Thunder Soul (2011)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 27
Fresh: 27 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 7.4/10
Critic Reviews: 13
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 4.2/5
User Ratings: 623
Movie Info
Presented by Jamie Foxx, Thunder Soul follows the extraordinary alumni from Houston's storied Kashmere High School Stage Band, who return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for the 92-year-old "Prof," their beloved band leader who broke the color barrier and transformed the school's struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s. -- (C) Official Site
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All Critics (28) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (0) | DVD (2)
There's a purity -- sense of righteousness and reunion and optimism -- that makes Thunder Soul galvanizing. Also, the music is smoking hot, which is pretty amazing, considering it comes from a high school band. And a bunch of oldsters.
Top CriticAll of the agreeable ingredients are there, but director Mark Landsman doesn't coast on the built-in feel-good factor.
Arguably, the current generation of funk and soul revivalists owes a debt to musicians who forged their astonishing sound in between Algebra study sessions.
Though it sometimes overplays the sentimentality, "Thunder Soul" gets not just the music but also the sense of possibility for this post-civil-rights generation.
A precious scrap of American history.
An uplifting and entertaining film...
...the unstoppable power of the music is an undeniable, stone groove
They don't make 'em like Prof anymore!
Radiates warmth and energy from fun, kind people sharing love for each other and playing music together.
Uplifting docu spotlights legendary high school jazz band.
Thunder Soul tells the story of the Kashmere Stage Band, and before the film is through, this high school band you've never heard of will have earned a top spot on your personal hit parade.
Thunder Soul represents a feast for the senses, a soulful celebration of the black musical renaissance of the late '60s and '70s, but the filmmakers don't seem particularly interested in peering beneath the dazzling surface.
Not without its problems, but overall a compelling snapshot of how and why good teachers matter, as well as a case for the value of the continued study of the arts in high school curricula.
A film flooded with memories and declarations of respect, laughs and tears, and plenty of funk to keep toes tapping along as director Mark Landsman investigates how one man's authority carried from high school to the modern day.
Warmly uplifting documentary about an inspiring teacher and the funky, funky music he made with generations of happy kids.
Thunder Soul is touching, charming and easy to love.
A touching tribute to a teacher who managed to inspire his students not only to do good work but to live good lives.
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