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Dirty Dancing to be Remade

Damon Houx — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:48:20 +0000

In 1987 Dirty Dancing was a phenomenon, and if Crazy, Stupid, Love. is to be believed, it has enough cultural relevance to still be parodied today with most people knowing the film’s big dance number. There was a late attempt to give it a semi-sequel in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, but that came in 2004 with only a cameo by Patrick Swayze. The only thing left to do is remake it, and (as broken by Deadline Hollywood) Lionsgate has hired Kenny Ortega to direct it.

Ortega is an interesting choice because he was the choreographer on the first film, but in an age where the musical and dance picture is anamoly, there aren’t that many options of experienced musical directors. Hairspray‘s Adam Shankman is busy with Rock of Ages, Step Up‘s Jon Chu has moved on to G.I. Joe 2, while Chicago helmer Rob Marshall is now doing the Pirates sequels. After that the talent pool gets smaller, and Ortega is tested, having directed the musical Newsies.

It’s not all that surprising the picture is being remade in a climate of remaking everything, the question is if they retain the period setting, or if they move it up twenty years in parallel with the original. That would set the film in the 1980′s, which means we could see Baby being taught to pop and lock. Ten bucks says they work in a Jennifer Grey cameo.

Did you have the time of your life?

Kenny Ortega to Direct In The Heights

Krystal Clark — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:49:36 +0000

High School Musical and This is It director Kenny Ortega has found his calling. He dropped the upcoming Footloose remake, and has opted to tackle the feature adaptation of In the Heights instead. The popular Broadway musical is a Tony award winning production, and according to BFDealmemo Ortega wants to make it a box office hit.

Universal has acquired the rights to the 2008 musical that covers three days in the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, where a bodega owner who inherited his grandfather’s lottery windfall plots his retirement to a Dominican Republic beach. As he bids farewell to his customers on the block, he becomes conflicted about leaving behind a group that has become family.

Creator and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda is attached to reprise his starring role in the film, that will also feature his music and lyrics. Universal has gone crazy with their recent film acquisitions. In the Heights is just one of many musicals they have on their developing slate. The studio plans on moving full speed ahead with their sequel to Mamma Mia, as well as a screen version of the Broadway smash Wicked.

Ortega is turning into another Rob Marshall, with these high profile musicals. Unlike a lot of film adaptations, In the Heights might be an exception to the remake rule. It will include the original lead from the stage production, along with the same music, which is a good place for it to start. The real question is, who’s going to fill out the rest of the cast?

What do you think about Kenny Ortega taking on In the Heights?

This Is It: Movie Review

JC — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:24 +0000

The moment we’ve all been waiting for: This Is It features the beloved sovereign of sound who sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released thirteen no. 1 singles, and scored a double induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The film’s earnings are aimed to generate proceeds that will benefit The Michael Jackson Family Trust (for his family and children in need).

Check out the film’s review below…

The Players:

Director: Kenny Ortega
Cast: Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega, Mr. Jackson’s dancers, band, etc

The Plot:

Kenny Ortega presents an anthology of backstage footage, rehearsals, and interviews featuring Mr. Jackson’s preparation for his sold-out London tour. In short, one last look at the legendary King of Pop shredding the stage with his unparalleled vivacity and musical genius.

The Good:

NOT a biopic: I applaud Kenny Ortega for concentrating his film around a very specific period of time and not every shred of Jackson knowledge ever documented. This Is It acutely exhibits Mr. Jackson as what the world deemed him: the greatest entertainer on the planet. While the film obviously isn’t a full career retrospective, it features Mr. Jackson at his most endowed. Every particle of the massive organism that is a Michael Jackson production received it’s due diligence from the King himself. This small six week window captures Mr. Jackson in such creative involvement (staging, choreography, production design, lighting, story-concepts) while still demonstrating grace, patience, and the essential ability to collaborate. It’s effortless to accept Mr. Jackson as the phenomenon he became when the audience can witness what he demanded from his creative collaborators/environment.
Concert-feel: We really receive the gift of Mr. Jackson’s final performances in the film and the audience is entranced from start to finish. There’s footage of every hit song with impeccable image and sound – it’s easy to forget that you are not, in fact, front row at one of his concerts.
Intimacy: Regardless of the fact that Mr. Jackson is not always communicating with the camera, there’s a very immediate intimacy established with the audience. Perhaps because we’re not JUST seeing him in an interview or performing – but in the wings as well. The audience begins to understand Michael Jackson as a complete portrait of success, yes, but also as a human being with subtle quirks and idiosyncrasies.

