Flashdance

Rating:
Summary: very heartfelt!
Review: this is a heartfelt movie about a young girl like myself who wants to become a ballerina. watch it if you are crazy about ford trucks! no, just kiddin',crazy about ballerinas. oh yeah! don't forget to watch my movie can't hardly wait!

Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Beals- thank you!!
Review: Of the top five or so movies that have had the greatest impression on me, no movie had the personal impact as did "Flashdance." I was going through, what I like to call, a "character building" period in my life after having moved to California a little less than a year before this movie came out. Long story short: no job, no car, no money when a friend of mine called and said he wanted me to go see "Flashdance," with him- his treat. After a little coercing, I gave in.

Yes, the movie has a typical or predictable plot, but I would not call it weak because of the actors and the memorable characters they created. The viewer is bonded to the characters in this movie- one cares what happens to them. The cinematography in this movie is great, especially the opening credit scenes of Pittsburgh as Alex is riding her bike to work. No, this movie doesn't have "5-star" acting... I think that would have ruined this whole movie. It has, what I would call, "real-life" acting: not that polished and maybe stumbles a bit here and there. It gives this movie its strength, not a weakness.

Not only are the musical scenes great, the background musical interludes chosen also help set the feeling in many of the scenes... "Lady, Lady, Lady," sung by Joe Esposito playing during a tender romantic scene between Alex and her boss, and- my favorite- "I'll Be Here Where The Heart Is," sung by Kim Carnes played during one of Alex's low-points in the film.

The highlight of the film is its finale when Alex is auditioning in front of the Pittsburgh Dance and Conservatory Company's selection committee. I would call it one of the greatest movie moments of all time. I stepped out of the theatre feeling I was walking three feet above the ground back to the car. I have never left another movie sensing that level of enthusiasm, exhilaration, and energy. I made myself a promise at that moment that things would get better... and they did too... in ways I never could have imagined at the time. Thank you, Jennifer Beals, for the motivation and inspiration you gave me at that time in my life!

This was one of the most influential movies of the '80's. The DVD picture is clearer and the sound incredible compared to my ol' VHS tape. GREAT movie! If you haven't seen it, buy it and see what positive effect it has on you!

Rating:
Summary: Unforgetable Movie!
Review: This is a movie that I still enjoy watching today.Jennifer Beals did an outstanding job playing the heroine of this movie.
The theme song of this movie is still in play today on the radio.I still have a copy of the original tape.
Beals is a welder during the day and dances in a club at night.She is in constant practice for an audition at an exclusive dance studio.She gets her audition and you wind up with another unforgetable scene from the movie.Of course her wealthy boss who she is dating also does his part in helping our
heroine.
This is the ultimate feel good movie.The music is good and the actors are good.Long live Flashdance.

Rating:
Summary: What an icky, sticky feeling...
Review: *Flashdance* -- what a feeling. What an icky, sticky feeling, like cotton candy that you can't get off your fingers -- total Eighties swill that has failed to congeal over time. So many funny, and so many dreadful moments that peck at the memory like a relentless chicken: Jennifer Beals dancing frenetically in place to the unbearable "Maniac", removing her bra without removing her sweatshirt, digging her foot into the guys crotch under the table...and the fashion statement - it is one of those rare movies that has a huge impact on fashion. Who among us wasn't ripping our sweatshirts to shreds and wearing legwarmers? Well, maybe not all of us, true...but she was certainly the most stylish welder to come down the pike in quite awhile. But *Flashdance* is not anything so much as a two hour music video about achieving your dream. Winning Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammys, the soundtrack was a huge success. Selling 700,000 copies in two weeks, not only for the title track, but for the regrettably aforementioned "Maniac" by Michael Sembello, "Romeo" by Donna Summer, and "He's A Dream" by Shandi, the soundtrack, along with the look, still haunts aerobics studios today. "When you let go of your dream, you die." But he's wrong - when you listen to dialogue like that, you die.

Rating:
Summary: An 80's Icon , What a classic
Review: I first saw this movie back in 1983 when I was just fifteen years old. I think just about every teen age male had a SEVERE CRUSH on Jennifer Beals at that time , including myself. In fact , I am still enamored by how good she looks to this present day. She is now I think 42 and really has not changed at all from the pictures I saw when I went to www.Google.com. I just recently reviewed the film again a few days ago which makes it only the second time I saw it. I found it to be very illuminating and it transported me back in time. I got the same enjoyment as I did back then. True , a bit corny in some segments of the film , but what the heck , it was the 80's and thats the way it was. Although J.Beals did participate in some of the dancing scenes , the majority of the dance scenes were done by a French dancer by the name of Marine Jahan (some people do not know this). Initially , when I found out some years ago , I was a little disappointed to say the least. Make no mistake , this is an awesome film and I am still a fan of J.Beals. I have just witnessed some of her other low budget films and was impressed by her acting talents. Unfortunately , she will always be labeled with the antiquated stereotype of Alex Owens in Flashdance. I can live with that. Also , I have just recently read that she is doing a series called the L Word on Showtime. I'll have to check it out one day. Without going into to much detail , the whole thesis of the movie is built around Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) who is afraid of her ultimate dream which is to be accepted by a prestige dance acedemy in Pittsburgh. Scared to audition , she is then prompted by her boyfriend and she finally auditions and is accepted. Even if you did NOT grow up in the 80's , you will inherit some enlightment after watching this film. Finally , I think that the film exhibited a moral code of ethics to the viewers as well. Rather than dancing in some sleeze nudity bar , the main character (Alex Owens) decides not to be influenced by some other bar owner to come and dance for him. Out of all the 80's dance films that were out during the 80's decade (and there were some dumb ones), this is by far my top pick. This movie will indeed give you a little adrenaline rush after you watch it. Set a few hours aside and judge for yourself , I dont think you will be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: not a great movie, but a sentimental favorite
Review: I was all of three years old when Flashdance was released in the spring of 1983. However, while I was too young to see the movie, I knew the soundtrack by heart thanks to my older sister. My mom finally decided I would be allowed to watch the movie when it was aired on NBC in early 1988. Needless to say I loved it after all the years of waiting.

