Before we start you should know two things about me. 1. I love cheesy dance movies. The more choreographed dance scenes the better. 2. I could quote the cheesiest quotes in those movies at any time. Am I embarrassed? No. Is it awkward to have to explain to the girl at work that said she liked my boots why my response was " My Daddy hates me wearing these boots"? ( Footloose quote) Yes. Why do I like these movies you ask...Because all of them every single last one of them has a triumphant ending, an in your face "what do you think of me now?" ending. I love that.
For example Center Stage ( stop laughing ) They told Jody Sawyer at the American Ballet Company her turnout was bad and that her technique was not up to par, still she endured. I don't think anyone was expecting her amazing duet with Cooper Nielsen perfectly choreographed to Michael Jackson's "The way you make me feel", but that's why it was so amazing ...it was against all odds... she was told it would never happen..She proved them all wrong. Example number two Save the last dance. Ballet dancer meets hip hop guy their worlds collide, they fall in love, then she somehow manages to fuse hip hop and ballet into her beautifully choreographed Julliard audition. Does she get in? OF COURSE.
Footloose. My love for this movie may have something to do with my love for Kenny Loggins in general or the fact that on a small scale I lived it. I attended a school that had a "ban" on dancing. Our Proms and formals included dinner and a show but never ever any dancing. No one ever resorted to playing chicken with tractors on an open stretch of road.. but I think a lot of us were secretly wishing we could roger rabbit with one another. I love this movie though and I saw the remake a couple days ago, not as good, but the message remains the same. To everything there is a season. No one can deny the power of Ren Mccormick's message.
Footloose. My love for this movie may have something to do with my love for Kenny Loggins in general or the fact that on a small scale I lived it. I attended a school that had a "ban" on dancing. Our Proms and formals included dinner and a show but never ever any dancing. No one ever resorted to playing chicken with tractors on an open stretch of road.. but I think a lot of us were secretly wishing we could roger rabbit with one another. I love this movie though and I saw the remake a couple days ago, not as good, but the message remains the same. To everything there is a season. No one can deny the power of Ren Mccormick's message.
"From the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons. They danced in prayer... or so that their crops would be plentiful... or so their hunt would be good. And they danced to stay physically fit... and show their community spirit. And they danced to celebrate." And that is the dancing we're talking about. Aren't we told in Psalm 149 "Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let them praise His name in the dance"? And it was King David - King David, who we read about in Samuel - and what did David do? What did David do? David danced before the Lord with all his might... leaping and dancing before the Lord." : Ecclesiastes assures us... that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh... and a time to weep. A time to mourn... and there is a time to dance. And there was a time for this law, but not anymore. See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It's the way it was in the beginning. It's the way it's always been. It's the way it should be now."
I have to tell you I still get a little misty eyed when they get all dressed up for prom at the end and Ren screams "Lets Dance!" I think sometimes I let the circumstances of life and all that I have to deal with weigh on me heavily. These movies are an escape for me, but they also give me hope. God has such an awesome plan for me, for my kids. Does it include us fusing hip hop and ballet together seamlessly in a triumphant display of courage and talent?... probably not. I think it will be better than that. I want to live out what these movies attempt to portray in 90 minutes. Our God has already won! We are already triumphant! Praise the Lord................ cue the dancing :)
