope in any of this crime stuff.
Casey G. Smith.: Having the, when, when the, when the crimes are going on, you know, with the heist film, or whatever, the crimes are going on, that you always have to introduce the weak link. Yeah. Right? Because usually, usually the crime is planned out pretty well. And people running it, are running it well. And either there is a weak link introduced into the team later on, like, at some point as things are going well, or somebody on the team begins to, begins to slip up. Yeah. But in this event, they, they bring on the weak link later on. And of course, you know, she's doing drugs, and just, yeah, yeah, you know, I, "All right, there's a weak link right there. She's gonna be the one."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yep. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It's like the flaw of the charismatic character, the charismatic, you know, leader. You know, they think, they can convince anybody to do anything, but they're not focusing on what, like, uh, Lopez, her character wasn't focusing on what Destiny was trying to say. Like, something's wrong here. She's trying to, "She's trying to say," whoa.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: That same thing that drew Destiny in, um, also drew in the other girl. And, yeah, for whatever reason, like, that, that maternal instinct kinda backfires, uh, because she's bailing this girl out and all this kind of stuff. It's like, "Uh, no, she's not, she's not, she's not being the business." But they were growing, and they needed more, you know, more bodies.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm. Yeah. Quotes. You got any quotes?

Filmmaker Tips and Closing
Casey G. Smith.: Got some quotes. Got some quotes. When Destiny and Ramona first meet, mhm, and they're kinda talking and she's asking, you know, "How, how do you, you know, deal with deal?" And Ramona says, "I guess I'm just a people person." It's like, "Nice, nice, nice, nice talk."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Okay.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh, I only had one quote, and it was when, uh, Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez are teaching the character Destiny how to dance, and Destiny's given, uh, Cardi B a lap dance, then Cardi B's like, "I'm like, "Ah, what are you doing?""
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. I have several more. So, uh, when Destiny and Ramona connect, and they're at the diner, and Ramona simply asks, "Why didn't you call me?" Like, it's just like, it's so, so genuine, so sincere, so simple, to the point. Like, you know, we were like tight. And then also in that, when that same conversation, you know, we were like, "Hurricane." Kinda just reminiscing on just how they do it. And that, of course, she brings it up several times throughout the film, even towards the end. Uh, then when J.Lo, when Ramona is trying to hold down the job at Old Navy, and she's trying to ask for some time off, and the manager just says, "Am I the father?" And just begins to go in and give reasons why, you know, it's not his responsibility.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Ah, yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's what she does.
Casey G. Smith.: Trying to convince her to, yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's terrible.
Casey G. Smith.: "Am I the father?" Wow.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's terrible.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow. Uh, then, when, when Ramona, when they're working there, they're hustling, they're contacting old clients. And Ramona calls up some guy, say, "Hey, this is so-and-so. You remember me?" But then has one of the other girls, uh, she goes, "I'm gonna send you a pic." And has one of the other girls stand up. She takes it, and she's like, "No, turn around. You know what they want." You know, and, you know, she, you know, turns around and, and does strikes a pose. Yeah. And then, uh, two more. Destiny says this to, uh, to Ramona. She says, "We're breaking the law already. We don't wanna work with criminals." I'm like, that's, uh, that's, uh, what?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh-huh. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: That's, uh, what?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Wow. That's it. That's it.
Casey G. Smith.: That's, uh, what?
Reginald Titus Jr.: "We're breaking the law already. We don't wanna work with criminals." So, yeah. Delusional. Delusional, indeed. Favorite scenes?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I think one of my, the first scene for me, you know, just starting out. It's like, oh, we're in line with all these people. Okay, it almost puts us in the, in the perspective of, we're also a, also a stripper following in line with everybody else. Um, but that's an interesting way to, to introduce the film. Uh, so that first scene is kinda key.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Delusional.
Casey G. Smith.: Destiny and, and Ramona meeting for the first time. You know, on that, on that, on that rooftop. And just, I mean, you know, you know, look, let's be honest, J.Lo is strikingly beautiful. And she's holding it down.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Hello. Hello, J.Lo. She is doing her thing. I mean, she's, I mean, just been gorgeous, right?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Hello, J.Lo.
Reginald Titus Jr.: I should add, um, sorry, I should add with that first scene includes the J.Lo choreography sequence. Okay, sorry. Go ahead.
