Take the Lead.
DVD link on the left.
This movie is based on a true story about a dance teacher who started the program featured in the documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom". The plot is primitive and predictable. What I liked best about the plot is that dancing is viewed as an activity building trust and relationships. The tango number at 37 minutes into the movie is amazing. On the DVD they have a special feature allowing you to watch the tango scene from 4 different angles.
Mad Hot Ballroom.
DVD link on the left, download on the right.
This is a documentary about kids learning to dance. My friends who do not dance loved this movie - it is very inspiring. Do not see this movie if you are interested in dance steps. You might enjoy it if you like the atmosphere of dancing.
Strictly Ballroom.
DVD link on the left.
This is my favorite ballroom dance movie. Usually the story in a dance movie is very predictable and is not played well. In this movie the acting is exaggerated -- they do not act too seriously and as a result, the movie becomes fun to watch.
The story revolves around dance competitions, so you see a lot of good dancing, and the intrigue is interesting too.
Shall We Dance?
DVD link on the left.
This movie is a remake of a Japanese movie with the same title. The Japanese movie had a more convincing plot line. Actually the plot lines are similar, but they are dependent on the Japanese culture and the story looks strange in the US. In Japan it might make sense to be ashamed of your dancing -- in this country nobody is supposed to care. Also, a lot of sugar was added to the plot, or maybe corn syrup :-).
This movie has gems of its own. I love Paulina's explanation of how to dance the rumba in scene 9 at min 53-54. I also love the tango number, when Paulina teaches John to feel the dance in scene 11.
Shall We Dance?
DVD link on the left.
More subtle than the American version, more interesting, more believable, less flashy, better drama.
White Nights.
DVD link on the left.
This movie touches me on many levels. It is a story of the Soviet Era and it belongs to the past -- to my past. At the same time it has a lot of dancing: tap dancing by Gregory Hines and classical dancing by Mikhail Baryshnikov. This movie has my favorite dance number ever: Mikhail Baryshnikov dances to my favorite song of Vladimir Vysotsky, "Koni priveredlivye". This song provokes many emotions in me, and Mikhail was able to express them in the dance -- I still do not understand how this is possible.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
DVD link on the left.
I was bored with this movie. The dancing was too acrobatic for my taste. It was too clear that Sarah Jessica Parker wasn't doing the dancing. Besides, she looks too old.
Flamenco.
DVD link on the left.
I was dissappointed with this DVD as I expected more dancing. At the same time, there are not many flamenco movies around, so I am glad that I have this DVD.
I have to mention that they have a couple dancing on the DVD cover. In reality they do not dance together, which is kind of cheating. I hate cheaters.
One Last Dance.
DVD link on the left, download on the right.
The melodramatic part of the movie is too trivial and predictable. At the same time, this movie has a LOT of dancing: not ballroom dancing, but ballet dancing -- modern, interesting, beautiful and emotional. There are very many dancing scenes I loved. The one scene that caught my special attention is at 1 hour 15 minutes -- not very technical but extemely expressive; it was more like a conversation through movement.
Salsa.
DVD link on the left.
Cheesy, primitive plot. I like the not extremely trivial subplot of an older woman and a more experienced dancer trying to control Rico. She is too evil though.
Let me talk about the dancing in the movie. Rico moves beautifully throughout the whole movie -- it is a pleasure to watch. I like the foreplay mixed with salsa dancing in scene 5. I also like the salsa practice in scene 14 and the competition dancing in the last scene, scene 20.
Lambada.
DVD link on the left.
This is a terrible movie. Every quality a terrible movie is supposed to have this movie has: bad acting, boring plot, contradictions in the plot line, cheesyness.
I was extremely disappointed with the dancing in this movie. There are no interesting dancing scenes. Most of the dancing is filmed too close -- you can only see faces or legs. This way you can't see the dancing as a whole, and you can't learn new steps.