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Tribeca Review: Gotta Dance

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:31:06 PDT

OK, that's it. I think I'm tapped out on the ridiculously heartwarming documentaries about elderly folks doing things like singing Coldplay songs or learning hip-hop to perform during basketball games. It's not that I'm sick of them, it's that they reduce me to an overemotional puddle on the floor. And movie theater floors are sticky. Of course, I think other people should seek out these movies. I've just learned that they're like my emotional kryptonite. . . in a good way.

Gotta Dance is similar to the recent documentary Young@Heart in many ways. Both focus on groups of older people doing things that most older people don't do: singing "the young peoples' music" and "dancing the young peoples' dances." The joy this brings them, and the sense of self-worth and aliveness is so inspiring it brings tears to my eyes. Gotta Dance differs, however, in that these people are physically pushing themselves to do the dances, so there is a much heavier emphasis on the subject of growing old and what kinds of limitations one faces. More than merely having a difference in taste (Young@Heart features elderly people who, though it's not necessarily their taste in music, sing rock songs) this kind of activity poses physical challenges that end up making the dancers feel both old and young. To see what else happens and for more of my thoughts,

read more.
The film starts with the auditions for the first-ever senior hip-hop dance team for the New Jersey Nets. We get to know a handful of the hopefuls who end up getting spots on the team and who we follow throughout the film. The team ultimately consists of 11 women and one man and we watch as they learn the moves for their first show, gradually becoming more confident until the nerve-racking debut on the court.
Of course, the show is a smash hit and they soon find their pictures in the newspaper, followed by invitations to appear on morning shows. As the team becomes more popular, their pride grows and their routines become tougher. By this point, I felt like these people were my relatives and friends, and I could have watched them bond over learning how to shake, swivel and stomp to Jay-Z for many more hours. I also enjoyed watching the team's choreographers and leaders, young women from the Nets dance team who treat the seniors with respect and patience, but also determinedly whip them into shape during practice. The filmmakers (and the folks behind the Tribeca Film Festival) did well to feature the movie at Tribeca, as New York plays its own part in the film. Most of the seniors live in New Jersey, though a few live in New York City. One of them was even dubbed "Miss Subways" back in the day, and others remembered seeing her face plastered on the subway cars. So many documentaries are somber, frightening or provocative - and they're often important to see. But this makes Gotta Dance a huge relief within a genre somewhat glutted with fear and sadness. The joie de vivre in this film is completely infectious, and just like with Young@Heart, it makes growing old seem like a damn good time. Source

Live Like a Kardashian in the Gansevoort Park Hotel

Elka Karl — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:00:58 PDT

Kim Kardashian may have just celebrated her marriage to New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries, but she's not quite ready to settle down in one place quite yet. She and her new husband are staying at a hotel for the moment and not just any hotel. The newlyweds have booked a penthouse suite at the Gansevoort Park Hotel for $7,000 a night, according to Curbed.

Kim and Kris will reside at the Gansevoort Park Hotel while she films the next season of Kourtney and Kim. While there, they'll enjoy all of the amenities the penthouse has to offer as well as some special extras, including K&K monogrammed sheets, pillow cases, towels, and champagne bottles.

Yesterday, Kim tweeted, "I'm really obsessed with the Gansevoort Hotel in NYC!" and I can see why. The rooms, outdoor spaces, bar and restaurant areas, and amenities are spectacular. I also love the color scheme in the suite bedrooms - the peacock blue and fuchsia really pop against the white backdrop.

Have you ever stayed at a room in the Gansevoort? While it may not be the three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot presidential suite, each room in the hotel is quite stunning. I'd love to book a stay the next time I'm visiting New York!

Kim Kardashian Makes a Final Polish Change Before Her Walk Down the Aisle

Katie Henry — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:00:47 PDT

Kim Kardashian stopped by her favorite LA nail salon for a touch-up on the eve of her big wedding day. Kim had her final dress fitting at Vera Wang's Beverly Hills boutique earlier this week, and last night she and her fiancé, Kris Humphries, joined friends and family for a three-hour rehearsal dinner. The bride-to-be wore a short, white minidress for the meal, but there's speculation she might choose a bright color when it comes to walking down the aisle. The Montecito estate where the couple are set to wed is currently under tight security with more than 500 guests expected for the soiree. Ryan Seacrest, Gwen Stefani, and Nicole Richie are just some of the stars on the guest list as well as Kris's New Jersey Nets teammates.

Kim Kardashian Stays in Shape and Plots Her Next Big Move

Allie Merriam — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:42:12 PDT

Kim Kardashian and her mom, Kris, hit the boardwalk in Santa Monica yesterday to film a commercial for Skechers Shape-Up shoes. It's the latest product in Kim's endorsement empire, after she's touted items ranging from Campari liquor to Charmin toilet paper, QuickTrim diet pills, and even Carl's Jr. fast food. It wasn't all work and no play, as Kim tweeted a few kind words about being able to shoot with her mother. She wrote, "Couldn't have been a better day!" The posing jobs, in addition to her variety of E! shows like Kourtney & Kim Take New York, have Kim flying between the East and West Coasts regularly. She's in NYC today already and is evidently planning to plant some roots in the Big Apple for a while. Things between her and her New Jersey Nets player boyfriend, Kris Humphries, are so serious that Kim wants to move to New York to be nearer to him.

Jay-Z Has a Night Out in a New York State of Mind

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:04:00 PST

Jay-Z stepped out with a few friends last night in NYC. The rapper has been spending some time on the East Coast since he and wife Beyoncé Knowles returned from a late Winter getaway to the Caribbean. He and Beyoncé took in a New Jersey Nets game last week, but Jay has also been focusing on work. He's set to release his new collaboration album with Kanye West in the near future, and they gave us a sneak peek of what's to come with their first single, "H.A.M."

Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles Take the Floor For Their Team

Lauren Turner — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:44:00 PST

Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles sat courtside at a Nets game in Newark last night. Jay-Z, who is a part owner of the team, was all smiles with his wife despite New Jersey's loss against the Phoenix Suns. It was their second sweet basketball appearance recently after showing their spirit at the NBA All-Star game last week. Jay-Z and Beyoncé just returned from a bikini-filled quick trip to the Caribbean, but their getaway meant they missed the star-studded Oscars. There were plenty of other hot couples on hand for the event, though Beyoncé's pal and performer Gwyneth Paltrow arrived solo. She took the stage to perform "Coming Home" and later mingled with friends at the Vanity Fair afterparty.

Kim Kardashian Wears a Tiny Bikini on Vacation With Shirtless Kris Humphries!

Katie Henry — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:02:56 PDT

Kim Kardashian wore a bikini recently to stroll along the sand in Punta Mita, Mexico, with her two-piece-clad sister Kourtney and their respective boyfriends, Kris Humphries and Scott Disick. New Jersey Nets basketball star Kris Humphries showed off his strength by scooping Kim up into his arms during their extremely PDA-filled afternoon on the beach! The family vacation was a belated birthday getaway for Kourtney, who celebrated her 32nd on April 18. The trip gave the busy sisters time to relax and enjoy a break from their hectic schedules. Kourtney and Scott's son, Mason, was able to go along for the fun, and he was spotted soaking up the sun like the rest of the family during their stay south of the border. Kim's been keeping busy recently with her endorsement deals and strict fitness routine, all while planning a move to the East Coast in order to be closer to Kris. The Kardashian girls have plans for a second season of Kourtney & Kim Take New York, which will certainly help Kim spend more time with Kris. Kim's already back to work following her sunny excursion, and she's prepping for an appearance at Las Vegas's Fashion Show Mall to promote her signature fragrance today.