Casey G. Smith.: Duly noted. Duly noted. Yes, she put in work, and it, it absolutely showed. Absolutely showed. Uh, the sheer strength and athleticism to, to pull off that. So, when she's on the roof, uh, and again, even the way that, the, even the way that it's lit, right, that, that, the look of the scene is, is beautiful. Yeah. And again, the maternal instinct, when she, just opens up her first, like, come on, come on, you know, just like, come and, and say, it's just, there's this warmth that comes from her. Yeah. And it's, it's, it's, I don't know, it's so, it's so endearing.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: And her, so it's, it's, I don't know, so endearing.
Reginald Titus Jr.: And warmth. Yeah, literal warmth. Uh, show, I did, I did a music video shoot, man, what year was this? 2009, 10, somewhere around that time. And it was cold outside. And my friend's mom had a mink coat to let, uh, my wife, uh, wear while we were outside shooting. She was like, "Oh, my god, I see why people wear this." But, 'cause literally, she, she said, it was like the, the temperature changed by wearing that mink coat. It was a real mink coat. And she put it on, she's like, it literally cuts through the wind. I mean, it cuts through the cold, like, the temperature changed. You don't feel anything when you have that on. So, it's literally warm in there. Warmth. Pretty amazing.
Casey G. Smith.: Pretty amazing.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Another, I like how they matched the music with the year. Um, so that even like, you know, going from like 2008 to 2012, 13. Like, the songs that were hot in that year, they played during that time, and it really set the, set the vibe. It's like, I don't like it when a film is set in a period piece, and then they use like contemporary music for, you know, for a time piece, say, like it's in the '80s or something like that, and you're using contemporary music along with the film. It kinda takes you out of it a little bit. Which, by the way, is kinda like a complaint with the Self Made CJ Walker film. They use contemporary music on some of the stuff, and it kinda takes some people out of it. So, yeah, I agree. I like when you play music from that time period. I think if you don't, then don't at all. If you're gonna use contemporary music in a period piece, then be consistent, and don't, don't do anything that's a throwback. If it's a, if it's all done that way stylistically, I'm okay with that, especially if it hits. Like, there's a, there's a scene in *Django* where they, I, I think it's when he's, who, I think when he first rolls up in his, in his blue garb, and they drive something, a Rick Ross song. I don't know who. What's Rick Ross, right? Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It was Rick Ross.
Casey G. Smith.: It was Rick Ross, right? Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Uh-huh.
Casey G. Smith.: But I, to me, it worked. I was like, "Whoa." So, if you're gonna do it, be consistent, but, yes, I love how they used different songs. You know, when, when, uh, Flo Rida, is the club can't even handle me right now, I was like, "Yeah!" Uh, it just, it works. It, it absolutely works.
Reginald Titus Jr.: It was Rick Ross, right?
Casey G. Smith.: It absolutely, uh, works.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Um, I like the scene when, uh, of course, the Usher scene, um, when he comes in, who would expect, you know, it was like, all the girls come, "Usher, Usher!" Then he comes in. And when, you know, the slow-mo shot and, yeah, it's like a music video. He's throwing the money around, it's falling in slow-mo. His song is playing, called "In This Club". It's perfect. Mhm. It was a good scene.
Casey G. Smith.: All of us up on the stage doing their thing. And then they, they say, you know, when, uh, when J.Lo, you know, uh, she, you know, they kinda improv, and she's like, "What's your name?" Uh, "Her name's Aubrey." "Yeah!" That was good. Look like they were having like legitimate fun.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, man.
Casey G. Smith.: They, they said in the commentary that they, that they were. I mean, that was real money. Yeah. That was real money that they were, that they were throwing around. And, uh, you know, lost a couple of bills.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Lost a couple of bills.
Casey G. Smith.: Uh, so, you know, "Yeah, you had seen more thousands."
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm. Uh-huh.
Casey G. Smith.: "Mhm." I like the, uh, scene with, uh, Julia Stiles. Julia Stiles is playing a journalist who is getting the, getting the rundown, getting the story of what went down during this recession from these strippers. And, uh, she's talking to Destiny. And Destiny just, just got through telling Julia Stiles' character how she drugged these guys. And then, uh, uh, Destiny asks her, "You know, you want some coffee?" And she gives her some coffee, and she, before she takes a sip, Julia Stiles' like, "Mhm." Like, she's looking like, "Wait a minute." Then she takes a sip. That was just kinda cool, stealing some scenes, Julia.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Mhm. Uh-huh.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, man.
