School Dance

School Dance is a 2014 American comedy-drama musical film directed, written, and produced by Nick Cannon (Host of America's Got Talent, Wild 'n Out, Chi-raq). The film stars Bobb'e J. Thompson (Role Models, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Kevin Hart (Think Like a Man, Ride Along), Mike Epps (Next Friday, The Hangover), Amber Rose, Affion Crockett ( Dance Flick, Pixels),Luenell (All About Steve, Think Like a Man), Kristina DeBarge ( Former American Idol Contestant, Televisions Growing Up Hip – Hop), Katt Williams (Norbit, First Sunday), George Lopez (Balls of Fury, Rio), and Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show, Larry Crowne) The film was released on July 2, 2014 in select theaters, V.O.D, and Digital HD. This is also Cannon's directorial feature film debut. This film has a remarkable cast of talent, and honestly this movie isn't that good. On the other hand, it's a guilty pleasure of so bad that it's good.

I'm aware that maybe one or two (or more) brain cells are dying as I watch this. But I didn't mind, I actually watched the film in its entirety. This film is fueled by sex jokes, stereotypes revolving around black and Mexican-American lifestyles; This hip-hop-infused musical movie features a gallery of notable comedians. Nick Cannon may not be the best director or writer. However, damn he can gather the talent! (If you want to call them talent)

Even though this film is loaded with stereotypes, sex jokes, and brain cell melting vulgarity. There is at least an element of sweetness to the film in our lead character Jason, played by Bobb'e J. Thompson, a low self-esteem and less than well-endowed virginal high school student who has a hopeless crush on his beautiful classmate Anastacia, played by Kristinia DeBarge, who barely knows he exists. His only hope to impress her is to join the school's hottest "clique" and help them win a hip- hop, "Lock-In" dance competition, which offers a $2,000 prize.

To be honest, a majority of the acting is so bad and over the top it's actually funny. Jason's mother, played by Luenell, is so outrageous, over –bearing, gun shooting, and loud you can't help but watch how much worse she or her character can get. Also, the pot-smoking principal, played by Mike Epps is so cartoonish it's hard to take him or anyone else in the movie seriously.

Cannon also infuses the proceedings with various stylistic devices, including on screen graphics and freeze-frames, to mostly negligible effect. In addition, while Thompson and DeBarge are appealing, the veteran comic performers in the supporting cast are unable to rise above the cartoonish material. What makes films like Dope, Super bad and American Pie so memorable are at the end of the day we can relate to the characters. Another big issue I have with the film is a majority of the cast that's in high school don't look like high school students. Amber Rose is in high school? Seriously? (That's a nice high school).

I know this movie is so bad that it's funny. Even though I don't think that's the intent. Nevertheless, it was so obvious, that the featuring endless scenes of leering shots of beautiful young women shaking their booties, and all the other goodies God gave them into the camera are only there to include the numerous music designed to provide the filmmaker the opportunity to contribute to the soundtrack. The slow- motion erotic car-washing scene is not even that offensive to women, because the males in this movie are just as badly and equally portrayed if not worse. (Car wash scene…I'm not complaining).

So these are my final Bitchin' Buddha thoughts on the film School Dance. I know it's a bad movie, but I did have some fun even if it was for the wrong reason. At the end credits, I am indicating that the film was much more fun to make than to watch. At the end of the day, I'm glad I came across it. Even though I do not need to come across it again or any time soon. I wouldn't mind seeing what Nick Cannon does next. I believe School Dance earns a…

5/10

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The real distaste for this movie is that none of the "it girls" were black yet all the guys were. Nothing wrong with so called inter-racial dating but to me the movie made it seem that black women aren't desirable. Totally unacceptable

Nick Cannon directs School Dance, a coming of age comedy. In it Jason is enamored with Anastacia and would do anything to stand out and be noticed in her world. This movie has some funny parts but feels like it is a mix of bits with a bunch of every stereotype imaginable. A cameo by many well known stars, even the current "it" comedy guy Kevin Hart. Mike Epps plays a funny quirky horny principle Rogers and George Lopez is the domineering Latino dad. A peek to the simpler times of high school, when all guys wanted to do was hook up and girls wanted to feel special. The crescendo of the movie is the one night of true debauchery, the school dance. Seems like a blend of other past greats like House Party and Friday. Makes you glad you are no longer a teenager and just be grown and sexy. Take a trip back to high school and watch School Dance. I am sure you will at least get a few laughs out of this movie.

It was a nice little R rated teen comedy. If you like Nick Canon and his style of comedy, than this should be a good one for you (I'm assuming, cause I'm not familiar with his comedy)

Mr. Mariah Carey's directorial debut is a formulated story about Jason, the uncool kid who wants to be cool and get a date with his dream girl who does not even know he's alive. I could tell you more, but when you've seen one teen comedy you seen them all, so you know what happens.

The most unique thing about the movie is the prominently black cast (which is kind of shameful to say in this day and age). I've already herd some negative feedback on the black stereotypes that are flowing through the movie, but I feel that this judges the movie unfairly cause every white teen comedy has it's own negative stereotypes as well.

But I must admit, the black stereotypes are pretty blunt and constant throughout the film which may make it a turn off if you're not black or Latina. The movie could have used more high school stoner jokes which is general enough to crossover to any race. Like Mac & Devin go to High School starring Wiz Khalifa, whose wife Amber Rose has a role in this movie.

The biggest problem I have with the movie is that if feels like a variety show more than a movie. Every scene feels more like a sketch or a stand up bit come alive, than a continuing story, which should not be such a big concern cause the whole thing is funny and I should cut the first time director a break. It doesn't help that a small part of the movie is interjected with scenes that act like music videos for music groups I'm not young and hip enough to vibe with. It's been a while since I've seen a recent music video, but I seems all the females in the movie are just video vixens not exactly hired for their acting skills

It was cool to see the large amount of super star comedians who have supporting roles in the film. Most notably of course was super star Kevin Hart. It was cool that Kev and others had enough love for Nick to come out and do a small role in his small low budget movie.

It was a funny film all in all, and I could not help but to laugh throughout this so-so put together black teen comedy (Nick Canon forces you to and I love that about the film). Then again, I laugh cause I got all the jokes.

I can never get enough of Kevin Hart, Luenell, Mike Epps, Katt Williams, & Tiffany Haddish! A welcomed addition to the comedy was Lil' Duvall! Great team! But, the booty dancing & lip syncing for what seemed like every 5 minutes was too much! The movie was "School Dance" not "Dance School"! I was sick of watching what was supposed to be teenagers twerking constantly! The comedy was so much more fun!! Still worth it to watch and it was really nice seeing the young man from "Role Models" grown up, Bobbe J Thompson! He did great in his lead role! However, if you are into dancing and hip hop music, this is definitely the movie for you!! Beware, there are many references to race and cultural biases. Sorry if that is considered a spoiler.