Paw Prints Weekly, Glen A. Wilson High School’s Newspaper

BY RENEE TANG
STAFF WRITER

With all the movies I have watched, the ones that will forever be engrained in my mind are always the ones that have me moving in my seat: dance movies.

And just my luck, two dance movies have arrived. How She Move came out January 25, 2008 and although it has not received great reviews, teenagers are still lining up to watch this electrifying dance movie.

In this very predictable movie, Raya Green (Rutina Wesley) steps her heart out and defies all rules in order to “follow her dream” and make them come true.

As you can see, the plot is not exactly…innovative.

Just listening to the plot makes me have flashbacks of all the other dance movies that have had people “following their dreams” and doing what they feel in their heart.

The second movie, Step up 2, the sequel to Step up, is coming out on Valentine’s Day, and is already stirring up excitement amongst the viewing population, making it ready to dance its way into the box-office smashes.

I’ll admit, these recent dance movies are making me look forward to visiting the movie theater, despite the discouraging criticism.

Watching these movies make me want to stand while dancing on my seat and I always end up staring in awe when the movie characters pull off amazing dance moves.

Why are dance movies so appealing?

Usually the plots are dull and cliché.

While the dance moves are stunning, the plot is as bald as Bruce Willis.

The motives behind the dancers in the movie are always to get more money or to “follow their heart.”

Still, people line up, knowing what they’re in for.

The astounding dance moves and the catchy music make all viewers bob their heads to the beat and gawk at the almost impossible dance routines.

Stomp the Yard, which was released a year before on the 12th of January, was a new, refreshing dance movie with a different style of dancing: stepping.

While the plot was just like every other old dance movie, many people, including me, were absolutely in love with the passion the dancers had and all the innovative step movements.

While You Got Served was all about the dancing and nothing about story, people still admire the movie.

Millions of people fall for the dancing and completely disregard the plot.

The new era is obsessed with dancing where good quality plots are no longer needed, just good quality moves.

Truthfully, when looking for a dance movie, I rate it according to the how many outrageous moves are shown, not the magnificent plot.

Yes, the plots and characters’ personalities are all the same and used in every dance movie, but as long as it makes the viewers want to get up and dance, nobody takes the pathetic plots into consideration while rating them.

So next time somebody recommends a dance movie to you, remember: what makes a dance movie satisfying is the ability to capture the jubilation of dancing, not the astounding storyline.

By STANLEY HO
STAFF WRITER

What’s better than music that you can listen to live at a cheap price and still sounds great?

There are a number of great local bands in Southern California.

They form many genres from ska to pop and sometimes the most bizarre combinations like classical integrated indie or electro psychedelic death reggae metal.

Bands often perform at local venues such as malls and churches, and are typically close to home.

Local bands were not as accessible before the Internet revolution. But networking sites such as Myspace and Youtube have been taken advantage of being publicized.

Although they don’t usually receive enough attention, they sound just as great as today’s most popular bands.

And the best part about them is that they perform locally so the community has an easy reach to them.

Some of these locals include Panima, Die MidWestern, Eudora, Malheruex and Burning Tree Project.

These bands reside in Southern California, so they have a sense of locality that fans can relate to compared to overplayed mainstream music. This rush and satisfaction of discovering a really great band leaves one wanting more.

Looking for new bands can help you explore and become more involved in the community. It can uncover bands and update you with the local music scene.

Venues they perform at often include Chain Reaction, Spaceland and the Glass House, which are popular locations that host shows for up and coming bands.

These venues have great performances and admission is usually under $20 and is close enough to visit frequently, compared to concerts like Coachella or Warped Tour.

Watching them can support them on their way to fame. You can also get involved in your local music community.

It may take some time to look for these residential bands by browsing online, but it is worth discovering new and unique bands that deserve some attention.

Listening to them offer a refreshing new change from the overplayed music from the radio.

You can listen to A Romance Thesis for something like Evanescence or Die Midwestern for country.

It’s exciting to try something new and these bands deserve a chance to get more limelight.

So, the listener can explore and hear new live music while these awesome bands get what they deserve.

This fantastic music is evermore booming and a great way for you, to diversify what who listen to.