Given the title, I want to stay in the theme and use my final blog post to share some of my “Hall of Fame” dance movies. These movies are so fun old and new, and I continue to enjoy them no matter the age. They are for everyone and some of the biggest staples of their time. Some you may already know, and others you might not be familiar with. However, it’s safe to say that if you like one of these, the chances of you liking them all are incredibly high. In my opinion, most of these films are ones that all age groups can enjoy, and this is very special because it allows people, young and old, to connect with these films.
The following format of my last post, however a little different. I will share some details about one of my top and most special films to me in this category, but that isn’t to say that I don’t love every single one of these movies and probably know, if not at all, pretty close to all the words to these films. Also, I want to share that many other films include dancing, but I don’t exactly put them in this category because they are more based on singing than dancing, and while some of these include singing, they also focus on dancing. Again, as in the previous post, I will have an honorable mention list. Keep in mind they are not ranked at all and are randomly listed.
My introduction to this category started when I was a little girl in a room we called the “Cave,” which was part of my brother’s. Remember that this is essential background information to understand how I was introduced to my first film in this category, which is also one of my favorites. The cave was a small area with an arched entrance that you crawled to enter, almost like a secret room. In the cave, there was a rug and two colossal bean bag chairs. One was Sully, and the other was Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. There was also a table stand that had a VCR TV on top, and while we had regulars tv’s where we watched movies and shows if we wanted to watch two films, we would come to the cave to do so because these two movies were on VCR. The first one is “Batman and Robin,” the 1997 film, which while significant, isn’t the one we are talking about today, and the other is “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” the 1985 film starring Sara Jessica Parker. The title may sound familiar because of the famous Cindy Lauper song, which shares the same title as this film and has been a critical theme song in many movies and a staple to girls all around the world, as it also occurs in this one, I can confidently say that the music and film have the same vibes and this movie is one for the girls.
The story starts when Janey, an army brat, is in a new town. Her father has retired, and they have relocated to Chicago, which happens to be home of her favorite dance show, Dance TV. She meets Lynne at her new school, and they become bonded instantly because they both share a passion for dancing and the dance show. Soon after, a competition is announced to find a new Dance TV regular couple, and Janey and Lynne are determined to audition. However, the first problem occurs when Janey’s father disapproves of that. This description dips your toe into the water because so much more happens, and I’m sorry to leave on a cliffhanger. If I share too much, it completely takes away the dispense, plot, and storyline, and this isn’t a film you want to be spoiled or miss. Focused on dance, it includes comedy, romance, and overcoming obstacles. This is hands down one of if not my favorite movies in this category. It may be because of the childhood nostalgia that comes with it, but regardless, it is spectacular and worth the watch. I encourage all readers to try it and would also like to add that I have enjoyed sharing my treasured movie list, and while there are so many more I love, I think we covered many of the greats.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)
- Save the Last Dance
- Hairspray
- Footloose (old & new)
- Dirty Dancing
- Take the Lead
- Burlesque
- Flash Dance
- Step up (series)
- Stomp the Yard
- Another Cinderella Story
- Shall We Dance?