Let's Hear It For The Brewer

OK. Deep breath. Since I revere Craig Brewer (he of "Hustle & Flow" and my beloved "Black Snake Moan") I'm left wondering about this "Footloose" re-make business. After "High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega, who has also just released that big, gigantic, boffo, awesome Michael Jackson concert doc "This Is It" -- decided to leave the project starring Chace Crawford and Julianne Hough, Paramount is left looking for a director -- and they are getting quite edgy.  

According to THR's Risky Business blog:

"'Hustle & Flow' director Craig Brewer is very high on the list of potential replacements to helm the project... While 'Hustle & Flow' wasn't exactly a musical, the hip-hop soundtrack driven story and the edgy drama is probably just the right combination for Paramount. However, I can't really imagine Brewer bringing the same urban style from that movie to 'Footloose,' unless the plan is to really steer this away from the pop rock feel of the original."

Oh whatever on "urban style." Brewer lives in Memphis y'all. "Footloose" is about farm folk and their joyous, sexy sin dancing. If done properly, and Paramount let Brewer have his way, he would be all kinds of perfect. But let me repeat, if Paramount let Brewer have his way. He could completely out-shine the original. Forget "Let's Hear it For the Boy" or Kenny Loggins, bring on some Son House, R.L. Burnside, The Black Keys and the entire Fat Possum roster.

I so wish I was in charge of Paramount right now. I would chain every other board member to a radiator and give Brewer free reign.

And here's a little of the late great Burnside, whom Brewer dedicated "Black Snake Moan" to. Can you imagine Chace and Julianne getting down to this? They should! This is real American music gol-darnit!