IncludingCall Me by Your Name, Purple Rain, Black Swan,andPaddington 2.
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This weekend,Luca Guadagninosmaximalist reworking of Italian horror classicSuspiriajetes into wide release.
(Perhaps it has something to do with all the meat hooks?
For the sinister higher-ups, their charges perspiration serves as nourishment.
At the Markos Dance Academy, movement is the essence of life.
Dance can be an intense communion between the mind and body, though it doesnt have to be.
Dance torments, soothes, stimulates, and challenges, often managing many at once.
It predates language itself, some scholars clocking its advent around 3300 B.C.
Stretch those hammies and step up to the barre.
Thats how Paddington would want it.
A star, as it were, is born.
Who gives a fig if her dad doesnt approve?
Theyre not entirely wrong.
Audrey Hepburns full of firecrackers and ready to pop off.
And to whom is she giving this impromptu lesson?
Why, none other than Fred Astaire.
Of course you want her, but the reason shes Marilyn goddamn Monroe is that you cant have her.
Hes seen.He lives insidehis own heart, Matt Damon.
(Happy Googling!)
Are her spasms of erotic hysterics over the top?
But only one of them features the singular presence of Carmen Miranda, resplendent in her produce-bedecked headdress.
If this is all a joke, shes in on it.
Her metamorphosis into a majestic CGI bird-creature puts her personal development into phantasmagorical visual terms.
She achieves her final form only in death, masteringSwan Laketo the fullest extent by absorbing it.
Simon Zealotes,Jesus Christ Superstar(1973)
The year is 1972.
It must be 100-degrees Fahrenheit in the Israeli desert.
Its a confrontational start to a confrontational film, jagged and hot with righteous anger.
A Michael Jacksonscored routine playacting the plot of the film in miniature (hope you like love triangles!)
negotiates the gaps between classical and modern, personal and professional, one culture and another.
Like us, he holds his breath, confused and amused and afraid all at once.
From there on out, all bets are off.
Never mind that Ann-Margaret and Rydell were both in their 20s during shooting.
The flailing, vaguely unsettling scarecrows do-si-do-ing with her are just white country gravy.
Fosse refashioned Broadway movement as slinky and sexy, minimalist and dangerous, gritty and raw.
You dont get a pelvis-popping dance move named after you for nothing.
Drinks are flowing, the bands kicking, and everyones free to join the throng.
Of course, the Westerners respond only with hoots and hollers.
Whowouldntfall in love at first sight, when this is the first sight?
(And for the record,Channing Tatums doing Gene Kelly inOn the TownforNo Dames.)
For now, a cute boy and a sunny day will be more than enough.
Just relax and lose your mind.
For the duration of this song, however, heaven feels a little closer to Earth.
Shell return to the ground, but for a few captivating minutes, shes above it all.
Grace Jones casts her spell,Vamp(1986)
Go ahead, take a good look.
But this is Grace Jones,theGrace Jones surprise, surprise, shes much more than they bargained for.
He dutifully goes through the motions of the slasher villain, laying the trap and adhering to his ritual.
Best of all, he made it look so damned easy.
Anybody can be a part of his act, just yell the secret word: TEQUILA!
(Plus, those moon boots are must-haves.)
He leaves it all onstage (save for his underwear), groin-thrusting like hes never groin-thrusted before.
Modern Love,Mauvais Sang(1986)
Francesdid it,Martydid it, but Alex did it first.
His destination makes no difference, at least not to him.
He just needs to get all the excess energy out of his system.
Like Alex Owens before her, she has no choice but to dance her way out.
Pick Yourself Up,Swing Time(1936)
No cuts, no close-ups, no camera flimflammery whatsoever.
Which, yes, she does backwards and in heels.
(No time to talk.)
Cast out of the military he held so dear, hell never be able to face himself.
Corona is his last refuge.
Theyre practical effects that cant be faked magic, as far as were concerned.
