Monday, October 21, 2024
A Chorus Line
- Commentary: Under construction.
Not much to say about this except I love dance movies (except Take the Lead) and this is "one of those" dance movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Michael Douglas Zach, choreographer Alyson Reed Cassie Terrence Mann Larry, asst choreographer Sharon Brown Kim, Zach's secretary Michael Blevins Mark Tobori-dancer Yamil Borges Diana Morales-dancer Jan Gan Boyd Connie Wong-dancer Gregg Burge Richie Walters-dancer Cameron English Paul San Marco-dancer Tony Fields Al DeLuca-dancer Audrey Landers Val Clarke-dancer Nicole Fosse Kristine Evelyn Erlich-DeLuca-dancer Vicki Frederick Sheila Bryant-dancer Michelle Johnston Beatrice Ann "Bebe" Benson-dancer Janet Jones Judy Monroe-dancer Pam Klinger Maggie Winslow-dancer Charles McGowan Mike Cass-dancer Justin Ross Greg Gardner-dancer Blane Savage Don Kerr-dancer Matt West Bobby Mills-dancer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Richard Attenborough.
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Chicago
- Commentary: Under construction.
After years (literally, two decades) of having seen this film in theaters a couple of times and then going through periods where I hunt down clips of it (specifically, the musical numbers) I finally decided to purchase the movie. I should mention that I've never seen it performed on stage. In fact, I believe the only production I've seen of it, besides YouTubers posting short clips of some of the musical numbers, is this production. And, I love it. It's shiny and energetic and so full of pizzazz it's hard to stop it, including for bathroom breaks, until it's done.
Likely, I'll post more commentary, but then again, maybe not. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Renée Zellweger Roxy Hart Catherine Zeta-Jones Velma Kelly Richard Gere Billy Flynn Queen Latifah Matron "Mama" Morton John C. Reilly Amos Hart Lucy Liu Kitty Baxter Taye Diggs Master of Ceremonies Colm Feore Martin Harrison Christine Baranski Reporter Mary Sunshine Dominic West Fred Casely Mýa Harrison Mona Deidre Goodwin June Denise Faye Annie Ekaterina Chtchelkanova Katalin Helinszki Susan Misner Liz Chita Rivera Nickie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Rob Marshall.
Labels: comedy3, dance, musical3
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
White Nights
- Commentary: Under construction.
Although Roger Ebert gave this film a visual "thumbs up". He also gave it a relatively middling rating (2½ stars) and grumbled about almost everything except the dancing. Frankly, I don't blame him. The story is easily forgettable, while watching the movie, I might add. The dancing, though, is transporting, as well as energetic and, sometimes, jaw-dropping. I've been focusing on movies that contain dancing, lately, and, even though the story in this film is insignificant, watching Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov dance with, and against, one another, each a master in his own dance artistry, is breathtaking.
And then, of course, there are the presences of both Helen Mirren and Isabella Rossellini, which are always a pleasure, even when they're in a story and/or playing a part that's, well, frankly, meh. This movie, by the way, is considered Isabella Rossellini's "breakthrough" role in film. Helen Mirren, on the other hand was well established as a film actor (among other types of acting) when she performed in this movie.
More later, possibly.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mikhail Baryshnikov Nikolai Rodchenko Gregory Hines Raymond Greenwood Jerzy Skolimowski Colonel Chaiko Helen Mirren Galina Ivanova Geraldine Page Anne Wyatt Isabella Rossellini Darya Greenwood John Glover Wynn Scott Stefan Gryff Captain Kirigin William Hootkins Chuck Malarek Shane Rimmer Ambassador Larry Smith Marc Sinden Charles Maryam d'Abo French Girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Taylor Hackford.
Labels: dance, taylor-hackford
Thursday, March 21, 2024
White Christmas
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bing Crosby Bob Wallace Danny Kaye Phil Davis Rosemary Clooney Betty Haynes Vera-Ellen Judy Haynes Dean Jagger Mjr Gen Tom Waverly Mary Wickes Emma Allen Johnny Grant Ed Harrison John Brascia John/Johnny
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Labels: Christmas, dance, dean-jagger, musical2, vera-ellen
The Belle of New York
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Fred Astaire Charlie Hill Vera-Ellen Angela Bonfils Marjorie Main Mrs. Phineas Hill Keenan Wynn Max Ferris
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Charles Walters.
