BY ANILA GILL |
'Step Up' to These 7 Streaming Dance Movies
In the swing of 'Step Up: All In,' here are 7 dance movies currently available to stream.
The original Channing Tatum-led Step Up was a frontrunner in a recent resurgence of dance movies, a genre that had been neglected since its peak in the '80s. Now in its fifth iteration, the latest Step Up takes place during a dance competition in Las Vegas and promises acrobatics, pyrotechnics, and performances by a few returning characters from the Step Up saga.
If you can't get enough dancing, here are seven streaming movies to get you in the groove for Step Up: All In, which opens this weekend.
Strictly Ballroom
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
The first in his Red Curtain trilogy, Strictly Ballroom cements Baz Luhrmann's trademark theatrical style. The film tells the story of an Australian ballroom dancer who faces adversary due to his smooth — but improvised — moves.
Pina
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Wim Wenders
Legendary contemporary dancer Pina Bausch passed away in the early stages of this project, turning Wenders' dance documentary into a Bausch revival as her students and colleagues perform her choreography on- and off-stage. Peaceful and contemplative, this movie is a great Sunday afternoon watch.
Flashdance
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Adrian Lyne
Another classic '80s dance movie, Flashdance has Jennifer Beals as the working-class dancer Alex, who aspires for a legitimate dance schooling. Just as memorable as the movie is the soundtrack, which sent classic songs like "Flashdance...What a Feeling" and "Maniac" to the top of the charts.
Grease
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Randal Kleiser
The dancing in Grease is as wacky and unexpected as the rest of the film — take a look at the clip from "Greased Lightning," in which John Travolta as Danny Zuko hops up on a table to sing and dance about his car.
Footloose
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Herbert Ross
Kevin Bacon in Footloose stars as Ren McCormack, a teen who starts a literal dance revolution in a town where music and dancing is banned. Under the false impression that this movie could be any better, a 2011 reboot put a country spin on the classic.
Chico and Rita
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba, and Tono Errando
Tour the late-40s Havana music scene with jazzy piano ballads and beautifully animated dance sequences in Chico and Rita. This epic love story was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2012.
Dirty Dancing
Watch on Netflix
Directed by Emile Ardolino
Along with being the best cultural product of the '80s, Dirty Dancing is notable also for being a 90-minute feature about abortion that never actually uses the word "abortion."