Ever wondered what a dancer might recommend as the best dance movies? The below list includes my five most often rewatched, four classics, and six personal favorites:
1. Shall We Dance (Japan, 1997 - because this is the movie that sent me to a ballroom studio. I saw it three weekends in a row and a local studio had left flyers in the theater lobby)
2. Strictly Ballroom (because it's effing hilarious, especially if you've ever done ballroom competition)
3. Dirty Dancing (because I've seen it close to 20x, have owned it in every edition, and will never stop appreciating its realistic yet aspirational story)
4. Dance With Me (because Chayanne is effing gorgeous, we can play spot-the-dancer-we-know, and it's emotionally satisfying)
5. Shall We Dance (US, the one with Richard Gere - because it's a solid remake, well cast, watchable, and us lazy Americans don't have to deal with subtitles)
C1. Top Hat (Astaire & Rogers, featuring 'Cheek to Cheek')
C2. Singin' in the Rain
C3. Silk Stockings
C4. The Bandwagon (for 'Dancing in the Dark' if for no other reason)
P1. Mad Hot Ballroom (documentary)
P2. Hot to Trot (documentary)
P3. Burlesque (come on, it's Cher + Stanley Tucci + a really bitching soundtrack)
P4. Take the Lead (Antonio Banderas!)
P5. The Tango Lesson
P6. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Disney, starring Paolo Montalban, Brandy, et al., because Filipino romantic lead, most beautiful ball, funny, etc)
There are more, of course - I could easily make a list twice this long - but this should get you through the end of the year. Happy viewing!
