Hustle and Flow (2005)

Dude, I totally loved this movie. At first, I wasn't so sure I was going to be interested in the characters. Besides the fact that Djay wasn't all that likeable, I thought it was just going to be the same story I always see. Another "8 mile" perhaps. I was wrong. Though the character never really grew on me...the story did. I loved the other characters, and I loved the "dream big" theme that seemed to dwell throughout the movie. I thought every single actor was cast appropriately and they were soooooooo good. Terrence Howard was mesmerizing and even though I never fell in love with characters, and he did redeem himself in a few ways for me. I thought he did such an amazing job, that it wouldn't surprise me to see him getting nominated for some awards this season.