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Dixie (1943)
Dixie
In the movie Dixie (1943), it was apparent that at this civil war time entertainment there were different styles of dance emerging. During this time it became a popular diversion to spend evenings at a minstrel theater. Straying away from the traditional opera or ballet, minstrels offered a new sense of entertainment which promoted the class system. Fortunately our society today is accepting African Americans and prejudices are less prevalent. Subsequent to professional minstrelsy's decline in th 20th century, its appeal continued in the south. Though Minstrels proposed stereotypes, some good did result from this type of entertainment. These shows presented black performers the opportunity to build a foundation which later helped many of them to emerge as successful entertainers.
Minstrel shows exposed a wide selection of audiences to this unique type of entertainment. With its combination of eccentric dancing and diverse music, people enjoyed the allure of the entertainment. Closely similar to tap dancing, it boasted innovative and bizarre movements' pairs wit flamboyant eye-catching costumes.
This type of amusement contributed to later types of dancing and entertainment. As a big benchmark in the industry, without minstrels played a role in what dancing has evolved into presently. Without minstrels, who knows if the great such as Dizzy Gillespie, W.C Handy, and Bert Williams, would have been as successful as they were.
Stormy Weather (1943)
Stormy Weather
The Film Stormy Weather (1943) makes it clear that the Hollywood movie making industry was headed toward a new era. During that era colored people were more recognized in the industry than white people. The roles of the white people was to play parts of the colored people such as; slaves, butlers and servants. In this film it shows how people acted back in the days, and how they made the industry successful.
In this Film it truly showed the breakthrough of African Americans in entertainment and paved the way for how successful many have presently become. Specifically in this movie, it told the story of how a man of color worked his way literally from the bottom up. It began with Bill Williamson who came home from war in France, and was working in a basement restaurant when fate stepped in and reunited him with his love interest. It was because of Selina that he was working in the city hoping to step foot into the dancing business. When she recognized him, she insisted to the show's producer that he be pit in the show. This was Bill's break that got him out of a basement restaurant to the "top" of a tree in production. This is where Bill made the most of this opportunity and showed off his abilities but in turn got him fired from the show. However, that was all he needed and he was on his way to stardom. In the scene when Bill was going up the stairs and going down the stairs symbolizes how he moved in the rhythms and the drums.
Twentieth Century Fox really broke the mold with this movie in response to FDR's urging. It finally gave actors of color the chance to show off their tremendous talent also allowing them to have more of an equal role in society. Although there still were laws restricting the interaction between whites and blacks in films, it certainly brought them out the repetitive demeaning roles of slaves and servants. It was thrilling to be able to see the talent actors and all the skills offered through their dancing and singing abilities. All of the dance numbers and costumes really represented the time period. The way the dancers moved were both creative and unique, especially indisputably impressive Nicholas Brothers.
One Last Dance (2003)
One Last Dance
After viewing most the film One Last Dance, many psychological comparisons were evident. Not only did this movie portray beautiful dancing and a deep message, there were connections that were closely related psychological processes. The correlations included the ego, characters experiencing self doubt, mid life crisis', and injury.
A specific dance sequence in this film that contained all the psychological aspects was in the beginning of the film. When the main character is dancing in the dark dance studio room and he is haunted by various images of experiences he went through. He first starts out moving gracefully to the music running through all the moves in his mind as a dead tree branch lies across the floor. This to me represents the trio's choreographer who passed away before the show was ever performed. The room s also especially dark which expresses to me the emotion being portrayed as morbid because of the death. Sheets are also shown blowing in the wind which suggests being the presence of a spirit or ghost haunting him as he recalls the strict demeanor and suffering the dancers went through under his direction. A final example I recall from the film is when he falls during this scene. To me that represented when the women I the trio fell, and also implied to difficulty and previous failure of the project.
After seeing most of this movie, it was really amazing to me the numerous psychological associations it contained. Not only was it a beautiful dance story, there was deeper underlying meaning to it. This film wasn't just a typical dance movie that was uplifting and jovial, but instead demonstrated real life struggles and perseverance.
Shall We Dance? (2004)
Shall We Dance
After watching the movie Shall We Dance, I could say its fair enough to compare it to Billy Elliot in the sense that John and Billy were both afraid to tell people they were taking dance lessons. This movie was considered to be a romantic comedy where a bored, overworked Estate Lawyer, upon first sight of a beautiful instructor, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons.
