In 2005, Craig Brewer achieved considerable success with his gritty drama *Hustle & Flow*. A year later, he attempted to repeat that formula in *Black Snake Moan*, using a similar Southern setting, local music, unconventional characters, and an outrageous premise. The nominal protagonist is Lazarus Redd (played by Samuel L. Jackson), a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist struggling to move on after hi…






