Dance and Music: 93

The documentary film, George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011), was co-produced and directed by Martin Scorsese. It depicts the life of famed musician and former Beatles member, George Harrison. Along with the film’s release came a companion book and an album featuring Harrison’s demo recordings. Its impressive accomplishments include winning Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Nonfiction Special. Initially recognized as ‘The Quiet Beatle’ of the Fab Four, George Harrison’s life extended far beyond ...

Glee (2009–2015) is an American musical comedy-drama television series that aired on Fox in the United States from May 19, 2009, to March 20, 2015. Set in Ohio at William McKinley High School, the show follows the members of a glee club called New Directions. These diverse students navigate social issues surrounding sexuality, race, family, teen relationships, and teamwork as they compete in show choir competitions. When a former Glee Club member becomes their new coach, he guides them with humor and creates lasting friendships. Get ready for ‘New Directions’. Lima, Ohio’s McKinley High School is forever transformed when Will Schuester, a Spanish ...

The Soloist (2009), directed by Joe Wright, features Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. in lead roles. The film tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man who struggles with schizophrenia and is also an exceptionally talented musician. In 2005, Steve Lopez works as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times under his ex-wife Mary, who is now his editor. After being involved in a biking accident, Lopez is hospitalized. It is during this time that he hears the beautiful sound of a violin being played. Intrigued, he ...

Crazy Heart (2009), an American drama written and directed by Scott Cooper in his feature directorial debut, is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Thomas Cobb. The story was inspired by country singer Hank Thompson. Otis ‘Bad’ Blake, a 57-year-old alcoholic songwriter and former country music star, now makes a modest living performing in small-town bars throughout the southwestern United States. He has had four failed marriages (although there is mention of a fifth he does not discuss) and no family aside from his 28-year-old son whom he hasn’t ...

In 2008, a musical comedy-drama miniseries called Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008) was created specifically for online viewing. Set and filmed in Los Angeles, the show follows the story of Dr. Horrible, an aspiring supervillain; his arch-nemesis Captain Hammer; and their mutual love interest, Penny. The series is divided into three acts, each lasting around 14 minutes. These were initially released as separate episodes on the Internet in July 2008, with a two-day gap between each release. Act I. Dr. Horrible takes to his video blog to provide updates on his schemes and address emails from his viewers. ...

Shine a Light (2008), directed by Martin Scorsese, captures the Rolling Stones’ Beacon Theatre performances in 2006 during their A Bigger Bang Tour. Filmed on October 29 and November 1 of that year, the footage used for the film is solely from the second show. The music was recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Bob Clearmountain with David Hewitt operating the audio recording on the Silver Truck. Preceding the concert clips is a brief semi-fictionalized intro depicting the preparations for the shows, along with historical news clips and archival interviews featuring band members. These special shows were ...

Directed by Todd Haynes and co-written by Haynes and Oren Moverman, I’m Not There (2007) is a musical drama film that utilizes a nonlinear narrative, interweaving the stories of six characters who each represent a different aspect of Bob Dylan’s public persona. These personas include poet (Arthur Rimbaud), prophet (Jack Rollins/Father John), outlaw (Billy McCarty), fake (Woody Guthrie), ‘rock and roll martyr’ (Jude Quinn), and ‘star of electricity’ (Robbie Clark). According to production ...

Dreamgirls (2006) is an American musical drama film written and directed by Bill Condon, and jointly produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures. It is adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical of the same name. The story follows car salesman Curtis Taylor Jr., who in 1962 Detroit meets a promising Black girl group called ‘The Dreamettes’ at an R&B amateur talent show. The trio, consisting of lead singer Effie White, and backup singers Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson, catches his eye. Impressed with their talent, Curtis presents himself as their new manager and hires them to sing ...

Happy Feet (2006), an animated comedy directed, produced and written by George Miller, tells the story of emperor penguins and their unique ‘heartsongs’ used to attract a mate. When Norma Jean falls for Memphis, they become mates and lay an egg which Memphis cares for while Norma Jean goes to fish with the other females. During the harsh winter, Memphis accidentally drops the egg but thankfully it hatches into Mumble, who is unable to sing but can tap dance. Despite this difference, Mumble is captivated by Gloria, known as the most talented penguin in her age group. One day, Mumble encounters hostile skua ...

In Take the Lead (2006), an American drama dance film directed by Liz Friedlander, Antonio Banderas portrays Pierre Dulaine, a dance instructor and the creator of Dancing Classrooms. As a group of students prepares for their school dance, Rock shows up with a damaged ticket and is turned away by Mr. Temple and Principal James. Later, he gets into trouble with some thugs who pressure him to vandalize the Principal’s car. However, when Pierre arrives and interrupts them, they scatter. The next day, Pierre visits the school to speak with the Principal about what he ...

Be Cool (2005) is an American crime comedy film based on Elmore Leonard’s novel of the same name. It serves as the sequel to Leonard’s 1990 novel Get Shorty, which was also adapted into a film in 1995. The story centers around Chili Palmer, a mobster who becomes disenchanted with filmmaking and turns to the music industry following the public murder of his friend Tommy Athens, who owned a struggling record label. Chili offers to help Tommy’s widow, Edie Athens, revive the business which is in debt to hip-hop producer Sin LaSalle for $300,000. ...

The Pixar short film One Man Band (2005) was a hit at the 29th Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France and took home the Platinum Grand Prize at the Future Film Festival in Italy. Bass, a skilled street performer, played his wind and percussion instruments in an abandoned Italian village square, hoping for a tip in his rusty iron cup. His routine was interrupted when he noticed Tippy, a peasant girl with a gold coin, about to make a wish by tossing it into the plaza fountain. Immediately seizing the opportunity, Bass played an impromptu piece that caught Tippy’s attention. However, just as she was about to give him her coin, another performer ...

In the drama film Last Days (2005), directed, produced, and written by Gus Van Sant, we witness a fictionalized portrayal of a musician’s final days, loosely based on Kurt Cobain. The central character, Blake, breaks out of a rehab facility and makes his way back home through the forest. After swimming through a lake and spending the night by a fire, he returns to his house and changes his clothes before wandering around with a shotgun in hand. Among his roommates – Scott, Luke, Asia, and Nicole – is Thadeus A. Thomas, who chats with him about advertising in the upcoming Yellow Pages book. Despite ...

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005) is a documentary by Martin Scorsese that follows the life of iconic musician Bob Dylan and his significant influence on American popular music and culture in the 20th century. The film specifically delves into the years between Dylan’s arrival in New York in January 1961 and his temporary withdrawal from touring after a motorcycle accident in July 1966. During this time, Dylan experienced a meteoric rise as a folk singer and songwriter, sparking a transformative movement in both cultural and musical realms, ultimately leading to debate over his transition to rock music.

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) is a compilation of short films and a feature-length anthology by renowned director Jim Jarmusch. Throughout the various segments, black and white tiles are consistently used as a visual element. This artistic choice reflects the underlying theme of opposing personalities, as each vignette portrays two individuals who have conflicting views but still maintain a cordial atmosphere while seated at a table together. Strange to Meet You. In the 1986 short film Coffee and Cigarettes, Roberto ...

The Blues (2003), a documentary series created by Martin Scorsese, delves into the rich history of blues music. Each of the seven episodes is directed by a different filmmaker, exploring various stages in the evolution of the genre. Originally broadcast on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) in the United States, this project resonates deeply with all involved – including Wim Wenders, Richard Pierce, Charles Barnett, Mike ...

8 Mile (2002) is an American drama film written by Scott Silver and directed by Curtis Hanson. Featuring Eminem in his film debut, it contains elements from the rapper’s own life story. The plot centers around Detroit artist Jimmy Smith Jr., also known as B-Rabbit. In 1995, Jimmy is a budding musician who goes by the name B-Rabbit. He comes from a low-income family living in a trailer park just outside of Detroit. To support his mother Stephanie, younger sister Lily, and Stephanie’s abusive boyfriend Greg, Jimmy ...

Moulin Rouge! (2001) is a jukebox musical romantic drama film helmed by Baz Luhrmann. Set in 1900 Paris, the story follows Christian, a young writer mourning the loss of his beloved. He takes to his typewriter to pen their love story. In the Montmartre district, he joins the Bohemian movement and meets Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his troupe who are working on a play called Spectacular Spectacular. With Christian’s help, they finish the play and head to the Moulin Rouge in hopes that Satine, the star performer and courtesan, will be impressed by Christian’s talents and convince Harold Zidler, the proprietor ...

The drama film, The Man Who Cried (2000), written and directed by Sally Potter tells the story of Fegele Abramovich, a Russian Jew who becomes separated from her father in 1927. As her father seeks his fortune in America, he promises to bring Fegele and her grandmother to join him. Before departing, he sings ‘Je Crois Entendre Encore’ from Les pêcheurs de perles by Bizet to his daughter. Tragically, a pogrom strikes their village after he leaves, and Fegele is forced to flee with the help of kind neighbors. Despite facing numerous obstacles on her journey, she eventually boards a ship bound for Britain with ...

Black and White (1999), an American drama film by director James Toback, follows the life of Rich Bower. As a mover and shaker in the rap music scene, he is also involved in numerous other legitimate and illegitimate business ventures. His apartment serves as a popular gathering spot for musicians, hangers-on, and hipsters striving to fit into what they perceive as the most fashionable crowd. Among them are a group of white kids seeking acceptance within this community. Sam Shields, a filmmaker, is working on a documentary about Rich and his inner circle with the assistance of her husband Terry Downey, who feels out of ...