Happy Birthday Fred Astaire!

Freddy passed away in 1987, but he will always be remembered as a Hollywood legend, one of a kind. Today he woulda turned 112, but just because he's not around, doesn't mean we can't honour him.

Gene Kelly once said "the history of dance on film begins with Astaire." So in a way, he trail-blazed, and we owe him big-time for what he brought to the movies.

Check out ol' twinkle toes in this classic dazzling dance from Royal Wedding (1951).

Dazzling Dance: Clerks 2

We loved Clerks, no doubt. But something just didn't feel right about this sequel. It was good, and any Smith fan would enjoy the dialogue-heavy flick, but it just seemed like the Clerks concept needed to end with the first one. It was amazing for what it was, but it should have stopped there.

More specifically, what rubbed me the wrong way was the main relationship of the movie, Dante and Becky. In the real world, it just wouldn't happen. Dante is a cool guy, but I don't think he could snag a chick as hot as her. Smith is always talking about how his wife is out of his league, so maybe this was art reflecting life.

Either way, this dance scene absolutely emphasizes the awkwardness of the pairing. Poor white dude just can't dance, and they end up in a weird ballroom position with Jackson 5's ABC playing. Also, the whole cast gets in on it, culminated by a weird rehearsed group number at the end.

Did you enjoy Clerks 2?

Dazzling Dance: Dance Flick

Sugar Bear was one of my favie peeps in this whole movie. Next to Mme. Cameltoé , of course. Sug is tough. He's hungry. He is motherfuckin' FAT.

We shat our pants laughing every time he graced the screen. Needless to say, we were mighty excitey to experience an entire dance number, full of poppin' and lockin' and major belly floppin'. Check it out!

Dazzling Dance: Honey

Who knew Jessica Alba could shake it like that?

While Jessica Alba was hot, this flick was NOT. It brought up memories of watching Mariah Carey in Glitter (2001), the real difference being that Jessica Alba's acting was far superior.

It's cheese, and while I love cheese, this one stunk. Putrid, foul smelling cheese that burned my nose holes. That don't mean we can't all enjoy a good dance number though!

Dazzling Dance: Big

This is one of my favie scenes of any movie I've ever seen. That's a pretty bold statement from someone who can barely compile a top 100 favie movie list.

Big (1988) makes me feel all kinds of weird. That nostalgic-weird feeling I'm always talkin' about. I don't care if you've seen this movie once or a thousand times, you remember this scene.

Scintillating Scene: They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

I just re-watched the Matt Damon cowboy flick All The Pretty Horses (2000), so when Bob, our Cin-Ob Supreme of the week, told me he wanted to see something from a movie called They Shoot Horses, Don't They? I was all GAASSSP!

Then I did my research like a good little blogger. And this movie is now added to the list of ones I'm hunting for on DVD, because it sounds sooooo good. On the assumption that a lot of you don't know this movie either, here's a synops.

The lives of a disparate group of contestants intertwine in an inhumanely grueling dance marathon. [IMDB]

Wowza! Inhumane dancing? I'm in. 

When Bob mentioned this title I was expecting cowboys, or horse races, maybe some mafia guys putting out hits on people, or whatever they call 'em. Well wasn't I surprised when the first Google result was a disco ball image.

So watch this scene to get a taste of this 1969 movie, and give me your thoughts. Have you seen it before? If not, are you intrigued now like I am? Aaaaannd GO!

Scintillating Scene: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Wow, Karen. Great choice! As Cin-Ob Supreme of the week, you've done us proud.

Karen wanted to see this iconic performance from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). This is the number by which we all know Miss Marilyn Monroe, and we've seen tributes to it many times, ie Madonna, as Karen pointed out to us, and of course Nicole Kidman sang a version of this lil' diddy in Moulin Rouge (2001).

Scintillating Scene: Nine

Chantale: Let's watch Nine, we haven't seen it yet.

Angie: Sure. Beeee Italian!

Chantale: I don't like Kate Hudson in this role, it doesn't seem to suit her.

40 minutes later...

Chantale: Damnit, I hate being proven wrong. Ok, so Kate has the best song in the whole damn film, and the funnest scene to watch.

Angie: You would be wise to reserve judgment on such things until you can make an informed decision.

Chantale: Shut up, Obi-Wan.

Angie: Let's go-go dance!