Labels: dance, fred-astaire, marjorie-main, musical2, vera-ellen
Saturday, June 04, 2022
Funny Face
- Commentary: Yes, yes, yes, I own this silly, cotton candy movie. Let me explain. When I had cable TV it used to show up often enough on TCM to satisfy my need for a Funny Face fix. Once I disconnected, though, at least once a year I would find myself on my local library site placing a hold on the movie (it comes from another library in the local system) so I could watch it yet again. And, no, I don't watch it for the story, I watch it for the fashion, for the dances and for the delight that was and is Audrey Hepburn. I know Hepburn has been in many other movies, most notably Breakfast at Tiffanys. Movie gods forgive me, I don't like it. I don't like the "thriller" she's in with Peter O'Toole. I don't like Charade. I can handle Roman Holiday (it reminds me of The Princess Diaries, which I can also handle but wouldn't bother to own) and Sabrina (a bit more than Roman Holiday) but would never seek them out. The Nun's Story is interesting and I might check that one out again but, well, maybe not. The Children's Hour is equally interesting, but I'm not sure I'd check that one out again, either. There are, of course, others. Many. I just don't seek them out. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. But Funny Face, all I can say is, when I find myself in an Audrey Hepburn mood, only Funny Face will do! And, by the way, Kay Thompson is a hoot, a perfect foil for, and as much of a draw in this film as, Audrey Hepburn. Think pink!
Update 8/12/2021: Can you handle it? One more excellent, in depth review of Funny Face researched (that's right, I do mean researched!) and written by The Blonde at the Film, Cameron.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Audrey Hepburn Jo Stockton Fred Astaire Dick Avery Kay Thompson Maggie Prescott Michel Auclair Prof. Émile Flostre Robert Flemyng Paul Duval Dovima Marion Jean Del Val Hairdresser Virginia Gibson Babs Sue England Laura Ruta Lee Lettie Alex Gerry Dovitch Suzy Parker Specialty Dancer Pink Number
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Stanley Donen.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, comedy1, dance, fred-astaire, me-favorite1, musical1, period2, romance1, spectacle1
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Holiday Inn
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This was one of the last Christmas movies we purchased before Mom's death. I'd often wanted a copy of it because Mom had fond, though vague, memories of it. The version we purchased included the black-and-white and color editions. Although there are several b&w movies I'd refuse to watch in color, It's a Wonderful Life, for instance, or High Noon (yee gads, what a horrible idea, High Noon in color), the usual Tracy/Hepburn movies, Miracle on 34th Street (the original one), I have to say, I like this one in color better than the b&w version, although, in it's favor, that's the version we watched first. I gave Mom a choice and she chose color first. This edition contains a special feature which documents the colorization process. Once I understood how it's done, the idea didn't seem quite so disgusting. But, I still want my Now, Voyager in black & white.
Review opinions on this movie run the gamut. I've linked a negative review to the title of this post. Here's a foursome of much more positive reviews of the film. So, you know, watch the movie, take your pick.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bing Crosby Jim Hardy Fred Astaire Ted Hanover Marjorie Reynolds Linda Mason Walter Abel Danny Reed Virginia Dale Lila Dixon Louise Beavers Mamie Irving Bacon Gus James Bell Dunbar from Hollywood
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by Mark Sandrich.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, Christmas, comedy1, dance, fred-astaire, louise-beavers, musical1, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
The Red Shoes
- Commentary: I remember the first time I saw this movie. I was a mid-teen (or, perhaps, a little younger), continuing to take dancing classes but not toward any particular goal. I don't know how it happened but the local university managed to wrangle a a copy of this movie for an exclusive showing. My dance teacher, who considered me talented but unmotivated, badgered me until I asked my mother to take me to the showing of the movie.
It didn't motivate my dancing but it did accelerate my interest in romantic tragedy. I remember audibly gasping at the scene of Vicky Page's death. I was not expecting it. This brought the movie into focus for me and I've had a hankering to watch it, again. Now, it's a part of my collection.
