for the love of dance...
by kwblueyz | created - 03 Jun 2013 | updated - 04 Jun 2013 | PublicThese are not in order of preference...but in order of remembering...Some may be cheesy, some maybe old, some even maybe sad but they all share one thing...beautiful dancing.
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1. Flashdance (1983)
R | 95 min | Drama, Music, Romance
An 18-year-old female amateur dancer who performs nightly at a dancing bar, and works as a welder during the day, dreams of joining the Pittsburgh ballet school.
Director: Adrian Lyne | Stars: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson
Votes: 59,466 | Gross: $94.90M
All about the dream...and in fact more than one are involved in this movie. I saw it when I was just a girl, my mom had remembered the music video and we rented the movie...nudity involved, but the dancing is beautiful and the music is memorable.
2. One Last Dance (2003)
PG-13 | 101 min | Drama, Romance
In the wake of tragedy, a renowned NY dance company is on the brink of collapse. After leaving the dance world for good, Travis, Chrissa and Max have one last chance to re-connect with the passion and prove that miracles really can happen.
Director: Lisa Niemi | Stars: Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi, George De La Pena, Matthew Walker
Votes: 1,647
Having seen Dirty Dancing when I was way too young, I fell in love with Patrick Swazye. The boy who took karate classes so he could defend himself against bullies who thought he was a sissy for taking ballet...now gone. This film is written, directed and stars his wife Lisa Niemi. George De La Pena, Lisa and Patrick are old dancers who struggle with old wounds and the ailing of their bodies. Beautiful and moving especially with Patrick no longer dancing among the living.
3. StreetDance 3D (2010)
PG-13 | 98 min | Drama, Music, Romance
In order to win the Street Dance Championships, a dance crew is forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in exchange for rehearsal space.
Directors: Max Giwa, Dania Pasquini | Stars: Nichola Burley, Richard Winsor, Ukweli Roach, Frank Harper
Votes: 11,660
British and cheesy, but the soundtrack was fun. Loved the new mix of: tiny dancer. The final dance was good, I am a fan of ballet mixed up :]
4. Footloose (1984)
PG | 107 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.
Director: Herbert Ross | Stars: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest
Votes: 92,029 | Gross: $80.04M
Best scene...Kevin Bacon letting loose his anger through dance!
5. White Nights (1985)
PG-13 | 136 min | Drama, Music
A Russian American ballet dancer's airplane is forced to land in USSR, where he's "repatriated". He stays with an American man married to a Russian. Will the American help him flee USSR?
Director: Taylor Hackford | Stars: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Jerzy Skolimowski, Helen Mirren
Votes: 8,208 | Gross: $42.16M
Incredible ballet and tap! The story of two men and what they would do to be free. I first saw Mikhail Baryshnikov as the Nutcracker and wanted to see everything else he had done. Gregory Hines was in both the Muppets Take Manhattan and The Cotton Club...the latter was another amazing dancing film.
6. Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
PG | 117 min | Biography, Drama, Music
In Maoist China, a boy is taken from his family and trained to become a dancer, but everything he knows is challenged when he is chosen to attend a ballet summer school in Houston, Texas.
Director: Bruce Beresford | Stars: Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Penne Hackforth-Jones
Votes: 8,296 | Gross: $4.81M
It feels a bit like "White Nights" a story of freedom and the desire to chase it.
7. Dirty Dancing (I) (1987)
PG-13 | 100 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle.
Director: Emile Ardolino | Stars: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes
Votes: 256,102 | Gross: $0.62M
Who didn't fall in love with Johnny?! And who didn't want to be Baby rescued from that corner...
8. The Cotton Club (1984)
R | 129 min | Crime, Drama, Music
Meet the jazz musicians, dancers, owner, and guests (like gangster Dutch Schultz) of The Cotton Club in 1928-1930s Harlem.
Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane, Lonette McKee
Votes: 19,512 | Gross: $25.93M
Music, dance and drama of a 30's Harlem club. Racial tension and when mob bosses ruled the world. More of the many talents of Richard Gere revealed. Gregory Hines is amazing and smooth...
9. Center Stage (2000)
PG-13 | 115 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A group of teenagers from various backgrounds enroll at the American Ballet Academy in New York to make it as ballet dancers and each one deals with the problems and stress of training and getting ahead in the world of dance.
Director: Nicholas Hytner | Stars: Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel, Sascha Radetsky, Christine Dunham
Votes: 22,785 | Gross: $17.17M
The acting wasn't wonderful but again the love of a beautiful dance and the power of dreams is good to watch. Zoe Saldana is a dancer. Did you know?
10. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
PG-13 | 86 min | Drama, Music, Romance
High school senior Katey moves to Havana in November 1958, when her dad gets a promotion at Ford. She meets a local waiter, who introduces her to sensual Cuban music/dance. They enter a big dance contest for the prize when he gets fired.
Director: Guy Ferland | Stars: Diego Luna, Romola Garai, Sela Ward, John Slattery
Votes: 29,493 | Gross: $14.16M
Not as great as the original...i never fell in love with the boy, but the dancing and discovering of being good at something was beautiful to watch.
