Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2005 > July > 29 > Entry
The Genius Shows His Human Side As Tears Almost ‘Flow’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I am wondering if you can tell me who sang “I Told Jesus It Would Be All Right” in “Hustle & Flow”? It slipped by too fast for me to see on the screen, and I cannot find the info on imdb.com or Google.
Eleanor Smith, Atlanta
Dear Inspired to Act,
Bless you, my child.
You have obviously seen one of the best movies of 2005 - “Hustle & Flow” - and have been moved to come to the altar of knowledge.
The singer in the movie is Jennifer Bynum, a soprano from the Oakland, Calif., area who once lived in Memphis. She also lived for a bit in Atlanta and Marietta.
She says the title of the song is “Changed Mah Name,” an old spiritual once sung by Marian Anderson.
The scene was filmed at Galloway United Methodist Church in Memphis. The background vocalists are members of the choir of the Echoes of Truth, a Memphis-area summer program involving at-risk and gifted youth. The film’s director, Craig Brewer, became involved with Echoes of Truth as an instructor beginning in 2000.
Like you, Eleanor, I was moved by that particular scene as well. In his role as DJay, the pimp in midlife crisis trying to turn his life around, Terrence Howard is brought to tears hearing Ms. Bynum’s spectacular voice.
Mr. Smithee must admit, he got a bit teary himself.
Alan
P.S. You get a “Because of Winn-Dixie” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear All-Knowing Movie Guru,
I’m praying that you know the answer to what I’m about to ask, otherwise I might go insane. My father saw a movie a few years back and loved it, but now can no longer remember the name and is desperately trying to find the movie. Here is what I have: made in the early ’50s, the story of a college professor who, after a freak accident in his lab which causes baseballs to avoid wood, gets into pro baseball as a pitcher. At the end of the movie, he breaks his hand and has to give up his career. My dad thinks his name was Kelly.
Hannah Brandau, McDonough
Dear Batgirl,
You got that right. I am all-knowing.
“It Happens Every Spring.” 1949. Ray Milland. Oscar nomination for writing. Milland’s a professor who, after his discovery, heads off to St. Louis and becomes a pitcher known as King Kelly.
I saw it as a wee lad. Not in a theater. On television. I am not that old.
Alan
P.S. You get a “Batman Begins” shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
As a high school theater teacher, I would like to thank you for your column as it helps me to keep up with my students and the movies they are viewing. I would like your opinion on what plays have been made into movies that are really worth seeing and discussing in class. Of course, the movies would have to be appropriate to show in class.
Kathy Bohlke, McDonough
Dear Party Pooper,
You have something against David Mamet? What’s a forbidden word here and there?
There are many plays turned into films because Hollywood’s last original thought occurred sometime around the invention of the microwave.
Since I know you won’t screen “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which is among the greats, how about “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Those are probably the two best I’ve seen.
There are plenty of other good ones. Among my favorites: “A Streetcar Named Desire” (who’s better than Brando?), “The Lion in Winter” (ask the kids to find Hannibal Lecter), “Richard III” (1995; with Ian McKellen, whom the kids will love because he’s Gandalf), “Inherit the Wind,” “Amadeus,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “The Miracle Worker,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” “A Man for All Seasons,” “The Night of the Iguana,” “Sleuth,” “The Elephant Man” (David Lynch rules!), “Six Degrees of Separation” and “Dangerous Liaisons.”
“Angels in America” is great. But something tells me you can’t show it at school.
Notice I’ve only mentioned one film from a Shakespeare play. I could add Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet” and Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” (based on “King Lear”).
Alan
P.S. You get a “Sky High” backpack and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Have a question for Mr. Smithee?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessatlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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