Lackawanna Blues
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Movie Reviews of Lackawanna Blues
Movie Review: A suprisingly good little movie
Summary: 5 Stars
"Lackawanna Blues" is about a kind-hearted African-American woman named "Nanny Crosby" and the people living in the boarding house she owns. Apparently, the movie is based on fact. It takes place in the 1950s and 60s when there was a vibrant African American community and culture in Lackawanna, New York. (For those who aren't famiiar with the city, Lackawanna is near Buffalo and if probably best described as the buckle in the rust belt.)
The boarding house is peopled by a mad collection of blues singers, maniacs, straight-razor toting women, drunks, and misfits. Nanny manages them all with some exciting moments while raising a boy abandoned by his mother and father. There's no plot to speak of; the movie is a biography of Nanny and her times, mostly from the viewpoint of a young boy. It's a busy movie with lots of action happening in the corners of the screen and a whole slew of sub-plots and character studies. The music is good boozy blues; the actors are excellent.
A couple of things were interesting to me. First, there was a substantial multi-racial component to the movie and many of the characters seemed bi-racial. Was that in fact the case in Lackwanna? Secondly, is the suggestion that African American culture and neighborhoods deterioriated as integration took hold and the isolation of the African-American community decreased.
"Lackawanna Blues is a heart-warming movie with enough ambiguities to give it some depth.
Smallchief
Movie Review: Lacking Nothing
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those movies that grabs you from the beginning and twist and slams you emotionally throughout the feature. The cast is extraordinary without the faintest hint of anyone being uncormfortable in their role. You get the sense that you're really there taking all this in. A great deal of care was given in the sets, costumes and music of the period. The relationship between the characters we meet is both simple and complicated as the movie goes on, but the steady performance of Ms. Merkerson is so powerful that the movie ends before we've had our fill of the wonderful misfits. To single out anyone other than "Nanny" is an injustice because we have very good performances by great veteran actors including Jeffery Wright, Jimmy Smits, Terrence Howard and Delroy Lindo. But it is Marcus Franklin, Macy Gray and Ms. Merkerson that makes this a wonderful experience. The movie moves rapidly and is short by todays standards, but it is without question one of the best movies you're going to see this year. If you like good period pieces that will challenge you emotionally, tug at your heart, lift you joyfully and have you tapping your feet at the same time, then this is the movie for you. I've shown it to several friends and they all want my copy, that says it all, the movie is that good. Check it out for yourself.Movie Review: FABULOUS PERFORMANCES; FINE SCRIPT
Summary: 5 Stars
THIS IS A FANTASTIC FILM!! Everything about it is great - the cast, the sets, the music, the plot, and the subplots. Never has there been such a fantastic ensemble cast with just more than a dozen excellent roles for African-American actors. Each character is well-developed with "histories" that can turn into spin-offs of this film. S. Epatha Merkerson deserved her Emmy and the young Marcus Franklin has a great future in film. Terrance Howard was both intense and witty - not to mention sexy! Plus there are fine performances by Louis Gossett, Jr., Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Michael K. Williams, Henry Simmons, Ernie Hudson, Charlayne Woodard, Delroy Lindo, and Jimmy Smits. And look out for Macy Gray in a dark alley - she can hide a straight razor in places you wouldn't think of! And the incredible Mos Def stretches his chops as a "jook joint Usher Raymond". Nuff said - go watch the flick and enjoy!Movie Review: Great Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I consider myself an unofficial movie critic of African-American films and I must I say I found this movie to be one the best in its genre. It captures your emotions and compels you to reflect on your own childhood, relationships and environment. I found myself comparing scenarios, personalities, interactions, expressions, etc. with my own personal experiences. The initial hospital scene that seemed to bring you right in the room--I felt as if I was sitting right there, feeling what he felt. Then, the fish fry, the sounds, the people, the music, the food. The writer and directors portrayed a story so vivid and intense, I felt like I was transported from my living room to actually being there. My senses were engaged as I became personally involved what it seemed to be a 'virtual reality' experience. I highly recommend that you buy this dvd--it's one that you will want see more than once.Movie Review: So good to see
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie moved me in a way that few have . It is good to see a movie that shows the strong black women that were prevalent in so many of our youths . To many of todays movies show black women in a light that is unflattering and stereotypical based on Hollywoods vision of our culture . It is nice to see a woman ( Nanny )full of strength ,and courage but at the same time full of grace in the face of adversity and times of trouble . I have taken it upon myself to sit down and view this movie with my white friends because I believe it offers an incredible insight into our culture ,and shows them better than I can tell them how these women ( Nanny,Grandma,Big Mamma ) whom ever they may be to myself or you have remained powerful in our lives even though they may no longer be with us . I have recommended this movie and will continue to do so .