Dirty Dancing / Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights

Starring:Mika Boorem, Wilmer Cordero, Polly Cusumano, Chris Engen, Romola Garai, Jonathan Jackson, January Jones, Shawn Kane, Tommy Kavelin, Richard E. Lange, RenÃ© Lavan, Diego Luna, Mya, Marisol Padilla SÃ¡nchez, Donato Poveda, David Rittenhouse, Charlie Rodriguez, John Slattery, Sela Ward
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Nice movie with a little history lesson
Videos
Que tonta
Better than the others
For the Love of Dancing, Great Lessons! Romantic Story!

Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights
Starring: Diego Luna , Romola Garai , Sela Ward , John Slattery , and Jonathan Jackson
Director: Guy Ferland
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
Dance with Me
Salsa - The Motion Picture
One Last Dance

ASIN: B00023BLXK
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Amazon.com

The sinuous world of 1950s Cuban dance halls provides the setting for Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, a "reimagining" that shares with the original movie a deep love of sexy young people pressed tightly together on the dance floor. Fresh from New England, bookish and lovely Katey (Romola Garai, adorable in the charming but little-seen I Capture the Castle) meets a fiery young busboy named Javier (Diego Luna, Y Tu Mama Tambien) at a snooty hotel. Before you can say Tito Puente, the two have found a common language in the sensual swaying of their limbs, despite the resistance of Katey's mother (Sela Ward). It's all ridiculous, of course--the dialogue is atrocious, the characters tortilla-thin, and the politics embarrassing--but that's hardly the point. Luna is dreamy, there's lots of sweaty dancing, and Patrick Swayze makes an appearance--what more can you ask from a movie called Dirty Dancing? --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Nice movie with a little history lesson.......2007-06-10

Pretty predictable if you watched the first Dirty Dancing. Still some good dancing in this one and it was good for a movie with next to no know actors in it. I found the activities going on during this period in Havana more interesting then the story of the main characters. Good to watch, not good to own.

Videos.......2007-02-27

This was a present for my 17-year-old daughter, who loves to dance. She likes Havana Nights for its spicyness and Spanish flvor. It is a teen-age thing.

Que tonta.......2006-11-27

I understand that Dirty Dancing movies aren't going to be exactly like Citizen Kain. But when you think about the premise, the culture and classist clash of American vs. Cuban dancing, sexuality, and budding romance set during the backdrop of the Revolution, the movie sounds quite promising. I mean, when I heard the premise I thought "This movie was MADE for me," because it has Cuban history and politics, awesome dancing (or so I assumed it would, due to its predecessor,) and, come on, the main character has the same name as me. But I should have realized then that a good premise does not necessarily lead to a good, or even adequate, execution.

I won't summarize the movie as so many others do; if you want a synopsis, look to their reviews. I WILL point out what exactly I found so lacking about it, and why I do not feel it was that good of a movie, even when one considers that it's ultimately just a dance movie. But again one must remember that it was their decision to involve politics in the movie, and in doing so they made themselves fair game--I do not believe in just using a deep political situation just to make a story line seem a little deeper; if it is not handled properly, it is insulting.

First off, the romance. Diego Luna and Romola Garai had definite chemistry, and it is so disappointing when you realize that the movie did not capitalize upon this, and all you're going to see in addition to some very sexually charged dancing is a few hurried onscreen kisses and an implied sex scene. Given their chemistry and the buildup of their relationship, their first kiss could have been so much better, instead of just snuck in during a dance routine--it was so quick I spent many minutes wondering if I had really seen it or not. However, to me chemistry is not the only thing required in an on-screen relationship, and I have no idea to this minute why Javier and Katey fell in love with each other. Katey's personality was developed in the movie sense (she likes classic literature, is a bookworm and rather progressive for her time) and Javier was clearly the "will do anything for his family and feels that Cuba is in need of a change" but I don't really know how those two fit together. Aside from the sexual attraction component, I have no idea what exactly they saw in each other to make their relationship anything more than "He was hot, she was pretty, and she felt sorry for him." Some might argue that Katey was merely attracted to the intensity and freedom of the Cuban lifestyle embodied by Javier, but I ask you: the movie was founded upon the idea of a romance, and what the heck kind of relationship is that?

I would also like to add that the Spanish conversations WITHOUT subtitles were incredibly rude to the audience. I do speak Spanish, but I could not make much sense of the slurred words and to this day I am wondering what exactly Javier and his brother said to each other after the Revolution broke out. Maybe they figured that the audience would not care (pfft, what are politics compared to SALSA DANCING,) but I cared.

And now, the historical components. I will not get into the anachronisms--such as Katey's parents' attitude towards her staying nights with a boy they don't know, and that even Cuba in the 50's could not have been that unrestrained--as there are many who could do that better justice than I (apparently the style of dancing in the movie was unlike what was popular in Cuba at the time.) After all, it is only a dance movie. I can ignore that stuff. But when the movie brings the history to ME I cannot ignore it, and I further dislike it when movie directors assume that their audience is completely ignorant of certain aspects of history and will just assume that "Man, that Batista guy was a jerk; he didn't allow dancing. Hopefully life will be better under this new regime! Who'd they say it was, some guy by the name of Fidel Something-or-Another?" (I am exaggerating; at least I hope that no one is that ignorant.)