So far, I've only watched it once. During that watching, I couldn't help but compare it to the story portrayed in Black Swan, which I've seen, but, you'll note, I do not own, and doubt that I ever will, unless someone gifts me with it. Anyway, it occurred to me as I was watching this, and, mind you, this consideration is based on a relatively poor memory of Black Swan, that Black Swan portrays the interior danger of living for one's art and this film portrays the external danger of living for one's art. Not that I particularly, well, sympathize with either of the movies' statements. But, there you have it, an off-the-cuff thought about these two movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anton Walbrook Boris Lermontov Marius Goring Julian Craster Moira Shearer Victoria Page Robert Helpmann Ivan Boleslawsky Léonide Massine Grischa Ljubov Albert Bassermann Sergei Ratov Ludmilla Tchérina Irina Boronskaya Esmond Knight Livingstone Montague
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 1948
Directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger.
Labels: §1, Criterion2, dance, dramaD, fantasy4, romance4
pina
- Commentary: Under construction.
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Wim Wenders.
Labels: §1, Criterion2, dance, documentary2
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Joker
- Commentary: Yes, yes, yes! Spectacular film!
Truth is, I'm not heavy into super-hero-comic-book movies, but there are a few I favor, and when I favor them, I really favor them. I'd seen trailers of this movie and my curiosity had been piqued, but, with 100 holds on the movie at the library the day it was released, and a pretty-penny-purchase-price, I knew it would be awhile before I even saw it, let alone considered owning it. My Florida Sister, though, had seen the same trailers, been similarly intrigued, and, instead of buying the movie for herself, she pleaded her work schedule, which wouldn't allow her to see it for awhile, and sent the movie to me!
Yes, it's dark as fuck. Yes, it's not only an origin story that adds to the plausibility of The Dark Knight (which I immediately rewatched after viewing Joker for the first time; yes, Virginia, I finally did watch the entire The Dark Knight movie, thoroughly enjoyed it and have watched it twice since the first viewing just to revel in Heath Ledger's performance), the pleasure of watching Joaquin Phoenix's performance was sooo satisfying. The man, literally, danced through the story, sometimes explicitly, always implicitly. I've since read reviews of the movie and they are maniacally mixed (except for reviews of Phoenix's performance). While there were many accolades, some considered the story unforgivably incendiary. Some considered it scattershot, too obvious, and/or boring. Almost no one acknowledged the obvious connection between Gotham's Joker by Heath Ledger and Joker by Joaquin Phoenix.
Speaking of critical constroversy, although Roger Ebert didn't live long enough to see this movie, reviewers on the site wrote not less than four pieces about the film. The initial review granted it only two stars, but, then, a second, then a third, then a fourth piece followed. Extraordinary.
Although I am a thoughtful fan of super-hero/super-villain movies, don't own many and have seen only the few I own, I have to say, this movie renders the madness of Joker and the madness of Gotham so immediate and real that it makes me wonder, how many Jokers are out there, around the corner, in our confusion of Gothams, just waiting for an accidented (yes, Virginia, accidented) chassis to place them on the world stage?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Arthur Fleck/Joker Robert De Niro Murray Franklin Zazie Beetz Sopie Dumond Frances Conroy Penny Fleck Brett Cullen Thomas Wayne Carrie Louise Putrello Martha Wayne Douglas Hodge Alfred Pennyworth Dante Pereira-Olson Bruce Wayne/Batman
For the curious, here's the Wikipedia write-up for this film. Not surprisingly, considering the controversy that erupted around the film, it is a much extended piece, including the usually threadbare Critical Response section.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Todd Phillips
Labels: action2, adventure2, cgi-animation, coming-of-age1, dance, drama2, fantasy1, film-art1, horror1, joaquin-phoenix, political1, robert-de-niro, satire1, super-hero1, violence1
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Swing Time
- Commentary: The story is silly and forgettable but the dancing is divine - "an exuberant celebration of its stars' chemistry, grace, and sheer joy in the act of performance", per the back of the movie case. This movie remains one of the standards of dance musicals. It may be old, it may be black & white, but it is, as I note in the labels, a spectacle. Such a spectacle, in fact, that Roger Ebert has named it one of his "Great Movies", as the link affixed to the title of this post will explain.
