Strictly Ballroom

Amazon.com

While the plot of this Australian film may seem a bit familiar (The Ugly Duckling meets Dirty Dancing), the whimsical tone and superb dance sequences will make you forget the movie's predictability. Scott (Paul Mercurio) is a champion ballroom dancer who wants to dance "his own steps." Fran is the homely, beginning dancer who convinces Scott that he should dance his own steps... with her. Complicating matters are Scott's domineering mother (Pat Thompson), a former dancer herself, who wants her son to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championship (the same contest she lost years ago), and a conniving dance committee that is determined that "there are no new steps!" The dancing is enjoyable, yet not overwhelming, and the movie strives hard not to take itself too seriously (the beginning of the film is even styled as a pseudo-documentary). Strictly Ballroom, while not so subtly imparting its moral ("A life lived in fear is a life half-lived"), is a laughable romp that's sure to be a crowd pleaser. --Jenny Brown

Description

From Baz Lurhrmann -- the director of the award-winning hits ROMEO & JULIET and MOULIN ROUGE! -- comes STRICTLY BALLROOM ... the hilariously funny romantic comedy that's sure to leave you laughing, cheering, and feeling great! It's the magical story of a championship ballroom dancer who's breaking all the rules, and his ugly duckling dancing partner. Together they make their dreams come true! Now celebrating its glorious 10th Anniversary -- you're sure to enjoy this exhaustively funny comedy as it dances and soars its way straight into your heart. Critics everywhere fell madly in love with this big-screen treat -- and so will you!

Customer Reviews:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing.......2007-09-10

Just finished watching this movie and was not sure what to expect. Would it be good or just a POC? It is FABULOUS!! Paul Mercurio is HOT! Yeah, the plot is kinda cliche, but who cares when you get to see some authentic Spanish dancing.

"Love is in the Air".......2007-08-24

An absolute Gem !! It is extremely funny and colourful. Have seen it now many times and I still love it. Great for a comfortable or romantic evening at home with friends and loved ones !!

Great!.......2007-06-25

A simple made film that goes straight to the target. The dances are marvelous, the actors kind of funny... passo-doble is magnificent.
It's true that you have to try new experiences, always.
Marcelo Lanat Júnior

Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!.......2007-05-30

I have loved this movie for years--I rented it on a lark back in the late 90s and fell in love with it, cheesy dialogue and all. What gets me is the very last scene when they dance the paso. I can't help but sit at the edge of my chair with a goofy grin on my face.

Strictly Amazing.......2007-05-14

Although nothing can compare to seeing this wonderful movie for the 1st time in a theater - having this DVD has rekindled some great memories. What a great movie!

Average customer rating:

On VHS

Ballroom Dancing for Absolute Beginners
Starring: Ballroom Dancing for Absolute Beginners
Manufacturer: Bayview Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Product Features:

2 DVD set
Easy-to-Learn
Expert Instruction
Cinematic Shots
Practice Music CD Offer

ASIN: B000F8SA2C
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product Description

Learn to for Fun, Fitness or Romance! Imagine being able to Waltz at a Wedding; Foxtrot to a live Jazz or Big Band; or even get up and Tango, Cha Cha or Salsa at a Latin Club. Absolute Beginners can finally cure their two left feet with simple and easy-to-learn instruction in the comfort of their own home. Learn from the champions: Robert Tang and Beverley Cayton-Tang are North American Professional Rising Star Standard Ballroom Champions. As Amateurs, they were also 3-time Canadian and 2-time North American Undefeated Amateur Standard Champions. Cure your two left feet. "For Absolute Beginners Ballroom Dancing" is a 2 DVD series that covers all the basic steps needed for any social dance situation and on any size floor. Series 1 features the Social Foxtrot, Waltz and Tango. Series 2 features Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive/Swing. "For Absolute Beginners Ballroom Dancing" is the culmination of Robert & Beverley's popular group workshops which continue to sell out. Order by November 31st, 2006 and get a FREE "abfab" Ballroom Dancing Practice Music Audio CD!!!

Customer Reviews:

On VHS.......2007-04-09

I had this on VHS not too long ago. Buying the DVD for sure. It is great and I remember thinking it would be better to forward and reverse if it's on DVD. It is 2 DVDs so I don't think the price is bad considering the instruction was easy and informative.

Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom / Romeo + Juliet / Moulin Rouge)

Average customer rating:

Perfect Combo
Purchase - Bax Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy
Cinematic Masterpieces
Great stuff except the DVD-ROM
The "Curtain" rises

Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom / Romeo + Juliet / Moulin Rouge)
Starring: Paul Mercurio , Tara Morice , Bill Hunter , Pat Thomson , and Gia Carides
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000682UD
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Amazon.com

Baz Luhrmann has coined the term red curtain cinema for his technique of using theatrical conventions to invigorate films to dazzling and dizzying heights, as shown in the three contained in this set: Strictly Ballroom (1993), William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet (1996), and Moulin Rouge (2001). Luhrmann notes the important characteristics of this style: take a well-known myth or fable and set it in a heightened creative world that the audience can participate in. In Strictly Ballroom, it's both David and Goliath and the Ugly Duckling set in the supercharged world of ballroom-dancing competition. For Romeo & Juliet, it's the star-crossed lovers transplanted to modern-day Verona Beach yet still peppered with Shakespeare's iambic pentameter. Moulin Rouge takes the story of Orpheus descending into the underworld in search of love then sets it in 19th-century Paris and adds modern pop songs.

The Red Curtain Trilogy includes these three films in loaded special-edition DVDs (all available separately), with featurettes and commentary tracks by Luhrmann and production designer (and Luhrmann's wife) Catherine Martin among others, and, in the case of Moulin Rouge, a second disc of features. Fans may opt for this trilogy rather than the separate discs because of its exclusive bonus DVD, "Behind the Red Curtain," the centerpiece of which is the documentary "Red Curtain Cinema," in which Luhrmann explains his theory behind this system of storytelling. It's 20 minutes if you watch it straight through, but numerous onscreen links offer two hours of older interviews, clips from other Luhrmann works, scripts, and an example of the Bollywood style. Other items include a 6-minute tour of the "House of Iona" (the home of the Bazmark creative team), and a grab bag of other materials such as all three scripts, DVD-ROM features, and an early example of the "red curtain" style, a pop interpretation of a Benjamin Britten opera excerpt called "Now Until the Light of Day." No doubt Luhrmann fans will consider the Red Curtain Trilogy "spectacular spectacular." --David Horiuchi

Description

Contains: *Moulin Rouge *Moulin Rouge Bonus Disc *Romeo and Juliet Special Edition *Stricly Ballroom *Behind the Red Curtain

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Combo.......2007-02-17

It is awesome. Such good movies. Perhaps Strictly Ballroom is a little less known, but it is hilarious. This trilogy is great. How can you go wrong with Strictly Ballroom, The Moulin Rouge, and the modern Romeo and Juliet? I highly highly recommend it. And not a bad price at all!

Purchase - Bax Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy.......2007-01-18

Easy transaction, fast shipping, received in great condition. Thanks!

Cinematic Masterpieces .......2006-11-12

I love all 3 films and Baz Lurhman for making them.

The 1st film Strictly Ballroom is about a wallflower in love with an energetic young male dancer from a ballroom dancing obsessed family. Scott Hastings is set to become ballroom dancing's next star, but his partner Liz, leaves him for a hilariously drunk idiot puppet dancer. Enter Fran, the wallflower student in his mother's studio and the daughter of immigrants. The immigrants are fabulous Latin dancers seeing as Fran's father is a legendary flamenco dancer, her Grandmother is too and the Paso Doble is never the same when you see it in this movie. The lesson of the movie is never let fear keep you from your dreams even against tremendous odds. The subject of the movie is also dance and you see it at its visual best with cinematic glitz

The 2nd film is a modern homage to Shakespeare with the tale of Romeo and Juliet portrayed in a modern setting, but with the immortal words of Shakespeare. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Daines are the perfect actors to play the doomed lovers; I also loved John Leguizamo as the smart Mercutio. The visual power of the film combined with the words is indeed appealing to the current generation's preference for visual media.

The 3rd film combines dance, words, and music to culminate in a cinematic masterpiece to the senses that seduces the viewer into the story. The doomed romance of Christian and Satine is made more poignant by the sharp use of color and the witty use of modern musical pop tunes. I will never forget the rendition of Like A Virgin.

I recommend everyone to have these 3 films in their movie collection.

Great stuff except the DVD-ROM.......2005-01-07

Moulin Rouge is my boyfriend and my most favorite movie ever. We never expected to like, not one bit. But after we rented it, then bought it -- well, we've watched it dozens and dozens of times and even gone to a Sing-a-Long night here in DC, which was great fun. Romance, conflict, pop songs and a whole lot of foretelling lead up to the most fulfilling climax and an ever-so-sad ending. "Quick, play it again!"

Romeo & Juliet is cool enough. The best part of the whole thing is when they die at the end. (I don't think I'm giving anything away with that famous plot twist.) Honestly, I wasn't familiar with the plot or dialogue so I was lost the first time I watched it. Then I rewatched it with the English subtitles -- big help! Thank gawd for DVDs.

Strictly Ballroom is the weakest of the three and the only one I originally saw in the theatre. It's a modest cinderella-type story mostly told from the prince-like dancer who plays the lead. The side characters are rather cartoonish and other than the lead, no one is as beautiful as this storyline needs them to be. It's okay.