11. Black Swan (2010)
R | 108 min | Drama, Thriller
Nina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina's grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.
Director: Darren Aronofsky | Stars: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Votes: 823,765 | Gross: $106.95M
I have a huge love of Natalie Portman, but it increased with this film. She invested so much in herself to get back into ballet and it showed. I am not sure if it was all technically correct, but it was beautiful and amazing to watch. Word of warning to those faint of heart, this dance movie is probably not for you, but it is worth it.
12. Center Stage: Turn It Up (2008)
PG-13 | 95 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A self-trained dancer from the streets of Detroit finds her way after auditioning for the most prestigious ballet academy in New York.
Director: Steven Jacobson | Stars: Kenny Wormald, Rachele Brooke Smith, Sarah Jayne Jensen, Nicole Muñoz
Votes: 6,376
There were some fun scenes and the dancing in the glass slipper is one of my favorite. Again...acting wasn't amazing but the dancing always gets me through.
13. Burlesque (II) (2010)
90 min | Drama
Frank Bannister is about to have a very long night. The writer of violent horror stories, Frank, is alone, depressed and one step from full blown alcoholism. Late one dark and stormy night ... See full summary »
Director: Dominic Deacon | Stars: Haydn Evans, Christina Hallett, Poppy Cherry, Virginia Bowers
Votes: 74
To see superstars act...hmmm maybe not great but good enough, especially when they sing and dance! "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" sung by Cher is a beautiful song although it seems a little odd in it's placement in the film. There are too many amazing dance numbers to name all...if you haven't seen it, you really are missing out.
14. Billy Elliot (2000)
R | 110 min | Drama, Music
A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.
Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
Votes: 142,516 | Gross: $22.00M
I have yet to make it through this one without tearing up. The dancing and story are amazing, this one is a blend of great acting and amazing dance.
15. Easter Parade (1948)
G | 103 min | Musical, Romance
A nightclub performer hires a naive chorus girl to become his new dance partner to make his former partner jealous and to prove he can make any partner a star.
Director: Charles Walters | Stars: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, Ann Miller
Votes: 11,068 | Gross: $9.03M
I watch this for the music of Judy Garland and the dancing of Anne Miller. Shakin' the Blues Away is a fantastic tap by Anne, the legs the smile the moves...beautiful.
16. The Company (2003)
PG-13 | 112 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A young ballet dancer is poised to become the principal performer in a group of ballet dancers.
Director: Robert Altman | Stars: Neve Campbell, James Franco, Malcolm McDowell, Barbara E. Robertson
Votes: 6,842 | Gross: $2.28M
A look at the life a dancer leads, when an injury maybe the end of your world, but not the end of the dance.
17. Chicago (2002)
PG-13 | 113 min | Comedy, Crime, Musical
Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.
Director: Rob Marshall | Stars: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Taye Diggs
Votes: 243,179 | Gross: $170.69M
Cathrine Zeta-Jones, preggers and dancing her ass off!!! She is amazing in this movie. The shock for me was once again seeing another talent of Richard Gere in his tap solo...amazing! Renée Zellweger did a great job too, but I was drawn completely to the other stars...
18. Honey (2003)
PG-13 | 94 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Honey is a sexy, tough music video choreographer who shakes up her life after her mentor gives her an ultimatum: sleep with him or be blacklisted within their industry.
Director: Bille Woodruff | Stars: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Romeo Miller, Missy Elliott
Votes: 47,417 | Gross: $30.31M
the first one only!!!! (I watched Honey 2 and that one couldn't pull me through the acting...I fast forward and just watched the dancing.) But this movie, I did enjoy. The integration of the littles was super cute too.
19. Kiss Me Kate (1953)
Approved | 109 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
An ex-husband and wife team star in a musical version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'; off-stage, the production is troublesome with ex-lovers' quarrels and two gangsters looking for some money owed to them.
Director: George Sidney | Stars: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn
Votes: 6,791 | Gross: $4.38M
Too Darn Hot...oh my word another amazing tap by Anne Miller!!! "From this Moment On" had 3 great and different feels as each couple performs...Tommy Rall as Bill Calhoun / 'Lucentio' was fabulous! This one is one I watch at least twice a year :)
20. Love N' Dancing (2009)
PG-13 | 91 min | Drama, Romance
2002: Jake Mitchell is the defending World West Coast Swing Champion. He's got everything going for him: looks, personality, and style. He's at the top of his game when he and his partner ... See full summary »
Director: Robert Iscove | Stars: Nicola Royston, Brandi Tobias, Brian Lucero, Tom Malloy
Votes: 1,929
21. Take the Lead (2006)
PG-13 | 118 min | Drama, Music
A dance teacher offers to conduct detention for a group of misfit students by teaching them ballroom dancing. He overcomes their insecurities and prejudices, to enter them in a dance competition.
Director: Liz Friedlander | Stars: Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Alfre Woodard
Votes: 26,648 | Gross: $34.74M
22. Evita (1996)
PG | 135 min | Biography, Drama, History
The hit musical based on the life of Eva Perón (Evita Duarte), a B-picture Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president Juan Domingo Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.