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. I mean, just her facial expressions. Yeah, she made, she made those, those scenes work, for sure. Uh, let's see. Okay, so, when the girls are first kinda starting their scam, they're kinda doing the montage of the different guys that they're, uh, trying to scam. And, and they talk about how there's, you know, some, some guys kinda caught on to it. And there's one guy, he's like, "Just there." They already got him, they already bought the drinks, and he's like, "No, I'm really uncomfortable." And he kinda just takes off. And then you just see Ramona's like, "Damn!" You know, she's gonna, she's gotta pay that bill. You know, she just, dang. Just.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Having to slide off on, I just, I, that just cracked me up. I'm like, "Ah."
Casey G. Smith.: Having to slide off on. I just, I, that just cracked me up. I'm like, "Ah."
Reginald Titus Jr.: I like the, uh, the scene, it's kinda bad, but when, uh, Keke Palmer, when Destin, uh, Keke Palmer, I can't think of the character name she plays. But they're taking the guy that fell off the balcony to the hospital. And Destiny's like, "You need to help me." And then Keke's like, "I thought we were just dropping him off." And then she just runs. She just leaves, she runs and leaves the scene. Oh, man. Yeah. And the run she has, her arms are in the air and she just, just dramatic. She's like, "Wait, where are you going even?"
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Just like the wrong outfit to be running in.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: You know, she just hiked up, but just like, "Godly." But that was just funny, the way she did it. She had some little, some comedy going on. She did, she did her thing, for sure. Um, when Destiny and Ramona reunite, again, in that diner. I, I, I that's maybe one of my favorite scenes in the whole movie. Just them sitting and, and talking. And again, again, it's J.Lo to me, she's just stealing the scene. It's just, he's just radiating this likability the whole time. And just, there's just this sincerity, man. Uh, this, this sincerity and believability that just comes across in her performance that I just, I really, I really, really enjoy. And I think, I mean, I know a lot of people, yeah, see that and experience that. Yeah, J.Lo was very likable. No matter who she plays, she's just swagging through the movie, committing crimes, but it's just swagged away through. Kinda like Michael B. Jordan, like, killing people, but just swagged his way through Black Panther. Hey, Auntie. Hey, Auntie. Uh, do you have any more favorite scenes? Oh, when, when, uh, when Destiny and Ramona, they, when they, when they sample the drug that they're making. They just take a little sample, and all of a sudden they're just like, waking up off the ground like, what, what happened? Like, dang. That's, it's, it's, it's scary, but it, it is funny. How they, how they shot that. They just kinda waking up. The Christmas, the whole Christmas in July scene, you know, they're all there and gathered around, around the table. Again, they're celebrating their, their dastardly success. But it's, again, it's heartwarming because of the relationships that have formed, right? Even grandma is in on it, and talking about meeting whoever, whatever famous actor she says she, she met.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. She just out of reaction, just punched him. And just, like, knocked him, knocked him back out. Quick reaction. Uh, and then when Destiny decides to take the deal, is that last dialogue between Ramona and Destiny? Like, it's just like, it's, it's heartbreaking to a degree. And, uh, you're like, man. So, I will say, I'll just say this out real quick. Sometimes, you know, we talk about things that we like, something I dislike. I dislike the character of Destiny. I'm like, you, yeah, you take care of, you take care of your grandma, that's admirable. But as a whole, I'm like, you're not good. Person. Yeah. So, that's one of those questions you asked, you know, I mean, if this is based on a true story, it really went down like that, is one thing. But, you know, do you punch it up and, and, and, and add more time to the sentencing to, for the sake of, of, of drama? Yes. In this case, yes. Right? 'Cause we don't even like the character. We don't even like the character. It's not, there's not no, there aren't high stakes there. You know? Like, I guess, you know, the good thing that they, that they get to see Ramona at the end, right? And you get to see her with the picture, even that she still has of Destiny's daughter that she keeps with. So, she's so likable. And the fact, yeah, she absolutely is. And the fact that now, when you look at her, she is, she is sitting in the office space of that manager at Old Navy. She's like managing the Old Navy now. That's right. That's right. I was like, huh?
Reginald Titus Jr.: Hey, Auntie. Hey, Auntie.
