Things To For Black History Month Addendum: Lackawanna Blues

I finally had the opportunity to watch the new HBO Original Movie entitled Lackawanna Blues. Let me say that if you have HBO or HBO On Demand (or you know someone with HBO), you should watch this movie. It's a wonderful film based on the autobiographical play written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. It tells the story of young Ruben growing up in a boardinghouse run by "Nanny," an immensely kind woman who took in people that others wouldn't. This films boasts a very impressive cast. It features Law and Order's S. Epatha Merkerson as Nanny. It also features a slew of well-known actors including Jimmy Smits, Mos Def, Louis Gossett Jr., Macy Gray, Terence Howard, Ernie Hudson, Delroy Lindo, Rosie Perez, Liev Schreiber and Jeffrey Wright. Merkerson's performance in particular is splendid. The film moves at a brisk pace and is not very long. George C. Wolfe, a veteran stage director who makes his film debut with this movie, does a great job.

HBO continues its streak of high-quality original entertainment with this film. If it does not win a lot of Emmys (especially one for S. Epatha Merkerson), it will be a travesty. So, please look out for this film on HBO all month long. It's also on HBO On Demand right now.