Centre stage is a film about dance students at the American Ballet Academy in New York. It follows the characters for a year, with the main focus on Jody Sawyer, a not very turned out student, with bad feet. The film is about young dancers, and is relatively modern.
The film begins with ... Read review
Life is no rehearsal. The American Ballet company is not for the fainthearted. It's for ... more
the most gifted and beautiful dancers alive. Supremely talented vibrant and dedicated these students sacrifice the ordinary pleasures of life for their art whil...
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The American Ballet Company is not for the fainthearted. It's for the most gifted and ... more
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. Jonathan Reeves (Peter Gallagher, TV's The O.C.), the ballet's artistic director, is evaluating this young, tight-knit group of students as they face the growing pains of their seductive world of dance. Against a fantastic soundtrack, the lives and loves of these talented and dynamic young people pan out. But they'll need more than mere physical prowess and determination to succeed. They'll need to deliver the goods centre stage...
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Directed by Nicholas Hynter, whose theatrical background provided a magnificent debut ... more
withThe Madness of King George[1994],Center Stageis a drama set in the hugely competitive and pressured world of a New York Ballet company. By no means breaking any new ground, Hynter's movie dusts down the all-too-familiar staples of the likes ofFameandA Chorus Lineand gives them a glamorous, energetic update. Fans of those classic "Backstage" movies can expect, and duly receive, all the usual clichés: the domineering stage mother; the dancer who risks health for success; the arrogant male lead dancer; the struggling newcomer; the imperious teacher; even the last-minute injury. Yet, like a guilty pleasure, it's hard not to enjoy Hynter's realistic and reverential glimpse of this ruthless, demanding world, never succumbing to overt soapy theatrics and filled with impressive dance sequences. While not as exuberant asFame, it's still a fun, if depthless, look at the world of Ballet.On The DVD:Hynter's commentary, while not brimming with technical detail or thrilling anecdote, allows him to expound on this particularly demanding profession, as well as his personal recollections of theatrical life. While the two deleted scenes are forgettable, Dance fans will enjoy the five extended performance sequences, while a making-of featurette and Mandy Moore video round off a slight package. --Danny Graydon
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: enjoyable, excellent dancing Disadvantages: slight lack of plot maybe
Centre stage is a film about dance students at the American Ballet Academy in New York. It follows the characters for a year, with the main focus on Jody Sawyer, a not very turned out student, with bad feet. The film is about young dancers, and is relatively modern.
The film begins with the tryouts for the school, where its apparent that Jody is picked more for her beauty and stage prescience, rather than her amazing ballet technique. ... ...the school, and after a year, eight students have to be picked to join the company. Of course, these are much-desired places, and there is a lot of competition between the students to win the places. At the heart of the competition, is Maureen, Jody's roommate, her mother works for the company, and is your typical pushy mother. Jody's other roommate is Eva, the rebel, who doesn’t care what people think.
Centre stage is a film about dance students at the American Ballet Academy in New York. It follows the characters for a year, with the main focus on Jody Sawyer, a not very turned out student, with bad feet. The film is about young dancers, and is relatively modern.
The film begins with the tryouts for the school, where its apparent that Jody is picked more for her beauty and stage prescience, rather than her amazing ballet technique. It follows her and her friends during the time at the school, and after a year, eight students have to be picked to join the company. Of course, these are much-desired places, and there is a lot of competition between the students to win the places. At the heart of the competition, is Maureen, Jody's roommate, her mother works for the company, and is your typical pushy mother. Jody's other roommate is Eva, the rebel, who doesn’t care what people think.
During her time at the ballet school, Jody naturally encounters romance (well it is a teen movie after all!). She falls far one of the choreographers, who inevitably breaks her heart. Don’t feel too bad though, things do get better for her. She learns that ballet school isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The best thing about the film is the dancing. The film is a must for ballet fans, as it shows "behind the scenes" at a ballet school, and also some marvellous dancing shows. The dancing is amazing. I've studied ballet since I was 3, and it was so interesting and inspiring for me to watch. The best part is the dance exhibition at the end, as it combines traditional ballet with contemporary dance, something you would not have thought from a traditional American ballet company.
