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…
Category: Film
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…
“A Journey Into the Metaverse”: A Video on Multiple Realities and Identity
I'm simply blown away by "A Journey Into the Metaverse," a "mixed reality" video created by French filmmaker Tutsy Navarantha . He combines lush machinima footage shot in the virtual world of Second Life with equally surreal real life footage of India to create something completely new, unique and personal. I have been thinking about…
Director of “When Strangers Click” and “Food, Inc” on Second Life Talk Show February 6
Robert Kenner, director of the documentary "Food, Inc" and the forthcoming "When Strangers Click" is being interviewed on the Second Life talk show "Tonight with Paisley Beebe" on Sunday February 6 at 6pm PST. The short film explores how people are connecting with each other on the Internet, whether it be on a dating…
“Real Virtuality”: the Museum of the Moving Image Pixellates Reality with Mixed Results
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, is one of those New York cultural treasures that I've been hearing about for years and years and just never got around to visiting. First off, it's in Queens, which is still somewhat opaque and mysterious to me. Secondly, uh, it's been a busy 15 years. And…