Everyone knows the plot, welder by day, dancer by night. Jennifer Beals was an unknown when she made this movie, and the movie transformed her (briefly) into a sensation. She had a hard time following this film up, but luckily due to Showtime's The L Word, she is back on top of her game.

Flashdance is not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, if anything, it's some of the worst character development (save Beals' Alex) a movie this big has ever seen. But all is forgiven when the music comes on. This movie was made when MTV (when MTV meant music) was beginning to take off... this was in many ways like a series of music videos interspread with story. From Maniac to Gloria to What A Feeling, this movie emphasised on music in a way unseen except maybe Saturday Night Fever.

I have seen Flashdance countless times, and I rushed out to buy the DVD the same week it came out, because I wanted it that badly.

I hope Paramount will give us a special edition DVD along the lines of Footloose... Beals is hot again, they can always bring her in for an interview or something like that.

Rating:
Summary: Great Feel-Good Movie, Very Influential
Review: "Flashdance" is the movie that got me hooked on dancing, and I used to love it to death. After reading bad reviews that said it is just a music video with extra scenes, I've realized that it is true, but that doesn't stop me from loving this movie. It is about an 18 year old girl named Alex who dreams of going to the Pittsburgh dance company, but she can't afford it. She lives in a broken down warehouse, and works as a welder by day and Flashdancer by night. She doesn't strip naked, but strips down to skimpy leotards. The most tittilating scene is probably when she is doused with the bucket of water. The cinematography on that shot is just brilliant! Anyway, she falls in love with her boss, who looks like he's WAY too old for her. Her friend Jeanie wants to be a professional ice skater, and Jeanie's boyfriend Richie wants to be a stand up comedian. They both make an attempt to pursue their goals, but Alex is to afraid to apply to the company; everyone there is rich and glamorous, with high heels and fancy clothes. Alex walks in with big poofy hair, thick boots, and army jacket, and beat up jeans. She has an elderly lady named Hanna who guides her along the way. No one is really sure of Hanna's relationship with Alex; is she her grandmother, or simply an old ballerina? Another setback for Alex is the bar across the street from the one she works at. The owner is a total sleazebag, and treats Alex like an object. Alex finally musters up the courage to audition, in the most energetic and triumphant dance scene ever filmed. The song she dances to is the Academy Award winning "Flashdance...What A Feeling", one my favorite songs ever. If you are a dancer or just like watching people dance, then go out and rent this movie.

Rating:
Summary: OK if you miss the early 80s
Review: Flashdance, supposedly inspired by a real-life welder-turned-dancer, comes off as a pretty lame flick, but it does bring back my fond memories of the early 80s. The story itself is predictable, uninspiring, and ends too abruptly. The dance numbers are ok, nothing extraordinary, although the girls do have beautiful legs. To be honest I found the movie boring. Jennifer Beals's interracial beauty was about the only thing that allowed me to finish watching the movie.

The DVD is enhanced for 16:9 widescreen and preserves the film quality pretty well. The audio is too loud on music and too soft on dialogs. It doesn't have any extra features. But then, for $12, you get to watch some 80s dancing and some strip club scenes and relive the go-go days, so what more can you ask for?

Rating:
Summary: A Believable story that any dreamer can identify with.
Review: Flashdance is one of the most remembered films of the 1980s. It is full of rythym and fast paced tempo that most people were used to seeing in the popular dance movies like Footloose and Dirty Dancing. Jennifer Beals plays her best role as the young wannabe ballet dancer who strives to make it in a rough neighborhood. This film whould be nothing without its music or dancing. It is one of the best date movies too. I highly reccomend this film to anyone with a dream or anyone who is a fan of films from the 1980s.

Rating:
Summary: typical 80's flick
Review: I'm a connoisseur of fine welding films, and Flashdance is the all time best! Jennifer Beals really knows how to work it! Apparently, there was some controversy over the dancing credits. But no one filled in for Jennifer's welding scenes, let me tell you! Jennifer's torch lighting technique is quick and effective. And once it's lit -- watch out! She can move that 627I series spot welder with amazing strength, yet with deft efficiency! Yes, the music in this film seems quite dated -- for retro fans only. And the Romeo meets Juliet plot seems to get in the way of the welding. Still, I've never seen such great welding cinematography. And the certified Beals can really work a great vertical, horizontal, and overhead weld! Also recommended: Charlie's Angels Full Throttle has a great Flashdance welding homage; also try "Winky the Welder Says Safety First"; "White Hot -- New Welding Brazing and Cutting Processes"; and "Welding Flux Bloopers."