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Skip to 1:20 to get past the chatting for the musical number.

Dazzling Dance: Step Up

Here's a classic gem about love and two-steppin'. These two lovebirds know how to show their affection through various forms of poppin' and lockin'. She's upper-class and he's a hoodrat. But together, they make beautiful dance routines.

You gotta love these group dance sequences where everyone and their dog knows all the dance moves. It's a battle of boys vs. girls in Step Up (2006)!

Dazzling Dance: The Men Who Stare At Goats

I watched this movie over the weekend, and this scene caught me off guard. Mostly because I don't think I've ever seen Clooney let loose and dance in any other role before. And this was totally awesome (even though it weirded me out a little).

This scene also fits into the Terrific Training category, since this is part of the "Jedi" training... I guess to help the soldiers loosen up, feel the rhythm, be one with the music, etc etc. If you haven't seen the movie, all you really need to know is that this is the experimental hippie regiment of the army.

Dazzling Dance: The Party

Wow. This chick really knows how to get groovy. It's like watching an elastic band on a dance floor.

Although Peter Sellers is the star of this classic comedy, we're always psyched for this hippie's scene. Just one of the many reasons we wish we were alive during the 60s. Anyone else wish they could bust a move like this?

Dazzling Dance: Way Out West

This post was written by Adam from The Blue Meanies are Coming!

Adam became this week's Cin-Ob Supreme by having the fastest guns in the west for our game WHO AM I? 

Take it away, Adam!

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I grew up watching repeats of classic Laurel and Hardy films, and if there's one scene that sums up why they're my favourite comedy duo, it's this funny dance sequence from their 1937 classic Way Out West. The song they're dancing to is At the Ball, That's All, performed by the Avalon Boys...

Dazzling Dance: Saturday Night Fever

Go Johnny! Go Johnny! Work it! Such a classic performer in his own way, and his girating and pointing at random things in that 70s way will live on forever.... but come on... we can twirl our arms and thrust our pelvises too... it ain't so hard.

*Angie attempts the splits, hears a cracking sound come from her spine and immediately gives up.*

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Dazzling Dance: Step Up 2: The Streets

They are dead serious about this dancing biznass. It don't matter if it's raining - they're out with their laser thingys dancing up a freakin' storm. Don't mess with them... they're from the streets and they will moonwalk and grapevine the shit outta yo asses.

Dazzling Dance: High School Musical

This dance number/basketball practice from High School Musical (2006) had us giggling. Even if you can't stomach these movies, a part of you will probably still enjoy this scene... and have you secretly practicing in your garage.

Don't worry, we won't tell anyone. But know that noone can dribble a ball like Efron. He's had a lot of practice with balls.

Dazzling Dance: Fiddler on the Roof

MAZEL TOV!!!

Now THIS looks like a real celebration! Geez, this makes all the weddings I've been to look like total snoozefests.

If I tried the bottle-balancing act, there'd be a lot of smashing and people stepping on shards of glass. You know what, I'd just take the role of the person who drank until the bottles were empty... then sit back and enjoy the festivities.

Dazzling Dance: The Big Chill

Check out this Dazzling Dance from The Big Chill (1983). It's actually a Delicious Dinner that transitions into a dance scene. Could it get any better? Nope.

Watch Glenn Close and friends shake their groove thangs in the kitchen. This looks fun, but my dinner parties are WAY more fun. Two words - limbo competition.

Dazzling Dance: Pee-wee's Big Adventure

We can't say enough good things about this cult favourite that we watched again and again and again (as we usually do with movies we like). Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) made us feel effed up inside for some reason, but we loved every moment of it. Even Large Marge. *shudder*



PS - Love this moment of cinematic history as much as we do? Now you can WEAR IT! See this item at the CIN-OB STORE!

Dazzling Dance: Napoleon Dynamite

Digital wristwatch... CHECK.
Curly fro... CHECK.
Moon boots... CHECK.
Perpetual gaping mouth breathing... CHECK.

Pure hilarity... CHECK!

Dazzling Dance: Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Awwwwww geeeez... is it totally screwed up that I want one of these little monsters as a pet? Ok not the snarling rabid evil ones... but one of these dudes, I would totally love and cherish. And make him a little nest beside my bed and tell him all my secrets and have pj tickle parties. But no midnight snacks.