Roll Bounce (2005)

In the summer of 1978, a teenager and his group of friends face new challenges when their neighborhood roller-skating rink closes, forcing them to visit a different rink.

Director:

Malcolm D. Lee

Writer:

Norman Vance Jr.

Stars:

Shad Moss, Nick Cannon, Meagan Good

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shad Moss	...	Xavier 'X' (as Bow Wow)
Brandon T. Jackson	...	Junior
Chi McBride	...	Curtis Smith
Marcus T. Paulk	...	Boo
Rick Gonzalez	...	Naps
Khleo Thomas	...	Mixed Mike
Busisiwe Irvin	...	Sonya
Jurnee Smollett	...	Tori
Kellita Smith	...	Vivian
Mike Epps	...	Byron
Charlie Murphy	...	Victor
Meagan Good	...	Naomi Phillips
Nick Cannon	...	Bernard
Wesley Jonathan	...	Sweetness
Paul Wesley	...	Troy

Storyline

1970s roller-skate jams fuel this coming-of-age comedy, as X and his friends, who rule their local rink, are shocked when their home base goes out of business. Heading over to the Sweetwater Roller Rink, they find their modest talents are, at first, no competition for their trick skaters and pretty girls who follow their every move.

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Plot Keywords:

chicago illinois | 1970s | disco music | tube sock | black american | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some crude humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the movie takes place in 1978, the song "bounce, rock, skate, roll" was not created until 1979

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Goofs

The breakdancing-like moves and short skates with no toe stops are associated with post-roller disco "jam skating," which started in the 1980s. Roller disco skates had high-cut boots like figure skates and toe stops.

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Quotes

Naps: Can I get a size 9 please? Now, ahora.
Bernard: Hey! Calm down, 'Fro Magnum!

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

Can You Feel the Force
Written by Chris Amoo (as Christopher Amoo) and Eddie Amoo (as Edward Amoo)
Performed by The Real Thing
Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group

User Reviews

Sweet comedy and drama, especially for anyone who grew up in the '70s

This weekend, we saw a movie that effortlessly combines '70s nostalgia, social and family drama, athleticism and some really fine performances into one gem of a movie -- "Roll Bounce," a very sweet coming-of-age movie about semi-urban teens in the age of roller disco. I'm not kidding -- this movie doesn't hit a single wrong note. The fashions, the phrases, the world depicted are perfect late '70s. The acting is spot-on, and features one of the most real father- son relationships I've ever seen on film. Chi McBride, as the father, brings a quiet but heavy dignity to the role, and his interaction with Bow Wow is just real. No clichés, no nonsense. That makes it all sound heavy when in fact it's beautiful -- and the movie is very very funny, not afraid to play up the silliest sides of the '70s soul and disco scenes with some characters that would have been at home in the heyday of Parliament, an outlandish appearance by Wayne Brady (and a lesser one by DMC, or, as my kids now know, "D's for never Dirty, MC's for Mostly Clean."). Plus, a couple of scenes with Charlie Murphy that were happily expanded in the "gag reel," which is the only part of the disc really not suitable for children. Let me put it this way -- it's been a LONG time since I watched a movie two nights in a row.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Roll Bounce

Filming Locations:

1223 East 85th Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,570,366, 25 September 2005

Gross USA:

$17,380,866

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,521,290

Company Credits

Production Co:

State Street Pictures, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1