Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

a story about the battle between ambition and tradition. ma rainey (viola davis) is a famous blues singer with a will of her own who asserts herself during a recording session. meanwhile, levee (chadwick boseman), trumpeter from ma's band, makes plans of his own. just two things before you watch this movie. if, like me, you are not a big fan of theater or musical or other forms of what i call exaggerated acting, then you have to be tolerant for a while to enjoy this movie. the style took some getting used to, although i knew that ma rainey is a film adaptation of august wilson's play of the... read more

scavenger hunt 75 14. watch a movie with costumes by ann roth while some truly spectacular performances are given in ma rainey's black bottom, there's little else that is really worthy of notice (outside of costume design, i suppose). it being filmed in typical uninspired stage-play-adaptation fashion doesn't help elevate it beyond being just another run-of-the-mill award-winning darling. chadwick is on point though. and it is deeply unfortunate to see him go. read more