Black Snake Moan

June 29th, 2007 by david lay

Many may remember writer/director Craig Brewer’s previous film; Hustle and Flow which earned an Academy Award for “Best Original Song” in 2006 (Also received a “Best Actor” nomination for Terrence Howard). But you are likely to know little or nothing about his newest film, Black Snake Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake.

Brewer, a native of Memphis Tennessee, creates a dramatic southern gothic that is all about religion, redemption, culture, and the blues. Black Snake Moan tells the story of Lazarus (J ackson) and Rae (Ricci) whose worlds connect when Lazarus, an aging farmer and ex blues musician finds a half-naked Rae on the side of the road beaten nearly to death and very ill (an allusion to the Good Samaritan). He discovers that Rae is a nymphomaniac and decides that it is his duty to try and “save” her. He does this not necessarily out of a religious mindset, but out of a need to have something to live for, to make his life meaningful.

As Lazarus nurses her back to health, he connects with Rae in an almost father-daughter way. Being aware that she may not want to be helped, he chains her to a radiator to “detox” her from her lustful desires. “God seen fit to put you in my path, and I aim to cure you of your wickedness” he tells her when she wakes. “We done broke the fever, now we gone break the hold that the Devil got on ya!” Inevitably, Rae (unsuccessfully) tries to escape and eventually settles in to Lazarus’s home and begins to form a bond with him.

When Rae’s boyfriend, Ronnie (Timberlake) returns prematurely from military service, he discovers Rae’s new “life”. This causes some turmoil between Ronnie and Lazarus — before everyone comes to realizations about who they are and what they truly want from life. Incidentally, Justin Timberlake is a surprisingly good actor. This is his second major film role. The first being, Alpha Dog — which I definitely recommend as well.

At its heart, this movie is about life, love, and music. Brewer calls this his second in a series of southern “musicals” (even though there are no random outbursts of song). Black Snake Moan really is centered around the music that is a part of life for all these characters and the culture. Brewer dedicated this movie to one of the greatest Delta Blues Musicians ever, R.L. Burnside who passed away in late 2005. The soundtrack is loaded with delta blues music and includes a couple of R.L.’s songs as well as music by North Mississippi Allstars, The Black Keys, and four performances by Samuel L. Jackson. Even if you don’t think you’ll like the movie, you should see it for the music… or just buy the soundtrack. It is absolutely phenomenal.

With solid performances by Jackson, Ricci, and Timberlake, this movie stands on its cinematic merits as well. It is extremely well written, produced, and directed, and the characters are well developed. Mall Rats writer/director Kevin Smith, as a guest critic on Ebert & Roeper, said that it was “one of the top movies of the year” and he compared Craig Brewer with Nobel Prize winning southern author, William Faulkner.

I definitely recommend this movie, and it is a shame that it did not receive a wider audience in theatrical release.

Here are some other reviews for Black Snake Moan:

Rotten Tomatoes

imdb User Reviews

ReelViews.net Review

Posted in Movies, Music | 2 Comments

Widespread Panic at Red Rocks

June 26th, 2007 by david

This weekend I went to see Widespread Panic at Red Rocks Amphitheater with 9,000 of my closest friends.

Widespread Panic is a Southern Rock infused Jam Band from Athens, GA. They formed in the late 80’s and gained prominence in the early 90’s. In the last 15 years, they have become one of the largest touring acts in the U.S. selling out show after show and attracting a very diverse and very loyal fan base.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a rock structure and open air amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. It is part of Red Rocks Park and is located just west of Denver. It has been hosting concerts and musical acts since 1906. Its open air style and breath-taking view have helped it become one of the most famous venues in the United States.

Widespread Panic made a three day stop at Red Rocks for the 8^th tour in a row, and it was quite obvious that they were regulars here. I arrived between 4 and 5 hours early and was greeted by a parking lot full of fans. The scene was much akin to a swap meet. There were people selling beers out of a cooler in their trunk, tons of artists hocking their drawings and jewelry, and I even saw on lady who had a massage chair set up offering tension reduction (as if there weren’t plenty of other ways to do that at a Panic show).

Once the gates opened, the race was on — Hundreds of fans sprinting (tarps in hand) to procure the best possible spot for viewing, singing, and dancing the night away. I moseyed in behind the bulk of the crowd and found a group that I had been chatting it up with in the line before. They offered me a spot on their tarp (which was about 10 rows up and nearly dead center). I accepted and took a seat and prepared to have a great time.

Later, I decided to climb to the top to see the view.

It was AMAZING. I went up to about 5 rows from the top and I never went back down. I never thought that I would desire to sit so far away from the band, but the view was just spectacular. The Denver skyline was visible several miles away, the foothills of the Rockies surrounded a couple of lakes and the amphitheater itself was bookended by huge red rock structures. Simply Gorgeous.

The band came out to a huge ovation and the air took on the scent of a people who were about to have a good time. The dancing began, and would not end for another 3 and a half hours. From the get go, the energy was tremendous. Widespread Panic is a band that knows how to entertain. And their fans know how to appreciate it.

The set list was as follows:

Set I:

From The Cradle
1 x 1
Who Do You Belong To?
Gradle
Clinic Cynic
Sleeping Man> I Can’t Stop Loving You
Sleepy Monkey> Good People> Wondering

During the break, the crowd was entertained by DJ Logic –Not what I would have expected for a Widespread Panic show, but he was quite talented and a lot of fun.

Set II:

Little Kin
Bust It Big> Jack
Diner> Fixin’ To Die
Space Wrangler
Can’t Find My Way Home
Ain’t Life Grand

Encore: Surprise Valley> Morning Dew> Mr. Soul

I suggest that you all to go see Widespread Panic in a city near you. Furthermore, I suggest that you go see anyone at Red Rocks Amphitheater. The experiences are unforgetable.

Posted in Events, Music | 4 Comments