Let me preface this by saying we don’ t get out to the movies much with 4 kids and all but when something that looks good comes out I try my best to make it happen. Over the weekend we went to check out the movie Cadillac Records. There were a lot of name in it like, Beyonce, Cedric The Entertainer, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union, Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright. The movie chronicles the rise of Chess records and it’s artist. Here’s what we thought of the film:
HER VIEW:
I really enjoyed this movie. I actually did not know exactly all of what the movie was about. I just knew that Beyonce was playing Etta James in a movie. The actors did a great job of playing their roles as the musicians: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Chuck Berry, Etta James…etc. I understand that the actors actually sang the songs themselves as opposed to lip singing. They did a great job!! I really could feel the pain that was expressed through the music. I don’t know if Beyonce was as feisty as the real Etta James… but I think she did a great job anyway. She certainly deserves some credit for singing At Last beautifully and soulfully. (I love that song.)
HIS VIEW:
We’ve got history with At Last that’s why TheMom loves it but that’s a story for a different post. Anyway I thought this movie was great. If you’re a music lover you’ll agree with me definitely. Now after doing a little research even though the movie was based on a true story not everything is actually true and the story has been touched up for Hollywood but great nonetheless. I thought all of the actors/actresses did a good job but Jeffrey Wright who played Muddy Waters killed it. I read a mass review site and the movie got something like 44 positive reviews to 22 negatives from newspaper reporters around the country. They complained that the story was too loose but I Was able to follow it all. Again the music was great and had me googling a bunch of stuff after we got home. TheMom has been asking me to stop playing that old music all day, LOL. She didn’t know I had a lil Howlin Wolf in me ha ha. I can’t tell you about the artistic merit of the film but I can tell you if you’ve only got a babysitter every blue moon, think 40 dollars is way too much to be spending at a movie to find out that it sucks or want to make sure you enjoy that night out with your spouse then go see Cadillac Records.
Have you seen the movie yet? If so let us know what you think about it.
Me and the wife saw this over the weekend. Very Good IMO. The acting was superb and the music was out of the park… Mos Def and J. Wright killed it.
I don’t buy many DVD’s but when this one comes out I most definitely will. The cast was excellent, yes Jeffery Wright is a killer of an actor. He is a force that has yet to be recognized for the actor that he truly is. Muddy Waters was never as handsome as Jeffery, but old Jeff had me believing. Iam somewhat familar with the music and background of these artist these actors were pertraying. This was a movie and some creative licence was taken, but it was a great story and if Oscar’s are about the acting ability then Jeffrey Wright is a contender. Eammon Walker was the sexiest Howlin Wolf for ever, and if best supporting actor are out the Eammon and Mos Def should be in.
Black folks support your films and not the bootleg, this film should be seen in a theater.
I definitely want to go see this. Will you all be doing a review of Seven Pounds for us as well? I think both of those are on my “must-see” list. So far, Will Smith has not let me down.
Tara
https://theyoungmommylife.com
Tara Pringle Jeffersons last blog post..Weekly Inspiration: Getting it all done
If we get a chance we’ll check it out. BTW we love your blog. Keep up the good work.
I just saw this movie, and I thought it was superb. Unfortunately, it was a tad bit predictable. It seems the music industry back then had the same kind of tragedy across the board. Someone is always getting addicted to something, someone is always cheating on their spouse, someone is always being stupid and naive and losing all their money before they got it, someone is always dying too soon and someone else always manages to beat the system by surviving all that madness.
With all that said, this is still one of my favorite film genres. From the Five Heartbeats to The Temptations; from What’s Love Got to do With It to Ray, they are all so good to me! This one was no different. I haven’t met a film based on black music that I haven’t liked.
I saw it Tuesday and enjoyed it. I loved Jeff Wright, Mos Def, and Columbus Short’s roles! I did not know Columbus Short can sing! Definitely a good DVD pick when it comes out. And the fiancé didn’t want to see it at first. When we left the theater he said it was a good movie and he was glad he saw it LOL.
the movie was great!
who knew Little Walter songs could be so wonderful. i downloaded My Babe and i’ve been playing it crazy ever since. i never knew he was from Alexandria, LA! yea Rapides Parish!
how can you front on a film with Mos Def? he chooses roles with meat! i loved the commentary on Chuck Berry about not staying in hotels because he didn’t want to give him money to white owned establishments. hmph!
good film.
PEACE