Black Snake Moan [Blu-ray]

     The lurid scenario--a nymphomaniacal white trash nymphet (Christina Ricci) is held prisoner by a bitter bluesman (Samuel L. Jackson)--gives way to an affecting tale of redemption in Black Snake Moan, writer/director Craig Brewer's follow-up to the acclaimed Hustle & Flow. Lazarus (Jackson, Jungle Fever, Pulp Fiction) finds Rae (Ricci, Monster, The Ice Storm) beaten unconscious on the road in front of his backwoods house. After bringing her inside, he learns of her wanton ways and decides to exorcise his own demons by curing Rae of her sexual compulsion. Black Snake Moan could have been terrible, but Brewer takes his story seriously enough to dig into the genuine emotions of such a situation (though along the way he certainly flirts with sexploitation overtones--several scenes look like they were plucked straight out of a hitherto unknown 1970s trash classic). Ricci, Jackson, and the supporting cast (including pop star Justin Timberlake, giving a surprisingly good performance as Rae's boyfriend) treat the characters with respect, honesty, and humor. The result is off-kilter and maybe a little too fond of its sleazy cinematic forbears to truly hit the emotional notes it's after, but Black Snake Moan has considerably more substance than its marketing would suggest. --Bret Fetzer Beyond <i>Black Snake Moan <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="4"> <img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000L211NC.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg" border="0"> The Soundtrack <br> More Music Stars on DVD <td width="33%"> More DVDs with Samuel L. Jackson </table> <span class="h1">Stills from Black Snake Moan (click for larger image) <p> <td><img border="0" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/aplus/blksnkmoan/blksnkmoan1-lo.jpg"> <p> <img border="0" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/aplus/blksnkmoan/blksnkmoan3-lo.jpg"> <img border="0" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/aplus/blksnkmoan/blksnkmoan4-lo.jpg"> <p> <img border="0" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/aplus/blksnkmoan/blksnkmoan6-lo.jpg">      Paramount Black Snake Moan (Blu-ray)When ex-blues musician Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) finds the town nymphomaniac Rae (Christina Ricci) left for dead on the side of the road, he vows to nurse her back to healthand cure her of her wickedness. Until then, shell be chained to the immovable radiator in hishome. But Lazarus has demons of his own: his wifejust left him for his own brother. While Lazarus and Rae struggle to fix their broken lives, the situation threatens to explode as Rae's boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) a roughneck soldier just back from Iraq comes searching for his missinglover.

Comment:
    This movie has a serious theme which is sex addiction. It is a real problem that some people have particularly someone that has been abused...The performances were emotionally wrenching at times... people saying this movie was ridiculous are just not aware of what goes on around them. If I had seen this movie 10 yrs ago I probably would have thought it was ridiculous too... get out and meet some people is all I can say to that.... The chain, the anchor became a wonderful symbol and that is in some ways a better symbol of marriage than the rings we wear. Overall I must recommend it quite highly.This movie was painful, beautiful and full of soul. What looks like a swanky sex story on the surface turns out to be a touching, spiritual journey. The soulfull music chosen to accompany was a perfect choice as well, and Sam Jackson looked like he'd been born with a guitar in his hands. Christina Ricci plays a unique role, and very different from her 'little girl' days, as a damaged young woman clinging to an equally emotionally challenged young man played by Justin Timberlake. When her beloved leaves, the one thin thread helping her hold her life together is broken and she's back on the prowl, thinking sex is all that can save her from the wretched past. Beaten up and left for dead by the side of the road, Rae is rescued by a black man named Lazarus. It turns out Lazarus is a bit beaten up by life as well. I love how the 'chain' becomes a beautiful tether of love that helps ground these emotionally scattered people trying so hard to cope with all the pain in their lives. What a fantastic story! Chrissy K. McVay - AuthorI saw this film on Cinemax last night and I think I need to see it again. What started as a taut, emotional, sexual rollercoaster ended up losing steam midway through and wrapped up too neatly for me. Some incredible themes were explored in this film, mainly the exorcising of people's personal demons. I absolutely loved the relationship between Rae and Laz, brilliantly portrayed by Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson. Really, I think it's some of the best work either actor has ever done and the film is worth watching just for that! And Justin Timberlake was surprisingly moving in his role. Very impressive! And the blues! Oh! The blues! AWESOME MUSIC! I loved getting a taste of that culture. But again, there was this weird drop in pacing about 2/3 of the way through and I really wonder what got lost on the cutting room floor. I'll have to give it another view to see what I might've missed.I saw a picture of Ricci kneeling on the grass with only scanty pants on in PLAYBOY. The snapshot--a key part of the movie--enticed me to see the movie. I had not read any of the reviews or even dreamed of Sam Jackson's versatility. So many have reviewed the movie in detail that I will disappoint. Ricci's gutsy performance done with total abandonment and yet also grace has to been seen. Sam Jackson shows his versatility, firmness, tenderness and musical abilities in a role that no one else could play as well. There is a great supporting cast. The music adds to the movie and brings some liveliness into a story that otherwise could have been very cold. Seeing intermingling of races in a southern town is refreshing yet one has to wonder if this could happen in more liberated northern cities. Yes there is some nudity yet it is essential and handled in a delicate artistic manner. Those who want to drool at Ricci's anatomy will find the film disappointing. Those who appreciate superb acting and a lively moving plot will find Very Few Better. Atypical and great!