The main character John Clark seems to be having a great relationship with his wife. But he feels like he can not tell his wife about him taking lessons. The reasoning behind this is unclear, but it seems like he will cheat on his wife with the dance instructor. Of course after watching the movie you see he doesn't commit such an act. In the scene where he travels home everyday on the train and passes the dance studio is very affective. We are uncertain if he will follow through and end up taking the lessons.
When John finally starts dance lessons he really isn't that great. He hides it from everyone at home and work. His family starts to see strange behaviors in him, such as peeking in on him in his room and he is dancing around by himself. They are curious to know what he has been up to; his wife goes on and hires a private investigator to see if he is cheating on her. He then follows John and sees he goes to dance classes.
The best scene in the movie is when John has to perform in the dance competition. He realizes he is really good at something and debates sharing it with his family. When his wife and daughter found out, they went to his dance competition. He messed up when he saw them and his daughter yelled "yeah dad." His family then walked out on him and his performance. From that moment he decided he didn't want to dance anymore. His wife wouldn't let him do that because she saw how good he was.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing
We all have different believes, some on their religion and some on their personal contributions and their own opinions. The movie Dirty Dancing, directed by Emile Ardolino in 1987, shows how everyone had their morals and depending on the viewers point of view it showed their outstanding beliefs.
One of the main characters Penny Johnson, becomes pregnant with one of the employees baby. This has a point if about sex before marriage and if it is right or wrong. Some might argue, specially the strong beliefs on sex before marriage, which their actions that are taken are definitely wrong. Others might believe it is a common thing around young people and that it might not be so bad, going against what others believe. Penny took only one option and she got an abortion. Abortion today some will argue that it is wrong and that it is against the catholic church. Others might argue that it is the choice of the mother, and she has the right to do what ever she wants with her body. This is a very issue that today people debate about.
Also, another controversy is the dancing in the movie. The young people on the movie dance in a private house of the club, and as you know it is prohibited dancing like that. So all teen dance "dirty" in most of the movie. The dancing is very passionate and they dance very close to each other, and there is also a lot of touching and groping.
Dirty Dancing is an amazing movie that shows how to young people fall in love, when they both decide to perform in an audience. They fall in love when they practice for the performance. To the viewers this movie might seem controversial, because of the "dirty" dancing that the young people perform. The controversy doesn't take about the fun that the love that the kids have the movie.
Honey (2003)
Honey
People dream today of things they wish they had or one day will have. In order for you to have what you want in life you must pursue it by working hard for it in order for one to achieve it. In the movie Honey, a movie about a girl who wants to achieve her dream of becoming a professional dancer. The movie was directed Bille Woodruff, the main character Honey Daniels is a hip pop dancer in New York East Harlem who dreams of making it big as a music video choreographer. All of her dreams became true because of her hard work.
Honey teaches hip hop dancing class at a local youth center. It's a free class and she encourages and invites local kids to attend. She want these kids to get involved with her classes so she can help to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. A famous music video director, named Michael, soon spotted Honey, after she was done working as a bartender at a local nightclub. He saw her potential and her talent, so he asked her so she can work for him.
Honey was having her dreams becoming true, and her name was everywhere. Also, a lot of famous artists requested her to be the choreographer for their videos. However, Michael crossed the line when he took her to a black and white party. Honey refused to do anything with Michael, so Michael fired her and started to trying to sabotage her career by blackballing her. Honey later on wanted to try to raise money to open up a studio for her own dance class. So she needed help to get a dance floor to make the performance in there. She ends up becoming happy and getting what she wants and what makes her happy. This movie was like a fairytale.
As you can see the movie ended up being like a fairytale. Honey had her dreams and accomplishments, thanks to her friends and the neighborhood. At the end she regain what they once had despite what the antagonist was planning.
