New Wave

New Wave movies refuse to be a downer. Sure the world's an imperfect place but remember Howard Jones told us "things can only get better." Like the music, New Wave film is light and colorful. The hero/heroine may be a misfit or an outsider but, heck, they've got a dream and no amount of wacky hijinks will stand in the way of our feel-good ending.

Valley Girl

Dance Craze

For every person who dreamed about being a rock star there's another who dreamed of being a dancer. And for every movie about a band there's another about dancing. Whether it's a character who's just learning or someone looking to live their dream, the movie builds to a climactic dance contest or exhibition. Sometimes there are even "warring" dance factions and a battle is fought through dance. But as they say dancing is a universal language, which is lucky since in dance films there is often a class or cultural barrier that must be overcome. But in the end, everyone shakes a tail feather.

Dirty Dancing

Musicals

There are people out there who think that musicals are unrealistic because in "real life" people don't run around bursting into song and dance. They are so wrong. Life may not have as many costume changes and not everyone knows the words but people are breaking out in spontaneous song and dance every day of the week. It's time we cease telling them to stop embarrassing us and join in.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?