Review of Cadillac Records (2008) by Amanda B — 10 Mar 2009

I knew nothing of Chess Records before seeing this film so I didnt know what to expect. But learning the history of the blues and where rock and roll really came from was both very interesting and both informative.

It chronicles the pioneers of these styles of music from there humble beginings to their rise to the top of the charts and later thier decline. The fact that the Rolling Stones easily one of the most recongnized bands in music influence came from Muddy Waters I think is astounding seeing most people including me had never heard of him.

The fact that other artists such as Elvis Presely and The Beach Boys stole riffs and lyrics from acts like Chuck Berry and Lil Walter and was then credit as pioneers of the sound amazed me as well. Solid preformances from Jeffery Wright, Mos Def, and Adrian Brody brings to light everything that happened in a way that just takes you in.

But the IMO the best prefromances came from Columbus Short (Lil Walter) and surprisingly Beyonce Knowles (Etta James). I would say Ms.Knowles has come a long way and I can now take her seriously as an actor who takes this craft seriously.