And, yes, Mom loved this movie, too. We didn't own it, but it was ever-available through our county library system and we liberally took advantage of that. That's why I decided to own it, now. Since my mother's death, it's been a frequent check-out of mine. Why not own it?!? In fact, why not own the Criterion edition of it?!?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Fred Astaire John Garnett Ginger Rogers Penelope Carroll Victor Moore Edwin Cardetti Eric Blore Mr. Gordon Helen Broderick Mabel Anderson Betty Furness Margaret Watson Georges Metaxa Ricardo Romero Landers Stevens Judge Watson
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1936
Directed by George Stevens.
Labels: Criterion1, dance, dramedy1, fred-astaire, me-favorite1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1, spectacle1
Monday, March 26, 2018
An American in Paris
- Commentary: Why did I come by this one? Hmmm ... one day about a month ago I decided to check out La La Land from the library. Mind you, other than it being a musical that was heralded and had won lots of awards, and who starred in it, I knew nothing about it. Hadn't read anything on it, laudatory, critical or otherwise. I happened to mention to my niece, the actor with whom I share a love of films, that I'd borrowed it for a line-up of movie watching. She confessed to me that it was her favorite film and asked to know my reactions once I'd watched it. I trust her tastes and instincts so I was ready to love the film. As well, I knew it was written and directed by the same guy who is responsible for Whiplash, a movie I loved, so I was excited to see it. Still and all, it took me a couple more weeks to get around to watching it. By that time, my anticipation level was through the roof. I should have remembered my experience with Mary Poppins decades ago. Oh well.
Certainly, I enjoyed watching La La Land, but my anticipation was not satisfied. I did, however, notice significant correlations with Singin' in the Rain, which I own, and An American in Paris, which, at the time, I didn't own. I decided I wanted to do a comparison of La La Land with both. I borrowed An American in Paris from the library, watched it and was reminded of how intriguing and masterful that film is. That's when I looked it up, found a reasonably priced copy and decided to buy it. Although I've noticed, since buying and watching it (twice, and once for all the special features, which are very interesting), that Singin' in the Rain is celebrated more than An American in Paris, well, let's just say, An American in Paris is such a treat I'm surprised we never bought it when Mom was alive.
Since watching it, I've become curious about musicals as a form in themselves, and have been working my way back through my own meager collection and checking even more out of the library. Considering what I own, this is a worthy addition.
In case you're curious, here's what my initial verdict on La La Land was to my niece:I just finished my first viewing of "La La Land". I say that because I'm convinced I'll have to watch it again, probably tomorrow, while it's fresh in my mind. That's because I'm, well, ambivalent.
Frankly, I prefer An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain and, dare I say it, all the other musicals I own, over La La Land. But, it was the watching of La La Land that has launched me on a serious consideration of musicals (I've made a list of several I'm planning on borrowing within the next months) and the ownership of yet another, this one. For that, I'm grateful.
I was prepared to love it because it was written and directed by the same guy who wrote and directed "Whiplash", which I absolutely loved. When I learned that he is responsible for "La La Land", without knowing anything about the movie (including before I watched it this evening) [I know, hard to believe but I didn't look it up anywhere before I watched it and didn't run across any material about it prior, even though it was such a smash], except that it is a musical, I figured the movie must have a really interesting take on Hollywood musicals because, well, holy shit, this guy did "Whiplash"! So, I was shocked to discover how wrong I was. That realization is taking some getting used to. It is obvious, though, that the writer/director has serious chops, being able to do "Whiplash", then turn around and do "La La Land".
Right off the bat, here are some things I loved about the movie. Ryan Gosling, for one, but, I love him in anything. He could play a mushroom and I'd love him. "The Fools Who Dream" song, for another; that whole sequence, in fact. Sounds like my theme song! Sounds like I'm Mia's aunt, except for the whole Paris thing. Even better, though, I'm your aunt, and Emma Stone is merely a stand-in for you in that movie! I'll just go to Paris, and invite you!