Director: Alan Parker | Stars: Madonna, Jonathan Pryce, Antonio Banderas, Jimmy Nail
Votes: 37,552 | Gross: $50.05M
Antonio and Madonna's dance..."A Waltz for Eva and Che" was just beautiful!
23. Royal Wedding (1951)
Not Rated | 93 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A brother and sister dance act encounter challenges and romance when booked in London during the Royal Wedding.
Director: Stanley Donen | Stars: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill
Votes: 6,098
Wonder where Glee got the idea? It is straight out of this movie...the original ceiling dance!
24. The Little Colonel (1935)
Approved | 81 min | Comedy, Family, Musical
In the post-Civil war south, a darling little girl attempts to restore the peace between her parents and her plantation owner grandfather.
Director: David Butler | Stars: Shirley Temple, Lionel Barrymore, Evelyn Venable, John Lodge
Votes: 1,882
A very little Shirley Temple making her way up to bed. She doesn't want to go to bed and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson finally gets her up the stairs by teaching her a dance. Love it!
25. Stick It (2006)
PG-13 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport
After a run-in with the law, Haley is forced to return to the world from which she fled years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman, Haley's rebellious attitude slowly gives way to a team spirit.
Director: Jessica Bendinger | Stars: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Bridges, Vanessa Lengies, Nikki SooHoo
Votes: 30,409 | Gross: $26.87M
For the love of gymnastics!!!!! And the acting isn't too bad in this one. The mockery of judged events, so the girls choose the best to perform and win. Love the tricks!
26. Step Up (2006)
PG-13 | 104 min | Crime, Drama, Music
Tyler Gage receives the opportunity of a lifetime after vandalizing a performing arts school, gaining him the chance to earn a scholarship and dance with an up and coming dancer, Nora.
Director: Anne Fletcher | Stars: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff, De'Shawn Washington
Votes: 126,729 | Gross: $65.33M
The first is best. cute boys and beautiful moves. i loved the blending of techniques in this film. So you know what will happen, but it is still worth watching :)
27. Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)
PG-13 | 98 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Romantic sparks occur between two dance students from different backgrounds at the Maryland School of the Arts.
Director: Jon M. Chu | Stars: Robert Hoffman, Briana Evigan, Cassie Ventura, Adam Sevani
Votes: 90,976 | Gross: $58.02M
The characters are fun and the dancing is ok...It was cool to have the rain scene just for the sake of watching cool dance number but everything felt very very staged.
28. Step Up 3D (2010)
PG-13 | 107 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A tight-knit group of New York City street dancers find themselves pitted against the world's best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown.
Director: Jon M. Chu | Stars: Sharni Vinson, Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani, Alyson Stoner
Votes: 60,213 | Gross: $42.40M
Moose & Camille Dance was the best of the film! The water dance in this one was pretty cool too.
29. Step Up Revolution (2012)
PG-13 | 99 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Emily arrives in Miami with aspirations to become a professional dancer. She sparks with Sean, the leader of a dance crew whose neighborhood is threatened by Emily's father's development plans.
Director: Scott Speer | Stars: Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Cleopatra Coleman, Misha Gabriel Hamilton
Votes: 58,150 | Gross: $35.07M
I loved the living art dance scene! It mde the movie for me although there are many, many memorable flash mob dances....the suit scene, the restaurant and of course the ending with every dancer you have seen of late...so you think you can dance contestants, LXD dancers...and more!
30. White Christmas (1954)
Not Rated | 120 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
Director: Michael Curtiz | Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen
Votes: 51,108 | Gross: $30.00M
My favorite dance was "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" (Kaye with Vera-Ellen) and favorite song was, "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" (Clooney). There are many other great dances done by Vera-Ellen...she really was an amazing dancer in her day!
31. Make It Happen (2008)
PG-13 | 90 min | Drama, Musical
Embarking on a journey to fulfill her dreams as a dancer, a young girl discovers a new style of dance that will prove to be the source of both conflict and self-discovery.
Director: Darren Grant | Stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Tessa Thompson, Riley Smith, John Reardon
Votes: 6,490
just another girl with a dream...she starts working in burlesque til she can get into school...it has some great dances!
32. Save the Last Dance (2001)
PG-13 | 112 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A white midwestern girl moves to Chicago, where her new boyfriend is a black teen from the South Side with a rough, semi-criminal past.
Director: Thomas Carter | Stars: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr
Votes: 65,935 | Gross: $91.06M
One of the first of the new era of dance...the introduction of ballet to hip-hop. There were fun moments, the acting was better and the dancing was good too.
33. Save the Last Dance 2 (2006 Video)
PG-13 | 90 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Sara joins Julliard to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a Prima ballerina, but she soon falls in love with hip-hop and a young composer - both of whom challenge her ambitions.
Director: David Petrarca | Stars: Izabella Miko, Columbus Short, Jacqueline Bisset, Maria Brooks
Votes: 5,392
Worth the sound of ice breaking apart and the final dance...again the blend of ballet and hip-hop, but the music added and extra bump up for me. It was worth seeing.
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