Dance Flick
Encyclopedia
Dance Flick is a 2009 American comedy directed by Damien Dante Wayans
, written by his uncles, the Wayans Brothers, and starring Damon Wayans, Jr.
, and Shoshana Bush
. The film is a spoof of the popular dance film
genre. It was set for release in North America on February 6, 2009, but was moved to August 2009, then to May 22, 2009.
) gets into a series of misadventures when she moves to the inner-city and pursues dance. A nerdy street boy named Thomas (Damon Wayans, Jr.
) is passionate about street dancing, but he is stuck working for a hungry obese gang lord (David Alan Grier
) who only loves food. Megan later befriends Thomas' ghetto sister Charity (Essence Atkins
) who has a baby but also poor parenting skills. Charity has her own issues dealing with her dimwitted "baby daddy" (Shawn Wayans) who also is a bad parent. Once Megan and Thomas spend more time together, they become dance partners and begin to fall in love and start dating.
, giving it a "rotten" score. On Metacritic
, it got a 40/100 "mixed or average" score, based on 17 critic reviews.
Damien Dante Wayans
Damien Dante Wayans is an American actor, writer, producer and director. He is a member of the Wayans family.-Early life:Wayans was born in New York City, he is the nephew of the Wayans Brothers, which consists of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Elvira Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and...
, written by his uncles, the Wayans Brothers, and starring Damon Wayans, Jr.
Damon Wayans, Jr.
Damon Kyle Wayans, Jr. is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian. He is the oldest son of actor-comedian Damon Wayans. Wayans currently stars as Brad Williams on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings.-Early life:...
, and Shoshana Bush
Shoshana Bush
-Career:Bush is a native of Tiburon, California. She has made guest appearances on television series such as CSI: Miami, Moonlight and Ghost Whisperer. In 2007, she co-starred alongside Tom Arnold in Palo Alto and then appeared in the 2008 film Fling...
. The film is a spoof of the popular dance film
Dance film
Dance Film is the creation of choreography that exists only in the medium of film/video. At its best, DanceFilm uses filming and editing techniques to create twists in the plotline, multiple layers of reality, and emotional/psychological depth....
genre. It was set for release in North America on February 6, 2009, but was moved to August 2009, then to May 22, 2009.
Plot
Suburban girl Megan (Shoshana BushShoshana Bush
-Career:Bush is a native of Tiburon, California. She has made guest appearances on television series such as CSI: Miami, Moonlight and Ghost Whisperer. In 2007, she co-starred alongside Tom Arnold in Palo Alto and then appeared in the 2008 film Fling...
) gets into a series of misadventures when she moves to the inner-city and pursues dance. A nerdy street boy named Thomas (Damon Wayans, Jr.
Damon Wayans, Jr.
Damon Kyle Wayans, Jr. is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian. He is the oldest son of actor-comedian Damon Wayans. Wayans currently stars as Brad Williams on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings.-Early life:...
) is passionate about street dancing, but he is stuck working for a hungry obese gang lord (David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
) who only loves food. Megan later befriends Thomas' ghetto sister Charity (Essence Atkins
Essence Atkins
Essence Uhura Atkins is an American actress. She is best known for the roles of Dee Dee Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half and as Yvette Henderson on the The WB sitcom Smart Guy...
) who has a baby but also poor parenting skills. Charity has her own issues dealing with her dimwitted "baby daddy" (Shawn Wayans) who also is a bad parent. Once Megan and Thomas spend more time together, they become dance partners and begin to fall in love and start dating.
