Grease (1978) John Travolta solidified his position as the most
versatile and magnetic screen presence of the decade in this film
version of the smash hit play Grease. Recording star Olivia Newton-John
made her American film debut as Sandy, Travolta's nave love interest.
The impressive supporting cast reads like a "who's who" in this
quintessential musical about the fabulous '50s. Grease is not just a
nostalgic look at a simpler decade - it's an energetic and exciting
musical homage to the age of rock 'n' roll.
Footloose jumps with spirit, dazzling dance numbers and an electrifying
musical score. It portrays the timeless struggle between innocent
pleasure and rigid morality, when city-boy Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon)
finds himself in an uptight Midwestern town where dancing - and
therefore all youthful joy - has been banned. Ren revolts with best
friend Willard (Chris Penn) and the minister's daughter (Lori Singer). A
treasury of Top 10 songs - Kenny Loggins "Footloose", Salamar "Dancing
in the Sheets", Deneice Williams "Let's Hear it for the Boy", Bonnie
Tyler "Holding Out for a Hero", and the Footloose love theme, "Almost
Paradise".
In Adrian Lyne's Flashdance, a young woman, Alex (Jennifer Beals),
strives to achieve success as a classical dancer, but economic forces
require her to work as a welder by day and an exotic dancer by night.
Standing in her way is an abundance of profound social obstacles, not
the least of which is her boss at the welding factory, Nick (Michael
Nouri), who is also her boyfriend. Alex strives to be accepted into a
prestigious ballet academy, and she is furious when she realizes that
her boyfriend might be pulling strings for her behind the scenes. Along
the road to self-discovery and independence, Alex also struggles to
accept love, come to terms with her own stubbornness, and find the inner
strength to turn her lofty dreams into reality.Edited for maximum
rhythmic impact, Flashdance, is full of glistening bodies and metallic
surfaces, powered by Giorgio Moroder's throbbing music and one hit song
after another: Michael Sembello's "Maniac," Karen Karmen's "Manhunt,"
and, notably, Irene Cara's Oscar-winning theme song, "Flashdance...What a
Feeling." Flashdance, marks the first coproduction between Jerry
Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, who geared the film toward the MTV
generation.
John Travolta gives a sensual and intelligent performance as the
troubled Tony Manero - Brooklyn paint store clerk by day and undisputed
king of the dance floor by night. Every Saturday, Tony puts on his wide
collared shirt, flared trousers and platform shoes and heads out to the
only place where he's seen as a god rather than some young punk. But in
the darkness, away from from the strobe lights and glitter ball, is a
tragic story of disillusionment, violence and heartbreak. Without a
doubt, Travolta's performance made him a Hollywood legend, but Saturday
Night Fever is more than just a movie that defined the music and fashion
of a generation. It's a powerful and provocative urban tragedy that
carries as much significance today as it did in 1977.