DTWS S025, Week 6: Night at the Movies Brings More 10s

I love the opening numbers on Dancing with the Stars. Love love love them. This one (”choreographed, as always, by the amazing Mandy Moore”), to kick off “A Night at the Movies,” was especially grand. It had a whole huge story. I mean, look at this tidbit of a scene. Val is an aspiring writer, who hits the jackpot, and pulls his leading lady (Sharna) out of the chorus. This zipped by so fast on screen that I didn't even see Cheryl Burke’s pout in the moment. But it’s classic Hollywood, and so wonderful.

It just spun on and on. All those things that make you love Hollywood, in a few minutes of dancing. Just incredible.

I would watch this tremendous opening number over and over again as a movie...

Oh, and we have guest judge Shania Twain.

OK, so the goal, as they explain it, is to not only show a specific dance style, but to also convey “a specific movie genre.” Not tough at all.

MOVIE GENRE: Foreign film (Is that really a “genre”? Oh, who are we to quibble?)

DANCE STYLE: Argentine tango

Nikki notes in their package how she tends to shut down, rather than being vulnerable. Artem asks her why. She says that’s what she’s always done. He says, bluntly, well, it’s time to change. She notes, “Lot of changing here, being on this show. I let my guard down, lot of stuff.” That is a pretty constant theme from contestants. I don’t know what they expect coming in, but it’s a very emotional experience, to be on this show. It’s not just moving your body physically. It’s opening up your heart, and dancing with it.

It was pretty hard to top that amazing Argentine tango from last week, but this one was pretty amazing. The footwork was especially good, I thought.

Len: “I don’t like foreign films... You’ve got a tenderness about your dancing that you’ve got to explore more.” Shania: “That was so romantic.” Bruno: “It had that Parisian chic and poise. It’s good to see you in a different role.” Carrie Ann: “That was a stunning display of all this newfound artistry that comes from vulnerability.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 36 (out of 40)


MOVIE GENRE: Action

DANCE STYLE: Paso doble

Drew tells us things we didn’t know: that he competed in karate for a long time, and wanted to be an action star.

They put forth a really incredible dance, with a bunch of troupe members (including Sasha!). It was quite wonderful. Amazing choreography. Wild to see Emma with black hair, though.

Shania: ”I thought the balance of the feminine and masculine was well-captured.” Bruno: “It was like Mission: Impossible meets The Matrix.“ Carrie Ann: “That was a really tough routine, filled with content.“ Len: ”I'm pleased you’re safe for next week. The finesse was lacking.“

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 40)


MOVIE GENRE: “Western”

DANCE STYLE: Samba

The scene is Peta’s Auto Body. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they didn’t have autos in the Wild West. So the theme is a bit of a reach.

It’s supposed to be “Western,” but it sure screams Steampunk to me. I think the song is Will Smith doing ”Wild Wild West” (not sure, but I hated the song). As usual, Peta does incredible, innovative and resonant choreography. The troupe, again as usual, is superb. (Can’t go wrong with Sharna and Jenna in your number.)

But in the package, Nick was angsty about his dancing.

Bruno: ”The line dancing was fabulous.” (The rest, not so much.)  Carrie Ann: “You nailed it.” Len: “When you’re doing that solo stuff, you looked terrific. Just dance.” Shania is useless as a judge. Ugh.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26  (out of 40)


MOVIE GENRE: Sports movie

DANCE STYLE: Paso doble

We have a rare Dancing with the Stars first here. A Zamboni® on the floor. (With a shirtless Alan driving! heh) (Props to the amazing stage crew who replicated an entire hockey arena on the dance floor.)

Oh yeah, the dance...

Some of these pros pick excellent songs to dance to, which automatically makes their dances better. Val always picks great songs (even if he hated the Chumbawumba). Tonight’s song is Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Set to a hockey game. SCORE!!!

Now THAT’s how to do a dance to a theme. Val’s phenomenal choreography and the whole hockey concept made even shy flower Victoria look tough. Val is incredible to watch, in top form. Great, great stuff. One of my favorite dances of the night.

(LOL. Victoria’s hockey uniform is emblazoned with ”PASO” and Val’s says ”DOBLE.”)

Carrie Ann: “It's amazing the way you went back and forth and you blended the style of movement from the pedestrian and athletic back into the paso. You were well-rehearsed. It was so tight.” Len: “It’s the first time I’ve watched a hockey game and seen the puck go into the net.” (The goal was HUGE, and right by Len.) “The concept was terrific. Overall, it was a great job.” Shania: “That was the most innovative hockey game I’ve ever seen.” Bruno: “It was very conceptualized, but I could see a proper paso doble.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 31  (out of 40)

Not sure what this newspaper thing was all about...



MOVIE GENRE: Spy movie

DANCE STYLE: Jive

This jive had a few things going for it: Sasha doing some great physical comedy, for one! ;-) It was supposed to be a spy theme, where these two awkwardly steal a 10 paddle (so that Len would give them a 10). (Some of these people’s concepts work way better than others...)

The best I can say about this is that I really do love to see Cheryl Burke dance, and I’m glad she’s on this season.

