Sidewalks On The Corner

Craig Brewer has a mind for stirring up brewdy films. He has written and directed the steamy, sweat soaked "Hustle and Flow" and for his second adventure Brewer has created the off beat and gritty film, "Black Snake Moan."

Producer John Singleton and Brewer bring you the most daring film of this year.

Follow up:

"Black Snake Moan" (which is the name of a blues song) stars Samuel L. Jackson as Lazarus, a washed up blues musician living on the out skirts of Tennessee and trying to make do with the fate he's been given. While working in the yard on a hot summer day, he spots a woman lying on the side of the road. That woman is the abused Rae (Christina Ricci), who is found unconscious and left for dead. Lazarus takes her into refuge, and what happens next will change their worlds forever. Rae wakes up in and out of spells -- brought on by her nightmares. She begins to rant and rave and runs out of the house in a drug induced fit. Lazarus being a God fearing man suspects that this woman is "full with the devil". He brings her back into the house and chains Rae to the radiator for fear that she may run off and harm to herself. After Rae regains consciousness for the second time, she finds that she is chained and asks why. He replies, "You've been runnin' wild on me.” From there, a strange chain of events begin to spiral out of control from there.

Both Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci give the most convincing and smoking performances of their careers. Jackson being a native of Tennessee had no problems putting on a southern accent; nor did he have any difficulty taking on the character of Lazarus. Jackson looked rugged and worn and sounded like he has lived a long and troublesome life. You can really feel that he wants his life to change. Ricci really breaks of her shell in her portrayal of the disturbed and abused Rae. Rae has been taken advantage of and, on top of that, she is sexually vicious, making her a danger to herself and others. Ricci displays some real vulnerability in her role.

I was slightly impressed by singer Justin Timberlake as Rae's boyfriend Ronnie, who is shipped off to boot camp, but due to his anxiety problems, he can't quite make the cut. Not a bad effort on Timberlake’s part; in fact, this is one of the better roles of his budding film career.

Making his film debut is "dirty south" rapper David Banner (upcoming "This Christmas" and one-time SidewalksTV.com guest) as Tehronne. Usually many rappers, who moonlight as actors, can't quite get out of those stereotypical roles which depict them as pimps and murderers. Here Banner is no exception; he plays the pimp confronted by Lazarus. At times, Banner's character seems a little tame.

The supporting cast bares actor John Cothran and S. Epatha Merkerson. Cothran ("Kiss The Girls,” "Spawn," "The Cell") plays Reverend R.L., a friend and comrade to Lazarus. In the film, Cothran and Samuel trade some comical moments, as well as some spiritual one. The actors have some great chemistry together. Merkerson (Law & Order,"Slipstream,” "Terminator 2") plays pharmacy worker Angela, who is interested in Lazarus.

The film as a whole takes on a dark almost comical style of story telling. It's gritty, steamy and some scenes are somewhat shocking. However, to relieve the film of some of its harshness, there are some laughs and even some heart-warming moments between Jackson’s and Ricci's characters, as they try to comfort one another.

Overall, "Black Snake Moan" is an odd mix of dark comedy, romance, drama, and almost everything in between. It works quite well. It’s a movie people must see in order to get the full effect of its meaning. Great movie.