The movie is clearly a revival of the old-time Hollywood musical. I easily recognized many parts of "An American in Paris" (which I saw with Mom too many times to recall, on TCM; it was a regular, so we never needed to own it) and just about every Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire movie in existence (all of which I saw more than once with Mom on TCM). The brilliant color is taken right out of just about every musical Gene Kelly ever made. Sadly, neither Emma Stone nor Ryan Gosling are very good singers or dancers. [Frankly, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were only passable actors, but Ginger Rogers was good; even more so, Leslie Caron.] That was mildly disturbing. But, I think I can forgive them that, since both are, clearly, well developed and flexible actors. It would have been nice, though, if great actors who were also stellar singers and dancers had been given the parts. Hollywood should spend more time checking out stage musical actors. I'm not sure why such people weren't sought out for roles like this. I really like those old musicals, too, so I was ready to be wowed by this reinterpretation ... but I wasn't. I loved how Chazelle worked in the day-dream sequences, how he introduced them, what he did with them. The final one when Mia and her husband were watching Sebastian in his club was lovely. That's right out of "An American in Paris", including the use of the road. He must have a thing for that movie. In fact, I'm surprised he didn't attempt to resurrect Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. To be fair, there was stuff from "Singin' in the Rain", too, specifically Gene Kelly's work. And, the dancing on stars and clouds? Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire.
Initial impressions of the story: Sad, sometimes sober, sometimes delightfully silly, sweet, sweet, sweet. The music? Aside from the "The Fools Who Dream", which I loved, okay. Definitely enjoyable. The production was made for the big screen, rather than the home screen, I think. My TV screen sometimes had trouble with the spotlighting techniques used. It seemed to me that there were places where the movie story went flat, but it never stayed that way and I'm willing to concede, upon a second viewing, that it may have just been me.
One more tiny, tiny thing about the movie: The end disappointed me. I don't usually have problems with movies in which initial relationships wither and evolve into others, like the branches of a tree. For some reason, though, and I'll have to reconfirm this with a second watching, Chazelle did not prep his audience well for it in this movie. It was, frankly, an unpleasant denouement to see Mia with a throw-away husband and kid, even as she was a famous actor. And the suggestion that Sebastian was alone in his personal life. Yes, I know, I saw the two something-or-others he was frying up in the pan before going to his nightclub, but, where was his throw-away wife and kid? Better yet, there never was a really good explanation for why Mia and Sebastian weren't married to each other with a kidlet, and an international acting career, and a successful night club. Not good story construction. Chazelle needs to work on crafting realistic, believable and successful love relationships.
Update 11/18/21: By the way, each mention of the name of this movie in this write-up is linked to a different review (including the last link, which is the Wikipedia write-up). This is such a famous movie and so many people are familiar with it, I thought it would be fun to scatter the availability of internet reviews throughout this write-up. I know, my sense of fun doesn't have much to recommend it, but it's mine and I enjoy it.
Update 6/4/22: Yet another movie made during the year I was born!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gene Kelly Jerry Mulligan Leslie Caron Lise Bouvier Oscar Levant Adam Cook Georges Guétary Henri Baurel Nina Foch Milo Roberts Eugene Borden Georges Mattieu John Eldredge Jack Jansen Anna Q. Nilsson Kay Jansen
An American in Paris [Wikipedia write-up attached] is breathtaking. I'm glad I own it.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Labels: birth-year, dance, dream1, fantasy1, film-art1, mom-favorite1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda2, romance1, spectacle1
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Flashdance
- Who's watched: Watched and bought this movie AMD
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I admit it. I'm a Flashdance junkie, just like millions (maybe billions, considering its stunning entry into the global cultural lexicon; if you doubt this, watch Caro diario; my library system used to have this film; it doesn't, anymore, I just checked). Yes, the story is dumb, yes it's pretty much badly acted, yes it's a pussy flick, but I don't care. I love the music/dance sequences. My favorite is the Maniac sequence. My second favorite is the Manhunt sequence: LOVE it when the dancer crawls across the floor! My third favorite is the one that features a reaction to television, Imagination. This is not to say that I don't like any of the other dance sequences. I found myself craving this film after my mother died, (much as I craved, with much personal embarrassment, the movie City of Angels) because I felt like I needed to feed off its energy. It worked, and still works. I guess, with City of Angels, I needed to feed off its grief process. Did my mother ever watch it? Possibly, during one of its infamous (but infrequent) television reruns, although I can't remember. Whether or not she saw it, would she have liked it? Absolutely, for exactly the same reasons I like it. I refuse to say any more on the grounds that it might incriminate both of us.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Beals Alexandra Owens Michael Nouri Nick Hurley Lilia Skala Hanna Long Sunny Johnson Jeanie Szabo Cyntha Rhodes Tina Tech Kyle T. Heffner Richie Blazek Lee Ving Johnny C Ron Karabatsos Jake Mawby
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Adrian Lyne.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, audio-visual, coming-of-age1, dance, me-favorite2, musical1, popcorn-and-soda2, pussy-flick, romance1
Friday, April 10, 2009
Singin' in the Rain
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I don't care why critics think it's a great movie...I just love it. Every single moment of it; especially the dancing and singing in the rain and the dance sequences with Reynolds, Kelly and O'Connor. LOVE watching O'Connor and Kelly together. They both looked like they just "[Had]'ta Dance"! Mom loved this movie, too. The only reason we didn't own it before last year is that it showed on TCM so much that it seemed as though we didn't need to own it...until I ran across a copy of it on the cheap and decided it was time. Also, I consider this movie film art because of the way dance was translated to the screen.