I was most excited to finally buy this triple pack for my boyfriend's birthday a few months ago -- I really wanted to see what the 4th Disc had. I liked the workshop documentary and loved the remix of "Someday I'll Fly Away." There's some nice stuff here... but A LOT is missing, too: NONE of the DVD-ROM links work anymore! I have no idea what tidbits I'm missing, but I feel a bit ripped off [sigh]. What's left is some bits of the background music from the movie. The best song is under the "Toulouse Tonight" section, "Meet you in the Red Room" I think is what it's called. But the screenplay and web vignettes are all gone. Come on FOX, get it back online or give me a partial refund! It hasn't been that long since this set came out.

The "Curtain" rises.......2004-07-31

The colorful, whirling world of Baz Luhrmann is brought to life in the Red Curtain Trilogy, comprising "Strictly Ballroom," "Romeo + Juliet," and "Moulin Rouge." While there are sticky patches -- particularly the pairing of Danes and DiCaprio in "Romeo + Juliet" --the overall effect is beautiful and poignant.

"Strictly Ballroom" is the problem in Scott's (Paul Mercurio) life. He's an outstanding dancer, but he refuses to conform to the Australian ballroom rules -- he wants to dance his own steps. When he loses his partner, awkward Fran (Tara Morice) enters the scene and asks to dance with him. These two outcasts of the ballroom start to fall in love as they try to win a major competition.

"Romeo + Juliet" gives a modern Californian twist to the classic tale of feuding families and starcrossed young lovers. Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes) come from a pair of families locked in a deadly feud, but they fall in love anyway. Their desperate efforts to be together lead to tragedy...

"Moulin Rouge" gives us another kind of bittersweet love story -- a musical rather than a revamped classic. Bohemian poet Christian (Ewan McGregor) dips into the sensuous, flashy world of Moulin Rouge. There he falls in love with the beautiful, sickly Satine (Nicole Kidman), a star at the club, and a well-known courtesan. Unfortunately, their growing love is threatened by a duke, who wants Satine all for himself.

As a boy, Baz Luhrmann grew up around ballroom competitions, which give the heart to these movies. But the soul is in the presentation. It's theatrical, colorful, dazzling to the eyes and centered on classic tales of doomed love and succeeding against the odds.

Luhrmann's sense of the theatrical is included in his direction -- it can be very sharp and fast, and sometimes downright crazy. With another director, it might seem flashy and gaudy, but Luhrmann's unique style works. A particular risk is making a musical, something which spelled death for movies for a long time... until Luhrmann revived it with Moulin Rouge. Or the postmodern tale of Romeo and Juliet, which is imperfect, but still quite pleasant.

The acting tends to be excellent, although the acting in "Romeo + Juliet" is spotty, and DiCaprio and Danes have zero chemistry. But McGregor and Kidman in particular are outstanding, and Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio of "Strictly Ballroom" have electricity and sweetness to spare. The supporting actors are quite good as well.

And the three-DVD set is graced with plenty of extras -- documentaries, commentary on each film, behind-the-scenes peeks, featurettes, and some gorgeous music videos. And there's even an extra disc included with a "Red Curtain" documentary about Luhrmann's style, scripts, screensavers, more music videos, and more.

Baz Luhrmann reinvented the musical and gave his movies a lush, strange look that entices viewers even now. Sensuous, fun and funky, this is a trilogy to definitely check out.

Average customer rating:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing
"Love is in the Air"
Great!
Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!
Strictly Amazing

Strictly Ballroom
Starring: Paul Mercurio , Tara Morice , Bill Hunter , Pat Thomson , and Gia Carides
Director: Baz Luhrmann
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000068QJX

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing.......2007-09-10

"Love is in the Air".......2007-08-24

An absolute Gem !! It is extremely funny and colourful. Have seen it now many times and I still love it. Great for a comfortable or romantic evening at home with friends and loved ones !!

Great!.......2007-06-25

Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!.......2007-05-30

Strictly Amazing.......2007-05-14

Although nothing can compare to seeing this wonderful movie for the 1st time in a theater - having this DVD has rekindled some great memories. What a great movie!

Average customer rating:

Horribly Misleading
I'd give it 0 stars, but that's not an option...
Strictly not instructional
Very misleading, very disappointed
Not for beginners!

Strictly Ballroom
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Vintage Home Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Fitness & Yoga | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000CZ0Q84
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Description

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, winners of the first series of "Strictly Come Dancing," now take you through their winning dance steps. In addition to being a showcase of the talent that made them winners, they also teach you their moves! Breaking down the key areas, they will help you to understand the fundamentals of eight popular ballroom dances: Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Pasadoble, Quickstep, Rumba, Samba, Tango and Waltz. Filmed exclusively for DVD at the famous Rivoli Ballroom in London, Natasha and Brendan will help you to realize your dreams and make you the most graceful dancer on the floor! Presented by Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan Cole. Choreographed by Brendan Cole.

