Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 19:26:12

Definitely an original!

This review is from: Flashdance (DVD) I remember when this came out and I saw it. One of the many great films of the early to mid eighties, esp in this genre. As one reviewer said, it made Jennifer Beals an overnight sensation, but sadly, she did not get the best movie roles after that. Yes, It is disappointing that big-screen success eluded her after this film, but you can't take Flashdance from her. But GOD, she was GEORGEOUS in this film, and like another reviewer said, she still looks good today. Dynamite soundtrack as well. I'm definitely going to get a copy for sure.

2012-05-24 04:51:05

Flashdance for shizzle! flashdancy! yahoooo

it was brillant. truely brilliant. actually, i haven't seen it yet, but i can tell that it will be sexy, romantic, comical, outrageous, intriguing, meaningful, will demonstrate an outstanding sense of the masterful technique of literature and poise, and will prove to touch the lives of those whose lives need touching upon. like my friend. she is going through a really hard time right now. her mother died, and her father is living. =[[ anyways, im sure she will be touched by this enthralling, lubricant, presurizing, matrixing, hand touching movie! oh, and my other friend has stinky feet.---me.ps. even my banana in my fruit basket is excited to see such a website! =]]

vistaseas 2012-05-24 02:37:01

Rather sit with an insurance salesman

An embarrassment only to remind me how silly being on this planet was20 years ago. Didn't like it then and don't like it now. It's no wonderJennifer Bealls had trouble finding good work after this movie. Badacting bad directing and bad continuity. The woman is actually wearingmetal buttons on herself, as a "welder" which is a no-no. The storylineis supposedly meant to be uplifting and a struggle to prove one's self.I easily proved I could uplift myself from the struggle to sit anyfurther the second time I gave this movie a chance. This title is stillin print? I can't believe I share this earth with nincompoops thatstill believe this pile of "film" has any entertaining value at all.

Tim Cox 2012-05-23 18:19:19

Flashdance

Short on plot, but big on rock and roll and performance, especially byBeals, who excels as a welder (and semi-erotic dancer) who has dreams ofballet.

2012-05-23 02:48:49

Wasted opportunity... Two discs worth of nothing!

I wasted my money upgrading from the single disc, first edition dvd of Flashdance to get this 2-disc "Special" edition thinking it would be full of extra content, but instead was full of something else. With Flashdance being the phenomena that it was, I totally expected Paramount to go all out and make this the ultimate Flashdance experience (similar to the VIP treatment that weaker films like Showgirls even seems to receive), but no dice. There must be tons of Flashdance info to really pack two discs. The hour long VH-1 Behind the Move - Flashdance episode would've been perfect to include on this dvd set, as it provided a thorough look at the making, the music and impact of this blockbuster smash. And since Paramount owns MTV/VH-1, it would've been a no brainer. And to make matters worse is the funky six-song sampler they tossed in to make up disc two. They couldn't even give you the whole soundtrack. This is exactly why dvds aren't selling like they used to.

2012-05-22 13:42:09

Fats Paced Film - To Have Fun With!

FLASHDANCE - is one of those films back in the 80's that when it opened up it became a huge success. I think mainly because it was a Rocky or Karate Kid-type movie. It had an upbeat theme, great music and characters that had nothing and achieved their dreams.Directed by Adrinne Lynn (Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal) the film launched Jennifer Beals ( The Bride, Vampires Kiss ) into stardom over night. Her love interest, played by Michael Nouri ( Captain America, Black Ice ) also had achieved recognition for this film. Even the model/dancer Cynthia Rhodes (Staying Alive, Runaway, Dirty Dancing) went on to achieve great success.The story is simple. As small eats-coast/mid-west town girl has a dream of going to a real ballet school and become a professional dancer. The school is elite, expensive and requires an approval process that included an audition. She is non confident and has little self-esteem.The other thing that makes her feel less adequate is the fact that though by day she work in a welding mill - by night she is a club dancer in a local bar. The odds are against her - and except for her closest friends - no one can think she can make it. Guess what? I leave the rest for you to enjoy. Very positive ad upbeat film about any one can achieve their dreams if the keep on trying and believe in themselves.There are many DVD extra's on it and it would have been nice to hear the cast commentary, or the directors AND the cast (the cast is always more interesting then the directors commentary - unless its Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Billy Crystal, Carl Reiner - former actors turned directors) but they must have not wanted to pay them. (Paramount that is.) Overall a great film for the spirits to be lifted for everyone who watches it. Let me know what you think. (12-10-02)