Cast
- Shoshana BushShoshana Bush-Career:Bush is a native of Tiburon, California. She has made guest appearances on television series such as CSI: Miami, Moonlight and Ghost Whisperer. In 2007, she co-starred alongside Tom Arnold in Palo Alto and then appeared in the 2008 film Fling...
as Megan White - Damon Wayans, Jr.Damon Wayans, Jr.Damon Kyle Wayans, Jr. is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian. He is the oldest son of actor-comedian Damon Wayans. Wayans currently stars as Brad Williams on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings.-Early life:...
as Thomas Uncles - Essence AtkinsEssence AtkinsEssence Uhura Atkins is an American actress. She is best known for the roles of Dee Dee Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half and as Yvette Henderson on the The WB sitcom Smart Guy...
as Charity Uncles - Affion CrockettAffion CrockettAffion Crockett is an actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director, and maker of YouTube videos. Affion began his career as a dancer at age 10, winning breaking and popping contests with his older brother...
as A-Con - Shawn Wayans as Baby Daddy
- Amy SedarisAmy SedarisAmy Louise Sedaris is an American actress, author, and comedian. She is known for playing the character Jerri Blank in the Comedy Central television series Strangers with Candy. Sedaris regularly collaborates with her older brother, humorist and author David Sedaris...
as Ms. Cameltoé - David Alan GrierDavid Alan GrierDavid Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
as Sugar Bear - Chelsea Makela as Tracy TransfatHairspray (2007 film)Hairspray is a 2007 musical film produced by Kolaja Productions and distributed by New Line Cinema. It was released in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom on July 20, 2007. The film is an adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John...
- Brennan Hillard as Jack
- Chris ElliottChris ElliottChristopher Nash "Chris" Elliott is an American actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his comedic sketches on Late Night with David Letterman, starring in the cult comedy series Get a Life and for his recurring role as Peter MacDougall on Everybody Loves Raymond...
as Ron White (Megan's Dad) - Lochlyn MunroLochlyn MunroRichard Laughlain "Lochlyn" Munro is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Munro was born in Lac La Hache, British Columbia. He started his acting career after a serious sports injury ended his dream of playing professional hockey. While playing music in various clubs around Vancouver, British...
as The Coach (Jack's Dad) - Christina Murphy as Nora
- Marlon WayansMarlon WayansMarlon L. Wayans is an American actor, model producer, comedian, writer, and director of movies, beginning with his role as a pedestrian in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka in 1988...
as Mr. Moody - Kim WayansKim WayansKim Wayans is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer and director. She is also a member of the Wayans family.-Early life:...
as Ms. Dontwannabebothered - Keenen Ivory WayansKeenen Ivory WayansKeenen Ivory Wayans is an American actor, comedian, director and writer known as the host and creator of the FOX sketch comedy series In Living Color, which also starred Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, brothers Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, sister Kim Wayans, David Alan Grier, Tommy...
as Mr. StacheSteve HarveyBroderick Steven "Steve" Harvey is an American actor, comedian, entertainer, television and radio personality and best-selling author. He is best known as the star of the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy... - Craig WayansCraig Wayans-External links:...
as Truck - Ross ThomasRoss ThomasRoss Thomas was an American writer of crime fiction. He is best known for his witty thrillers that expose the mechanisms of professional politics. He also wrote several novels under the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck about professional go-between Philip St...
as Tyler Gage - George O. Gore IIGeorge O. Gore IIGeorge O. Gore II is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Michael Kyle, Jr. on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids, and Gregory "G" Williams on the Fox police drama New York Undercover....
as RayRay (film)Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to... - Tichina ArnoldTichina ArnoldTichina Rolanda Arnold is an American actress and singer. She is best known for having portrayed the roles of Pamela James on the FOX sitcom Martin and the family matriarch Rochelle on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris....
as Ray's MamaRay (film)Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to... - Lauren BowlesLauren BowlesLauren Hannah Bowles is an American actress and a half-sister of Julia Louis-Dreyfus.She has appeared in numerous TV shows including Seinfeld, Arrested Development, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Judging Amy, The New Adventures of Old Christine , Private Practice and many more...
as Glynn White (Megan's Mom)
Critical
The film's critical reception was generally negative. It received a 17% on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, giving it a "rotten" score. On Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, it got a 40/100 "mixed or average" score, based on 17 critic reviews.
