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| Mad Hot Ballroom | 
 enlarge | Director: Marilyn Agrelo
Actors: Tara Devon Gallagher, Alex Tchassov, Ann Reinking, Jatnna Toribio, Cyrus Hernstadt
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy Used: $4.00
You Save: $25.98 (87%)
New (40) Used (30) from $4.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  95 reviews
Sales Rank: 3005
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 105
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D345554D
ISBN: 141571455X
UPC: 097363455547
EAN: 9781415714553
ASIN: B000ADS6DA
Theatrical Release Date: May 13, 2005
Release Date: October 18, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Previously viewed DVDs. Shrinkwrapped in mint condition ***100% GUARANTEED!!!***
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
If the delightful spectacle of preteen kids dancing the foxtrot and the merengue isn't enough to lure you in, add the pressure of a dance competition and the triumph of troubled kids finding self-respect through discipline--if Mad Hot Ballroom were a Hollywood movie, it would be too corny for words. Instead, it's an engrossing documentary about a wildly successful after-school program in New York City. Mad Hot Ballroom follows a handful of kids in three different schools from the beginning of their dance classes to the night of the inter-school dance finals. Regrettably, the movie fails to pursue the dancers themselves; a few scenes provide glimpses of some smart, articulate kids with vivid personalities and compelling emotions, but the filmmakers make a minimal effort to draw the kids out or explore their lives outside of the classes. Watching the kids develop as dancers is still gripping and the final competition will have you on the edge of your seat, but it could have been all the more so. Though certainly worthy and genuinely heartwarming, you can't help but feel that Mad Hot Ballroom lost an opportunity for something truly dazzling. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 90 more reviews...
 A documentary way better than any film out that year! June 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was much better than the average mainstream movie put out that year. I was really amazed by this little flick. Yes a documentary.
The innocence, naivete and energy of the kids in it is really captured well here. To the point that they are so relaxed I had to keep reminding myself that there is even a camera pointed at them.
It is about grammar school kids from NYC competing in a Ball Room dance contest (it is "mad hot", as the kids put it)
It focuses on 4 teams. Two from Bklyn, one from lower Manhattan and one from Washington Hts. Three of the schools are very diverse and the Washington Hts team is homogeneously Dominican.
Its a doc but by sheer accident, I guess, it takes on the characteristics of a regular film. You get weepy for the kids/teams who are eliminated. You cheer on the lil Dominican girls when they get into a zone during the semi finals. (it helps that "meringue" is one of the required dance #s), there is a plot twist and you almost boo last year's champs, the almost snobbish team from ritzy Forrest Hills who seem as strong as a Roger Stauback led Dallas Cowboys team, when they enter the picture.
At first I thought I might b a lil biased as Im raising my 3rd "12 yr old" at this time, but my friend who is 30 something, childless and the consummate bachelor loved it as well.
One, two, cha cha cha June 23, 2008
I had checked this movie out from the library, loved it, and had to buy my own copy. What an excellent idea to teach children ballroom dancing! So many school districts have eliminated music lessons and even recess so to see a program like this one was most refreshing.
Great!!! May 30, 2008
This is a great documentary for children who are interested in dance. It is also a good way to introduce competition.
 a wonderful look into the lives of children May 4, 2008
I got this movie because I enjoyed Spellbound and this one was recommended as being in the same vein, and I greatly enjoyed the film. It's more than a look at competitive dancing among children, but an exploration of their world and all the complicated issues they face. You couldn't help but get emotionally involved in the competition, seeing the joys of victory and the hardships of defeat. People who love dancing or just good documentaries ought to check this film out.
I Hope Their Dreams Are Fulfilled January 28, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I adored this movie. Don't let the 2 hour production time scare you off; it goes by in a flash. In this 2005 documentary, 5th graders from New York City public schools learn ballroom dancing (merengue, rumba, tango, the foxtrot and swing) as part of a 10 week course. As they learn the dances and the disciplines involved you see them change from shy skittish children to consummate dancers all culminating in the final citywide competition.
You get to really know these wonderful children. From the very shy boys who can't open their eyes when dancing with a girl to the very dominating girls who feel that if a boy can't lead, well, they will do it themselves. This added with additional footage of candid conversations show you that kids are just kids. Some might be tougher on the outside, but they all have the same dream and aspirations.
I will certainly miss these children and I just hope that their dreams are fulfilled.
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