2012-05-22 17:53:49

Remembering the '80's 22 Years Later

I saw this movie for the first time last night. In 1983 OI had just graduated from high school and somehow missed it. I do however remember owning the soundtrack. I must say that the movie stands up pretty well despite its age. It could be that the story of follwing one's dreams is timeless. It also doesn't hurt that the movie starred the beautiful Jennifer Beals who unfortunately hasn't been seen again in ages.The story of welder by day and dancer by night is well known. One could say that it became a cultural phenomenon in the eighties. Looking back the movie brings to mind some good memories and some memorable music(Who could forget the theme song by one hit wonder Irene Cara).This film is not by any means something that is indespensible to your film collection but serves its place as a sort of sweet reminder of a what seems too distant past.One should note that this film launched several Hollywood careers.Its director, writer, and producers have gone on to become icons of the industry. The DVD offers a decent enough transfer but falls short in that it has no special features.

2012-05-21 22:57:34

Hindsight is 20/20

Believe it or not, I actually wanted to watch this movie. I've seen almost everything else Adrian Lyne has done and respect his shallow talent enough to be interested in his early efforts.(I watched _Jacob's Ladder_ because I remembered an intriguing preview on a VHS cassette I watched as a kid and learning that it was a significant influence on _Silent Hill_ sealed the deal; My girlfriend owns a copy of Lyne's version of _Lolita_; _Fatal Attraction_ was a girlfriend induced rental; I watched the TV version of _Indecent Proposal_; I haven't seen _9 1/2 Weeks_ but I read the book.) Flashdance is also one of those pieces of pop culture that are so influential that you recognize references even if you've never seen it. And I always wanted to hear the song "Maniac" in its original context, so when I found it on an acquaintances shelf I popped it in.So, how was it?Not too bad. Not great by any means, or even really that good (_Lolita_ and _Jacob's Ladder_ are both quite good) but interesting enough to keep me awake after a long day of work. The plot is a by-the-book "believe in your dreams" story with really lame dialog, but its development is intercut with extended dancing sequences that are so long and frequent that at times it felt like I was watching an abstract silent film. I don't know squat about dancing, but the choreography seemed innovative, at least for its time.I can't even remember the names of the characters, but all in all, I have to admit that it was kind of neat.Also, if you watch it with the subsequent 20+ years of movies in mind, _Flashdance_ can be seen as sort of an omen of all bad things to come from Hollywood: It's a movie by a director whose only previous experience was in music videos and commercials, one whose screenplay was an early effort by hack Joe Esterhasz and was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer! Taken collectively these elements are probably responsible for about 60% of all crap movies made since.

2012-05-20 21:06:43

Flashdance-DVD?

Please release this as a DVD. This is such a GREAT movie! It deserves it!

Mike Salvati 2012-05-20 08:13:10

What a feeling!

This is one of my favorite abd movies of all time! Everything about thismovie makes no sense, but that's part of its charm. It goes by quick andthe dancing scenes are pretty funny. The dialogue is so bad, it's funny andthe 80's fashions...well don't get me started! My favorite part is whenJennifer Beals dumps water on her head at the beginning! A classic moviemoment if there ever was one! This is a classic and everyone should see it!Remember, "when you give up your dream, you die."