Box office
On the opening weekend (May 22-24), the film ranked at No. 5 in the top 10 with $10,643,536 in 2,450 theaters. The film covered its production budget, making it a moderate success.Parodies
- Footloose
- Chappelle's ShowChappelle's ShowChappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22,...
(I'm Rick James, Bitch During the Dance Audition to Superfreak) - Save the Last DanceSave the Last DanceSave the Last Dance is a 2001 romantic drama dance film produced by MTV Films, directed by Thomas Carter and released by Paramount Pictures on January 12, 2001. The film stars Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas as a teenage interracial couple in Chicago who work together to help the main...
- You Got ServedYou Got ServedYou Got Served is a film written and directed by Chris Stokes, manager of its stars, recording artist Omarion, Marques Houston and the members of boy band B2K. The plot concerns a group of dancers, who take part in a street dancing competition...
(the first battle in the movie/the character of Sugar Bear and the fact that Thomas and A-Con owe him money by the end of the next week or else) - Stomp the YardStomp the YardStomp the Yard is a 2007 drama and dance film produced by Rainforest Films and released through Sony Pictures' Screen Gems division on January 12, 2007. Directed by Sylvain White, Stomp the Yard centers around DJ Williams, a college student at a fictional historically Black university who pledges...
(the head slip at the beginning and last battle) - Step UpStep Up (film)Step Up is a 2006 American dance/romance film directed by Anne Fletcher starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.Set in Baltimore, Maryland, the film follows the tale of the disadvantaged Tyler Gage and the privileged modern dancer Nora Clark , who find themselves paired up in a showcase that...
(Nora's auditioning dancers) - FlashdanceFlashdanceAnother song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
(the warm-up) - Step Up 2: The Streets (last battle)
- HairsprayHairspray (2007 film)Hairspray is a 2007 musical film produced by Kolaja Productions and distributed by New Line Cinema. It was released in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom on July 20, 2007. The film is an adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John...
(Tracy Transfat) - Singin' in the RainSingin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy musical film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, with Kelly also providing the choreography...
- Dirty DancingDirty DancingDirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic film. Written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino, the film features Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles, as well as Cynthia Rhodes and Jerry Orbach...
(cut from final print) - Mamma Mia!Mamma Mia! (film)Mamma Mia! is a 2008 musical/romantic comedy film adapted from the 1999 West End/2001 Broadway musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson...
(cut from final print, can be briefly seen in international trailer) - Little Miss SunshineLittle Miss SunshineLittle Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama film. The road movie's plot follows a family's trip to a children's beauty pageant.Little Miss Sunshine was the directorial film debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The screenplay was written by first-time writer...
(Megan's audition to "Super FreakSuper Freak"Super Freak" is a 1981 hit single produced and performed by Rick James. The song, co-written by James and Alonzo Miller, was first released on James' album Street Songs and became one of James' signature songs. It features background vocals from Motown labelmates The Temptations, in which the bass...
") - The House BunnyThe House BunnyThe House Bunny is a 2008 romantic comedy film directed by Fred Wolf, written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, and starring Anna Faris as a former Playboy bunny who signs up to be the "house mother" of an unpopular university sorority after being conned by a rival into believing she's now...
(the scene prior to Megan's arrest) - Final Destination 2Final Destination 2Final Destination 2 is a 2003 supernatural horror film and the sequel to the 2000 film Final Destination and was directed by David R. Ellis. It was written by Jeffrey Reddick, Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. The film stars Ali Larter, A. J. Cook, Michael Landes and Tony Todd...
(the scene where Megan's mom was in a crash) - How She MoveHow She MoveHow She Move is a 2007 drama film directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid and starring Rutina Wesley, Clé Bennett and Romina D'Ugo. The film showcases the street culture of step dancing...
(cut from final print) - Black Snake MoanBlack Snake MoanBlack Snake Moan is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer. It was filmed in and around Stanton, Tennessee, and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake...
