Todd Mason has the links to this Tuesday's Overlooked Films, Audio and Video at his blog Sweet Freedom.
"When you've got one shot at the top you've got to move."
I saw Fast Forward, a musical dance drama directed by Sidney Poitier, in the cinema hall in the late eighties and the only thing I remember about this film is some good music and some terrific dancing, a lot of it on the streets of New York. There was something contagious about the way the group of youngsters danced wherever they could, even along the wayside, keeping step and rhythm with the blaring sounds from an old music system, a two-in-one I think.
I don't recall the story or the actors but I remember liking the movie a lot. Fast Forward was a simple film and streets ahead of the technically superior dance films that came later including the more recent Step Up.
The synopsis on IMDb says, "Eight young people from Ohio who are dancers, come to New York, to compete in a major talent competition. But when they get there, they learn that they have to wait some time before they take part in it. So they try to do their best to survive in the Big Apple before competition, and get some lessons about the real World." If you want to know more, read this article at Wikipedia.
I don't know how Poitier came to direct this film. It'd be interesting to find out. Try and see Fast Forward if you can. You'll enjoy it.
"When you've got one shot at the top you've got to move."
I don't recall the story or the actors but I remember liking the movie a lot. Fast Forward was a simple film and streets ahead of the technically superior dance films that came later including the more recent Step Up.
The synopsis on IMDb says, "Eight young people from Ohio who are dancers, come to New York, to compete in a major talent competition. But when they get there, they learn that they have to wait some time before they take part in it. So they try to do their best to survive in the Big Apple before competition, and get some lessons about the real World." If you want to know more, read this article at Wikipedia.
I don't know how Poitier came to direct this film. It'd be interesting to find out. Try and see Fast Forward if you can. You'll enjoy it.
Sorry about the delay, Prashant...I was thinking, now who am I forgetting this week (I'm too dependent on the previous week's list, too often...time crunch/other obligations...)
ReplyDeleteI think Poitier was interested in exploring a few things he hadn't done much of by the 1980s, and a musical/dance film was certainly one of those!
Todd, it's perfectly alright. I haven't been regular these past few weeks. I don't know Poitier the filmmaker as well as I know Poitier the actor, so this was a pleasant surprise.
DeleteNever seen this. Looks like it was trying to cash in on the popularity of FAME and FOOTLOOSE. Lessons from the "real world" can only be learned in New York, right? Ugh. I get so tired of Hollywood movies about people from the Midwest going to the "Big City" and having their eyes opened.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I'll look up FAME as I'm pretty sure I haven't seen it. The FOOTLOOSE soundtrack and film were big hits in India, coming as it did in 1984-85 that was one of the most popular eras for the Grammys.
DeleteDoes seem like an odd choice for Poitier but he directed thrillers, westerns, comedies and even supernatural stories so he certainly liked variety! Never seen this one though. Thanks Prashant.
ReplyDeleteSergio, I need to look closer at Poitier's directorial ventures as I know very little about the films he made rather than acted in. I'd like to check out his westerns and comedies.
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