The movie “Drumline 2”
The comedy musical “Drumline: A New Beat” was released in the USA on 27 October 2014; it received mixed reviews and the most popular website for film and TV series rating IMDb has given it 5.1/10 based on more than 1,300 reviews, while it rates 37 percent on the website Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s 101 minutes long.
It follows Danielle ‘Dani’ Bolton who comes from a wealthy family, and wants to enroll at a college in Georgia against her parents’ wishes; it was nominated for six awards but failed to win any. “Drumline: A New Beat” was nominated for three Image Awards in 2015, for Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie and Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special, while it was also nominated for a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, a Prism Award and a Motion Picture Sound Editors Award.
The director
The movie was directed by Bille Woodruff, who was born in Denver, Colorado USA and has managed to keep his exact date of birth hidden from the media’s attention.
Bille made his directing debut with the 1991 music video “Sounds of Blackness: Optimistic”, and he’s since directed nearly 140 videos, movies and TV series. He’s perhaps known best for directing the 2021 episode “Saints” of the critically acclaimed mystery horror series “Yellowjackets”, created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson in 2021, and which stars Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nelisse and Tawny Cypress. It follows a plane carrying a high school girls’ soccer team which has crashed in the Canadian wilderness, and the series has won 22 of its 143 award nominations.
Bille’s been nominated for four awards for his directing work, one for “Drumline: A New Beat” and the three others for “Black Lightning”, “Beauty Shop” and “Rags”.
Starring actors
“Drumline: A New Beat” saw Alexandra Shipp portray the lead character Dani Bolton, with Leonardo Roberts playing Dr. Sean Taylor, Jordan Calloway playing Jayven LaPierre and Jeff Pierre portraying Tyree.
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This was one of Alexandra’s first lead roles; she launched her acting career in 2009 by playing Valentina in the animated musical comedy movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekquel”, and some of the most popular movies in which she’s since appeared include the 2016 action science fiction adventure “X-Men: Apocalypse”, the 2019 action adventure science fiction “Dark Phoenix” and the 2023 adventure fantasy comedy “Barbie”. In 2017, Alexandra won a Brooklyn Horror Film Festival Prize for Best Actress, for her performance in “Tragedy Girls”.
Leonardo Roberts and Jordan Calloway are also popular actors, with the former having appeared in nearly 80 movies and TV series, while Jordan has 33 acting credits to his name. Leonard’s today perhaps known best for portraying Sean Taylor in the movie’s 2002 prequel “Drumline”, which starred Orlando Jones, Zoe Saldana and Nick Cannon, and was directed by Charles Stone III; it follows a band director working at a Southern university who’s recruited a Harlem street drummer, and the movie was nominated for 13 awards. On the other hand, Jordan’s known best for portraying Khalil Payne in 50 episodes of the action science fiction series “Black Lightning”, which aired from 2017 through 2021 and follows the life of an African-American electrical superhero.
How much did “Drumline: A New Beat” earn?
The first movie “Drumline” was quite popular and earned $56 million at the box office but the sequel “Drumline: A New Beat” failed to come even near this, as it wasn’t even shown in the cinema.
The movie rather premiered on VH1, and was on 3 March 2015 released to DVD; precise details about its earnings remain undisclosed but it’s believed that its creators lost several millions of dollars, making it a box office flop.
Plot
“Drumline 2: A New Beat” brings a fresh perspective to the world of competitive marching bands, with a focus on drumline performances at the fictional Atlanta A&T University.
Drumline 2: A New Beat | #PassTheBaton | VH1 http://t.co/sz0VbLykdb
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) September 29, 2014
The story centers on the ambitious and talented drummer Dani Raymond, portrayed by Alexandra Shipp. Raised in a rich family, Dani’s passion for drumming is undeniable, and she decides to attend Atlanta A&T University to pursue her dreams. However, as she steps onto campus, she quickly realizes that the world of college marching bands is highly competitive, with a male-dominated drumline that is resistant to change.
Dani faces skepticism and pushback from some of her fellow band members who question her abilities and her place in the traditionally male domain of drumline. The band director, Sean Taylor, played by Leonard Roberts, is initially hesitant about Dani’s skills but eventually acknowledges her undeniable talent.
The central conflict emerges as Dani strives to prove herself not only as a skilled drummer but also as a valuable member of the band; as she navigates the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated environment, Dani also has to contend with personal relationships and rivalries.
A significant subplot unfolds as Dani becomes romantically involved with Jayven LaPierre, played by Jordan Calloway, a member of the rival drumline at Atlanta State University; this adds an extra layer of tension to the already fierce competition between the two schools.
The film successfully mixes the themes of rivalry, teamwork and self-discovery. Dani’s journey becomes a quest for acceptance and recognition in a world where tradition and gender norms clash with her determination to break barriers. Throughout the narrative, the importance of unity within the marching band community is highlighted, emphasizing that success is not just an individual achievement but a collective effort.
As Dani faces various challenges, the movie delves into her personal growth and resilience; she learns not only to navigate the complexities of a competitive marching band but also to appreciate the significance of tradition and the bonds that are formed through shared experiences.
The drumline performances are the highlight of the film, capturing the energy and excitement of live marching band performances, showcasing the dedication and skill of the performers, adding a dynamic and visually stunning element to the movie.
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