august wilson – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

ON BROADWAY – Review by Martha K Baker

August 10, 2021August 12, 2021 Martha K. Baker Athol Fugard, august wilson, Broadway, documentaries, helen mirren, Oren Jacoby, Stephen Sondheim, Tony Kushner, Wendy Wasserstein

Director Oren Jacoby brings The Great White Way to the Silver Screen, and it’s a glorious trek. He made this commendable documentary in 2019, but the vicissitudes of a pandemic closed movie houses. So this recent history of Broadway is just now appearing, but it’s well worth the wait.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Susan Granger

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 Susan Granger august wilson, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, viola davis'chadwick boseman

George Wolfe’s well-timed production is a lavish adaptation of August Wilson’s thinly-plotted 1984 play that vividly depicts how dismissively Black musicians were treated back then and how some “existed in defiance of their time.” Known as the “Mother of the Blues,” hip-swaying, sweat-slicked Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) bristles when her opportunistic manager and record producer don’t show the diva proper respect.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Martha K Baker

December 18, 2020December 20, 2020 Martha K. Baker august wilson, chadwick boseman, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, oscars, viola davis

Ma Rainey, the Mother of the Blues, stands in the spotlight serenading the Black Bottom, a Twenties’ dance. But August Wilson put her there, and this film version of his play pays homage to him as much as it does to her. A third honor in this fine film goes to Chadwick Boseman in his last remarkable role.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Susan Wloszczyna

December 12, 2020December 13, 2020 Susan Wloszczyna august wilson, chadwick boseman, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, oscars, viola davis

Viola Davis more than deserves her first lead actress Oscar nomination for her knock-out performance. But it is Chadwick Bosman’s nervy and brave performance that will linger on your mind. It’s nearly assured his legacy will be honored with a posthumous lead actor spot on ballot. Bless the makers of this showbiz tale for such a spectacular showcase of this actor’s artistry and talent.