Jazz in the Diamond District (2008) User Reviews

I REALLY wanted to like this movie...

[nathancarson-1 · 2/10 · 15 February 2011]

I love go-go. I'm from the DMV. I have an idea of what everyone's about. I know people like that, that's where I'm from. I mean, the bbq scene, that was home. That doesn't make a good movie though What ever happened to the guy who raped Jazz? Although I agree with the message that D.C. artists go to NYC and get raped one way or another. Rather than staying at home and get love.

What happened to the dude that raped her? They left a lot of loose ends, but something that huge? The end of the movie felt like half-time.

Wood Harris was TERRIBLE at trying to pretend he was from D.C. He could not get the accent or the slang right. It's not in him. Why fake it. Even damn UCB couldn't barely act, and all they had to do was be themselves. They were barely believable...on stage talking as a go-go band. That's bad off.

Best part about this movie (besides I watched it free)? The music scenes. I suggest, go buy a video of UCB performing (or whoever the hell you want to hear).

My least favorite part: Someone got killed in the go-go. It is not NEARLY as violent in the go-go these days. If you're really that worried, go to a 24 and over show.

Excellent, Touching and Soulful Film

[danceability-1 · 10/10 · 16 November 2009]

Excellent, Touching and Soulful Film This film is fresh. Coming out of Washington DC, it tells a familiar tale of personal discovery and conflict, decisions and priorities set against a uniquely DC music scene. Refreshing in that it does not trivialize the experience of young people by putting them all into the same box. Acting is excellent and the omnipresent musical backdrop is great. Definitely worth seeing this film!!

A number of first-timers were involved in Jazz in the Diamond District, a coming-of-age film set in Washington, so perhaps they can be forgiven for not realizing how tired this general plot line is: one or more young people see stardom as a way up and out, and have enough talent that they might make it, but drugs, guns and/or pregnancy intervene. Some dreams will be realized, some dashed, but audiences, having been dragged through this story too many times, won t care which. That said, there are a couple of reasons to stick with this film. The main one is the music, which isn t jazz (that refers to Jasmine, a singer who s looking for her break) but the Washington brand of funk known as go-go. The club scenes pulsate with it, and it gets in your bones quickly. Also worthwhile are some attention-getting performances by unknown actors. André Strong, as the frontman of a go-go group, has some crackling scenes with a far more experienced actor, Wood Harris, the band s booker. And Erica Chamblee (who conceived the story) is intriguing as Jasmine s younger sister, Leah, who has performing dreams of her own. Ms. Chamblee is good enough that she almost makes you believe that a teenager could grow up in a tough city like Washington and still be as naïve as Leah is.