Reginald Titus Jr.: That's it. Yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Boom. Promotion. Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Yeah. I think, uh, a film called, uh, *Boiler Room*, a movie called Boiler Room. Um, Lorene, our director, Lorene, she said that she actually worked in a boiler room before. Just selling stocks that are worth nothing to older people. So, in the movie, a Boiler Room, you see a character who is, you know, taking advantage of somebody, but you feel horrified by the victim. You, you feel horrified what happens to the victim. Like, in this, in this film, you don't really feel it that much, you, except for the one guy who got taken advantage of, that Destiny kinda cared about a little bit. Um, but you really feel it. It's heavy in the Boiler Room movie. But just to see both sides of it, you know, people that's hustling, but who gets affected, and how they are affected. It's important. Just kinda have that balance. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Stakes. Indeed. Anything else, sir? Just want to let everybody know that this episode of Filmmaker Commentary is brought to you by Natural Hair The Movie by Grind to be a Matter Films, which is available for purchase and rent on Amazon, and for Amazon Prime members, is now streaming at no additional cost. So, we encourage you to give it a watch, give it a like, and give it a review. Yes, indeed. Next time, what movie are we gonna tackle? *12 Monkeys*. Not racist. Avatar. Right. I think somebody said something about monkeys. In that film. Oh, terrible. It was like, yeah, it was some racist undertones in Avatar. I think about it when I was watching it. They're just savages. Let's just get to that. Anyway. Man, I'm only, only watched it once, and it's just like, it's a, uh, didn't, didn't, uh, stick with me enough to wanna watch it. Yeah, it's, uh, from a story standpoint, it's, uh, it's very limited. It's a visual marvel. That's it. Okay, so we're watching 12 Monkeys. And then, where else can, uh, they catch us?
Casey G. Smith.: Yeah. Yeah.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.

Filmmaker Tips and Closing
Reginald Titus Jr.: Cracks the chandelier. Now it's time for Filmmaker Tips. So, um, for the car scene, um, they rehearsed by having four chairs where the, the women can sit in, so they can kinda rehearse before getting in the truck and going through the scene. And she said that helped that a lot. So, if you have a scene where a lot is going on in a vehicle, you know, have your actors just rehearse that scene, four chairs, just like it's a car, and rehearse that way. And that was through the advice of the, uh, AD, the assistant director.
Casey G. Smith.: Go for authenticity. J.Lo trained for months, uh, to, with a pole consultant to be able to do that, that opening dance. Yeah. Uh, and seen. And, of course, even the training aspects with, with Destiny. I mean, you know, like, just learning how to use, literally new muscles to do those things. And, of course, J.Lo's, is a trained professional dancer. You know, she's come a long way from the Fly Girls, but, uh, she was, I mean, crushing it with the athleticism, again, on the, on the, on the pole. I mean, that's like, that's gymnast level stuff that they're doing. Crazy. There's something called a podcar. There was a shot where, uh, Destiny, 'cause she keeps having like a recurring dream, like, there's a car that's driving, she's in the back seat, she, it's moving, it's driving, and she has no control over it. Loses control. And so, we visually see that by a car, she's in the back seat, it's driving. We're in the back, no one's driving the, the, no one's driving, and we're going down like a hill that looks like from San Francisco. We're just going down the hill. And she goes in to, to grab the wheel. But in order to get a shot like that, you have something called a podcar. Um, and the driver of the car is actually on top of the hood of the vehicle controlling it. Mhm. Speaking of which, use what you know. That car out of control is actually something from the actual director's. That's a recurring nightmare that she had. So, she used that and, and gave that to Destiny to put into the. I wonder why she has that dream. I, uh, I shoot a lot of weddings. I always have, and I think a lot of like videographers that shoot weddings have this dream where everything is together, you got all your camera gear, everything shot up. You're early, everything set up perfectly. You go to hit record, there's no cassettes, there's no SD card. And the ceremony's about to start. You're done. Or, like, it could either be that or it can be like missing batteries. It's something where you think everything is perfect, you're good, ready to go, but it's something small where it's like, "Okay, I have the cameras, but I left all the tripods." You know, something like that. And right before they're about to walk down the aisle, you're like, just screwed. You say you have that dream a lot when you shot weddings. Yeah, there's certain events that can, you know, give you a little, uh, little nerves. Nerves, some anxiety. Oh, yeah. Um, so I had a, the tip of, of leave time for improv with performers that you trust. Uh, and so there were certain scenes that they, that they let them improv. There's a, you know, there's some scenes where they let them kinda just, just go and kinda talk to, or J.Lo was improvin' some different things. So, yeah, uh, you have a level of trust. Leave some, leave some room. And one of my last filmmaker tips is, um, this is, uh, a film where I think the, it empowered women, but they were also, I think they were excited about researching. Um, you know, the, being able to flip the bad stuff on the guys. So, research is very important. So, we had, uh, J.Lo, who was doing tons of research on top of the training. Same thing with Destiny. And also the director, who was also the writer of the film, doing tons and, tons of research. Not just from the article, but just people that are living that lifestyle. And, um, with, uh, Jay, Jennifer Lopez, who she found out, um, through talking to another stripper, was that there's, where she says like, kinda get the guys. She was kinda teaching Destiny, "Get these guys drunk so they can kinda give you more money." So, you, she was showing her technique, like, using singles, using doubles, and, uh, to get 'em drunk quicker so you can get paid. And that was something she learned from one of the strippers.
