BRIEF THOUGHTS: Black Snake Moan

Director: Craig Brewer
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci
Plot: When an old black farmer finds the town nymphomaniac beaten and left for dead, he heals her wounds, only to chain her up in an attempt to cure her of her wicked ways.
Thoughts: The most controversial film this year is also the most spiritually significant. There's a surprising amount of religious undertones in this film about two broken people whose lives collide in an attempt to find redemption. Though its subject matter may turn away some viewers, Brewer has crafted a raw, honest look at broken people desperately in need of saving. It's no coincidence that the protagonist's name is Lazarus - with the help of his pastor (it's about time we saw religious figures portrayed this positively) and a little white girl, he'll be forced to confront his sins and (one hopes) rise again. Jackson's performance is his best in years, and not even Justin Timberlake can put a damper on what is so far the best film of 2007.