Although it’s based on “true story”, this is by-the-number high-school drama in which the plot itself has been repeated so many times. There will always be kids in wrong side of the town who have been saved by good intention hero. It will be contained with incredible corny dialogues (which it supposed to be serious). All of these things are the right ingredient to make one “feel-too-good” drama movie which might put some people off. That’s why I liked it.
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is the ballroom teacher who, one day, decided to help NY downtown high-school student. He used his dance skill teaching these kids to learn respecting each other. There a bunch of on-detention kids who have no choice but learning how to ballroom dancing. Main characters are, Rock (Finding Forester’s Rob Brown) is good kid on the wrong side of the town. LaRhette (Yaya DaCosta) is a good girl whose mother is a prostitute. There is also the rest of the gang which all perform in their role surprising well in their limited time (especially in dance scenes).
One of the main reason that made me liked this film is the man himself, Antonio Banderas. In here, he’s energetic, fun and so endearing to watch. In my opinion, I think this is one of his best performances to date. I think the best scene came when he and his dance partner showed his student how to Tango. And I also enjoyed Alfre Woodard’s small (but amusing) part. It cracked me up in the scene where the other teacher forbid her to dance with Antonio. She said “Shut up! It’s my body”.
The drawbacks of this film (as far as I can think of) are editing and excessive back stories. Almost every dance scenes, I was annoyed by flashy, MTV style editing (which I think, it must have gotten something to do with inexperienced in dancing skill by actors). And even though the main story is good straight forward drama, the other ones are not so good. There’re stories about Rob troubled family (and his link with the gang), LaRhette and her mother, Love triangle of students, Caitlin’s problems, etcs. Because of too many of them in such a limited time, all of these stories are never have a chance to find its closure when the movie over.
So, although this is just ordinary underdog tale that you definitely saw in other movies before. I think this one has right casts and right attitude for letting its audience feel along with it.
(Note: I was surprised to see Dante Brasco in high-school student role. I mean, for god’s sake!, he was that “Rufio” from Steven Spielberg’s Hook. It make me laugh every time when I think of this hahaha….)
Came to read movie reviews. Didn't expect to be somebody else. I read reviews from other guy's blog before and I thought you were that guy.
Anyways, I never watch any movie you review.. so it's kinda helpless for me.
BTW, voices for Finding for Nemo is also big guys in the movie business. At least Allen was the amnesia fish.. I don't remember others and I haven't watched Nemo just yet.. so I cannot recall.
Will come back to read more reviews. Just in case, you watch some of my target movies..
I haven't seen this movie. The most attractive is the Banderas himself. Though he's always frowning but he looks sexy (unlike Nicolas Cage with his frowning serious look).
hey, i just saw the Hooligans that you used to review before I went to the trip. I like that movie la, it's really a good friendship movie. Thanks 4 yr review ja.
You could have brain tumor by watching this contaminated turd. Nothing in Gentlemen Broncos pays off, it’s incoherent mess, and chock-full of incredibly annoying characters. You will not only loath this movie, but it also makes you want to punch someone who responsible for this abomination in the face.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Imagine if Akira got Live-Action treatment by... say Alfonso Cuarón, you know how awesome it might be? That’s what happened to "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Wes Anderson's auteur perfectly captured the quirkiness and blissful tone of the material. Its stop-motion technique might be a little crude and... somewhat unsophisticated, but that's the charm of it. You’ll feel like pop-up book unveiled before your eyes. This is an exceptional animation of the year.
Up in the Air is a blockbuster movie for people who think blockbuster movies are dumb, as it chock full of brilliantly written dialogue, and acting showcase for three talented actors (especially star-making turn by Anna Kendrick). But in the end, there's little to love, not so much story to chew on (plus disappointing third act), and no real connection to the meaning of human interaction as it intended to be.
