"Stomp the Yard"

Columbus Short
Meagan Good
Ne-Yo
Darrin Henson
Brian J. White
Laz Alonso
Valerie Pettiford
Jermaine Williams
Allan Louls
Harry J. Lennix
Chris Brown

PG13           115min           2007


”Stomp the Yard” DJ (Columbus Short), an amazing underground street dancer, hasn’t been in college for a day before he’s entranced by the lovely April (Meagan Good). Working as a gardener to pay the bills. DJ doesn’t fit in with the wealthier students around campus, but one thing does catch his attention – the rival fraternity competitions known as “stepping.” With April’s help, DJ learns about the legacy and heritage behind the fraternities and decides to join up. Now part of an official step group, DJ must balance rehearsals, work, and school, while at the same time winning the heart of the girl of his dreams. With the National Step Championship drawing closer, DJ must learn to stop dancing as an individual, and to start stepping as a team. – from the back cover

This film does what it’s was design to do, showcase steppin’ to the masses. What it fails to due is give an interesting story to go with the steppin’. It tries to relate the history of it to the masses with a few pictures of prominent African-American figures. It comes off as a divertive of a much better film Spike Lee’s “School Daze” And “Drumline”.

The steppin’ in ”Stomp the Yard” is some of the best I’ve seen in film. The steppin’ is exciting and unbelievable. You feel then energy that the crowd was feeling and you get caught up in it too. You see and feel the rivalry between the Wolves

But with so much great steppin’ scenes the rest of the movie falls flat. The story is takes more of a back see to the steppin’ as moments of interlude between. You never really care for the characters and could care less for the drama that their lives entail. The death of Chris Brown so early in the film you never really care that he died to senseless violent and by extension the motivation of DJ.

”Stomp the Yard” tries express the history of steppin’ in one two-minute scene. It lists people like Dr. King and Maya Angelou are part of something bigger than themselves. They tell you from the dialogue that this is what you’re supposed to feel. Maybe it is powerful in person but it’s never really express to the viewer on screen.

More often than not it comes off divertive. It tries to make commentary that Spike Lee did in “School Daze” with the aunt and uncle story line but its not really developed into the main storyline and comes out of left field when introduced. The main story line of DJ finding love and overcoming his setbacks is ripped straight from ”Drumline”. Without the steppin’ this would be a horribly predictable movie to watch and Even with the steppin’ this is a are sell as a good movie. The steppin’ is the highlight of the film and they come far and few between.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Walk the Line"

Joaquin Phoenix
Reese Witherspoon
Ginnifer Goodwin
Robert Patrick
Dan John Miller
Dallas Robert
Tyler Hilton
Waylon Mallory Payne
Shooter Jennings



PG13           136min           2005


“Walk the Line” recounts Johnny “the Man in Black” Cash’s journey to American Icon, in music, and his relationship with, the love of his life, June Carter.

The film should be in everyone’s movie collection. It features award winning performances and actual singing from the stars. The story of Johnny and June is a modern fairy tale that everyone is striving to find. It will make you appreciate the man and his music more.

“Walk the Line” stars two of American top film stars in Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. It also features some of well-known actors in supporting roles such as Robert Patrick and Ginnifer Goodwin. Phoenix and Witherspoon show in their performances why they are box office gold but it’s their vocal talents on display that drew me in. I could not believe that they were actually singing. They did outstanding jobs at both becoming the iconic Johnny and June Cash. They both should have won awards even though Witherspoon did walk away with the Golden Globe for Best Actress.

What is displayed on screen has been collected from biographies by Johnny Cash. “Walk the Line” is a modern day fairy tale. He faced lost and battled demons to come out on the others side to find the love of his life. When he found her he had to fight to get her and that road wasn’t easy by any means. Even at the end of his life you realize how much he loved her.

Having never really been a fan of Johnny Cash, after watching this film I came to appreciate him and his music. It’s not something I listen to every day but when I feeling nostalgic he comes to mind now. His story is one of triumph and can be appreciated because he beat the odds in life, profession and love.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"School of Rock"

Jack Black
Jordan Claire Green
Veronica Afferbach
Miranda Cosgrove
Joey Gaydos Jr.
Robert Tsai
Angelo Massagli
Kevin Alexander Clark
Joan Cusack
Mike White
Sarah Silverman

PG13           108min           2003

“School of Rock” is about a slacker musician, Dewey Finn (Jack Black) that gets kicked out of his band, his best friend is about to kick him out on the street, and he’s looking for a new band to take to battle of the bands. When Dewey decides to impersonate his best friend Ned at a prestigious school, he finds the talent for his new band.

“School of Rock” is a film tailor made for Jack Black. He shines in this role as a slacker musician teacher student the world of rock and sticking it to the man. The talents of these kids are another thing that makes this film shines. It’s a feel good film and is enjoyable from beginning to end. “School of Rock” is a must for any music lover’s film collection.

Jack Black is naturally passionate about rock and it shows through in his performance. Dewey antics are miss guided by come from a place the heart. His passion for music is the passion that we want all our teachers to have.

The amazing thing about “School of Rock” is that the kids are actually playing the instrumentals. These are some talented kids to be so young. The excitement that these kids play and the transformation from awkward kids to superstars make this film appealing. Dewey imparts the wisdom of the rock generation upon them, Stick it to the man and live to play one great rock show.

“School of Rock” is a rock music lovers dream come. Showcasing so them most recognizable rock song. The songs chosen highlight the film and tell the story like a good soundtrack should. It’s a soundtrack that should be loved by most.

The DVD has two commentaries one with Jack Black and the filmmakers and the other is the “Band Kids”. There are feature about the film; an interesting is the one that follows the kids during their press junket tour at an film festival. The DVD also has a successful plea from Jack Black to ‘Lynard Skynnard’ to use one of their songs.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

'Idlewild'

Andre Benjamin
Antwan A. Patton
Paula Patton
Terrence Howard
Faizon Love
Malinda Williams
Cicely Tyson
Macy Gray


R           121min           2006

‘Idlewild’ is a musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner must choose between love and his obligations to his father.

Not many musical groups could pull off what ‘Outcast’ did with this film. ‘Outcast’ has brought to the screen a modern musical for the ages. It’s not only is it entertaining but boasts some great acting from cast of some of the best African-American talent. The story isn’t that in depth but the musical numbers make up for it.

‘Outcast’ has brought to the screen that tailored to their strengths as a group. Antwan “Big Boi” Patton is the ruggish club owner doing what it takes to make his club a success. Andre Benjamin is a mortician by day and a piano player but night longing for something more. ‘Bug Boi’ for the most part brings to musical numbers to life while ‘Andre 3000’ a rising talented actor, carries the acting of the duo.

The musical numbers are modern, relatable and flow with the story. It’s complimented by the acting by Terrence Howard, Macy Gray, another rising actress in her own right, and Paula Patton. Neither overshadowed each other, which in most musicals one or the other does. This fact lends itself to being a widely acceptable musical.

‘Idlewild’ doesn’t have a in-depth story but it’s a complete and fulfilling story. If the musical number were taken out it would still hold up as a complete story but it’s the musical numbers that make it worth watching. You could skip this film but you would miss out on a surprising good film.

I give it a 3/5 Gs.