Manohla Dargis Does Not Like Hustle and Flow

Which is OK, I guess. But let's not overdo the slamming of it. She writes about how it was picked up at Sundance:

And sometimes those bright people buy “Hustle & Flow,” a potboiler about sensitive pimps that was picked up here two years ago by the new team at Paramount Pictures amid a lot of crowing. Several lead players on that team are now history, and “Hustle & Flow” is on DVD, having earned little critical or public interest.

She goes on to say about its director:

Once upon a time, its writer and director, Craig Brewer, who also brought us “Hustle & Flow,” would have been churning out grindhouse quickies for Roger Corman. At Sundance, however, Mr. Brewer is a conquering hero, an auteur.

Except that the movie won an Academy Award for best song, a nomination for Terence Howard, and at least some attention. OK, this is not Citizen Kane. But come on. It's not that bad of a movie and going over the top to slam it is not helping her point about the hype machine at Sundance.