MOVIE REVIEW: "Cadillac Records"

MOVIE REVIEW: "Cadillac Records"

It's been a while since I saw "Cadillac Records". I thought that it would have gotten more attention than it did. I was drawn to the movie because of the legacy of the original Chess Records artists. The movies title references how the Chess Records owners paid their artists - with Cadillacs.

Funny thing about the movie's release, it did not show on many screens. I saw it in Pittsburgh on the first weekend that it opened there and it was only showing at two theaters.

The movies cast was also intriguing to me: Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Mos Def, Beyonce and Cedric "The Entertainer". Jeffrey Wright did a nice job as Muddy Waters. Wright seemed to really morph into Muddy's persona. Mos Def as Chuck Berry was refreshing, but his role was minor in comparison to some of the others. Etta James was played by Beyonce and left me a little indifferent. James is a big role to fill and Beyonce did not do it for me. And yes, I am being critical. I really want to see Beyonce do something exceptional and not just run of the mill. Adrien Brody was fine as Chess Records owner Leonard Chess; nothing too exciting there either, but I did not expect anything more and that is not a bad thing; just what it is. Same for Cedric.

The surprise action came from Columbus Short as Little Walter. I can tell you that if there were not so many exceptional mainstream movies out, Short would have gotten an Oscar nod as Best Support Actor in a film - at least I had hoped. He really brought the character to life in such a real life way. Meanwhile, Eamonn Walker portrayed Howlin Wolf in "Cadillac Records" and I think too much of his role ended up on the cutting room floor. He did a nice job, but it just really did not go anywhere. He easy stole the scenes that he was in; he has a commanding presence.

Finally, Gabrielle Union's acting was unique for her. I like that she showed some depth and was not the character that has been seen in so many of her previous movies.

I would see this one again. Seeing the movie did get me to do more research on the real lives of Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Little Walter and Etta James and their lives as a part of the Chess Records heritage. Crazy though that many scenes in the movie have been amped up for entertainment sake. For example, Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf did not have the level of anomosity toward one another that was showcased in the film.

Oh and I would be remiss if I did not mention the music. I really enjoyed the music throughout. Good stuff.

Music Monday 12 :: Etta James "At Last"

I keep hearing Beyonce's version of "At Last". Not that I don't like it, but it really waters down the original. I guess the "Bey" version is more popular now since she sang it as the president and his wife had their first dance to it a few days ago. Also, the song is now available on the "Cadillac Records" soundtrack.

At Last - Etta James

When I saw Beyonce sing the song for the first dance, I was a bit miffed. No disrespect to her, but it seems like disrespect for Etta James, the singer who popularized the song. Etta James is still alive you know. I'm hoping that she was asked to sing the song, but for some reason was unavailable. I really want to know if she was asked to sing the song.

James' version of the song is so crisp and effortless. And the instrumentation is precise. Good stuff.

This YouTube version won't sit well w/some who like live performances to mimic the recorded version. James improvises and takes the song in a different direction.