On this day in comedy on September 23, 2005 Roll Bounce is released by Searchlight Pictures!
A cinematic tribute to the skating craze of the late 1970s and early 80s, Roll Bounce stars Bow Wow as a skater, Xavier, whose life is only in harmony when he’s on his wheels. His mother is dead and his father doesn’t understand him; neither does his little sister. When X (Bow Wow) and his crew lose the familiarity of their neighborhood Chicago rink they’re forced to skate in the upper-crust bougie part of town, only to be dissed by the local skaters; that is until a roller disco contest pits the crews against each other and life lessons are learned.
Written by former BET scribe Norman Vance, Jr. Roll Bounce has a cast loaded with comedians and comedy personalities. Mike Epps, Nick Cannon, Brandon T. Jackson and Charlie Murphy make up a strong supporting cast. They’re assisted by acting veterans Chi McBride, Kellita Smith, Meagan Good, Jurnee Smollett, Wayne Brady and Wesley Jonathan.
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee and produced by George Tillman, Jr., Roll Bounce was made on a $10-million budget and grossed $17,500,866.
Music was provided by Stanley Clarke and Niles Rodgers; featuring songs by Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Brooke Valentine, Fabolous, Shorty Mack, Beyonce, R. Kelly, Michelle Williams and Ray J.
Roll Bounce received several nominations for achievement in directing and acting and won the 2006 Black Reel Awards for Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted for Norman Vance, Jr.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
