Here is what I watched in February.
Dirty Dancing (dir. Emile Ardolino, 1987)
It’s not officially a new year until I watch Dirty Dancing. Continue reading “Films Watched: February 2013”
Tag: Dirty Dancing
What I Learned From Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies. I have seen this movie so many times, it has probably become detrimental to my well-being. For example, I honestly believe it takes exactly three weeks to fall in love and learn to mambo. In real life, this is impossible because no matter what you will end up with spaghetti arms. As I was watching Dirty Dancing this past weekend for the one millionth time, I made some of the same old observations as well as some new discoveries. Here they are.
My Week in Film: May 20 to May 26
Six Suggestions For The Dirty Dancing Remake
So Kenny Ortega is directing a Dirty Dancing remake. Are there worse things than this going on in the entire world? Of course. But I can’t think of them because I am so enraged. I want to shout, “Yo, Kenny Ortega, I get that you choreographed the original but you need to not remake it.”
This is one of my favorite movies. I have seen it more times than you can imagine. The thought of it being remade is troublesome in more ways than you can ever believe.
My main concern is that I don’t see how a Dirty Dancing remake can possibly work. Something about the movie, which revolves around nostalgia for a time gone by, coming-of-age, and first love in the face of class differences, would be lost. There was already a sequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, that was a total dud and it had Patrick Swayze in a cameo appearance. A remake of Dirty Dancing doesn’t even have that working in its favor.
But if this remake has to happen, here is how I think it should be done.
Continue reading “Six Suggestions For The Dirty Dancing Remake”
30 Day Film Challenge: Day 3
A Film You Watch To Feel Good
Few movies have such a hold over me like Dirty Dancing. I have seen it more than any other movie. I can quote every scene (“I carried a watermelon”) in my sleep. I detest the pachanga because Johnny Castle did. I love the characters, like Lisa, Baby’s pretty much ignored and ridiculous sister. The soundtrack is in constant rotation on my ipod. This is a movie that never fails to put me in a great mood.
When I was younger, I would eagerly watch the Labor Day marathon of Dirty Dancing. Seeing it 12 times in 24 hours was an unlikely achievement so I would time exactly when I had to turn on the movie just to watch the final dance sequence. I would do this over and over again.
Over the years – because I went to Mount Holyoke, because of the appearances of Jerry Orbach and Patrick Swayze, because so many of friends equally adore it – this movie has become all the more sentimental.
You would think the appeal of this movie would wane as I aged. But I only seem to become more fond of Dirty Dancing. As I type this I have started the movie and can hear the beginning of the Ronettes song that opens the film. I am already smiling from ear to ear.
Here is how you can participate in the 30 Day Film Challenge.
@Cinefille 