"I hope you're proud, because I made it without you."
In my younger days I remember seeing a movie on television called STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER
it was a 1952 movie about composer John Philip Souza the father of marching music. I found the music so good that sometime later I even found an LP of his
marching music. LP, for you young ones out there is a vinyl record that played at 33 1/3 rpms. They were how we listened to music in the
prehistoric days of record players, before DVDs and MPEGs. Okay so I'm being a bit facetious. Another LP if you can find it is one called, LET THERE BE
DRUMS featuring BIRTH OF THE BEAT by Sandy Nelson. Amazon was selling it if you are interested. His drum work was incredible, Sorry, I got
distracted. Since that time marching music featuring drum work has always made me feel good and inspired. DRUMLINE is that type of movie, it
inspires. One of the people attending the screening came out and said he just had to go home and play with his drums. He hadn't done it in a long time and this
movie put him back in the mood. I came out of the screening like everyone else, feeling good.
"One band , one sound."
Devon is a great talent. He is incredible on the drums. Devon (Nick Cannon) has been recruited to a Southern University where is figures he will be their
star in the marching band. He has a problem unfortunately that he keeps secret from everyone; it is a secret that will hamper or destroy his career. He quickly
discovers that he is one of the band and not the star.
"That's why your raggedy ass gets a raggedy ass drum."
Orlando Jones plays Dr. James Lee the leader and director of the band at Atlanta A&T University. He loves traditional music but this conflicts with the dean
who wants him to modernize to start winning competitions. Lee resists and Devon only makes things worse. Devon is spectacular on the drums but he is self centered
and unruly and cares more about himself than he does the band. This leads him into conflicts with Dr. Lee and as well as Sean Taylor (Leonard Roberts)
senior class band member. He sees Devon as bogus and not a team player. He quickly begins to show lots of disdain and resentment towards Devon.
"Instead of making Sean look bad, you made yourself look like a jackass."
The main thrust of the story is to get to the Big Southern Classic where bands from all over compete for a $100, 000 winner take all jackpot that goes to the college.
When we finally get to the playoffs, let me tell you that you will all be in for a treat. The bands are incredible as is the music and the choreography. You will be amazed
at the skill all these young people display on the field. The changes have to come from everyone in the band from director to players. If they don't they can kiss the
competition goodbye. Of course we all know or lead group will get there but is winning in the cards for them?
"One band, one sound means you are all responsible for each other."
Since the story would be never fly with just two hours of band music, we have the subplot about romance. Devon has fallen hard for Laila played by
Zoe Saldana who recently appeared in CROSSROADS. This subplot of course is a somewhat formula story. We have boy meets girl...boy
screws up and loses girl...boy gets girl back and learns that friendships and honour are more important than being the king of the hill. Through his love for Laila he
learns that things do not always come easy, but if they are worthwhile then they are worth fighting for and sacrificing one's need to for individuality over the common
good.
"What are you two...Beavis and Butthead?"
You will see some incredible skills in the big showdown. They will amaze you and astound you with the abilities of all the marching bands. Irecommend you take
yourselves to see this movie. Take the kids as well as they should be exposed to this type of music. It would also be good to show the young ones that black people
are not limited to rap music in movies. Something else that is important is that there is no sex, violence, drug use and hardly any harsh language. When the film was
released it went up againt STAR TREK NEMESIS and MAID IN MANHATTAN and still it grossed $13 million placing it third with it being on 1,000
screens fewer than the other two. There must have been a reason. Go plop down a few bucks and see for yourself.
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