They have the “stolen“ 10 paddle floating near Len, as he comments. Len: “It wasn’t quite Double-O heaven.” And yet, he calls it “the best dance of the night.” Shania likes that they were both in character. Bruno: “You’re becoming a better and better performer.” Carrie Ann: “Everything about that was sinewy and sexy. It was hot.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 37  (out of 40) (They didn’t steal a 10 from Len, but Shania coughed up one.)

Then Shania Twain sang a song about soldiers. (Thank you all for your service.) But since she irritated me the whole show, I’m not going to run a pic of it. Also, there were no pictures of her with the troupe that danced to the song, so forget it. (Dancing: Jenna and Keo, Sharna and Alan, Gleb and Hayley, and other troupe members.)

MOVIE GENRE: Animation

DANCE STYLE: Jazz

Let’s remember and give a moment of silence for the sublime Argentine tango they danced last week, to a Pirates theme. Then, this.

It starts with all the judges having 3D glasses on. Oh boy.

Then, the theme is animated (nice, sweet) and the music comes out as some rough rap stuff. UGH.

I was hating this song so much. Then Sasha (and troupe members) showed up, and it got a little better, but this was easily my least favorite number of the night. UGH.

Tom Bergeron notes that it was “our first Worm on the show since Steve Wozniak, many years ago.” Frankie did the Worm Twice in this dance. UGH.

Shania (of course) “loved it.” UGH. Bruno: “I don’t know if I was watching Frodo on acid...” Carrie Ann: “It was entertaining.” Len: “Frankie goes to Hollywood. I think you threw in every step from the ’70s and ’80s you could think of.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 31  (out of 40)

MOVIE GENRE: Movie musicals

DANCE STYLE: Quickstep

Oh, this was a wonderful dance. Vanessa had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, and Tom Bergeron jumped in to scoop it up so they wouldn’t trip on it, but overall, it was a great dance. The troupe was awesome, as ever, and Maks and Vanessa seemed to have a great bit of fun together in this dance.

They danced to “Let’s Be Bad,” a very fun song.

Bruno: “Absolutely gleaming with theatrical pizazz, the glamor of a ’40s musical.” Carrie Ann: “It was such a fantastic performance.” Len says he’s debating whether to give them more than an 8. Shania, again useless.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 36  (out of 40)

Then, we had a wonderful bumper and promo for DWTS Live, the show that a bunch of people are (were) dancing in (left to right): Gleb and Sharna, Hayley and Sasha, and Jenna and Keo. Fun stuff.

MOVIE GENRE: Drama

DANCE STYLE: Rumba

So, let’s look back at Witney and Frankie’s mess. There was a bunch of colorful mushrooms, and bright colors. Only in the interview with Erin did I realize they were supposed to be playing Trolls. It was a muddled mess (IMHO) that wasn’t explained by either the music or the dance.

Contrast that with this. Simple staging. A guy in a dark suit. Rain on the windowpane. But from that (and from the music and the dance, and the white piece of cloth), one can deduce that he’s just lost his love, and he’s heartbroken. This is the kind of dance of the masters on this show. A dance yes, but also a story being told.

It wasn’t the most sensual rumba I’ve ever seen, but then, he was dancing with a ghost. But it was beautiful and it told a story, and that’s everything to me. Stunning.

Carrie Ann: “Everything is one movement... from the moment you started, it was one continuous motion. Like a wave of gorgeousness.” Len: “It was well-crafted.” Shania: blah Bruno: “Gripping, magnetic storytelling. You stretch every movement to the extent, and yet, it feels effortless.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 39  (out of 40)


MOVIE GENRE: Sci-fi

DANCE STYLE: Argentine tango

Mark Ballas, for my money, puts together the most creative, expressive dances of anyone on this show. His mixture of music and dance is impeccable, and when you throw in crazy categories like “Sci-fi Movies,” he is more than up to the challenge. (As you can see.)

This dance just took my breath away, like so many of their dances. Incredible. Just incredible.

Len: “I know it’s science fiction, but let me tell you a fact. I thought the choreography was phenomenal. I thought the dancing was brilliant.” Shania: “I’ve never seen such sharp edges look so elegant.” Bruno: “Professor Ballas, you’ve created another work of genius! It reminded me of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. But at the same time, it was an absolutely superb Argentine tango. It is the best dance of the season so far.” Carrie Ann: “You upped your game to something phenomenal. This is a side of you that I’ve never seen: so grounded, so strong. You slayed that dance. Well done.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 40  (out of 40)

At this moment, and at so many moments during the season, I cannot imagine anyone but Mark and Lindsey winning this season. He creates what I consider the perfect dances. This was just amazing.

WHO GOES HOME?



Miche’s Favorite Dances of Movie Night
1. Mark and Lindsey (Argentine tango)
2. Val and Victoria (paso doble)
3. Lindsay and Jordan (rumba)
4. Vanessa and Maks (quickstep)
5. Emma and Drew (paso doble)
6. Nikki and Artem (Argentine tango)
7. Peta and Nick (samba)

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