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1980s Movie Tournament: Second Leg |
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| Hairspray | Dirty Dancing | |
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John Waters, clearly a genius, strayed from his norm and directed his first PG-rated film. Set in 1962, portly teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) wants nothing more than to join the cast on the local TV dance show The Corny Collins Show. Despite facing adversity at school for her hair and weight, Tracy's bubbly personality and stellar moves land her a spot on the show. Not only does Tracy's dream come true but she also becomes surprisingly popular sparking a rivalry with the show's former dance star Amber Von Tussle (Collen Fitzpatrick). After witnessing the terrible race relations in Baltimore, Tracy becomes an outspoken advocate for the desegregation of The Corny Collins Show with the support of her friends, family and fans.
I love Divine (who played Edna Turnblad and Arvin Hodgepile). Divine was simply amazing and John Waters knew just how to capture her beautifully (this was her last film before her death). After seeing the 2007 remake, I have to say John Travolta is a poor substitute. Aside from its continued film success, Hairspray was also turned into a Broadway musical that won 8 Tony awards. Memorable dialogue: Prudence Pingleton: Don't you try to cast one of your voodoo spells on me, native woman. Geometry Teacher: Tracy Turnblad, once again your ratted hair is preventing another student's geometry education. Tracy Turnblad: It's feathered, not ratted. Geometry Teacher: Whatever you call it, it's a hair don't. |
In the summer of 1963, Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) and her family go on vacation at the Kellerman Resort in the Catskill Mountains. At the age of 17, her future has already been decided (attend Mount Holyoke and then enter the Peace Corps). Baby's world changes when she develops a crush on the resort's dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). As Baby becomes Johnny's star pupil, their tempers flare and a steamy romance begins. Aside from their budding relationship, Baby also decides to help Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), another resort employee, when she learns Penny needs to get an abortion. Penny's abortion leaves her in agony so Baby asks her doctor father (Jerry Orbach) to help her. Mr. Houseman, believing Johnny was the father, forbids Baby from seeing him again. Baby defies her father and continues to see him regardless of the consequences. When Johnny is accused of stealing from a guest, Baby admits that they were still seeing each other and that he couldn't be the culprit because he was with her. Johnny was fired for having a relationship with a guest but was still rather moved by Baby's declaration. Johnny returns to the resort to perform the final dance of the season with Baby.
When I was kid I remember my brother explaining to me the movie was called Dirty Dancing because they practiced dancing barefoot on a log. At the time, that seemed like a plausible enough explanation. At the tender age of 5, I clearly wasn't in the right demographic to fully grasp the film. This film sealed Patrick Swayze's fate as a heart throb and spawned one of the most infamous movie lines of all time (anyone else cringe every time Simeon on The Pickup Artist used this line at bars?) Memorable dialogue: Johnny: Nobody puts Baby in the corner. Johnny Castle: That took a lot of guts to go to him! You are not scared of anything. Baby: Me? I'm scared of everything! I'm scared of what I saw. I'm scared of what I did, of who I am. And most of all, I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life... the way I feel when I'm with you! |
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Contest Info
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