Casey G. Smith.: I wonder why she has that dream.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah.
Casey G. Smith.: Uh-huh. Yep.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Okay. I wonder why she has that dream. I, uh, I, I guess, you know, the good thing is that they, they, you get to see Ramona at the end, right? And you get to see her with the picture, even that she still has of Destiny's daughter that she keeps with. So, she's so likeable. And the fact, yeah, she absolutely is. And the fact that now, when you look at her, she is, she is sitting in the office space of that manager at Old Navy. She's like managing the Old Navy now. That's right. That's right. I was like, "Huh?" Boom. Promotion. Yeah. But I agree, uh, Destiny is not likeable. And that could have been addressed, but, oh well, it was, it was a, um, financially profitable film. It was great marketing. Yeah. And I think the actress is a very likable actress. Um, just not Destiny. But, yeah, the character itself, the actions of the character are unlikable, but, yeah, she's a, she's a, I mean, she's a great actress. Doing dirt out here. So, the dirty world, my hustler. Uh, that's true. What was I thinking? Trivia. Uh, did we have any more scenes or was that it?
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Trivia. I only have a couple. Um, it rained 27 out of 29 days of production, which is crazy. Where did they produce this at? Did they, did she mention where they, where production was held? Was it in Canada, or was it Georgia? 27 days out of 29, it rained. I don't think they mentioned where they actually produced it. I didn't, well, I didn't pick it up. Uh, I had just one more. Uh, they, you know, like we were talking about, there, this is the Me Too movement, and people are real careful on this, on this set now, you know, especially when it comes to nudity, sex scenes, things like that. So, they had a comfort, something called a comfort consultant to make sure people are comfortable. And then you also had a stripper consultant. So, uh, during that first scene, when we see everybody just spread around, naked, and, you know, finding all the Johns. Uh, you know, just to make sure that there's a comfortable feel. Yeah, they had somebody come in to, to make sure that they, they were good. So, you.
Casey G. Smith.: I'm positive that they, that they did, 'cause they, 'cause they mentioned they, uh, they absolutely shot at, at a real strip club. I had just one more. Uh, they, you know, like we were talking about, there, this is the Me Too movement, and people are real careful on this, on this set now, you know, especially when it comes to nudity, sex scenes, things like that. So, they had a comfort, something called a comfort consultant to make sure people are comfortable. And then you also had a stripper consultant. So, uh, during that first scene, when we see everybody just spread around, naked, and, you know, finding all the Johns. Uh, you know, just to make sure that there's a comfortable feel. Yeah, they had somebody come in to, to make sure that they, they were good. So, you.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.
Reginald Titus Jr.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.
Casey G. Smith.: Oh, yeah. And that, that lady's name was, uh, Jack the Stripper. Boom. He's talking about, what, ask what she does. Okay. Um, I had, two, from trivia standpoint, they had over 300 extras that they used throughout. Uh, some, some of the cast, some of the extras were, were, uh, were real strippers as well. Not all just actresses. Uh, they did film, they filmed in, uh, in New York, New York. Okay. There you go. Um, at the, uh, Palisades, Palisades, Palisades Center. That it for trivia? Uh, a couple of little bits. Again, I mentioned this earlier, they did use real money at times, uh, during the, uh, scenes in the, in the club. They did rent three real fur coats, but I think you made reference to, uh, earlier. And, uh, the, the champagne room was, was built separately. So, with the, when you see the, when J.Lo and Destiny in the room, in the room with the guy, who was, I mean, really, the guy who comes through the back door, and kinda stuff, 'cause he's got, he's, he's a special VIP. Uh, that champagne room was, was, was separate, separate that they built. During, I guess, during one of the scenes where they're at Ramona's apartment, and they're, they're kinda popping open the champagne. They had, they, I think, shot the scene like three times. And J.Lo even said, like, "They had popped, you know, the champagne cork twice." But nothing had broken, and they were gonna do it a third time, they wanted to get another, uh, smooth coverage. And J.Lo was like, "We're tempting fate." So, if they shot it the third time, they popped that champagne cork, cracked, cracked the chandelier.