MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Sharkflei Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

giselletrujillo Great movie. This movie is about a group of training ballet dancers from top ballet a school in NYC. The dancers become friends facing challenging situations together. A story about artists finding themselves in situations that help them overcome certain personality traits. Great talented cast, a staple in the dance community, a realistic storyline that captivates emotions and real life events. Thus a much too similar plot, the story was of great deliverance. A story many dancers can relate to. Not just about dancing. More so, about the obstacles you have endure to gain respect as a dancer. A must watch. Great film

Python Hyena Center Stage (2000): Dir: Nicholas Hytner / Cast: Peter Gallagher, Zoe Saldana, Amanda Shull, Susan Mary Pratt, Ethan Stiefel: Insightful look at the arts and the struggles and ambition that young people who embark upon this as a career move. Title indicates that those who participate are gearing towards the top of their form. It is not the masterpiece that Fame is but it is structured in similar fashion with students assembled at the school of the performing arts in hopes of acceptance. Those who succeed will be part of a dance program where their skills will be applied to theatre arts. Plot is thin and structure is predictable but the climaxing play is a steal. Directed by Nicholas Hytner who made mediocre The Object of My Affection. The dance numbers are done with great passion but Hytner also casts the film well. Peter Gallagher is the instructor and this is a vast improvement over his last couple of failures. Zoe Saldana, Amanda Shull, and Susan May Pratt are among the ensemble for whom travel the clichés but ultimately present real character. While Fame will appeal to both students and adults alike, Center Stage is clearly aimed at teenagers who have ambitions similar to those expressed here. Although not the masterpiece that Fame is it still presents an interesting character study in an energizing film about reaching goals in high places. Score: 8 / 10

bbewnylorac This movie isn't perfect. The acting and script are sometimes a little clunky, but considering dance movies are notoriously difficult to get right, I love this film and I think it gels together well. The casting of Ethan Stiefel as the lead male is a master stroke -- he plays the egotistical yet gifted star extremely well. Amanda Schull as the naive female lead is, to me, more of a natural dancer than actor, but overall, she really does well in quite a meaty role. I love the soundtrack, especially Jamiroquai's 'Canned Heat', and the dancing is fantastic. The locations are very impressive. The sub-plot of the pushy mom living her dreams through her anorexic daughter who doesn't want to be a dance star, is impressive. One flaw is how everything is neatly tied up at the end, and the love scene is terribly awkward, complete with over-wrought music. Also Schull's character stating to her ex-lover that "as a boyfriend, you kind of suck" doesn't ring true. I mean, he's her future employer, and she just wouldn't say that.

Amy Adler Jody (Amanda Schull) has just been accepted into a post secondary school program at the American Ballet Company in Manhattan. Naturally, she is thrilled, for she longs to dance professionally, and just being admitted is a great feat. Soon, she meets her roommates, Eva (Zoe Saldana) and Maureen (Susan May Pratt). Maureen has been at the school since she was nine and is one of the best students; however, she is catty, cold, and a sort of prima donna. On the other hand, Eva is warm and exceptionally talented but has an independent streak that soon upsets the staff. Also at the company is principal dancer, Cooper (Ethan Steifl) who looks in beautiful Jody's direction. Others warn her that he has fairly recently been jilted by Kathleen, who ended up marrying the company's director (Peter Gallagher). Soon, Jody has other problems, for her technique and body type are criticized by a demanding teacher (Donna Murphy). She becomes discouraged. Meanwhile, Maureen meets a waiter at a gala and, although she tries to deflate his interest, ends up dating him, opening a new world beyond the one her mother has forced on her forever. Because a major recital, featuring all of the students, is about to be cast, who will get major parts and who won't? Only those who stand out at the event will be chosen by major ballet companies around the world. Nerves rattle for all, no? Absolutely! This beautiful film upstages most other dance movies of its kind. While ballet lovers will enjoy it and welcome a glimpse into the real world of cutthroat dance, non ballet fans will also be entertained. This is mainly due to the young, beautiful, and very talented cast. Special kudos should go to Steifl, for he is not only a superb dancer but a great actor, too. Sets, costumes, script, and a solid direction make for one terrific flick. Dear Center Stage makers, you definitely make us "feel like dancing", we're going to dance the night away."