The blues has had a tremendous impact on our contemporary popular culture, as it is largely the foundation of what we have come to understand as “pop music.” Without the blues, cultural phenomena such as Rock N’ Roll, Beatlemania, the British Invasion, heavy metal, hip-hop, gangsta rap, grunge, and contemporary pop would have evolved much differently. Even as I look over that list, I can’t make an argument for any one of those cultural shifts to be as impactful or as lasting as the blues. Perhaps I am a little biased as a rock enthusiast and musician, but every good guitar player knows that most of their stylistic flair can be traced right back to the Deep South.

I Am the Blues takes audiences through some of Louisiana’s bayous and parts of the Mississippi Delta in order to capture what can be described as the spirit of the blues. Daniel Cross managed to film multiple powerful performances and develop a narrative that provides a philosophical cohesion the emulates the blues itself: simple enough to understand, yet complex enough to be just out of reach. With Bobby Rush’s guidance, Cross takes viewers on a pilgrimage to the Chitlin’ Circuit, grabbing interviews and performances of local blues legends along the way.

I used to be a basketball fan back in the '90s when Michael Jordan was a God on the court and you had Larry Johnson as “Grandmama” before Madea was ever a thing. Every year, some sort of inspirational sports story seems to come out. And for the most part it seems, whether it's basketball or another sport, it’s generally the same story. But every once in a while one of the films will break the mold and give us something special. Don’t get to excited: I’m not saying Wolves is one of those films, but it is at least better than most of the other films of its ilk. I can still watch an NBA game and enjoy it, but it’s just not the same for me. I bring this up because, honestly, I was worried my lack of passion for the game could influence my thoughts. But as any good sports film should do, the story manages to transcend the sport and deliver engaging drama off the court. Unfortunately, there is a bit more drama than this film can handle.

Anthony (Taylor John Smith) goes to private school in Manhattan and is the star player on the school’s basketball team. As their season is winding down and the playoffs are in sight, he is being scouted by Cornell University, where Anthony has dreams of attending. Even as a standout, his coaches and family have concerns that he lacks the aggression it takes to be the next level standout he has the potential to be.