|
| Mad Hot Ballroom | 
 enlarge | Director: Marilyn Agrelo
Actors: Heather Berman, Emma Therese Biegacki, Paul Daggett, Graciela Daniele, Pierre Dulaine
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy Used: $4.40
You Save: $25.58 (85%)
New (30) Used (25) from $4.40
Avg. Customer Rating:  95 reviews
Sales Rank: 7554
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
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: PARD345554D
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
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Kids Crazy For The Dance--An Alternative School Curriculum Which Teaches Responsibility And Rumba January 25, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Catching up on some recent documentaries, I was eager to check out "Mad Hot Ballroom." A critical and commercial success upon its release, "Mad Hot Ballroom" details a school system in New York City that utilizes competitive ballroom dancing as a part of its after-school curriculum. Of course, this film is a crowd pleaser--what's not to love about seeing fifth graders doing the tango? But more than that, it showcases an alternative program that has increased in popularity and works to socialize inner city youth. Teaching responsibility and respect, in addition to dance steps, this program is being used as an invaluable tool to enhance the education system in some not-so-privileged areas.
The film gives you a glimpse at several schools and takes you through the practice rounds through to the citywide finals. You meet many of the students, instructors, and parents--and what is clear is that ballroom has become an unlikely passion for many of the participants. The students are engaging and candid interview subjects, and the male/female dynamic of the fifth graders is documented interestingly. Competitive, without being cruel, there are real stakes involved for these kids and their teachers. But there can also be disappointment, and the communication about not winning is a vital part of the curriculum.
"Mad Hot Ballroom" is a gentle and pleasing documentary that can be viewed by the whole family. I am impressed that, in this day and age, such an unorthodox program was allowed. With big city education systems dependent on status quo performance and test scores, it's fascinating to look at an experiment that was "outside the box" which not only worked, but flourished. KGHarris, 01/07.
 can you say merengue? January 24, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In 1994 ball room dance classes were introduced for fifth graders at two New York City schools. The pilot program was so successful that today 6,000 children in 60 NYC schools are required to take a ten-week class in ball room dancing, with teachers provided by the American Ballroom Theater. The documentary Mad Hot Ballroom gives you a front row seat and behind the scenes preview of what has now become an annual citywide competition. This is a wonderful film that would make for great family viewing and later discussion.
Five Star Ballroom January 20, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
My fifth grade students and I enjoyed MAD HOT BALLROOM! It was entertaining and informative, encouraging my "Ballroom Dancers" to persevere. The poignancy (of those students who did not get into the finals) was not lost on my students, some of whom were in similar situations.
This delightful movie should be viewed by students, as well as by families who want to share some "together time!"
even if you don't dance January 16, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Kudos for the film-makers ability to capture the kids doing the other stuff. It gets 11 year olds right. You can't help but enjoy this one.
Great for use in the classroom. January 12, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An eye opening experience for those going into teaching in the inner city. Students enjoy this film at all grade levels. Good coverage of both the victories and defeats of the schools participating in the dance competition. The film may influence some students to go into dance.
|
|
|
 Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
