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Screener Squad: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Movie Review

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM MOVIE REVIEW

The sweltering heat of 1927 Chicago is the backdrop as tensions rise and ideologies are challenged between musicians and colleagues as they wait on the arrival of the ‘mother of the blues’, Ma Rainey. This new Netflix film is based on the the play written by August Wilson and has been brought to life by a phenomenal cast including Viola Davis as Ma, and a show stopping tour de force of a final performance from Chadwick Boseman as horn player Levee. The Screener Squad quartet Rose, Trevor, Alex, and Bradly discuss as best as four white people can manage, racial injustice, systemic appropriation, and how good this movie is. Groove over their history with the blues, and mourn the loss of a true star who had only just begun to shine.

**This review is available in a longer, uncut, video version for TIME LORD subscribers and above right here**

WATCH HERE

DIRECTED BY: George C. Wolfe

STARRING: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Jeremy Shamos, Dusan Brown, Joshua Harto

 

YOUR REVIEWERS

 

Rose Mattox (Screener Squad, Eye On The Prize)

Originally hailing from Austin then Houston, Rose has been an avid movie and TV fanatic pretty much since birth. She spends spending her days watching Star Trek reruns, 60’s spy fiction, and Audrey Hepburn movies with her beloved minion (see: dog Riley). She also occasionally dabbles in comedy, screenwriting, as well as graphic and interior design. Rose has been contributing to One of Us since 2019 as a member of the Screener Squad, as well as making regular appearances on Eye on the Prize during awards season. She can be found on Twitter at @nightattheopera.

 

Trevor Trujillo (Screener Squad)

Trevor T. Trujillo is a One Of Us contributor in addition to being the co-host, co-founder, and co-producer of the Nighthawks Podcast. Trevor’s 17-year media career spans multiple arenas including television, radio, podcasting, and online journalism; and he is currently the editor-in-chief for a regional online news provider in the Rocky Mountain West. Often a nomad, Trevor has found himself “at home” in places like Austin, Texas; West Hollywood, California; and throughout central and southeastern Wyoming. Get the pause button ready, Trevor also manages to pop up in blink-and-you’ll-miss-them featured extra roles in Nickelodeon’s FRED, TruTV’s OPERATION REPO and the Todd Rohal/Zack Carlson short THE SUPLEX DUPLEX COMPLEX.

 

Alex Sullivan (Screener Squad)

This Alex. He Shy.

Fascinated by the countless worlds that can be visited by simply pressing “Play”, Alex finds himself awash in an endless stream of titles. Whenever a particularly strange title strikes his fancy, he becomes an enamored prophet of this new idea, spreading its good word to whomever will listen. Alex constantly works to improve his fluency in the universal language of cinema. Underneath his mellow facade, he’s a chihuahua, shaking with excitement to be a part of such a wonderfully diverse and welcoming community of voices that share his enthusiasm.

 

Bradly Martin (Screener Squad, Eye on the Prize, Breakfast Pub)

Bradly Martin was born in the united states and grew up on a healthy diet of sports, films, and books. A rather shy lad who kept to himself, Bradly soon discovered the best way to know a person was to know what people liked. Through out the years Bradly became a fan of many things and a fanatic of none. From Doctor Dre, to Doctor Strange and the who’s who of Whos. From Playstation to the Dreamcast and Marvel to DC. From LeBron James to James Bond and Lord of the Rings to Lord Palmerston (or Pitt the Elder if you agree with Wade Boggs) and is a huge fan of dad jokes and randomly obscure Simpsons references. Armed with a vast knowledge of comics, films, and pop culture. Bradly traveled the world making friends and sharing takes. As a young man Bradly married the love of his life young and grew older every year with each new child brought into the brood. If trends continue, Scientists predict that .2% of Canada (where Bradly and family reside) will be populated by Bradly’s children by the year 2029. You can hear him leading and listening to his favorite critics on the Screener Squad and Eye on the prize and maybe even provide some comments of his own.

 

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