Roger Ebert, by the way, wrote twice about this movie, once in 1998 (the review linked to the title of this post) and again in 1999, for his "Great Movies" collection of reviews.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gene Kelly Donald Lockwood Debbie Reynolds Donald O'Connor Cosmo Brown Katy Selden Jean Hagen Lina Lamont Millard Mitchell R.F. Simpson Cyd Charisse Dancer Douglas Fowley Roscoe Dexter Rita Moreno Zelda Zanders
If you still feel the need for the Wikipedia article on this movie, it's here.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen.
Labels: comedy1, dance, debbie-reynolds, film-art1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I resisted placing this movie in our collection for some years, even though Mom insisted on watching it every time it came on TV and, I have to admit, I love the dancing, especially the "athletic" (as one critic called it) sequence involving the testosterone soaked brothers against suitors of the town vying for the affections of seven sprightly town maidens. Finally, winter before this last, I found it at Costco and brought it home for a weekend surprise. We watched the movie twice in a row, at Mom's request (and have watched it several times since). I was fascinated to discover that my mother's favorite dance sequence was the one done in the dead of winter while the seven brothers are chopping wood and bemoaning their singular (pun intended) fate. As she would watch that sequence, every time, she'd mention how much she liked it, her body would weave to the adagio accompaniment of the silken cowboy ballad and she'd swing her arm in an arc from her elbow each time an axe swung to a down beat. She loved the rest of the movie, as well, the Sabine Women sequence, in particular, and I loved watching her watch it. I will continue to love watching it and remembering the her high pleasure in the production.
Update 5/18/2022: By the way, here's a YouTube video by coldcrashpictures in which he talks with his mom (for a long time) about why she likes this movie. I loved listening to it! It took me back ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Howard Keel Adam Pontipee Jane Powell Milly Pontipee Jeff Richards Benjamin Pontipee Julie Newmar Dorcas Gaylen Matt Mattox Caleb Pontipee Ruta Lee Ruth Jepson Marc Platt Daniel Pontipee Norma Doggett Martha Jacques d'Amboise Ephraim Pontipee Virginia Gibson Liza Tommy Rall Frank Pontipee Betty Carr Sarah Kine Russ Tamblyn Gideon Pontipee Nancy Kilgas Alice Elcott Ian Wolfe Reverend Elcott Howard Petrie Pete Perkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Stanley Donen.
Labels: action1, dance, dramedy1, musical1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite, spectacle1
Friday, March 09, 2007
Fiddler on the Roof
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm not sure it's even necessary to talk about why my mother loves this movie. It has been easy for me to forget to purchase because there is something about Topol's performance that irritates me, but, I like everyone else's performances, love the dances, love the fiddler, love most of the songs, usually sing along to them when the movie plays...so, when it showed up on cable one day a month or so ago and Mom was so sure we owned it that she asked me to replay the dancing at the wedding party, I realized, oops, it's time to purchase it!
