'Black Snake' groan

It's hard to believe, but in less than a year there have been two movies starring Samuel L. Jackson with the word "Snake" in the titles. Both have featured gimmicks so goofy that most viewers can't wait to fast-forward to the "good part." In this case, it's seeing Christina Ricci chained to Jackson's radiator while a bewildered observer states: "A half-naked white woman chained up in your house?!" While "Black Snake Moan" doesn't disappoint when it comes to delivering this scene, it does on almost every other level.\nRicci plays Rae, a sex-addicted, drug-abusing maniac with a dark and shadowy past. When she is left for dead on the side of the road after being attacked by her boyfriend's brother, she is discovered by Lazarus (Jackson), a deeply religious Southern farmer who hopes to "cure" Rae of her "sickness" by chaining her up in his house until she changes.\nJackson gives a spirited performance as Lazarus, pulling off the stereotypical Southern character costume of a thick accent, gold teeth and religious devotion with credibility. He also plays his own guitar parts in the film, which are passable. \nThe bond that forms between Rae and Lazarus is forced and isn't given the time it really needs to build up. Anyone who woke up chained to a radiator in a stranger's home wouldn't cozy up to her captor as quickly as Rae does. Other themes, such as Lazarus' past life as a bluesman or Ricci's history of abuse, are never built on and leave the viewer wanting more. When Ricci is first chained up, she attempts to seduce Jackson in a struggle between Jackson's good character and Ricci's evil, which would've been an interesting concept to expand upon, but after that scene it is never discussed again.\nThis film does not have the same passion as writer/director Craig Brewer's "Hustle & Flow." None of these characters possess the richness and depth of the characters in that film, making this experience much less engaging. It is obvious, however, that one thing Brewer knows very well is Memphis, Tenn. Its lush green landscape and rural dirt roads are shot with such passion that you can almost feel the Southern sun beating down on your neck. Although these backdrops are very enjoyable to watch, it would've been nice if Brewer focused more on the plot. The music also appears carefully chosen and brings authenticity to the film.\nJust like the other "Snake" movie, "Moan" is built around a corny gimmick that is more fun to talk about than to watch. When snakes were on a plane, however, the campy element was played up to a tee, but the tone of this film is much too serious and preachy to even joke about. Here's to hoping that this is just a sophomore slump for Brewer and that the era of "Snake" movies with Sam Jackson comes to an abrupt end.