Footloose (1984) Review

Footloose

Release Date: 12th April 1984 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Phoenix Pictures

IndieProd Company Productions

Distribution 

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Drama/Music

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes


Budget: $8,200,000

Box Office Gross: $80,040,027 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

When city boy Ren

McCormack moves from
the big city of Chicago with
his family to a small
Midwestern town, he
discovers that the place he
now calls home has
outlawed dancing and

rock music. Ren's fight for

change is an uphill battle

as he struggles to fit in.

Helped by his new friend

Willard Hewitt and

rebellious teenager Ariel

Moore, he could shake up

this conservative town.

However, Ariel's powerful

father, Reverend Shaw

Moore, is blocking their

path.

Cast

Kevin Bacon - Ren McCormack 

Lori Singer - Ariel Moore

John Lithgow - Rev. Shaw Moore

Dianne Wiest - Vi Moore

Chris Penn - Willard

Sarah Jessica Parker - Rusty

John Laughlin - Woody

Elizabeth Gorcey - Wendy Jo

Sam Dalton - Mr. Gurntz 

Frances Lee McCain - Ethel McCormack

Jim Youngs - Chuck Cranston

Douglas Dirkson - Burlington Cranston

Lynne Marta - Lulu Warnicker

Arthur Rosenberg - Wes Warnicker

Timothy Scott - Andy Beamis

Alan Haufrect - Coach Roger Dunbar

Linda MacEwen - Eleanor Dunbar

Kim Jensen - Edna 

Michael Telmont - Travis

Leo Geter - Rich

Ken Kemp - Jeff

Russ McGinn - Herb

H.E.D. Redford - Widdoes

Jay Bernard - Harvey

Meghan Broadhead - Sarah Warnicker

Mimi Broadhead - Amy Warnicker 

Gene Pack - Bernie

Marcia Dangerfield - Virginia

Crew

Director - Herbert Ross

Writer - Dean Pitchford

Executive Producer - Daniel Melnick

Producers - Lewis J. Rachmil and Graig Zadan

Casting Directors - Mike Fenton,

Jane Feinberg and Marci Liroff

Casting Director: New York - Margery Simkin
Production Designer - Ron Hobbs

Set Decorator - Mary Olivia Swanson

Property Master - C.J. Maguire
Costumes - Gloria Gresham

Makeup Artist - Daniel C. Striepeke
Director of Photography - Ric Waite

Second Assistant Director - Robert Engleman
Choreographer - Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Stunt Coordinator - Max Kleven

Special Effects - Wayne Beauchamp

Editor - Paul Hirsch

Assistant Editors - David Handman

and Peck Prior

Supervising Sound Editor - Gordon Ecker

Sound Effects Editors - Robert Bradshaw,

Randy Kelly, Bob Newlan and

Wylie Stateman

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell,

John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff

Score Adaptation - Miles Goodman

Music Supervisor - Becky Shargo

Writer/Producer/Performer: "Footloose" 

and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" -

Kenny Loggins

Awards

1985 Academy Awards

Best Music, Original Song "Footloose" -

Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford (Nominated)

Best Music, Original Song "Let's Hear It for the Boy" -

Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford (Nominated)

Review

A straightforward and potent classic teen drama with a simple plot, FOOTLOOSE is an ageless classic, unforgettable, and superior to the remake. It was in production when teen movies were a lasting trend in the 80s. Since its release in 1984, it has been a heavily undisputed pop cultural touchstone referenced in many films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy. It has also inspired an animated movie with a similar plotline aimed at younger audiences called Happy Feet. This film represents the values of teenagers fighting for their independence. To decide what they will do with their lives and what journey they'll take. FOOTLOOSE sends a message that teenagers will understand that when parents control them, they often rebel and have this innate need to achieve their greatest dreams and desires.

I didn't watch this movie for the dancing. Instead, I preferred the film's inspiring message and the upbeat tunes that create energy in FOOTLOOSE. Kevin Bacon looked so young in the movie and nailed the role with a convincing performance that elevated his Hollywood fame. John Lithgow creates a sympathetic yet extremist character who pushes his religious views on those around him and believes dancing to be a sin. John crafted the role of a very strict and disapproving father figure.

Although it's aimed at a teen audience, FOOTLOOSE remains one of the generation's best teen drama movies. Even today, its story and message are still very relevant. I strongly recommend viewing this fantastic movie. You won't regret it.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Step Up: Miami Heat Review

Step Up: Miami Heat 


Release Date: 2nd August 2012 - Australia


Production Companies
Offspring Entertainment
Summit Entertainment

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Music/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 minutes


Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross: $93,723,802
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Emily, the daughter of a 
wealthy businessman, 
arrives in Miami hoping 
to become a professional 
dancer. She falls in love 
with Sean, a young man 
who leads a dance crew 
in elaborate, cutting-edge 
flash mobs. The crew, 
called the MOB, strives 
to win a contest for a 
major sponsorship 
opportunity, but Emily's 
father threatens to 
develop the MOB's 
historic neighborhood 
and displace thousands 
of people. (Source - Metro Cinemas)

