Magic Mike

Magic Mike (2012)
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, and Matthew McConaughey
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
SC=9 V=4 C=9
Grade: A+

First of all, yes...it is a stripping movie and yes...the guys in the movie are semi-nude some of the time. While this does mean a bit of objectifying the men, this happens with women in every action movie (we're looking at you, Michael Bay) ever made. So, we deserve a little bit of objectifying of the men. Anyway, this movie is about Mike (Tatum), a very talented and rhythmic stripper. At one of his many other jobs, he meets a boy named Adam (Pettyfer), a shy 19-year-old living with his sister, Brooke (Cody Horn). Mike and Adam meet again the next day. Mike asks him to pick up some girls and, seeing that Adam is actually good at it, gives him some work with props at his "Male Dance Revue", owned by Dallas (McConaughey). When one of the other strippers in hurt, Dallas orders Adam to take his place. Showing he has talent for stripping also, Dallas hires Adam, dubbing him "The Kid". As Adam gets more confident in his new profession, Mike starts to find himself falling for Brooke and contemplating leaving the show. However, his newfound friendship with The Kid and his relationship with Brooke may ruin everything Mike has worked so hard for. Overall, awesome movie...enjoyable to watch. Also starring Joe Manganiello, Gabriel Iglesias, and Matt Bomer (yay, Matt Bomer!).

Step Up 3

Step Up 3 (2010)
Starring: Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani, and Sharni Vinson
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
SC=5 V=4 C=4
Grade: A

This Step Up is awesome, but it's my least favorite of the three. Here's why: The guy (in this case, Rick Malambri) is likable and very good looking, but not as likeable as Channing Tatum or even Robert Hoffman, who, sometimes in the movie, comes across a little too cocky. The girl (Sharni Vinson) isn't as likeable as Jenna Dewan or as awesome as Briana Evigan, who is my favorite girl in any of the movies. The only thing this movie has that the others don't is Moose as a main character. He was in Step Up 2, but he's actually a main character in this movie. This movie also has Camielle, played by Alyson Stoner, and she's just awesome. The dancing in this movie also easily outdoes the first one and probably beats the second one as well. Luke (Malambri) runs a "house" for abandoned dancers, giving them a place to live and practice. When he meets Moose (Sevani), who is in town for college, Moose starts spending more time with the dancers and less time on his schoolwork. Coming into the group at the same time is Natalie (Vinson), a mysterious dancer also in need of a home. The two newcomers are just in time for World Jam, which is basically a larger version of The Streets from Step Up 2. After several events that put not only the house but the dancers in jeapardy, Luke must put together his old crew and win World Jam in order to save the house and the dancer's futures.

Step Up 2 The Streets

Step Up 2 The Streets (2008)
Starring: Robert Hoffman, Briana Evigan, and Adam Sevani
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
SC=5 V=5 C=4
Grade: A++

This is one of the best sequels ever, where it not only is as good as the original but almost tops it. Briana Evigan is, by far, the coolest of all of the Step Up girls and Robert Hoffman is awesome. Plus, Adam Sevani makes everything better. Andie (Evigan) is part of a dance crew that gets in trouble a lot. She's lived with her mom's friend since her mother died and the woman has had enough. Andie's friend Tyler Gage (cameo by Step Up star Channing Tatum) talks the woman into giving Andie one more chance to change by going to Maryland School of the Arts, the school that changed him. After Andie gets accepted, with a little help from the director's little brother Chase (Hoffman), she sees that going to this school will not be anything like she thought it would. But with her new friend Moose (Sevani) and help from Chase, she puts together a dance crew to compete with her old crew. Where will they battle? The Streets, of course. The Streets is a battle of the best dance crews, where they bring their best moves. But will Andie's new crew of misfits be able to bring it? Or will they end up burning out, just like Andie will if her second chance doesn't work? Not only does this movie have amazing dancing all the way through, but the dance at the end is one of the best dances I've ever seen (in the rain?! Heck yes.). Oh, and make sure to keep an eye out for Christopher Scott, choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance. He plays Hair.

Step Up

Step Up (2006)
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, and Mario
Directed by: Anne Fletcher
SC=4 V=6 C=5
Grade: A++

This is one of my all time favorite movies (it helps, of course, that this movie has great dancing and stars Channing Tatum...which would help any movie). Tyler Gage (Tatum) is a tough guy who has had a hard life. After vandalising a performing arts school, his punishment is to serve his community service at said school. There, he meets Nora (Dewan), a very driven ballet dancer who is working on her piece for the end of the year showcase. After her partner is hurt and unable to practice, Tyler witnesses her auditioning students for a person to practice with, none of them good enough. Nora, on a whim, lets Tyler audition and decides that he's the only one that can handle the lifts. Nora's classical style and Tyler's street style clash from the very beginning. But what no one sees coming is that they actually gel and work out a new piece for the showcase that is the perfect blend between both styles. But, when Nora's old partner comes back, will she stick with Tyler or choose the easy way out? Jenna Dewan is good and Channing Tatum is his usual hot self, just with more dancing this time. And, boy, is he a good dancer.