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Movie Preview: Fame

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:45:16 -0700

Dance movie alert! All you fans of dance movies know that I'm talking to you - it doesn't matter how trite or lame it looks, we're still going to see it. And interestingly, the Fame remake, opening Sept. 25, doesn't look too bad. It's still the same old follow-your-dreams, I'm-gonna-live-forever, "somebody's gotta make it out there, why can't it be me?" stuff, but, you know, all new actors and a modern update.

The story focuses on a bunch of kids attending the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. So yes, the kids in this movie perform more than just dance but let's face it, the dance is why I'll watch. To check out the full-length Fame trailer, read more.

Photo courtesy of MGM

Fame Remake Cast Shapes Up - And Includes Kherington!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:37:16 -0700

The remake of the 1980 musical movie Fame is getting a cast together, and so far there are nine actors who think they're gonna live forever. Notable names among them: Thomas Dekker of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (and the guy who played Claire's possibly gay best friend on Heroes before leaving the show) and So You Think You Can Dance's Kherington Payne. The Hollywood Reporter has more details:

Much like in the Oscar-winning original, directed by Alan Parker, the story will track the failures and fortunes of super-ambitious young performers and their teachers as they navigate a school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

"In many ways, the idea of pursuing a career in dance or music or acting is much more palpable now," MGM chairman Mary Parent said. "Anyone with a page on a social networking site is instantly 'famous,' and anyone with a digital camera is a potential filmmaker. The negotiation between fame and real talent is much more immediate and something with which audiences are familiar, and there's a universal relatability to experiencing the trials and tribulations associated with pursuing one's dream, regardless of the arena."

So, this is that "unique opportunity" Kherington mentioned in LA last week! It seems like a smart move for her. And it's actually a pretty good point that a story like this will be interpreted in a very different way now in comparison to when the original hit theaters in 1980. Do you think this story is more relevant today? Or are we spent on shows and movies about talent competitions and trying to realize dreams of becoming a famous dancer/singer/designer/chef/pet groomer?

Kherington photo courtesy of Fox and source

Watch, Pass, TiVo, or Rent: Fame

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:30:31 -0700

I had semi-cynical feelings about the remake of Fame when I first heard it was being cast, but flash ahead two years later, and the trailer has me kind of pumped to see it on Friday. The music numbers look flashy, and it's got So You Think You Can Dance alum Kherington Payne, so I fully expect to be toe-tapping in my seat.

But here's the dilemma: I also really loved the original Fame. The characters were just these fragile, but impassioned people - and there were pirouettes on cars! It will always have a place on my list of dance movies.

I still want to see this new version - 'cause basically I'll see any film that features Capezios - but I'm hoping that it's different enough from its predecessor so I can just enjoy it for what it is: a total guilty pleasure.

Are you going to check out Fame this weekend? Or will you wait until it comes out on DVD, so you can do your dancing at home?