(the scene where Megan is chained to the radiator and Thomas looks like, and quotes the Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. JacksonSamuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
character) - High School MusicalHigh School MusicalHigh School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
(the character of Jack wanting to be a dancer, and the name of the high school) - Fame (Jack's Flame sequence)
- Honey (mentioned in rant)
- Bring It OnBring It OnBring It On may refer to:In film and television:*Bring It On , a 2000 film about a high school cheerleading squad**Bring It On Again, a 2004 sequel**Bring It On: All or Nothing, a 2006 sequel...
- Center StageCenter StageCenter Stage is a 2000 American drama film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, about a group of young dancers from various backgrounds who enroll at the fictitious American Ballet Academy in New York City...
(dance class scene) - TwilightTwilight (2008 film)Twilight is a 2008 American romantic vampire film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel of the same name. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It is the first film in The Twilight Saga film series...
(the prom scene) - Roll BounceRoll BounceRoll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T...
(mentioned in rant; last battle scene) - NotoriousNotorious (2009 film)Notorious is a 2009 American biographical film about the life of iconic hip hop star The Notorious B.I.G. who is played by Jamal Woolard. The film co-stars Angela Bassett as his mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur...
- Superbad (Megan's ID card identifies her as "McLovin")
- CatwomanCatwoman (film)Catwoman is a 2004 American superhero film and quasi-spinoff of the Batman film series directed by Pitof and released by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures on July 23, 2004....
(the scene when Megan's mom gets run over/hit and run) - 1 Night in Paris1 Night in Paris1 Night in Paris is a 2004 pornographic video depicting Paris Hilton and her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon having sexual intercourse in 2001. Not originally intended for release, it was filmed primarily with a single, stationary, tripod-mounted camera using "night vision." However, a handful of...
(Megan and Nora fight) - RayRay (film)Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to...
(the blind guy named Ray and his mom) - Little Shop of Horrors and DreamgirlsDreamgirls (film)Dreamgirls is a 2006 musical drama film, directed by Bill Condon and jointly produced and released by DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures. The film debuted in three special road show engagements beginning December 15, 2006 before its nationwide release on December 25, 2006...
(the "And I Am Telling You My Belly's Growling" song) - Edward ScissorhandsEdward ScissorhandsEdward Scissorhands is a 1990 romantic fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The film shows the story of an artificial man named Edward, an unfinished creation, who has scissors for hands. Edward is taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with their teenage daughter...
(Edward "Trigger"-hands) - Enchanted and/or Snow White and the Seven DwarfsSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
(Megan's singing scene with the rats and the birds) - Final Destination seriesFinal Destination seriesThe Final Destination series is a series of horror films based on an unproduced script written by Jeffrey Reddick for the X-Files television series. Distributed by New Line Cinema, all five films are centered on the themes of fatalism, predestination, and precognition, in relation to death...
(when Megan's dad shows her room) - CrashCrash (2004 film)Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video...
(the car crash) - America's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
- Coyote Ugly
- So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
- ATLATL (film)ATL is a 2006 American drama film, and the feature film directorial debut of music video director Chris Robinson. The screenplay was written by Tina Gordon Chism from an original story by Antwone Fisher, and is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne...
- White ChicksWhite ChicksWhite Chicks is a 2004 American film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written and produced by Keenen Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. The film was produced by Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios...
- Alice in Wonderland (when Thomas is hanging on the pole is like when Alice is hanging on the doorknob)
- Uncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War", according to Will Kaufman....
(the dance-battle host mixing up Thomas's crew's name- "Uncle Toms" instead of "Thomas Uncle") - Dream Girls (Sugar Bear Hungary song)
- AlfieAlfie (2004 film)Alfie is a 2004 British/American comedy-drama film based on the 1966 British film of the same name, starring Jude Law as the title character, originally played by Michael Caine. The film was written, directed and produced by Charles Shyer.-Plot:...
(U Can't Touch This)