Update 8/2/21: Funny thing about this movie. Although I donated it to my local library branch quite a while ago, like, years ago, every time I run across it on television, I watch it, once per appearance on whatever channel. I continue to feel exactly the same way I wrote, above, but, I don't know, maybe it's the musical numbers, maybe it's that watching this movie brings my dead mother back into my living room ... I'm not sure. As long as my library has copies of this movie, though (and, it has several, it remains very popular and easily viewable), I'll not be replacing it in my collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chaim Topol Tevye Norma Crane Golda Rosalind Harris Tzeitel Michele Marsh Hodol Neva Small Chava Molly Picon Yente Paul Mann Lazar Leonard Frey Motel Kamzoil Paul Michael Glaser Perchik Raymond Lovelock Fyedka Elaine Edwards Shprintze Candy Bonstein Bielke
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Norman Jewison.
Labels: dance, drama7, musical1, period3, romance2
Funny Lady
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom like this one better than Funny Girl. I'm not sure which I like more. From my point of view, these two movies are completely different and this one almost doesn't, in my mind, qualify as a sequel to the first. Everything seems different about the Fanny Brice character Barbra Streisand plays in this one; so much so that her continued infatuation for Nicky Arnstein seems unbelievable. There are some splendid production numbers in this movie, Ben Vereen is incredible and James Caan is a huge surprise. We watched this on TCM during their "31 Days of Oscar" this year and Mom's eyes popped when she watched it. They're still popping...we've watched this movie a couple of times since I purchased it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Fanny Brice James Caan Billy Rose Omar Sharif Nick Arnstein Roddy McDowall Bobby Moore Ben Vereen Bert Robbins Carole Wells Norma Butler Larry Gates Bernard Baruch Eugene Troobnick Ned
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Herbert Ross.
Labels: barbra-streisand, biography1, dance, dramedy1, musical1, romance2
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Take the Lead
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is strictly a "Mom" movie. She saw a couple of ads on TV after the video was released and was mesmerized by the dance sequence used, in which Antonio Bandaras demonstrates what an impeccable dance relationship can be by doing a sizzling tango with a professional dancer. So, when I saw the movie for sale, I got it. Mom loves it, and, as is typical for her, she's especially fond of the dance class venue, a high school detention class full of unruly kids. I like watching some of the dance sequences but, for the most part, this is a forgettable dance movie for me, which is unusual because I usually love dance movies of all kinds. We'll keep it, though, as it speaks to Mom on a couple of levels. It has become one of those "Now, what?" movies, useful when I am having trouble keeping Mom from sneaking in for a nap.
Update 7/31/21: Almost needless to say, Mom's dead and I no longer have this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Antonio Banderas Pierre Dulaine Alfre Woodard Augustine James John Ortiz Joseph Temple Many Young Actors Playing Student Dancers
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Liz Friedlander.
Labels: dance, drama8, female-director2, mom-favorite1
Strictly Ballroom
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Both Mom and I could watch this movie every day for a year, then turn around and watch to celebrate the following New Year's Day. Plus, this video includes the full length docu-video about the Kendall's School of Dance, which inspired Baz Lurhmann to write this story. This documentary, alone, is worth the price of the video...and then, you get the main feature! What a treat!
Although Paul Mercurio is a professional dancer in real life, his acting is a bit stiff. This has a negligible effect, though, because Tara Morice is as liquid an actor as she is a dancer and the two are supported by a host of excellent Australian actors.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Mercurio Scott Hastings Tara Morice Fran Bill Hunter Barry Fife Pat Thomson Shirley Hastings Antonio Vargas Rico Armonia Benedito Ya Ya Barry Otto Doug Hastings Sonia Kruger Tina Sparkle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Baz Luhrmann.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, bill-hunter, dance, drama8, popcorn-and-soda4, romance2, satire2, shared-favorite
Monday, February 07, 2005
That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I supposedly got these for my mother. She haunts cable looking for replays of the That's Entertainment series. I have to admit, though, I really enjoy them. They are especially good for generating energy. My mother and I both sing along to them. Sometimes, I dance along to them, too. Just for your info, the 4th disc, "Treasures from the Vault", is repetitious and boring. Don't bother.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series. This write-up primarily covers the 1974 production. Links to the other two are attached to their respective release dates, below.
Release Date: 1974, 1976, 1994
Part One is directed by Jack Haley, Jr. Part Two is directed by Gene Kelly. Part Three is directed by Bud Friedgen and Michael Sheridan. No indication anywhere of who is responsible for direction on "Treasures from the Vault".
Labels: dance, documentary1, fred-astaire, historical4, mom-favorite2, musical2, popcorn-and-soda6
