Friday, August 13, 2010

Dance


Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm supposed to be on vacation, but the movie Mao's Last Dancer is about to hit theaters and I forgot to tell you before I left.

Did you know I wanted to be a ballet dancer until I was about 17 years old? Seriously I did, and I studied really, really hard... right up until I discovered boys and burgers. The two don't mix well with ballet rehearsals and skinny leotards, so that dream was dashed. But this movie makes me wish I'd tried a little harder. The performances are stunning.

Mao's Last Dancer is based on a true story about a young Chinese peasant boy who was plucked out of his village and "chosen" by government officials to study ballet. What unfolds is the story of his growth, determination, commitment to family and how he became a brilliant dancer. Fast forward and he's selected for an unprecedented American dance exchange program... then decides to defect to the US... and you have to see it to know the rest of the story.


I enjoyed this entertaining movie not only for the incredible ballet scenes, but also because it told a story, a real story-- minus explosions, special effects, body counts, T&A or an abundance of dumbed-down dialogue.

In other words, Mao's Last Dancer is a movie for grown-ups-- You know, people old enough to remember Mao Zedong and the Reagan years, who are interested in a unique, tug-at-your-heart story with rich characters that leave you feeling empowered-- all be it with a tear in your eye.


It opens in theaters August 20th. Let me know if you see it.

Now, I'm off for vacation.
xo Joanna
PS I was not compensated in any way for this post.

49 comments:

  1. Just wanted to pop in to say, enjoy the rest of your holiday! I haven't been forgetting about your lovely blog, i've just been happily reading without much to say! (I know, me, no talkey?)

    Happy Friday!

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  2. I added this movie to my Netflix queue. Thanks for the info. Hope your vacation is going well. Relax. Laugh. Have fun. Hugs to you.

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  3. I added it to Neflix as well.. This looks good Joanna... thanks

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  4. I saw the young man's interview on some news show the other day. I'm thinking FOX because that is about all that Dan watches. It was very interesting. They showed quite a bit of movie scenes during his interview.

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  5. Thanks so much for your great suggestion! I will be looking for this one. It sounds really good.
    Now, GO ON VACATION! :)

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  6. Enjoy your vacation.
    Sounds like a good movie. My husband doesn't normally go for that kind of movie... however, I did have him engrossed in one on the Lifetime channel the other day, so there's hope for him. ;)

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  7. Thanks for the heads up. I definitley want to see this one.

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  8. I saw the previews a month or so ago and I wanted to see it! I still do so thanks for the reminder!!!! Enjoy your vacation.

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  9. I hadn't heard of this one. It looks so good! Thanks for the preview.

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  10. Thanks for the heads-up! I had not heard of this one yet. I too had a dream. When young I would stuff my socks with Kleenex in the secret of my bedroom and dance on my toes until I formed blisters. Maybe that's why I have short little toes and my feet haven't grown since the fifth grade! Heeehehehe1

    Enjoy and have a beautiful weekend from the top of you head to the tips of your ballerina toes!

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  11. I understand the 'boys' part but 'and burgers'. That is a funny combo.
    Now you have me thinking of 'b' word combos. Boobs and beer?
    I agree about movies being too dumb down but unfortunately the target audience is typically teens.

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  12. nice, as you know T ws a dancer for years so she will definitely want to see this one...enjoy vacay!

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  13. This looks good Joanna. I will add it to my list. Thank you for telling us about it. Now get back to your vacation!

    ~ Tracy

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  14. Oh oh oh sounds wonderful!! I will go look for it!! I danced for about 14 years..started with ballet and then on to modern jazz for a long time! I do love a good dance movie!!
    Have a wonderful time hon... breathe and enjoy yourself!!
    Hugs and love, Sarah

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  15. Sounds good - I just added it to my Netflix queue.

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  16. Have a great vacation....:-)Hugs

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  17. sounds like just my kind of movie, thanks Joanna

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  18. Thanks for the recommendation... it's now on my "must see" list. Sounds like a lovely change of pace from the usual summer fare.

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  19. Any film you recommend is bound to be on my list of things to see! You have an eye for these things!

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  20. I'm definitely going to see the movie. It looks really good.

    Enjoy your vacation!

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  21. I've heard of the book.. Will definitely try to catch this when it gets to Sweden.

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  22. It has already been on at the movies here.. I didn't go cos I'm not a fan of ballet... maybe I should have!

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  23. I'll probably have to wait for the dvd as I hardly get to the theater. Enjoy your vacay!

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  24. I took ballet for years and taking adult beginner ballet is on my list of things I would like to do. I loved dancing and wish I had never quit. The movie sounds wonderful...definitely something I would enjoy.

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  25. I love your list of reasons for liking this movie. :-)

    I read a book called "Red Azalea" by Anchee Min, and she describes how she was "chosen" to be an actress, just as you've described. She, too, defects in the end.

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  26. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
    Sounds like a wonderful movie...I will have to see it as well!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  27. Isn't this the film from the trailer we reviewed? I've been waiting for it to be released!

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  28. I'm looking forward to seeing this film. I enjoyed my visit to your blog. I particularly like your profile image,it's wonderful.
    Wishing you happiness, Katherine

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  29. Thanks for the heads up. Cannot wait to check it out.

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  30. hope you are enjoying your vacation.

    gotta check out this movie. thanks for sharing. one love.

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  31. Enjoy that vacation!

    And the movie? Sounds great. I am in charge of our movie this month for our ummm Movie Club. I may have to head this way - although I sense tears....

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  32. I missed seeing it when it was in the theatres here but we picked it up on DVD as soon as it came out.

    My daughter had loved the children's picture book version of Li's story - The Peasant Prince - and was very keen to see the movie. The whole family watched and were transfixed. It's a great film.

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  33. That's a movie worth seeing. I'll put it on my must see list. Thanks for the tip. Have a great vacation. Oh, and thanks for stopping my my SIMC post and commenting! xxx

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  34. That's a movie worth seeing. I'll put it on my must see list. Thanks for the tip. Have a great vacation. Oh, and thanks for stopping my my SIMC post and commenting! xxx

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  35. I will love it! I can tell. Thank you so much, I hadn't even heard about it.

    Enjoy your vacation!

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  36. will definitely put this at the top of my "to do" list.

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  37. go...go now.....get thee to vacationland....LOL

    i totally understand the addiction we have to our blogs and blog land....

    it is an addiction...isn't it ?

    and now this movie.....i need a bigger "watch this movie" book....

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  38. Oh, this movie sounds good!

    Thanks for the tip! :)

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  39. okay,
    advice taken.
    I totally trust you.

    and I trust you to enjoy your vacation completely!!!

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  40. I don't go to the movies much, but I'll watch it on DVD.

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  41. I have not even HEARD of this movie, but now I desperately want to see it. I do so hope it'll play here.

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  42. Can't wait to see it. Enjoy your vacation!

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  43. Enjoy your vacation!

    (will definitely check this movie out!)

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  44. My room-mate wanted to be a ballerina too, she genuinely had a gift. She grew too friggin' TALL. Sad, but true! Hope you are enjoying the vac?

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  45. oh it's me again - hey you don't post then I repeat in the comment section.

    Anyway I know you were interested in the button badge bladge thing.

    I just went through the exercise with Charlie over at A Few Clowns Short

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  46. He reminds me of my hubby!! (minus the dancing part). I may have to see that.

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