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DVD Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
As with Grease (1978) and Footloose (1984) before it, Dirty Dancing was a cultural phenomenon that now plays more like camp. That very campiness, though, is part of its biggest charm. And if the dancing in the movie doesn't seem particularly "dirty" by today's standards--or 1987's--it does take place in an era (the early '60s) when it would have. Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey, daughter of ageless hoofer Joel Grey) has been vacationing in the Catskills with her family for many years. Uneventfully. One summer, she falls under the sway (as it were) of dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). Baby is a pampered pup, but Johnny is a man of the world. Baby's father, Jake (Law and Order's Jerry Orbach), can't see the basic decency in greaser Johnny that she can. It should come as no surprise to find that Baby, who can be as immature as her name, learns more about love and life--and dancing--from free-spirited Johnny than traditionalist Jake.
Dirty Dancing spawned two successful soundtracks, a short-lived TV series, and a stage musical. It may be predictable, but Grey and Swayze have chemistry, charisma, and all the right moves. It's a sometimes silly movie with occasionally mind-boggling dialogue--"No one puts Baby in a corner!"--that nonetheless carries an underlying message about tolerance and is filled with the kind of exuberant spirit that's hard for even the most cynical to resist. Not that they'd ever admit it. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
This is my all time favorite movie. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. The DVD features on this Ultimate Edition are quite good, but not superb. I truly enjoyed the interviews (including Jennifer Grey, Kenny Ortega - the choreographer, and many more). Did you know that Patrick Swayze brought his dog Derek to the set and he was normally perfectly behaved... until Patrick had to shoot a love scene. Then his beloved pooch would sit off the set and cry and howl (cute, huh?). There are several anecdotes like this within the interviews. I also enjoyed the music videos included on the bonus disc. Let's face it, the music of Dirty Dancing is part of its greatness! There are two separate audio commentaries, but I was disappointed that neither Jennifer Grey or Patrick Swayze, nor any other of the film's cast participated.
I also own the Dirty Dancing: Collector's Edition DVD, and thoroughly enjoyed the making-of featurettes on that disc. So if you are a real Dirty Dancing fan, check out both versions.
Nobody puts baby in the corner to carry a watermelon
I have one hand on the bible, one hand in the air, and I confess that I indeed used to be obsessed with this movie, as most women my age were. I had the soundtrack, I knew every line, I knew the choreography every dance step and swivel and thrust. Jennifer Grey was me, big nose, bad perm and small chest. Patrick Swayze, well he didn't exist in my world, so I had to watch his again and again. We all knew the "I carried a watermelon" and "nobody puts baby in the corner" but did we really know why we even felt so passionate about it in the first place? The story being set in the late 50's, the setting at a family vacation spot, the outsider looking in, dancing, forbidden love, mystery, it all entered our psyches as THE perfect movie and never lost its footing. Could Patrick Swayzes white t-shirt be any tighter, could Jennifer Grays smirk be any cuter, could Jerry Orbach be a more perfect protective father? NO! After this came out, I saw advertisements for learning how to "dirty dance" and asked my parents, with me being in ballet and jazz, what was one more class? Well it turns out 14 year olds shouldn't be gyrating against each other, who knew? I still learned them, by watching the tape over and over, but my partner was a girl named April and I think we giggled too much. Now that I think about it, if anyone had caught us I would have been straight to therapy. I haven't watched it in years, my husband refuses to even acknowledge its existence "chick movie" he mumbles, is it really just a girl phenomena? Well, no matter, It's a perfect specimen of Fun, laughs, thrills, tears and friction!!
The Movie That Forever Changed My View Of Patrick Swayze
Prior to Dirty Dancing, I've only seen Patrick in Red Dawn and Uncommon Valor where I found his acting marginal at best and his look somewhat common. I had no intention of seeing this movie when, as a teen, my mom dragged me kicking and screaming to the movie theatre. After Johnny and Penny danced their mambo together I was hooked and have loved him ever since. He was simply to die for! There is just something so sensually mouthwatering about a man trained in dance and who would have though Patrick Swayze could dance or act? Yes he does do a decent job acting in this movie. Turns out he's been doing the wrong type of films. Its too bad he hasn't done more dancing/romantic lead acting, as it seems to fit his brooding demeanor and look very well.
