Ricci sexes it up as nymphomaniac in new film

Writer and director Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow) has once again hit it big with his new movie Black Snake Moan.

The movie is set to be released March 2, and it features Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake.

This follow-up to Brewer's critically acclaimed and Osca- winning Hustle and Flow has likewise won considerable praise from critics and audiences alike.

Surprisingly, the film is based on many of Brewer's real-life experiences.

The film takes places in rural Tennessee, an area that Brewer is intimately familiar with.

In fact, since the filming of Hustle and Flow, Brewer has been hailed by many as the Fellini of the South.

The plot of the movie focuses on the two main characters Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) and Rae (Christina Ricci).

Lazarus is a down-and-out blues musician trying to get over the fact that his wife has left him for his brother.

He hasn't played a concert in years, and has taken to drinking and violent outbursts against all of his wife's possessions that remain inside his house.

Meanwhile, Rae, in her confederate flag halter top and Daisy Duke denim shorts, is on a downward spiral after her boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) leaves to report for duty with the Marines.

After a particularly hard night of drinking, drugs and physical abuse, Rae finds herself on Lazarus's doorstep.

Though Ricci and Jackson do an amazing job bringing to life the characters they portray, kudos also go to the supporting cast members.

Most surprising among these is Timberlake who, until this movie was filmed, was not an actor who would have been cast alongside the likes of Jackson and Ricci.

Then again, ever since the release of Snakes on a Plane, people have had a certain vision of what kinds of work Jackson is fit for.

However, moviegoers looking for something akin to "I have had it with these [expletive deleted] snakes on this [expletive deleted] plane!" will be more than a little surprised.

One reason is that this film is more of a Time to Kill sort of role for Jackson.

Ash, his character, is a God-fearing man who is simply trying to do the right thing, all while trying to get his mind off his own problems.

Perhaps one of the coolest things about this movie is how flawed all the characters are.

At times, however, these flaws tend to be rather unbelievable and outlandish.

As an example, Timberlake's naivety about Ricci's sex, drugs and rock-and-roll lifestyle does not seem rational based on his past history with her.

By contrast, Ricci's outright devotion to her boyfriend is almost hypocritical in light of her constant indiscretions.

Despite these anomalies, Brewer manages to weave an intricate tale of people all simply trying to do better. It also seems that the numerous flaws in the characters work in a concerted effort to bring the film to a successful and believable closure.

As in Hustle and Flow, music plays a big role in the development of the story.

As an example, the pain and heartache felt by Jackson's character is conveyed to the audience through the use of sad blues songs and riffs.

In addition, Jackson actually does the singing, which, for lack of a better adjective, is absolutely amazing.

Overall, the movie is stunning. The plot isn't an edge of your seat experience, but the drama is put together very well.

Plus, the use of humor sprinkled into the script helps to ease the tension associated with some of the more serious scenes.

Brewer's writing style and direction has also improved since his last film. In fact, one could go so far as to say that Brewer has developed his own unique signature

When people talk of movie styles they talk about a Spielberg, Scorsese, and de Palma, just to name a few.

However, people may soon be adding Brewer to that incredibly short, but highly recognizable list of people to watch.