Today everyone was talking about how Paramount snapped up Hustle & Flow, the pimpin'-ain't-easy-so-I'm-going-to-be-a-rap-star movie produced largely with John Singleton's own money, for $9 million bucks. We caught the premiere screening last night (incidentally, it was the first time director Craig Brewer showed it to the cast), and we can pinpoint the exact moment we knew it was going to sell and sell big: The instant the closing credits came on, a conga line to kiss star Terrence Howard's ass formed. Be the first to smooch the pooper of the breakout star! When Howard was called to the front of the theater by Brewer for the Q & A, an agent type (might've been his) immediately filled his seat and started talking to his girlfriend.

And how about that new regime at Paramount? They said they were going to give up being cheap and safe, and there they are, handing out bags of cash and making snow angels with hot talent. They'll make back the $9 million on the soundtrack alone.

After the jump: Festival juror John C. Reilly considers the impact of pimping on Southern hip-hop.

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