Billy Elliot (2000)
Billy Elliot
After seeing Billy Elliot it was very obvious people who not accept the fact of a boy wanting to dance. It is hard to hide things from your parents and family, especially when it's not something illegal or wrong. It upset me to see someone really enjoy doing something but not be able to tell anyone about it. He worked hard with his teacher to be good. One scene I recall the most was when his father found out and then his brother did as well and Tony wanted to beat him up for dancing. I think he was afraid that if anyone found out his brother enjoyed dancing people would look at him differently and ruin his reputation as well. He would think that people would think he was "gay". Julie Walters played a great character Mrs. Wilkison. She agreed with Billy wanting to dance and she was good about hiding it from his family. But everyone had a break point; Mrs. Wilkison couldn't let such good talent go to waste. She approached Billy's father about it and told him how he was a great dancer. He then told her to stay away from him and he could no longer dance. That didn't stop the two. They kept practicing, even harder then before. The best scene in the movie was Christmas night, Billy took his friend to he place that he dances at. In this scene Billy's father and the owner of that gym walked in on him dancing for his friend. At first we get the impression that he is going to be mad at Billy. Later we find he turns his way of thinking and supports Billy and him wanting to dance. At the end of the movie we see Billy in a dance recital and his brother and father watching him proudly. It takes a lot for outsiders to think he wasn't gay. But it all comes down to the people that matters don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.
Footloose (1984)
FootLoose
The movie Footloose is a movie about teenagers who try to live their normal lives in a small town, however there is one thing, the minister who passed a law saying that you can not dance, or hear music in public or hear music at any time. He passed that law because of an accident that happen years ago, and his son got killed, because of drunk driving. However, Ren who comes from Chicago to live in that small town in the west tries to change the law. He also falls for the minister's daughter.
Ren who is very passionate about is music and dancing, wants to change the rules in the new town where he moved in. When he get's angry he takes his anger out on dancing, his dancing becomes very intense. The love for music and dancing, brings the teenagers together after wards. Although it took hard work for Rent to fit in with everyone else, he got the teenagers attention to change everything. Ariel, the minister's daughter who is a rebel and has a boyfriend who does not go threw the rules also is a very jealous boyfriend. Ariel, also loves music and likes to dance, and really doesn't follow her father's rules. She automatically falls for Ren, and tries to seduce him. At the end they both end up being together. Ren tries to go against the town, and protests and gets a meeting with the whole town. He makes his points about having the freedom of dancing and playing music. At the end the minister changes his mind, and makes them have the dance for prom. I think this is a good movie to watch, to show how people have their own opinions, and how to solve problems.
In conclusion , everyone in the town was finally happy to have music and dancing back, because that was just part of their everyday lives that they didn't have for a while. I think Ren who is a very brave young man, stood up for everyone else from his age, against the town. This was a great movie to watch, and I sure recommend others to watch it too.
All That Jazz (1979)
All That Jazz
All That Jazz A choreographer has a very important job. They are the instructors of all of the dancers within a certain performance or performances. Choreographers are usually dancers themselves, and are inspired by what they see around them and use what they have learned and seen within the dances they makeup for the dancers they are choreographing for. Within the dramatic fantasy musical, All That Jazz, directed by Bob Fosse in 1979, the main character, Joe Gideon is a dancer and choreographer who is struggling to hold onto reality. Joe Gideon is a career-driven, hard drinking, smoking, womanizing director/choreographer who is alive when he is on the stage. When he isn't on stage he doesn't know how to deal with his life and lies so much to others that he doesn't know where the lies begin and end. He has to deal with his ex-wife his daughter, Michelle, and his girlfriend. Because of Joe's speed addiction, (the pills he always pops) smoking, and career addiction Joe finds little time to be with his daughter. There is one particular scene where he is with her and she asked him to remarry and give her a little brother. But Joe has no intention to remarry and is too busy trying to stage a new Broadway musical and put the finishing touches on a movie he directed and the stress of all this work puts him over the edge. He has already suffered from a heart attack and is now having a lot of health problems. His left arm begins to stiffen and hurt, and this shows throughout the movie by him holding it and trying to stretch it. Joe Gideon is an amazing choreographer who is having difficulty holding onto reality and is slowly dying. He is eventually put into the hospital because of his bad health and he doesn't take it seriously.
Finally he comes to the point where he doesn't want to die and he tells the angel of death that he sees that he isn't ready to die yet. After massive amounts of surgery Joe finally realizes that he is going to die, and he accepts it. Within the last scene of the movie Joe sings "Bye-Bye Love," within this song he gets to say goodbye to all of his loved ones and friends. Obviously he is not really doing this and its inside his head, but that is what is able to get him to let go of his life and pass on.