The Bad:

No Real Arc: While Ortega’s objective was ultimately to create a tribute rather than to tell a story, the film could have used a little more shape. There was no solid arc to the movie other than the progression of rehearsals leading up to the concert dates. Also, the finale was lacking – It would’ve been nice to see the film close with something particularly sentimental to send the audience home with.

Overall:

Even if you aren’t a die-hard fan, you will appreciate this pulsating portrayal of Michael Jackson’s epic presence and artistic mastermind. If you’re expecting a record of his life, or a tear-jerking series of sob-stories, don’t waste your time. This movie is seeping with vitality, excitement, and obviously, great music – much like Mr. Jackson himself. Expect nothing more and you’ve got a lovely night out!

Rating: 9/10

Kenny Ortega Out of Footloose Remake

Krystal Clark — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:06:04 +0000

I guess High School Musical and This it It director Kenny Ortega didn’t want to get “footloose” with Paramount’s remake of the popular eighties film. According to Variety, Ortega has opted out of his directing duties for Footloose citing the infamous “creative differences. With a cast already in place, what’s a studio to do?

Ortega’s camp released an official statement regarding the director’s decision to leave the film.

“Coming off the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson’s This is It, director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with ‘Footloose’ as previously reported.”

The cast for Footloose currently includes Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford and Dancing With the Stars vet Julianne Hough. The original film was released 25 years ago and was a star-making turn for Kevin Bacon who portrayed a city kid who moves to a conservative town and rebels against its no-dance law.

Sources close to the Footloose camp suggest Ortega’s real reason for leaving was due to the budget and vision for the film. He wanted a large scale musical production with a 30 million dollar price tag, while the studio wanted to venture away from the dance numbers and concentrate on making it an edgy drama for 25 mill.

If that is the real reason Ortega left the film, then I agree with him wholeheartedly. Yes, Footloose has some darker undertones with religious oppression, but it’s mostly about the passion of dance. How can you mute that part of the film and expect it to be true to the original? I don’t even want this movie to happen, but if they do it, do it right. Kevin Bacon and his gymnast stunt double deserve that much.

What do you think about Kenny Ortega leaving the Footloose remake?

Michael Jackson Remade His Thriller Video

Krystal Clark — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:22:40 +0000

One of the many surprises viewers can expect to see when attending a screening of Michael Jackson’s This is It are never before shown music videos. According to Cinemablend, prior to his death the singer-songwriter made several updated versions of some of his most famous videos including the 1983 history maker Thriller.

The director of This is It Kenny Ortega, revealed that the film will include new versions of “Thriller,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Earth Song.” All three of these re-imaginings were shot in 3-D with the intention of being shown during Jackson’s comeback tour. Even though the footage will be screened in 2-D when it’s released, Ortega does suspect that a 3-D version of the film may surface somewhere down the line.

I was already amped to see this movie after watching the trailer, and now I have another reason to buy a ticket. Who would turn down Thriller? A new video with new moves, and scarier costumes? It’s going to me awesome to see that in the theater so close to Halloween. What do you think?

This is It will hit theaters for a limited two week run starting on October 28th.

Are you interested in seeing a Thriller remake?

ScreenCrave.com » Kenny Ortega

Dirty Dancing to be Remade

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Kenny Ortega to Direct In The Heights

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This Is It: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

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Kenny Ortega Out of Footloose Remake

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Michael Jackson Remade His Thriller Video

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