NEW Short/good/white - Stomp The Yard (Blu-ray)

STOMP THE YARD comes as a pleasant surprise to those of us who have yet to be introduced to 'stepping' - a sport/dance form that is not break dancing, not hip-hop, not modern dance, not clogging, not ballet, but instead is an exhilarating display of rhythm, physical dexterity, and creative choreography that makes this little film well worth watching.

The story is minimal and hackneyed and serves basically as an outline for the dance performances. DJ (the enormously talented dancer/actor Columbus Short) is sent from Los Angeles to Atlanta's Truth University after his conviction for street brawling, a fight in which his brother (Chris Brown) was killed. Once on campus DJ is works for his uncle as a gardener and is soon courted for his step dance skills by two rival fraternities. One fraternity gains DJ's attention and he pledges. Of course there is the requisite love conflict (the beautiful Meagan Good as April), who just happens to be the girlfriend of the rival fraternity step leader (Darrin Henson), and the usual undercurrent of familial dichotomies between DJ's humble background and April's influential father bring the tension to the front: the result is DJ's triumphant performance in the annual stepping competition between the two fraternities. The ending is predictable but sensitive and with a message.

The real star of the film is the magnificently choreographed and executed dancing, performed by the actual cast members. Director Sylvain White and his choreographers center their attention on the big sequences and the result is very fine entertainment. In addition to the gifted Columbus Short and Darrin Henson the cast includes such fine actor/dancers as Brian J. White, Ne-Yo, Laz Alonzo, Oliver Ryan Best, Richmond Duain Martyn, Justin Hires, and many others. It is difficult to resist the excitement of the commitment of this fine cast to the introduction of step dancing to the public at large. So much talent! Grady Harp, May 07

If you don't like urban movies,urban hip hop slang or hip hop dancing then don't watch or try to rate this movie because you won't understand the essence of it. This movie is for the true hip hopper's and urban movie fans who like sick(hip hop slang for incredible)dance moves. No this movie isn't golden globes or oscar material nor do I think it was meant to be. It's shear entertainment with talented actors and gifted dancers. There is no way you can watch this movie and not see the skill it takes to pull off some of these dance moves. My only regret is that the director makes the mistake of not showing the dance moves in real time. If he had shown the moves the way they really went down it would shut some of these haters up. These dancers worked too hard to have there talent be minimized by some none dancin' haters. The movie could have come off real corny but these actors have such skill that there acting made the movie worthwhile. Great job on the casting!

Say what you want about the storyline, the acting, whatever... you know you cheered for the under dog. To manage making a black movie with no sex, moderate violence, promoting higher education, unity and brotherhood, come on, you got to love it, especially in these days and times.