What Family Shall Endure: Black Snake Moan

Mom is dead.
Her rule has ended.
Her domain passed into new hands.
What family shall endure?

Had the book launch for Latinos in Lotusland: An Anthology of Contemporary Southern California Literature last night. It went well; will post pictures later. For now, an interlude:

Watched Black Snake Moan [HD DVD]on t.v. last night. It was so worth it. #1 I like Samuel L. Jackson in just about everything I've seen him in. If I don't like the movie, his performance is worth watching. This is an S.L.J. who is old, somewhat bitter; somewhat religious (his childhood friend is a minister). S.L.J. has a few gold teeth, and a wife who dumps him for his younger brother.

#2 Christina Ricci plays a nymphomaniac. There should be a special Oscar for nymphos and Ricci should win every year. She does this thing when sexual pangs hit her that goes beyond method acting. Are you listening, you-know-who? Plus, I like the music. S.L.J. performs and his story is hard. There's dirty, sweaty dancing; Ricci shows her lovely breasts often, and rightly so; and, did I mention the chain wrapped around Ricci's shredded trailer-park non-apparel?

Justin Timberlake is credible as a nervous wreck--- a decent guy convulsed with panic attacks --- who studdily manages to keep Ricci in tow, as long as he's there.

Out of their turmoil, a new family emerges.