Cast
Kathryn McCormick - Emily
Anderson
Ryan Guzman - Sean
Adam Sevani - Robert 

"Moose" Alexander III
Misha Gabriel - Eddie
Peter Gallagher - William 

"Bill" Anderson
Stephen "tWitch" Boss - Jason
Chadd "Madd Chadd" Smith -
Vladd
Tommy Dewey - Tripp
Cleopatra Coleman - Penelope
Megan Boone - Claire

Crew
Director - Scott Speer
Based on Characters - Duane Adler
Writer - Amanda Brody
Producers - Erik Feig, Jennifer Gibgot,
Garrett Grant, Adam Shankman &
Patrick Waschberger
Production Designer - Carlos Menendez
Director of Photography - Karsten Gopinath
Choreographers - Chuck Maldonado,
Christopher Scott, Jamal Sims
& Travis Wall
Film Editors - Matt Friedman &
Avi Youabian
Music - Aaron Zigman


Review
I'm unfamiliar with the 'Step Up' series and never watched any of the other dance films of the series, 'MIAMI HEAT' is a very solid fourth instalment and I guarantee that it'll give good entertainment. The movie's story is not bad and has a good romantic subplot, but I am amazed by its dance choreography which is really energetic and Michael Jackson would have been proud of it. 'MIAMI HEAT' does deliver something and I would give four well deserved stars for this one.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Michael Jackson's This Is It Review

Michael Jackson's This Is It


Release Date: 29th October 2009 – Australia

Production Companies
Columbia Pictures (presents)

The Michael Jackson Company
(in association with)

AEG Live (in association with)

Distribution
Sony Pictures Australia


Genre: Documentary/Music

Rating: G

Runtime: 111 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $261,183,588 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT" is a music documentary. Before his death in June 2009, the late King of Pop was planning what would have been his comeback tour, which he planned to start at London's O2 Arena in the

summer of 2009.

Documenting the final months of Jackson's life with behind-the-scenes footage, the film pays tribute to the influential artist, featuring rehearsals from Jackson and other performers.

Cast
Michael Jackson - Himself
Alex Al - Himself
Alexandra Apjarova - Herself
Nick Bass - Himself
Michael Bearden - Himself
Irina Brecher - Herself
Daniel Celebre - Himself
Mekia Cox - Herself
Chris Grant - Himself
Misha Gabriel Hamilton - Himself
Judith Hill - Herself
Dorian Holley - Himself
Devin Jamieson - Himself
Bashiri Johnson - Himself
Charles Klapow - Himself
Rachael Markarian - Herself
Jonathan Moffett - Himself
Tommy Organ - Himself
Orianthi - Herself
Kenny Ortega - Himself
Brittany Perry-Russell - Herself
Daryl Phinnessee - Himself
Mo Pleasure - Himself
Dres Reid - Himself
Daniella Rueda-Watts - Herself
Ken Stacey - Himself
Tyne Stecklein - Herself
Timor Steffens - Himself
Stacy Walker - Herself
Dreya Weber - Herself

Crew
Producer: Live Show/Choreographer/

Director - Kenny Ortega
Associate Producer/Musician: Keyboards/
Original Score Producer/Music - Michael Bearden

Associate Producer/Choreographer - Travis Payne
Associate Producer: Live Show - Alif Sankey
Executive Producers - John Branca
and John McClain

Producers: Live Show - Paul Gongaware,
John Meglen and Randy Phillips

Co-Producers - Frank DiLeo
and Chantal Feghali
Production Designers - Bernt Amadeus Capra
and Michael Cotton

Art Director - William Budge

Set Decorator - Donald Elmblad
Costume Designers - Michael Bush,
Jordanna Fineberg, Erin Lareau and
Dennis Tompkins
Costume Designer: Michael Jackson - Zaldy
Cameraman - Sandrine Orabona

Cameraman/Editor - Tim Patterson
Visual Effects Supervisors - Bruce Jones
and Sheena Duggal

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rising Sun Pictures -
Thomas Proctor
Producer: 2D/3D Film & Video Content,
Stimulated Inc. - Robb Wagner

Editors - Don Brochu, Brandon Key and
Kevin Stitt

Supervising Sound Editor - Tricia Linklater

Re-Recording Mixer - David Giammarco

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey
Audio Supervisor: Live Show/Supervising

Music Editor - Michael Durham Prince
Musician: Drums - Jonathan Moffett
Musician: Guitar - Tommy Organ
Musician: Bass - Alex Al


Review

I loved Michael Jackson, regardless of how some people feel about him or his personal life (like his rumoured disturbing behaviour towards young children). I loved every bit of his songs until his untimely death in 2009. It came as a shock to all of us, including fans. They were expecting to see his long-awaited concert tour, which never happened as he passed on. Many fans, critics and some of Jackson's relatives objected to the theatrical release of the rehearsal footage, which they felt was unnecessary for the King of Pop and intended to cash in on his death.

Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT" showed the making of what could have been his ultimate comeback to the music stage. The movie has remarkable vignettes. It is a tribute to his exceptional dancing, incredible singing voice, and musical skills. Even in his final moments, Michael Jackson performs with great vigour and energy, remaining lively.

I enjoyed this film, but not as much as listening to his songs and watching his music videos. This documentary is a special treat for fans of the late King of Pop. I assure you, it has entertainment value, and you'll appreciate it.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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