billcr12 2012-05-19 13:36:01

Awful

MTV started making music videos into a popular format to advance thecareers of musicians of little or no talent such as Madonna, etc. Thetrend then unfortunately was discovered by Hollywood. The hybrid resultis the 95 minute eyesore known as Flashdance.Alex(Jennifer Beals) is a welder at a steel mill, complete with hardhat for authenticity, during the daytime and at night she is a dancerof yet undiscovered natural grace and ability. She lives alone with herdog, Grunt; I am not making this up. Oh, and by the way, she has beenaccepted into a prestigious dance academy, how could I forget. It onlygets worse. Here comes the father figure, Nick(Michael Nouri), her bossat the steel plant, happens to see her performing what looks like asemi erotic number on stage at a local club. Nick gets horny for hisyoung employee. He and his ex wife fight over his new youthful trophygirlfriend, Alex. More stupidity follows and my only advice is to avoidthis long form video and read a book instead.

eduthais 2012-05-19 03:19:26

This movie is less outdated than many people nowadays might think

I've seen Flashdance about 15 to 20 times during my whole life since1983. And all the times I've seen it, it was in the Spanish version.Yesterday I saw the original version and I just couldn't believe howdifferent it was from what I've been watching all this time. While inthe original version, Alex seems to be a candid 18 year old girl tryingto find her dream, in Spanish her voice makes her look like a mucholder and experienced woman with an empty life. From what I havenoticed about the film production, it is indeed a low-cost movie whosesuccess had nothing to do with its editing, set-ups or actors. I wouldsay that the thing that definitely made a hit out it was the music. Idon't think this movie is outdated at all nowadays. In fact, I wouldsay that a remake of this movie would be a hit at the box office.However, I don't think it would be such a good idea to place JenniferLopez as Alex, like some people say it would be.

mjpb1 2012-05-18 06:46:49

Dog and Mawby's Bar

What bridge was in opening scenes??what was the dogs name?? What wasthe actual location of Mawby's Bar and what is it's real name ifMawby's is a "stage name". what were some of the street scenes?one looked like a road construction site. what building did sheaudition in. where was her apartment/former warehouse? Where was herbosses' house. how many scenes may have been in a studio in Hollywoodrather than Pittsburgh? I am a native of Pittsburgh, but do not livethere anymore, but still miss it in a way, except for cold weather andSnow/ Ice in the winter time. They could have shown more of the city,but i guess like most people, She went to work,went to second job atthe bar, come home,practice dance or do other hobbies,eat go to sleep,get up go to work etc.Mike

2012-05-17 23:44:04

Best dance film of the 80's!

For a low budget film, Flashdance was an addictive box office smash. I must have seen this film at LEAST 15 times when it played in the cinemas. All right, the plot was a little weak but it had strong female characters, a great soundtrack, and fantastic dancing! "Watchman-on-the-wall" should get off his God trip and keep his preaching in the church. This is great entertainment for anyone who enjoys a good dance movie. I'd be surprised if the DVD release doesn't send more eager students out on the dance floor! A+

b_havag 2012-05-17 06:45:37

Great music, poor movie

"Flashdance" from 1983 is a poor movie. To me it seems just like abunch of music videos played after each other, and the already plainstory obviously suffers from this. Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens,a working-class girl working as a welder during the day and as a dancereach night. Her dream is to obtain a place in a prestigious danceschool. One night her boss at the steel mill, Nick, (Michael Nouri)sees her dancing in the club, and he immediately becomes attracted toher. You can probably guess the rest of the movie yourself, thats howpredictable and "seen-before" it is.I can see why the feature is loved by someone though; I found Bealscharming as Alex and Nouri quite alright as Nick and I loved thesoundtrack, which is amazing and got a well earned Oscar. It doesn'thurt with beautiful and sexy leads, 80's spirit, music and dancingeither. A typical teen-movie.One star for Jennifer Beals, one for the eighties and Flashdance'steen-appeal and two stars for one of the best movie soundtracks ever.5/10

tfrizzell 2012-05-17 04:26:16

The Soundtrack, the Performers, the Heat, the Cool, the Shirt With No Shoulder....

Pittsburgh welder (Jennifer Beals, easily the best looking welder I haveever seen)/night-time exotic dancer dreams of a better life by becoming aballet dancer. She has nervousness and inferiority complexes galore, but sheis a good person with a good heart and soul. Soon she finds love from herday-time boss (Michael Nouri, who knows she is a stripper) and constantencouragement from him and an elderly German lady (the priceless Lilia Skalaof "Lilies of the Field" fame some 20 years before this was released).Typical situations occur with soap opera-styled results and a smashingsoundtrack that represents the very best the 1980s had to offer in the wayof cinematic music dominates the action. What a feeling! "Flashdance" ispretty tame by director Adrian Lyne's standards (think "9 1/2 Weeks", "FatalAttraction" and "Unfaithful"). This fact does not really benefit or takeaway from the picture though. The characters are likable, but seem so phonyand under-developed. For a time though every girl of the age wore thoseshirts that hung off one shoulder and every man wanted to be cool like Nouriand be with a hot woman like Beals (ah, the 80s). And of course naturallyeveryone had to have that soundtrack (which of course was highlighted by"What a Feeling"---the runaway Best Original Song Oscar winner for 1983).The movie is full of pop icon aspects, hot sounds and hotter songs. But whenwatching the film, you will wonder when is that song I love so much going tobe played. Well don't fear, after about 110 minutes of drivel-heavy dialogueyour wish will come true. The microcosms of the 1980s in the motion picturebusiness---what a feeling! 2.5 out of 5 stars.

2012-05-13 12:09:19

Ms.

i loved this movie, i enjoyed it very much. amazon is an easy places to order and get what i was looking for. thank you

Joel 2012-05-12 19:52:13

A movie with a great message

I really can't say why I saw this movie, but I saw it for all the rightreasons. To be honest, Jenifer Beals gave a great performance. Sheexemplifies what it means to have drive! It may not be the best, but ifyou think about it, there's a message in this movie: never give out onyour dream! After watching this, that's been my mindset ever since!Thank you, Flashdance!This is worthy of an 9 out of 10. By the way: any kind of movie snob who bashes this movie obviously hasno drive.

digi_rg_23 2012-05-12 07:11:37

Not a dance movie.

I dance and this has got to be one of the worst dance moviesmade. I can't believe they are making a sequel. It might havebeen because of the eighties music, but I don't think anyone in thismovie (except the trained ballet dancers) could dance. I don't likethis movie.

2012-05-11 13:30:57

So very 80's!

I was 15 when this movie came out, and it was the catalyst for a cultural revolution. It completely changed the music and fashions of the times and truly defined the 80's. During the summer it was released (summer of '83), you couldn't listen to the radio for more than an hour without hearing "Maniac" or the Flashdance theme song at least four times. All the girls, myself included, emulated Jennifer Beals's style of dress in the movie: cut-up sweatshirt, tight mini skirts, high stiletto heels. This movie cause an absolute furor!You cannot watch this movie and not want to dance! I should also mention that it caused a huge fitness craze, with leg-warmer-clad women flocking to the gyms and the aerobics studios in droves. I suspect it's what encouraged Jane Fonda to churn out all those aerobics videos in the 80's.As much as I adore this movie, it bothers me in the fact that it holds an ambivalent attitude toward women. On one hand, it empowers women, as evidenced by Alex Owens's (Jennifer Beals) ambition, drive, and independence. But on the other, it exploits them: Many of the men view women as nothing more than sex objects. The saddest part comes when Alex's ice-skater friend Jeannie loses all faith in herself after falling during a crucial competition and resorts to working at the local strip club.Its treatment of men is none too just, either. It sends out the message that wimpy but good-hearted men like Richie Blazik, the cook-cum-stand-up comedian, will always come in last, and sleazeballs like strip-club proprietor Johnny C. always succeed in their evil ways without retribution. To wit: his goon busted Richie in the nose, and it was he, Johnny C., who wheedled Jeannie into stripping at the club. He even ends up as her man! Go figure! (What decent man allows his girlfriend to work as a stripper?). I think the scales were trying to be balanced by the addition of Nick Hurley, the guy who hailed from the rough streets of Pittsburgh to make good. He was truly a knight in shining armor, but he is ineffectual at best.For anyone who wants to take a trip back to the 80's, this is THE movie for you!