Roll Bounce

The makers of Barbershop, Soul Food and The Best Man are behind yet another film with a largely African-American cast. But this time, writer Norman Vance Jr. and director Malcolm D. Lee add a Saturday-afternoon-fever flair to their latest PG-13 movie. Mature enough now to drop the “Lil’” moniker, Bow Wow leads a gang of roller-disco dancers in 1970s Chicago whose only crime is their ignorance of the Bee Gees. Though maybe that’s not really a crime. He and his hell-on-wheels sidekicks flash their jaw-dropping moves to some groovy tunes at the A-list roller rink in order to practice for the upcoming skate-off with a $500 grand prize. Meanwhile, the former rapper shows his serious side during heart-to-heart talks with his unemployed dad who’s in denial about the recent death of his wife. Full of youth, energy and nostalgia, this dance flick will make you want to “roll bounce” your way home from the theater.