Customer Reviews:

Horribly Misleading.......2007-06-16

As others have said, this is NOT an instructional video at all. And since the front of the box specifically says "Instructional DVD" the producers of this video outright lied, which makes me mad when I spent money on this piece of crap.

It pretty much consists of the two dancers performing the dance then telling you how it makes them feel. Like others have said it's interesting to watch them perform the dances, but the product is highly misleading. I'll be attempting to return this one to the store tomorrow...

I'd give it 0 stars, but that's not an option..........2007-01-03

As you can see from the other reviews, this product is not very instructional at all. The only benefit my fiancee and I got from it were a lot of laughs. Then we cried because we paid $15 for it. Then we returned it to the store and asked them not to carry it. There are very, very few circumstances in which a person buying this product would actually benefit from viewing it.

Strictly not instructional.......2006-10-24

If you are looking for music to listen to, or to watch a pair of dancers this is the ballroom dancing dvd and cd for you. If however, you actually hope to learn ballroom dancing steps, please look elsewhere...

Very misleading, very disappointed.......2006-10-02

The other reviews hit the nail on the head. This DVD talks about techniques on improving your dance, not teaching you how to dance. My fiancee and I were hoping to get a head start on ballroom dancing before paying for dance lessons. We watched half of the video and turned it off.
The most detail you get is a slightly slowed down clip of them dancing with a voice-over explaining what they are doing, and unless you know the dance steps already you'll be lost.

Not for beginners!.......2006-06-21

This was a huge disappointment. We wanted a DVD that would teach us how to dance - this was not it.

Average customer rating:

a movie for the dance enthusiast's library

Strictly Ballroom

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B0007OPKBS

Product Description

Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer, but much to the chagrin of the Australian ballroom dance community, Scott believes in dancing "his own steps". Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the audacity to ask to be Scott's partner after his unorthodox style causes his regular partner to dance out of his life. Together, these two misfits try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, "there are no new steps!"

Customer Reviews:

a movie for the dance enthusiast's library.......2006-12-04

This is one of my favorite dance movies. It is funny, features some really terrific dance scenes, a fun plot, and great costumes! I don't want to add spoilers...but the story takes place somewhere down under at and around a ballroom dance school. There are so many unforgettable fantastic scenes! This movie is one that I enjoy watching again and again, only to discover something else I hadn't noticed before. The cast are terrific and it is just a total keeper of a film!

Average customer rating:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing
"Love is in the Air"
Great!
Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!
Strictly Amazing

Strictly Ballroom [Region 2]
Starring: Paul Mercurio , Tara Morice , Bill Hunter , Pat Thomson , and Gia Carides
Director: Baz Luhrmann
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005UQW2

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing.......2007-09-10

"Love is in the Air".......2007-08-24

An absolute Gem !! It is extremely funny and colourful. Have seen it now many times and I still love it. Great for a comfortable or romantic evening at home with friends and loved ones !!

Great!.......2007-06-25

Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!.......2007-05-30

Strictly Amazing.......2007-05-14

Although nothing can compare to seeing this wonderful movie for the 1st time in a theater - having this DVD has rekindled some great memories. What a great movie!

Average customer rating:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing
"Love is in the Air"
Great!
Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!
Strictly Amazing

Strictly Ballroom [Region 2]
Starring: Paul Mercurio , Tara Morice , Bill Hunter , Pat Thomson , and Gia Carides
Director: Baz Luhrmann
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004CYHM

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Great enteraimment and marvelous dancing.......2007-09-10

"Love is in the Air".......2007-08-24

An absolute Gem !! It is extremely funny and colourful. Have seen it now many times and I still love it. Great for a comfortable or romantic evening at home with friends and loved ones !!

Great!.......2007-06-25

Strictly Ballroom is totally wonderful!.......2007-05-30

Strictly Amazing.......2007-05-14

Although nothing can compare to seeing this wonderful movie for the 1st time in a theater - having this DVD has rekindled some great memories. What a great movie!

Average customer rating:

a good find

Strictly Ballroom
Starring: Paul Mercurio , Tara Morice , Bill Hunter , Pat Thomson , and Gia Carides
Director: Baz Luhrmann
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00006I04D

Description

Contains: *Moulin Rouge *Moulin Rouge Bonus Disc *Romeo and Juliet Special Edition *Stricly Ballroom *Behind the Red Curtain

Customer Reviews:

a good find.......2005-01-04

Baz Luhrmann's "Strictly Ballroom", "Romeo and Juliet" with Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, and "Moulin Rouge" with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, are included in this set. Luhrmann's unique directorial style is delightfully showcased in these films and it is intersting to note his progression in developing his craft through the films.

I gave it a 4 because "Strictly Ballroom" isn't as good as the latter two films, although still worth a watch or two.

DVD:

DVD

DVD