Nick Cannon and Leonard Roberts in "Drumline"
courtesy of 20th Century Fox
"And the Beat Goes On"

In the movie "Drumline," which is now out on video, we get a look at the schools where the band is more important than the football team. In some predominately black colleges the fun begins when the band goes on the field at halftime. That's when the crowds cheer and the fans go wild. And all that excitement and joy are captured in "Drumline."

Nick Cannon stars as a college student who can play the drums. He has the rhythm and talent but not the discipline. He is helped with this problem by the band director, who is played by Orlando Jones. His new girlfriend, played by Zoe Saldana, also does what she can to help him make the band and stay at the top.

The thrill of this movie is in the musical numbers. That is where the beat begins and goes on and on. Cannon does a good job of looking like an actual drummer, and Zoe Saldana is sweet and sexy as his girl.

There are two quirky movies out at the video store this week. "I Don't Know Jack" is a documentary about the life and death of the curious actor named Jack Nance. His claim to fame was starring in David Lynch's film "Erasherhead." 

This movie studies the way he lived and the mystery of how he died. Nance was such an offbeat character that a movie about him can't help being the same way.

"7 Year Zig Zag" studies the life of unique filmmaker Richard Green and it is told in "rhythm, rhyme and song." It traces Green's entire career from the early days till the end as he created amazing musical features that were never appreciated until now.

If your children like music then they will enjoy "Barney's Read With Me, Dance With Me." This video has two separate stories that have never been seen on TV and also features sixteen new songs. Your small children can watch this video over and over and still have great fun each time.

Ione Skye, Jennifer Aniston and Mackenzie Astin star in the movie "Dream For An Insomniac." In this clever movie the girl wants to find Prince Charming not so he will wake her up, but so he will put her to sleep.

Ione Skye's character thinks finding Mr. Right will be a cure for her insomnia. When she meets Mackenzie Astin's character she is sure he is the right man. Now if she can only convince him of that fact.

Kane Hodder of "Jason" fame stars in the new horror flick "Dark Wolf." He plays a werewolf who is looking for some one to mate and eat with. Somehow he thinks he has found the right place when he scopes out a strip club. Lucky for the filmmakers that is where he ends up, and it is staffed by a bevy of Playmate beauties.

Hodder's co-stars in the film include Tippi Hedren and Playmate Jaimie Bergmen. What a combination - horror and sexy playmates. It took some genius to figure out this angle.

Before he wrote "Election" and "About Schmidt," Alexander Payne wrote and directed "Citizen Ruth" which stars Laura Dern, Burt Reynolds and Swoozie Kurtz. This film is about a drug addicted, dumb as dirt young woman (Dern) who is also pregnant. Before she can decide what to do about her condition, a host of people become involved. And they are all on different sides of the issue.

This is another satire from Payne and it is a good one. It is being released on DVD for the first time with a few extras, so don't miss it. Dern is dynamite in the title role.

In "Waking Up In Reno" Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, Charlize Theron and Natasha Richardson play two couples who are best friends. They go to Reno together for a convention and end up being more than friends. It gets complex and confusing but you would expect that from a Billy Bob movie.

For the Urban crowd there is "Paid In Full". This is a movie about three men who get involved with crime and drugs. They are played by Mekhi Pfifer, Wood Harris and Cam'ron. The world of crime comes crashing down on their heads and you are there to watch it.

If after reading this review you are interested in ordering any of these movies,
please click on the provided links.

 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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