BloodyMonday Rating:
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
Cliché-ridden plot about a bunch of annoying characters get together in one idiotic circumstance, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is shameless exploitation & biggest insult to 80s teen flicks. It's like memorizing magic trick from internet, hoping to perform like David Copperfield. Neither sense of wonder nor magic flare happens here. Only good thing is, it makes me wanna cleanse my soul with genuine 80s teen movie night marathon.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Everybody's Fine (2009)
Meh. The movie serious lack of originality & characters development. Only Robert De Niro comes out fine in this schmaltzy, "Lifetime" movie-of-the-week plot.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Paper Heart (2009)
Twee delight... That's only two words I can think of right now.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Adam (2009)
A perfect companion to Mary & Max (one of the best animation of 2009), Adam is star-crossed love story (pun intended) between Adam, Asperger's Syndrome bearer, and Beth, free spirit woman. The picture wouldn’t be this intimate without stunning performance by Hugh Dancy. On the other hand, the lack of depth on why Beth would love someone like Adam, preventing me from wholeheartedly embraces her choice in the end (which is nice & perfect but requires a leap of faith). Otherwise, this is touching romantic film, which putting its feet firmly on the ground, making the world full of hope and seems nicer place to live.
BloodyMonday Rating:
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Expected to be like “Click” or “Yes Man”, where high-concept plot turned into endless gags, with moral lesson (forcefully) shoving down your throat. But "The Invention of Lying" is thinking man’s film. The whole concept is not seeing how first lying man exploits the ability. But it's about him finding the way not to lie, in order to find genuine happiness. Great stuff.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Give ‘Em Hell Malone (2009)
This is one damn frustrating experience. It’s like watching an infant trying to stand up and walk. They would take a few steps then fall their asses. In fact, kiddie film like “Bugsy Malone” has done better job paying a tribute to film noir than this borefest.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Zombieland (2009)
ถ้าอังกฤษมีหนังซอมบี้ฮาแตกอย่าง Shaun of the Dead แล้ว ทำไมอเมริกาจะมีบ้างไม่ได้... Zombieland คือการผสมผสานระหว่างบรรดาหนังซอมบี้เก่าๆ เข้ากับทัศนคติของคนสร้างที่อาจดูหนังแนวนี้มากเกินความจำเป็น จนสามารถสร้างหนังซอมบี้ที่เข้าใจสิ่งที่ตัวเองเป็น และเล่นสนุกไปกับกฏพื้นฐานของซอมบี้ได้อย่างเต็มที่ ทั้งนี้ทั้งนั้นต้องยกความดีให้สี่นักแสดงนำ โดยเฉพาะ วู้ดดี้ ฮาเรลสัน (เขาเกิดมาเพื่อบทนี้) ที่ช่วยกันสร้างมนต์เสน่ห์ ให้กับการเดินทางในโลกไร้มนุษย์ได้อย่างเต็มที่
หนังมีไอเดียกิ๊บเก๋ ทำออกมาได้สนุกสนานสไตล์ซิตคอมอังกฤษ โดยเฉพาะการนำกฏเหล็กต่างๆจากหนังที่เกี่ยวกับการท่องเวลา (ดูเหมือนว่า Back to the Future จะเป็นแรงบรรดาลใจหลัก) มาปู้ยี้ปู้ยำอย่างเมามัน ถึงแม้ว่าตลอดเวลาการรับชมจะให้ความรู้สึก เหมือนตัวเองกำลังดูซีรี่ย์ทางโทรทัศน์ แต่มันก็คือตอนที่ฮาที่สุดของซีซั่น แถมเอฟเฟ็คที่ใช้ก็มีคุณภาพจนคาดไม่ถึง
BloodyMonday Rating:
Looking for Eric (2009)
มีความรู้สึกว่าหนังเรื่องนี้มองโลกในแง่ดีเกินบรรยากาศโดยรวม จริงอยู่ว่าทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างที่ลงเอยด้วยดีในตอนสุดท้ายนั้น สามารถสร้างความสุขและรอยยิ้มให้กับคนดู แต่จากสถานการณ์ในเรื่องและบริบทที่เกิดขึ้นก่อนหน้านี้ มันยากที่จะทำใจเชื่อในสิ่งที่เห็น โดยเฉพาะพล็อตรองเกี่ยวกับปืน ซึ่งถ้าถูกตัดออกไปและหนังยังดำเนินเรื่องอย่างที่เป็นอยู่ Looking for Eric ก็น่าจะเป็นหนังฟีลกู้ดที่อบอุ่นที่สุดเรื่องหนึ่งของปีเลยทีเดียว
so it's kinda helpless for me. 
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