On Saturday, I had the pleasure of sitting in a packed auditorium at the Jewish Center of San Francisco to watch a lovingly curated showing of vintage clips of jazz dance on film from the 1930s to the 1950s. Called the "Giants of Jazz on Film," this is a popular series of film clip showings…
Category: Film
Movies You Must See in the Theaters: “Pina” and “The Artist”
There are dozens of movies in the theaters right now that I'm dying to see. Most of the Oscar-nominees and some popcorn flicks. But I can wait for all of these to come to DVD / streaming if I have to. Except for two: "The Artist" and "Pina." "The Artist" is the most original film…
Step Up 4: Sadly Not in “4D” or Called “Step Up 4Eva”
I just watched this trailer thingee for the inevitable "Step Up 4" coming out this August. Some things to be concerned about: This is the 4th installment of this street dance series, and not once has a person of color been the star. Seriously, WTF? First time director Scott Speer. Long intro featuring shots of Miami,…
Documentaries on Frankie Manning & Dawn Hampton Airing Near You!
In case you have not had a chance to watch the two excellent documentaries about legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning and the Hampton family band, they may be airing soon on a PBS station near you. The director Julie Cohen (via Cynthia Millman) sent around the following information about air dates around the United States. Check your…
Joseph Gordon Levitt’s homage to Donald O’Conner: “Make ’em Laugh!”
Not long ago, Joseph Gordon Levitt on Saturday Night Live did an admirable homage to the great dancer / performer Donald O'Conner. Of course O'Conner's "Make em Laugh!" is revered as one of the finest comic dance performances ever captured on film. I really liked the JGL version though, particularly the awesome stunt at the end….
New Chick Webb Documentary Needs Funds!
My friend Judy Prichett shared with me this appeal for funding for a new documentary about legendary band leader Chick Webb: There is a fantastic new documentary about to be released: "The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America". It tells the important story of the birth of swing dancing at…
“Freak Dance” : A dance movie parody I might actually see (video)
I'm not a big dance movie parody fan. But I have to admit, I laugh every time I watch this trailer for "Freak Dance." The Upright Citizens Brigade know how to bring the funny. Oh and it looks like Quest Crew makes an appearance. So it can't be that bad. I'll at least watch it…
“Planet B-Boy” Playing FREE on Hulu! (video)
"Planet B-Boy" is for many the best b-boying film ever made, and in my opinion one of the best dance movies ever, period. Directed by Benson Lee, "Planet B-Boy" (2007) is now streaming for FREE on Hulu.com. From the opening montage to the epic final battle at the end between two outstanding crews, "Planet B-Boy" is…
Step Up 2 the Streets: Dance Review, Not a Movie Review
I finally got around to seeing "Step Up 2 The Streets," (2008) the "sequel" to "Step Up" (2006) which bears almost no connection whatsoever to the original movie. I can't remember why I didn't see it in the theaters. I think the title was just so stupid I couldn't stand it. Or I liked…
The Fall (2006): A Lush Tale about the Power of Storytelling
This weekend I saw "The Fall" (2006) directed by Tarsem Singh. While I am sure it is not everyone's cup of tea, I thought it was fantastic. I'm a sucker for lush fantasy tales that are beautifully shot and told sincerely and simply (ala "Dark Crystal," "Like Water for Chocolate"). "The Fall" interweaves two different…