Simply one of the best movies out there. Great theme, great look, great dancing, great music, not to mention one of the most beautiful, tender love stories on film. Don't believe me? Watch the movie again very carefully. Watch how Johnny carasses Baby and how he looks at her, not only during the love scenes. It seemed that he loved her so much it hurt. The chemistry between the two was so perfect. I won't even start on the seduction dance, especially the "penetration" scene. I admit this movie sparked a 20 year fantasy of dancing the Mambo with Patrick. Of course he'd have to teach me first.
Its very obvious that a lot of love went into the making of this film and it looked beautiful for such a constrained budget. I thank the producer for never giving up on the project, for the actors, the dancers and everyone else involved. Thanks for giving us the time of our lives.
That Oscar-winning title song buzzes in your ears long after the movie has stopped. The attraction here is youthful spirit and a pulsating score, because the weak story is merely a conduit for the song-and-dance numbers. The plot is every young woman's daydream come true. Jennifer Beals holds down a macho job as a welder by day, but performs erotic dance numbers in a club at night. It's not a strip club, so her morality remains intact. She dates her wealthy boss (Michael Nouri) and practices hard for the day she can audition for the upscale, local dance school, even though she has no formal training. It is malarkey, of course, unless you view this as total romantic fantasy. It works because you are carried along by the sheer force of the energetic, boisterous, MTV-style imagery by... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Jennifer Beals - Michael Nouri Director(s): Adrian Lyne DVD Release Date: Released the 08 October 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Riding the strange '50s nostalgia wave that swept through America during the late 1970s (caused by TV shows like Happy Days and films like American Graffiti), Grease became not only the word in 1978, but also a box-office smash and a cultural phenomenon. Twenty years later, this entertaining film adaptation of the Broadway musical received another successful theatrical release, which included visual remastering and a shiny new Dolby soundtrack. In this 2002 DVD release, Grease lovers can also now see it in the correct 2:35 to 1 Panavision aspect ratio, and see retrospective interviews with cast members and director Randal Kleiser. All these stylistic touches are essential to the film's success. Without the vibrant colors, unforgettably campy and catchy tunes... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Randal Kleiser DVD Release Date: Released the 19 September 2006 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Director Herbert Ross (The Turning Point) pulled a winning movie out of this almost self-consciously archetypal tale of teenage rock rebellion. Kevin Bacon stars as a hip city kid who ends up in a Bible-belt town after his parents divorce. An ill fit for a conservative community where rock is frowned upon and dancing is forbidden, Bacon's character rallies the kids and takes on the establishment. Between a good cast really embracing the drama of Dean Pitchford's screenplay, and Ross's imaginative, highly charged way of shooting the dance numbers, you can get lost in this all-ages confection, and you won't even mind Kenny Loggins's bubbly pop. Bonuses include one of John Lithgow's best performances (a bit reminiscent of Jimmy Stewart), and Christopher Penn (who sure doesn't look the... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Herbert Ross DVD Release Date: Released the 28 September 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze are the passionate lovers whose romance is undone when the latter is murdered during a bungled hit arranged by a rival. The clever concept by screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (director of My Life) extends outward into comedy (Swayze's character communicates through a sassy medium played by Whoopi Goldberg, who won an Oscar for this role), horror (the afterlife is populated by hell-bound demons and the like), and romantic complications (a handsome suitor, played by Tony Goldwyn, comes on to Moore while Swayze's spirit is still hanging around). Directed by Jerry Zucker, previously best known for codirecting Airplane! and similar broad comedies, Ghost is a careful balancing act of strong commercial elements, but at heart it is a timeless... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Jerry Zucker DVD Release Date: Released the 24 April 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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The sinuous world of 1950s Cuban dance halls provides the setting for Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, a "reimagining" that shares with the original movie a deep love of sexy young people pressed tightly together on the dance floor. Fresh from New England, bookish and lovely Katey (Romola Garai, adorable in the charming but little-seen I Capture the Castle) meets a fiery young busboy named Javier (Diego Luna, Y Tu Mama Tambien) at a snooty hotel. Before you can say Tito Puente, the two have found a common language in the sensual swaying of their limbs, despite the resistance of Katey's mother (Sela Ward). It's all ridiculous, of course--the dialogue is atrocious, the characters tortilla-thin, and the politics embarrassing--but that's hardly the point. Luna is dreamy,... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Diego Luna - Romola Garai Director(s): Guy Ferland DVD Release Date: Released the 20 July 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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