Center Stage (DVD)

Advantages: Dance scenes, soundtrack
Disadvantages: Story line is poor

I went to my local video shop to rent the film “ what women want” but it wasn’t available uhhh don’t you just hate that! I saw this film and thought that I would give this a go, the back cover made it look and sound very interesting. There aren’t really any well-known actors in this film but there are a lot of talented young dancers in it who I would love to be seeing more of in the future. To up it in a nutshell, This ...
...in life and in this case it is to be a famous ballet dancer. The film begins by showing you hundreds of teenage boys and girls all auditioning for a place in the American Ballet Academy in New York. Only 12 young hopefuls can be picked out of them all to go to this school. THE PLOT Jodie and her friend Eve get a place in the American Ballet school and become good friends. Jodie and Eve are put in to the same room also with another girl called ... Read review

Advantages: the dancing
Disadvantages: the plot

Who will enjoy this film? - BALLET FANATICS! Although they will gain most from this film, I think alot of people will enjoy it as it gives a good insight into a young dancer's life. It's a good 'teen film' and worth watching. THE PLOT The plot, to be blunt, is not very good. But it's one of those films which is still watchable because it has other qualities. The film begins with an audition for the prestigious American Ballet school which is part ...
...be on the experience of a girl (Jodie Sawyer) as she auditions succesfully for one of the 12 places availiable. She meets Maureen, a brilliant dancer whose mother is extremly persistant that she does well. There is also Eva who is more rebellious and turns up to class late and untidy. The film shows alot of what happens is ballet classes - strict, unforgiving teachers who bark out corrections and push the dancers harder and harder. After a while, ... Read review

Advantages: Good dance sequences.
Disadvantages: Not much going on in the plot.

Hello Ciaoers! I'm back with another film review (hehe), on a genre I wouldn't normally watch....Centre Stage. As always, I've got a couple of quotes for you to get the idea of what others think of this film! Look below....... "An unexpected pleasure" - MARY MURFIN BAYLEY - Seattle Times "Centre Stage has moments of joy and moments of insight" - ROGER EDBERT - Chicago Sun Times This film has a 12 certificate with mild languages and mild sex/nudity ...
...letting their kids lose with it! Running Time - 110 minutes Can be bought for about £7.99 on VHS although these days it's possible it's on DVD! I got my VHS copy from HMV for about £5, but I'm sure other places like Amazon, WHSmiths will have different prices! Fun bit now...yippee!! If you loved films like "Bring It On" and "Save The Last Dance", then I think you'll be interested in this film. Columbia Pictures presents Peter Gallagher, Susan ... Read review

Advantages: Dancing - Without a doubt!
Disadvantages: Storyline - Yawn

...on this... ~THE STORY~ Center Stage, the story about a group of young dancers joining the ABC (American Ballet Company). The story starts with a brief bit about their audition to the company, Leaving their girlfriends 'back home', doing so against parents wishes, auditioning and not really wanting it etc... then they all start 'class' and the new group takes shape. The story (not that there really is much of one) takes us on the journey, of their ...
...enough, of course a love story.... a girls first love with the arrogant male lead, the other girl with the pushy mum and an eating disorder... Through the year of training each has to prove themsleves to the nasty head teacher in order to see if, out of the entire year - about 30 people - who is accepted into the 'company'. Meaning who will be selected to be in the New York Performing Ballet... they want 3 girls and 3 boys... All builds up to the ... Read review

Advantages: real dancers, talent, entertaining
Disadvantages: may only be appreciated by dancers

Dancers in a dancing film I am sick of watching dancing films such as Save the last dance where the dancers are actors. For most people they can’t tell the difference, but for dancers it is the most frustrating thing ever. Centre stage uses dancers or doubles. This film is about student at the American Ballet Academy in New York City. The main character Jodie Sawyer is a dancer who is not the perfect and has to overcome a lot to get to where she ...
...love, romance, homosexuality and heartbreak. The back of the DVD says “It’s not for the faint hearted. It’s for the most gifted and beautiful dancers alive. Supremely talented, vibrant and dedicated, these students sacrifice the ordinary pleasures of life for their art, whilst struggling with the normal joys and sorrows of youth.” The film starts at the auditions for the ABC were Jody sawyer (Amanda Schull) is picked for her personality and beauty ... Read review

Advantages: It's not as cheesy as it might have been
Disadvantages: One for dance fans only

...Centre Stage: Turn It Up is a sequel in the loosest sense of the word. Though it shares a name with the quite successful 2000 film Centre Stage, as with the follow ups to the cheerleader flick Bring It On, similarities to the original are limited. There's a new cast, a new setting, a new story line. In other words, it's a completely new film, but they hope that by linking it in name at least to the first film, you might be more likely to see it. That's not necessarily true for me as I will watch any dancing film that gets released, but it did raise my expectations somewhat since I was such a fan of the original. This is a film only review of what was a straight-to-DVD release in the UK. The DVD can currently be bought on Amazon for £7.98 but I would expect the price to fall pretty quickly to below £5. The first Centre Stage film was... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fantastic quality live show.
Disadvantages: Could feature more insight.

.... The concert DVD contains footage from both the May 9th and 10th Chicago shows at the United Center directed by Hamish Hamilton, who previously worked with the band directing "Elevation 2001/Live From Boston" and "U2 Go Home - Live from Slane Castle." While the feel of "Vertigo 2005//U2 Live From Chicago" is very much in the same vein as the Elevation DVDs there are some notable differences. Having attended both of these shows in person I can attest that very little was has been dropped from the show itself, with the major exception of "Party Girl," a song that was performed both nights. In essence this is as close to actually being at a typical U2 show on the first leg of the Vertigo Tour as a fan can be without attending the show itself. The songs themselves get center stage in this concert DVD and while the audience's presence is all... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: TRULY MAGIC FROM BEGINING TO END
Disadvantages: NOTHING

...This is by far THE GREATEST PERFORMANCE available on official DVD! Filmed during the magic tour it is a must for every Queen fan! The show blasted off with an amazingly energetic performance of One Vision followed by the every ready crowd pleasing Tie Your Mother Down. What followed that was In The Lap Of The Gods which got the 80,000 already hyped up fans into an amazing sing a long frenzy. Then in Lap Of The Gods launched into a medley with Seven Seas Of Rhye and tear it up. The magic and energy continued throughout it's a kind of magic and Freddie's famous DAY O's and everything which followed after that. Just after the mid way point of the concert Brian takes center stage with an ultra extended guitar solo. This DVD mixes Brians amazing sound so perfectly for 5.1 surround that while he was rifting on some parts, it sounded... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful