Dance and Music: 93

The Source (1999), a documentary directed by Chuck Workman, follows the lives of influential Beat writers, from their first meeting at Columbia University in 1944 to their deaths. Through dramatic interpretations by three actors, the film delves into their friendships, rise to prominence in American culture, travels, frequent parodies, and eventual passings of Kerouac and Ginsberg. Their movement intersected with bebop music, John Cage’s compositions, abstract expressionism art, and experimental theater. In recent interviews with figures such as Jerry Garcia and Tom Hayden, the likes of Ginsberg, Burroughs, Kesey ...

Sweet and Lowdown (1999), a American comedy-drama mockumentary by Woody Allen, tells the story of jazz guitarist Emmet Ray. Inspired by Federico Fellini’s La Strada, the film follows Ray’s rise to fame in the 1930s with his recordings for RCA Victor. However, after his sudden disappearance from the public eye, Ray’s personal life takes a turn for the worse. He struggles with alcoholism and often shows up late or even misses performances with his quintet. In addition, he indulges in lavish spending, womanizing and pimping. When he’s not focused on music or women, Ray spends his time shooting rats ...

Velvet Goldmine (1998), a musical drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes from a story by Haynes and James Lyons, follows British journalist Arthur Stuart as he delves into the mysterious withdrawal of 1970s glam rock icon Brian Slade. Stuart interviews those involved in Slade’s career, each recalling their experiences which become a vignette for that particular segment of Slade’s life. Along with exploring the vibrant rock shows, fashion, and journalism of 1970s Britain, the film also touches on ...

The Italian romantic-horror film, The Phantom of the Opera (1998), directed by Dario Argento, is an adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de l’Opéra. In 1877 Paris, a group of rats rescues a baby from a river and raises him in the underground of the Opéra de Paris. This child grows up to become the Phantom of the Opera, known for his misanthropy and tendency to kill anyone who enters his underground chambers, mirroring how rats are killed when they emerge above ground. One night, while singing alone on stage, Christine Daaé captures the ...

In Paradise Road (1997), an Australian war film directed by Bruce Beresford, a group of women from England, America, the Netherlands, and Australia are imprisoned by the Japanese in Sumatra during World War II. During a dance at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore for soldiers and their families, they are abruptly forced to flee when the Battle of Singapore breaks out and a bomb explodes outside. The women and children are quickly taken away on a boat for safety. However, the boat is soon bombed by Japanese fighter planes, causing them to jump into the water. Among them are three women – Adrienne Pargiter, Rosemary ...

Ally McBeal (1997–2002) is an American legal comedy drama television series that aired on Fox from September 8, 1997 to May 20, 2002. Created by David E. Kelley and starring Calista Flockhart in the title role, it follows the eccentric, humorous, and dramatic lives and loves of lawyers at the Boston law firm Cage and Fish. The show received critical acclaim during its early seasons, winning both the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Currently, a revival is in development at ABC. The story begins ...

Ghosts (1996), a short film, features Michael Jackson in the leading role. Directed by Stan Winston and written by Mick Garris and Stephen King, the film follows an odd individual with supernatural abilities as he faces eviction from a close-minded mayor in a small town. Jackson takes on five different characters throughout the film and showcases his dance skills to songs like ‘2 Bad’. The mayor of Normal Valley leads a group of angry citizens to the mansion of ...

That Thing You Do! (1996) is an American musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom Hanks, making his debut as a feature writer and director. Set in 1964, the story follows Guy Patterson, a budding jazz drummer from Erie, Pennsylvania who works at his family’s appliance store. One day, his friends Jimmy and Lenny ask him to fill in for their regular drummer Chad, who broke his arm, at a talent show where they plan to perform a song Jimmy wrote. The trio practices the slow-tempo ballad ‘That Thing You Do!’ in Jimmy’s garage. In need of a band name, Jimmy’s girlfriend Faye suggests ...

Backbeat (1994), an independent drama directed by Iain Softley, follows the early days of The Beatles in Hamburg, West Germany. John Lennon and his fellow rock-and-roll band members – Paul McCartney, Pete Best, George Harrison and Stuart Sutcliffe – venture to Hamburg in pursuit of success. As they gain popularity, particularly among the girls, Stuart grapples with balancing his passion for painting and being the group’s bass guitarist. On top of that, he falls deeply in love with a German girl. The group must now confront some important choices.

Directed by Thomas Carter in his debut feature, Swing Kids (1993) is a historical drama film set in 1938 Hamburg. The story follows the adventures of four young friends, Peter Müller, Thomas Berger, Arvid and Otto, as they visit the popular swing club Bismarck. The group enjoys themselves immensely, dancing and listening to the music. However, when Peter returns home, he finds his mother arguing with a member of the Nazi party known as the Blockleiter. The tense situation escalates when Herr Knopp from the local Gestapo arrives and abruptly dismisses the Blockleiter. He then begins questioning Frau Müller about her late ...

The American romantic thriller drama film, The Bodyguard (1992), is directed by Mick Jackson and written by Lawrence Kasdan. It follows the story of Rachel Marron, an Academy Award-nominated actress and music superstar who is being targeted by a stalker. In the wake of a bomb explosion in her dressing room, Bill Devaney, her manager, enlists the help of Frank Farmer, a professional bodyguard with prior experience working for the Secret Service during Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan’s presidential terms. Despite initial hesitations, Frank takes on the job to protect ...

Baz Luhrmann’s directorial debut, Strictly Ballroom (1992), is an Australian romantic comedy. The film follows Scott Hastings, the son of a family of ballroom dancers who has been training since he was six years old. His mother Shirley teaches ballroom dancing, while his father Doug takes care of maintenance tasks at the studio and secretly watches footage of his own past dance competitions and Scott’s in a back room. Scott struggles to find his own unique style as he competes in the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship. However, his flashy and crowd-pleasing moves are deemed unacceptable by the ...

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) marked Pete Hewitt’s first time directing a feature film. The music of Wyld Stallyns has brought about a utopian future society, but a terrorist named Chuck De Nomolos aims to change that. In the year 2691, he attacks Bill & Ted University and steals a time-traveling phone booth to send evil robot replicas of the duo back in time. His goal? To prevent them from winning the San Dimas Battle of the Bands and altering what he views as a foolish and frivolous society. Despite Rufus’ efforts to stop him, De Nomolos seemingly succeeds and Rufus becomes lost in the ...

Johnny Suede (1991) marks the directorial debut of Tom DiCillo. The film follows the journey of a confident young man with an impressive pompadour, whose dream is to become a rock n’ roll star, inspired by the legendary Ricky Nelson. Johnny believes he has all the necessary style elements, except for one – a pair of slick black suede shoes. One fateful evening, while using a telephone booth, he is surprised to find a pair of black suede shoes mysteriously land on top. This serendipitous event leads him to meet Darlette, an alluring bohemian woman who he ends up sleeping with.

The French film All The Mornings of the World (1991) is an adaptation of Pascal Quignard’s book of the same name. It tells the story of aging court composer Marin Marais, who reflects on his former master, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe – an unmatched viol player and strict Jansenist. Following his wife’s death, Sainte-Colombe finds solace in his music, raising his two daughters on his own and teaching them to play instruments. They form a consort and perform for nobles in their local area. Eventually, word of Sainte-Colombe’s talent reaches King Louis XIV and an envoy named Caignet is sent to ...

The biographical film, The Doors (1991), was directed and written by Oliver Stone and Randall Jahnson. It tells the story of the influential American rock band and their impact on music and counterculture. In 1949, a young Jim Morrison and his family are driving through New Mexico when they come across a fatal car accident involving an elderly Native American. Years later, in 1965, Jim finds himself in California immersed in the Venice Beach scene. During his time at UCLA, he falls in love with Pamela Courson and meets future bandmates Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. Together they form The Doors, with ...

Mo’ Better Blues (1990) is an American musical comedy-drama film featuring a talented cast including Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee. In the film, set in Brooklyn in 1969, four young boys invite Bleek Gilliam to play baseball with them outside his home, but Bleek’s mother interrupts with a reminder of his trumpet lesson. This leads to a heated family argument as Bleek’s father expresses concerns over his son’s interests. Despite this, Bleek continues to pursue his passion for music ...

Stephen Herek directed the American science fiction comedy film, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). The screenplay was written by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. In the year 2688, humanity lives in a perfect society thanks to the influence of William ‘Bill’ S. Preston, Esq., and Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan, known as the Two Great Ones. Rufus is selected by leaders to time-travel back to San Dimas, California in 1988 using a phone booth-shaped machine. His mission is to ensure that two ...

Adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue, the American comedy-drama film Beaches (1988) is based on Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel of the same name and directed by Garry Marshall. During a concert rehearsal in Los Angeles, New York actress and singer Cecilia Carol ‘C.C.’ Bloom receives a note and hastily departs to be with her friend Hillary Whitney, a San Francisco heiress and lawyer. As she drives through the night, C.C. reflects on their lifelong friendship that ...

Satisfaction (1988) is an American comedy-drama film directed by Joan Freeman. Jennie Lee, lead singer of the all-girl Baltimore rock band, the Mystery, gives a valedictorian speech at her high school graduation while fellow band member and bass guitarist Daryle accepts a marriage proposal from her high school sweetheart, Frankie. The band is headed to Florida to audition for a summer nightclub gig but faces numerous challenges – Jennie’s brother opposes the trip since it could disrupt her college plans, their keyboardist has abruptly left the band, and their drummer Mooch has offended a gang member who ...