Ne-Yo Movies
A hard-living nightclub singer discovers the importance of family with the help of a handsome Mexican immigrant in this inspirational comedy drama from writer/director Tyler Perry. When pistol-packing granny Madea (Perry) awakens to the sound of her home being ransacked by wayward teen Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson) and her two younger brothers, she promptly marches the troubled kids over their aunt April's house. But despite being the only relative the kids can turn to, April (Taraji P. Henson) is hardly a role model; a self-destructive songbird with a serious drinking problem, she spends her nights at the club and relies on her married boyfriend, Raymond, to pay the bills. Suddenly, into April's life wanders Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), a hard-luck immigrant in search of some honest work. Before long, Sandino has moved into April's basement room, and formed a solid connection with the kids. The closer April and Sandino grow, the more April begins to recognize the importance of faith and family. When the time comes to say goodbye to her old ways and start a new life, the wounded chanteuse realizes that she may have finally found the true love that's always eluded her. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, (more)
A young man finds that the moves he learned on the street may help him make a better life for himself in this youth-oriented musical drama. DJ Williams (Columbus Short) is a 19-year-old growing up in Los Angeles; while DJ is at heart a good kid and a gifted street dancer, he runs with a dangerous crowd, and one night an underground dance competition turns into a brawl and DJ ends up in jail. DJ's younger brother has already died a violent death, and his mother, hoping to put him back on the straight and narrow, sends DJ off to Truth University, a historically African-American college in Atlanta. At first, DJ feels like a misfit at Truth, but when he gets a chance to show off his dancing skills, he attracts the attention of two campus fraternities. Greek life is a major presence at Truth, and each year the fraternities take part in a "stepping" competition, in which the members show off their synchronized dance moves. DJ joins the ONO house, and is eager to help them take the championship away from their campus rivals, but in time he also comes to understand the brotherhood and community service that's a key part of his fraternity's background. DJ also has more on his mind than dancing and studying when he meets April (Meagan Good), a beautiful coed. Produced under the title Steppin', Stomp the Yard also stars Ne-Yo, Brian J. White, and Jermaine Williams. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Columbus Short, Meagan Good, (more)
- 2006
- Add Save the Last Dance 2: Stepping Up to QueueAdd Save the Last Dance 2: Stepping Up to top of Queue
As Sarah Johnson (Izabella Miko)'s ultimate dream of attending Julliard and becoming a professional ballerina begin to take roots in reality, her interest in the art of hip-hop dance threatens to sideline her education in this sequel to the popular 2001 dance drama. Sarah Johnson may be at Julliard, but her struggle to make a name for herself in the ultra-competitive world of dance is only beginning. Though her stern instructor and idol Monique Delacroix (Jacqueline Bisset) has generously taken young Isabelle under her wing, a guest lecturer named Miles (Columbus Short) causes the aspiring young dancer to question her priorities. Soon torn between the raw honesty of hip-hop dance and the respectable world of ballet, Sarah realizes that only she take hold of her fate and face the future with the confidence to succeed no matter which path she chooses. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Izabella Miko, Columbus Short, (more)