And here we get to the backdrop of the story, Revolutionary Cuba. First off, Batista's regime wasn't really shown to be that bad; aside from the story involving Javier's father, it might as well have been that town in Footloose (perhaps a little more violent.) It was like Dictatorship Lite. After Havana falls to Castro and co., the Cubans act happy (which is understandable) but things are otherwise pretty calm, which one cannot imagine is really likely in such a situation.

And then we get to the ending. Katey asks Javier to come to America with her. In a move which my sister has deemed the "stupidest decision in a movie ever," Javier refuses, saying that he has to stay because of the Revolution, which he believes (or wants to believe, anyway) will improve life for him and his people, Batista killed his free-thinking father, viva la Revolución, yadda yadda yadda. I understand that movies don't always have happy endings, but I think that there is a middle ground between "boy and girl live happily ever after" to "girl lives happily ever after and boy gets sent to the gulag after he finds out that Castro isn't exactly the nice guy he claims to be and wow, Batista was a cakewalk compared to this, and has to spend his years in a drawer cell where he would kick himself for his earlier decision if, you know, he could actually kick himself, but drawer cells don't allow that." I truly think that the filmmakers did not anticipate their audience to think this much, which is understandable, but come on--everyone knows that communist Cuba is no picnic, and when Katey says something along the lines of "I know that we'll meet again," I couldn't help but thinking that the only way THAT would happen would be if Javier braves the Gulf and takes up Florida's wet feet dry feet policy. In fact, when I told my friend about the ending he said, "that boy is going to have to stop dancing and learn to convert his '57 Chevy into a boat."

I understand that people at first thought that Castro was fantastic and he didn't reveal his true intentions until later, but the fact remains that Cuba was politically instable and to choose to stay there instead of going to America was still pretty questionable. And then Katey's optimistic "We'll see each other again someday!" was just waaaay too much for me.

So, in short, if you're like me and you can't turn off your brain while watching a movie, this one's going to give you a lot of issues. If you CAN turn off your brain and just enjoy it for what it is--a dance movie--you'll probably like it, though find some things (like the romance) lacking.

Better than the others.......2006-10-24

I bought this movie last year on a hum bug. This movie really surprised me. I really enjoyed it. My daughters love it as well. We watch it constantly and the soundtrack is awesome too.

For the Love of Dancing, Great Lessons! Romantic Story!.......2006-10-16

Choreographed to utter perfection, the love story between two inspiring young characters from different worlds grows through a masterpiece of dancing blended from steps in their special journey together. Beautiful Katey(Romola Garai) finds all the ingredients: to be special, important, wanted and needed in a guy who completes her in the passion for dancing, and wins in a national dance competition that spectacularly surprises her parents and old friends. Her dedication to help Javier yields a bitter-sweet reward as they both get more than they expected in freedom, intimacy, and royalty in the world of great music and rhythm that make their last dance the dance of a lifetime. This movie is truly delightful to watch over and over. The captivating music, creative dance, and wonderful love story all come together in a symbolic journey through life!

Average customer rating:

Dirty Dancing Havana Nights

Manufacturer: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
50 First Dates (Widescreen Special Edition)
Saw - Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0007XO4XO

Product Description

On the eve of Cuba's revolution, a young American woman discovers a passion for dance and for her sultry Cuban partner, Javier. As the two prepare to take their place in a prestigious dance competition, their bodies align in a sensual harmony that mirrors the growing bond between them. They dominate the dance floor with a sizzling style and rhythm all their own. Watch for a great cameo from Patrick Swayze!!

Dirty Dancing / Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights

Average customer rating:

Dance lovers must see
Pretty good.....

Dirty Dancing / Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights
Starring: Mika Boorem , Wilmer Cordero , Polly Cusumano , Chris Engen , and Romola Garai
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
One Last Dance
The Wedding Planner
Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
The Lost City

ASIN: B0006ZXJ70
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Customer Reviews:

Dance lovers must see.......2006-11-10

Great set to own - both are wonderful but very different Dancing stories

Pretty good............2005-08-22

I think this is a decent movie, it is NOT a spin-off of the original Dirty Dancing. It is based on a true story. Has some good dancing and good new actors.....Patrick Swayze does have a small role in the film and the lady whose story it is based on has a cameo appearance.

Average customer rating:

Nice movie with a little history lesson
Videos
Que tonta
Better than the others
For the Love of Dancing, Great Lessons! Romantic Story!

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights [Region 2]
Starring: Diego Luna , Romola Garai , Sela Ward , John Slattery , and Jonathan Jackson
Director: Guy Ferland
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
Dance with Me
Salsa - The Motion Picture
One Last Dance

ASIN: B000621P7Y

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Nice movie with a little history lesson.......2007-06-10

Videos.......2007-02-27

This was a present for my 17-year-old daughter, who loves to dance. She likes Havana Nights for its spicyness and Spanish flvor. It is a teen-age thing.

Que tonta.......2006-11-27

Better than the others.......2006-10-24

I bought this movie last year on a hum bug. This movie really surprised me. I really enjoyed it. My daughters love it as well. We watch it constantly and the soundtrack is awesome too.

For the Love of Dancing, Great Lessons! Romantic Story!.......2006-10-16

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