Rolling with my homies

There is something that is so breathtaking about the big screen, the popcorn and experiencing a movie with a crowd of fellow movie lovers. Sadly, I have been spending more movie time at home on my couch and a DVD borrowed from work. This has all changed with the addition to a new business in my small borough. Lansdowne has a new movie theater! Cinema 169 opened about a month or so ago and Mom, Pop and I gave it a play on Friday. It’s near work so the times that I am in need of adult stimulation I can walk on over and enjoy dinner (at the yummy Regency Cafe) and then a flick.

We had the pleasure of seeing Cadillac Records starring Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyonce Knowles. Cadillac Records is the story of Chess Records and the birth of rock and roll in 1950s Chicago. Leonard Chess (Brody) brought together some of America’s musical legends – Muddy Waters (Wright) Little Walter (Columbus Short), Howlin’ Wolf (the dude from Oz – Eammon Walker), Etta James (Beyonce) and Chuck Berry (Mos Def – who was smokin’ hot and made Chuck Berry almost appealing). And as payment Chess would give his artists a Cadillac (hence the title).

The movie was great . The soundtrack was rocking. There are a few observations that I will share (of course I have a few nitpicky things to add!).

Beyonce as Etta James.
Um, no.
It’s no wonder Etta James had so many negative things to say! I am not against Beyonce as some are but this was not a good fit for her. Ever seen a kid first learning how to curse? How awkward they are trying to form the words? That was Ms. Knowles. She was not convincing as someone in pain. She was merely Beyonce in a blonde wig.
Boo!

Sex scenes + mother and teenage niece = Uncomfortable!
‘Nuff said!

Mos Def as Chuck Berry.
Sigh.
I don’t get Mos Def, he always sounds like he is whining but he was so funny as Chuck Berry, rock ‘n’ roller with a penchant for young blondes.

Jeffrey Wright and Adrien Brody were wonderful as always and I have found new tunes for storytime.

Support Cinema 16:9 and check out some Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, ORIGINAL Etta James, and Howlin’ Wolf.

Boppin’ to the blues,
-r