Amari-Sali Trigger Warning(s): Scenes of Drug Use & Violence against children2013 contained a huge amount of films focusing on Black characters and the amount of diversity was quite good. But, naturally, some fell through the cracks. The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, unfortunately, was one of those films which unless you lived near a major metropolitan area, likely the movie came and went without you knowing. This is despite Jennifer Hudson in the film, with other recognizable names such as Anthony Mackie, Jordin Sparks and Jeffrey Wright.Characters & StoryMister (played by Skylan Brooks) is a Brooklyn native with dreams of going to Beverly Hills and becoming an actor. But, with a drug addicted mom named Gloria (played by Jennifer Hudson) and a tag along named Pete (played by Ethan Dizon) things are stacked against him. But, upon his mom getting arrested, things go from bad to worse as he tries to fend for himself, and Pete, so they don't end up at the local group home which has a horrible reputation.PraiseFor once, I must say Jennifer Hudson did remind me why she has an Oscar. Her playing a crack addict/ prostitute, was believable and not as overdone as some of the other roles she has done in the past. But, while Hudson shows improvement, both Brooks and Dizon continue to prove that not all young talent in Hollywood have white skin. And the only reason I bring up their skin tone up is because, it seems like there is a real lack of investment in young people of color, and while I doubt this film will launch either young mans' career, their performances do justify continued work.Brooks makes Mister into this raw character a little too exposed to his mother's lifestyle and you can see he has already begun the process of a hardened heart due to this environment. As for Dizon as Pete, he represents the innocence and naivety that Mister likely once had, and together they show how a child is before the exposure of a urban environment tears them down, and then their struggle in trying to survive before they give into the environment they grew up in.CriticismAs for criticism, honestly there aren't any major issues with the film. I mean, I found Jordin Sparks' role as Alice sort of strange, if only because we aren't properly informed how she moved out of the projects, unless it was because of her love interest; and also I, again, wasn't sure what Wright's role as Henry was supposed to be, unless he was to further develop the environment by playing a homeless veteran. But, as you can see, there isn't anything majorly wrong, just little things to pick over.Overall: TV ViewingAs a whole, honestly while I liked this film, I can't say it is worth seeing immediately. Though it is a good film, and definitely something which would make a good foundation for Brooks and Dizon's career, it just doesn't create an emotional impact. For while Hudson does better, she is nowhere near Mo'Nique's level in Precious; and while Brooks and Dizon will create sympathy within you, there is something in their performances, or perhaps the story, which makes it so you can get a full on connection. What I mean is, watching the film is sometimes like watching those commercials for starving African children. Yes, you feel bad for the kids, but once the commercial is over that feeling dissipates and you begin to forget all about them. And to me, all involved may have been good, but if you stack them up with other films with similar stories/ themes, they are unfortunately forgettable.

Richie-67-485852 Poor minorities forced to struggle while trying to survive is what you have to look forward too. When children are involved, it hits home a little harder. The subject matter is no stranger to us. The Grapes of Wrath is where Steinbeck took us and we got large doses of prejudice, poverty and hopelessness delivered to us in a book and movie form. Here however we are exposed to the grittiness and underside of the problem mixed with crime and degradation through drug addiction to make the poverty point. I am sure anyone watching this may have a flashback or two of their own upbringing and either say I can relate or there go I but for the grace of God. It will move you that way. The young stars did excellent job and not once did they stare into the camera or let you believe they were acting. You were living it as they were and that is worth a mention. Yes to seeing this movie and it is worth the price of a ticket. Yes to definitely having a snack, tasty drink and finger foods. Parts will move you and cause you to really know...this is real and because of that may be lightly disturbing for some...Good because that is how change comes about

cricket crockett . . . featuring some of the best child acting of this century, and lots of people from the American Idol TV show. Only a freezer gets shot; only a rodent dies--but an 8th grade repeater learns a little respect and comes up with some good material for his "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" English class assignment. Viewers looking past the unpunished child predator, the unpunished child-battering shopkeeper, the homeless but Purple-Hearted former U.S. Marine, the promise-breaking "moving-on-up" married man's mistress, and the unmolested sex & dope kingpin of one Brooklyn housing "Project" will see that this film's main message is: "Don't Snitch!" While some may be tempted to view this movie as an exploration of the unequal distribution of American wealth, it really is NOT any such thing; the only "solutions" shown here smack of being either criminal acts of anarchism or implausible fairy tale twists. If anything, the REAL secondary message may be that more guns (and firearms education, of course) are needed in the Projects. Afterall, the shopkeeper gets NO respect from Mister by waving around a red-painted baseball bat!

tilona-moore This movie is all around amazing! (Acting was phenomenal!) It's so moving and so gut wrenchingly realistic, it's mind blowing. It pulls so many emotions from you at once, it will leave you breathless. I would recommend this film to anyone regardless of race or class because this story transcends all those lines. I especially recommend it for teachers, parents, and those children who are mature enough to handle the subject matter because this is something that should be discussed with the younger generation.I saw this movie at a private screening and we had a Q&A afterwards. It was very interesting to hear people's opinion (some of whom were from similar backgrounds as the two boys ) and see how it affected the entire audience was.