Enchanted (2007)

My Rating : 3.5/4

MovieStudio Quote >> “The Transition between Real Life and 2D Animation was well made.”

With a fine cast and fun in-jokes, Disney’s ENCHANTED is sure to cast a spell over both children and adults. It begins with a 2-D animation sequence reminiscent of the company’s beloved past…. With a fine cast and fun in-jokes, Disney’s ENCHANTED is sure to cast a spell over both children and adults. It begins with a 2-D animation sequence reminiscent of the company’s beloved past. Surrounded by dozens of cute animals, Giselle (voiced and later played by Amy Adams) sings about her desire to find her one true love. Meanwhile, a handsome prince (James Marsden) overhears her, and they meet and fall in love. In many Disney movies, this is where the story ends, but ENCHANTED is just starting out on its journey.

enchanted

The prince’s wicked stepmother (Susan Sarandon) can’t stand to lose her throne, so she pushes Giselle down a well, and the beauty ends up in the real world. Gone is the animated fantasy, and a live-action Giselle lands in the middle of Times Square in New York City. Her optimism and perkiness put her at odds with the New Yorkers she encounters, but she gets help from a cynical divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) as she waits for her prince to rescue her. Fans of Disney classics from SLEEPING BEAUTY to BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be glad to see their favorite films referenced in ENCHANTED.

enchanted

Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID) makes a brief appearance, and the evil queen threatens to kill Giselle with a poisoned apple à la SNOW WHITE. Though it reminds the audience of past favorites, ENCHANTED boasts its own script that is at once intelligent and heartwarming. But the true highlight of the film is the acting by the fairy tale couple. Marsden (HAIRSPRAY) couldn’t be funnier as the charming prince, while Adams (an Oscar nominee for 2005’s JUNEBUG) gives dimension to the heroine. As a result, ENCHANTED is a film that deserves to sit on a shelf with Disney’s classics.

You Got Served (2004)

My Rating : 3.5/5

MovieStudio Quote >> “The slo-mo stunts manually done without technical assistance was mind blowing!”

Enter the world of street dancers… You find them all across the country — on street corners, in alleyways, on playgrounds or in dark, sweaty dance halls. Crowds gather to cheer and scream for… Enter the world of street dancers… You find them all across the country — on street corners, in alleyways, on playgrounds or in dark, sweaty dance halls. Crowds gather to cheer and scream for their favorite crew locked into battle with other formidable crews. With unbelievable raw talent, they demonstrate explosive moves that defy gravity and spin like tops to the rhythmic sounds of urban music.

You Got Served

This is where our story begins. Elgin (Marques Houston of IMX) and David (Omari “Omarion” Grandberry of B2K) are the best of friends. Their crew is unstoppable. But when another town’s top group challenges them to a battle, David and Elgin — along with their buddies (Jarell “J-Boog” Houston, DeMario “Raz-B” Thornton and Dreux “Lil’ Fizz” Frederic of B2K) must create and perfect the most cutting edge moves in order to remain on top.

You Got Served

The stakes are raised as friends double-cross each other and their motives are revealed, they’ll have to come together to take on the ultimate street dance battle as a team. With everything at stake and even more to lose, David and Elgin must throw everything they’ve got onto the floor and believe — in themselves, in their crew, in their dreams.

Make it Happen (2008)

My Rating : ***.5

If Make It Happen had a voiceover it would feature lots of gushing references to following your dreams, believing in yourself and every other rags-to-riches Hollywood cliché.

make it happen

The film, from the makers of Save the Last Dance and Step Up, is about a young country girl called Lauryn (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who moves to Chicago, fails to get into a prestigious dance school, but finds her own moves and her “inner sexy” (this is a quote, I kid you not) on the floor of a burlesque bar that’s been desleazed for the flick’s PG audience. It could be a contemporary take on classic backstage musicals such as Easter Parade or Kiss Me Kate. Or it could be the end of the cinematic arts as we know them.

Step Up (2006)

My Rating : ***.5

Fans of DIRTY DANCING and FAME will dig the moves in this tale of a sullen young thug named Tyler (Channing Tatum) who winds up doing community service at the Baltimore High School for the Performing Arts. At first he’s just smirking and mopping the floors, but then Nora (Jenna Dewan), a talented dancer and choreographer, loses her partner to a fractured ankle mere weeks before the big showcase, and Tyler steps in as her partner. At first he doesn’t take it too seriously but then again, he’s never had a real chance in life.

step up

His best friend from the street (Damaine Radcliff) gets jealous and forces Tyler to decide which side of the tracks he thinks he belongs on. Meanwhile, romance heats up between Tyler and Nora, and there’s some side business with the school’s hip-hop composer (Mario) falling in love with Nora’s hot friend Lucy (Drew Sidora), who is going out with an older man–a successful artist who cheats on her. As far as dramatic steps go, that’s all fairly by the numbers, but the performances are strong. (Tatum manages to be charismatic while playing his character like a real high school kid, that is to say, monosyllabically.) The dialogue crackles and the editing is tight, while the big dance climax is, of course, a crowd-pleasing showstopper.

step up

Rachel Griffiths (SIX FEET UNDER) plays the school principal. Alyson Stoner connects with some warmth and spontaneity as Tatum’s little sister, as does rapper Heavy D in a bit part as a local crime lord.

Step Up 2 the Streets (2008)

My Rating : ***

Jon Chu directs this feel-good sequel about pursuing what you love and finding yourself along the way. Andie (Briana Evigan, daughter of actor Greg Evigan) is a tough Baltimore teen who grew up dancing and is now part of the 410, the hottest dance crew in the city and reigning champions of the Streets, an underground dance competition. Unable to control Andie’s rebellious ways, her guardian, Sarah (Sonja Sohn), has decided to send her to Texas to live with her aunt. But Andie has one last chance to stay with her crew in her beloved Baltimore: the Maryland School of the Arts (MSA). Unfortunately, maintaining her studies at MSA means less time with the 410. To make matters worse, Andie is having a hard time fitting in at her new high school, where tradition is revered and being outside the box is frowned upon. Luckily, she has a partner in crime in classmate Chase Collins (Robert Hoffman), whose stuffy brother, Blake (Will Kemp), is the school’s director and a constant thorn in his younger brother’s side. When the 410 boots Andie out, she and Chase find their own crew of overlooked MSA dancers and take it all the way to the Streets.

step up 2 the streets

The real star of STEP UP 2: THE STREETS is the amazing dancing and there’s plenty of it. From the opening scene in a Baltimore subway to the playground to studio rehearsals to the Streets, these kids give it everything they’ve got. Channing Tatum briefly reprises his role as Tyler Gage, who knows Andie from the neighborhood. All of the MSA and 410 dancers are exceedingly talented, but Mari Koda’s few lines as Jenny Kido are scene-stealers.