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Dance Movies Are Campy, Fun, And Inspiring.

Ranked #19,406 in Entertainment, #235,915 overall

Why do we love dancing movies?

Dancing movies inspire us. Sure, some are the epithom of campy, but they make us want to get up and move our bodies, feel the passion of dancing, run away with the dance instructor... oh, uh, ahem, ((cough)), sorry, got a little carried away there.

As I was saying... most dance movies follow a somewhat generic plot line, this being secondary to the visual candy of the dancers. After all, that's why we watch, isn't it? To forget our woes and loose ourselves in a magical world.

The human body is a work of art, that's undeniable, and dancers are particularly adept in reminding us of that.

Dance can be about romance, passion, fire, desire, longing, bittersweetness, sorrow, you name it. In any format, it remains a celebration of what it is to be human.

Magical and beautiful, two people moving in unison before our eyes, we watch, mesmerized, lost... Our own body electrified by it, we want nothing more than to join in with them.

In this lens I feature a selection of the ones I have personally enjoyed and invite you to add your favorites as well.

***please note: I realized making this lens that there are really two distinctions for dance movies; 1-the characters are dancing as part of the story line, and 2-the musical/dancing movie...

This lens was intended for the former. A second lens will be made for the later. Stay tuned.

Shall We Dance?

a much deserving classic

This is the inspiration for the Richard Gere Hollywood remake of the same title, and much deserving of attention as the dignified original.

Starring: Koji Yakusho, Tamiyo Kusakari, Tamako Tamura, Naoto Takenaka, Eriko Watanabe
Director: Masayuki Suo
1996, Japanse
Shall We Dance? (1996)

Shall We Dance? (1996)

Amazon Price: $14.50 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

An office worker rides the train to and fro from work each day. His life is drudgery, routine and void.
One evening he catches a glimpse of a dance instructor at her window. Soon he gets up enough nerve to walk in and sign up for dance instructions... only he ends up with another teacher.
What follows is a funny, tender testimonial to the repressed life of Japanese men, who's culture forbides displays of emotions of any kind, and the joy this man discovers for dance. Off course, his family doesn't understand and is concerned for his well being at first. In the end all characters come out with a renewed connection to the need for passion in their lives.

Highly Recommended

What Shall We Watch Tonight, Honey?

Do you find your hand gravitating towards that dancing DVD at the rental store, to the dismay of your partner?
Or are you more inclined to go run for the Action section? Tell us here.

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Ah Yes, Dirty Dancing

who could forget?

This is the one that started it all for me. I saw Dirty Dancing for the first time while barely in high school, and it seemed borderline riske then... my, my, how times change.

Starring:Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes
Director:Emile Ardolino
Dirty Dancing (Collector's Edition)

Dirty Dancing (Collector's Edition)

Amazon Price: $1.72 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Admitedly, I am not a big fan of Patrick Swayze and never found him particularly handsome... but, here at least, he is just right for the role; part charming, part bad boy, he has just enough of that attraction factor fathers in particular dread when it comes to their daughters.

Let's Dance

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Richard Gere, Leading Man

Shall We Dance




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Chicago




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The Stanby Campy Classics

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In Your Humble Opinion...

Tell us which movie is the absolute Best of the Best and should not be missed, or the Worst of the Worst to be banned to oblivion, and why.

What are your recommendations for the Best and Worst films?

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Thumbs UP -must see.

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

Strictly Ballroom is not to be missed.

And then there is Moulin Rouge, or is that a musical?

dc64 says:

I still love Footloose after all these years!

Thumbs DOWN -don't bother.

 

It's All Tango

Antonio Banderas

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Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez

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What's Your Favorite? Add It Here

... and remember to vote for it.

In this section I invite you to add your most favorite dance movie.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down
Shall We Dance?

Shall We Dance?

Here's the irresistible comedy treat that had crit more...1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down
Strictly Ballroom

Strictly Ballroom

From Baz Lurhrmann -- the director of the award-wi more...1 point

3

Vote Up
Vote Down
Mad Hot Ballroom

Mad Hot Ballroom

BALLROOM DANCING GOES FROM LAME TO COOL FOR A GROU more...1 point

4

Vote Up
Vote Down
Shall We Dance? (Widescreen Edition)

Shall We Dance? (Widescreen Edition)

Golden Globe winner Richard Gere (Best Actor In A more...0 points

5

Vote Up
Vote Down
Stomp the Yard (Widescreen Edition)

Stomp the Yard (Widescreen Edition)

After the death of his younger brother a troubled more...0 points

6

Vote Up
Vote Down
Save the Last Dance (Special Collector's Edition)

Save the Last Dance (Special Collector's Edition)

Sara (Julia Stiles) wants to be a ballerina, but h more...0 points

7

Vote Up
Vote Down
Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain

No one even bothers to argue about it any more--by more...0 points

Dancing with CafePress

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Other Dance Moments

There are equally wonderful and/or romantic dance moments in movies not revolving around the dance theme per se. Enjoy these presented here.
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Which Will It Be?

Which will it be?

To the Left, the Nay-sayers, to the Right, the Yays have it.

Choose your sides, state your views, take part in the debate.

Tell us if you like/dislike Dance movies, and why.

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Nah, no thanks, really. Call me when it's over.

Who's watching with me? Come on, it's about to start!

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

And Don't miss Mad Hot Ballroom! A docu, those kids are to die for!

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

Shall we dance was originally a Japanese movie and I think the story was more interesting there because of the cultural issues.

 

Any Dancing Goodies On eBay?

tag: dance

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Thanks for visiting

What did you think? Did you find your favorite dance movie moment? If not, I hope you added it to the mix.

Thanks for dropping by. Now go put on the music and dance!

  • Margo_Arrowsmith Jun 30, 2009 @ 7:08 pm | delete
    Great 5* lens!
  • missthrifty May 8, 2009 @ 7:04 am | delete
    I loved this lens. Dirty Dancing has to be one of my all time favourites
  • dc64 Feb 2, 2009 @ 1:53 pm | delete
    I've heard how good Dancing in the Rain is, but have yet to see it. One day I will.
  • Dec 28, 2008 @ 7:29 pm | delete
    Yes, those old Astaire/Rodgers movies are some of my favorites.
  • d-artist Dec 3, 2008 @ 9:06 am | delete
    "Dancing in the Rain" is my favorite dance movie...I love dance movies, I love dancing...5*
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The Last Dance




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