There are lots of characters in this film, and many of them look a like! This seems rather odd, as there is a girl who looks just like Jody, and two main characters that look quite similar. The main characters are -
Jody - A beautiful, but very naive girl, who isn’t the most talented of dancers it seems.
Eva - Jody's roommate and friend. She appears to be a rebel, and doesn’t care what people think. Despite this, she is very talented and dedicated (Although she smokes and then tells other people off for eating junk food, as its “bad for your body”!?!)
Maureen - Appears bitchy, but very dedicated, with a pushy mother.
Cooper - Is one of the company’s choreographers, and Jody falls for him.
The film covers issues such as bulimia, homosexuality, dance, heartbreak, and teen romance. Although the plot isn’t electrifying, the dancing really does make up for it. Also, the characters are likeable, and well portrayed, so it’s easy and fun to watch.
The acting is of a reasonable standard. The cast are newcomers, and unheard of actors. The cast is combined of actors who can dance, and dancers who can act.
In conclusion, this is a good film to see, if you're looking for light entertainment. It’s a must for ballet fans, and many teenagers would like it too. It’s a bit like a soap opera. Although it hasn’t had terrific reviews, its still worth a watch. The dancing sets it aside from other films, and it has a good soundtrack too.
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 ...
misslook 19.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Center Stage (DVD)
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, ...
annalouise 25.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Center Stage (DVD)
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 ...
LR_17 30.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Center Stage (DVD)
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 ...
hayleyjwarner 28.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Center Stage (DVD)
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 ...
Dancingqueen21 28.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Center Stage (DVD)
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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.
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All Jody Walker has ever wanted is to be a ballerina in the American Ballet Company. Her dream begins to come true when she's accepted to the company's Academy in New York City. Jody embarks on the stringent Academy training program with the hope of being one of the select few chosen for the Company. But Jody has her own style and has to contend with criticism that she doesn't have good feet and her body type is wrong. In the meantime, she finds herself involved with Cooper, a talented Harley-riding dancer and choreographer.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
UCA; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS, SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Deleted Scenes, Directors Commentary, Filmographies, Featurette Full Dance Sequences, Isolated Score, Making Of Featurette, Behind The Scenes Featurette, Music Video I Wanna Be With You, Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German
Professional reviews
Review
"...A compelling look behind the perfect pirouette..." -- Rating: B (Entertainment Weekly, p.95, 27/10/2000)
"...Slick and enjoyable....the choreography is graceful..." (Movieline, p.35, 01/06/2000)
"...The movie is loaded with lively dance sequences....Ms. Schull [carries] the movie away with her energy and grace..." (New York Times, p.E18, 26/05/2000)
"...[The film has a] ludicrous yet entertaining 10-minute finale." (USA Today, p.13E, 02/06/2000)
DVD Description
All Jody Walker (Amanda Schull) has ever wanted is to be a ballerina in the American Ballet Company. Her dream begins to come true when she's accepted to the company's Academy in New York City. Along with street-smart Eva (Zoe Saldana), veteran student Maureen (Susan May Pratt), sensitive Charlie (Sascha Radetsky), and flamboyant Erik (Shakiem Evans), Jody embarks on the stringent Academy training program with the hope of being one of the select few chosen for the Company. But Jody has her own style and has to contend with criticism that she doesn't have good feet and her body type is wrong. In the meantime, she finds herself involved with Cooper (Ethan Stiefel), a talented Harley-riding dancer and choreographer. The masterful dance sequences in Nicholas Hytner's CENTER STAGE are enriched by the performances of real-life American Ballet Theatre star Stiefel, and those of Schull, who was an apprentice at the San Francisco Ballet when she was cast. Peter Gallagher stars as the head of the ballet company, Donna Murphy is featured as an instructor at the academy, and Debra Monk portrays an overbearing mother to Maureen (Susan May Pratt), the best ballerina in the class who is also harbouring a dark secret.
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