Kenny Ortega Movies
California-born dancer and choreographer Kenny Ortega had stage and television experience before working on his first feature film, The Rose (1979) and the Olivia Newton-John/Gene Kelly disco-era musical Xanadu (1980). During the '80s, he was associated with some of the biggest hits of the decade, especially among "youth" movies of the period -- One from the Heart (1982), St. Elmo's Fire (1985), Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (both 1986), and the monster hit Dirty Dancing (1987). After co-producing Salsa (1988), he turned to directing with Newsies, the Disney organization's ill-fated 1992 attempt to revive the movie-musical genre, and Hocus Pocus (1993). Though Ortega would continue to serve as a choreographer in film and television thought the 1990s (including To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar), his career was geared increasingly towards directing for television during the millennial turnover, with frequent work in such popular series' as Chicago Hope, Grounded for Life, Ally McBeal, and The Gilmore Girls comprising the majority of his credits. After scoring a direct hit in 1996 as both choreographer and director of High School Musical (the higest rated movie in Disney Channel history at the time), Ortega would step back behind the camera to tell the tale of a group of young female singers determined to make the big-time in the musical comedy @Disney Channel sequel The Cheetah Girls 2. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 2010
Kevin Bacon's beloved '80s film Footloose gets a musical reboot with this Paramount Pictures production. High School Musical's Kenny Ortega directs from a script by Peter Sollett and Jon Hartmere. Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford steps into the shoes of Kevin Bacon in the lead role after Zac Efron left the production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chace Crawford
- 2007
- Add High School Musical: The Concert to QueueAdd High School Musical: The Concert to top of Queue
The biggest sensation in Disney Channel history becomes the concert that no 'tween will want to miss as the stars of the phenomenally successful High School Musical take the stage to perform the songs that fans know and love. Sing along with stars Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, and Ashley Tilsdale as they "Bop to the Top" and set the stage ablaze. After the concert fans can direct their own version of the performance by taking part of a special "U Direct" feature in addition to getting a special sneak preview of the highly anticipated High School Musical 2. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, (more)
Kenny Ortega's High School Musical 2 reunites the cast from the hit made-for-Disney Channel original to tell another story in the lives of the musically inclined students attending East Side High. The sequel takes place primarily at the Lava Springs Country Club, an exclusive summer resort that hires Wildcat basketball hero Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), his genius girlfriend Gabriella Montez (anessa Hudgens), and their two best friends. The parents of scheming Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) own the resort, and she wields her remarkable power in an attempt to win Troy away from Gabriella. Eventually Troy must decide between a bright future with a scholarship, or true love. High School Musical 2 premiered on the cable outlook on August 17, 2007. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, (more)
- 2006
Hoping to make amends to her parents for accepting Christopher's help in paying for Rory's tuition, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) suggests that Emily (Kelly Bishop) reinstate her traditional Friday Night Dinner. Meanwhile, Lorelai has trouble pretending she doesn't mind that Luke (Scott Patterson) is spending more time with his daughter April (Vanessa Marano) than with her; and the Yale newspaper staff walks out on the insufferable Paris (Liza Weil), forcing Rory to break her reconciliation date with Logan (Matt Czuchry) in order to meet the deadline. Thus, by the time the first of the "new" Friday Night Dinners gets under way, there are plenty of hot potatoes on the table. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The captain of the East High basketball team and the key member of the academic club shock the student body by teaming to audition for the upcoming school musical in a Disney Channel Original Movie that's all about being yourself and following your dreams. Troy (Zac Efron) is best known as the player who keeps the East High basketball team on the scoreboard. Of course, life isn't always about athletics, though, and as Troy slam-dunks on the boards, beautiful and brainy Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) is raising the reputation of East High as the key member of the school's successful academic team. Despite their outgoing natures, no one would ever peg Troy and Gabriella as theater types. When word gets out that this popular pair has secretly chosen to reach for the stars and try their luck on the stage, the students of East High are about to learn an important lesson in teamwork while gearing up for a musical performance that will have their audience dancing in the aisles. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, (more)
- 2006
- Add The Cheetah Girls 2: When in Spain to QueueAdd The Cheetah Girls 2: When in Spain to top of Queue
In this sequel to the 2003 Disney Channel hit The Cheetah Girls, the girls travel to Spain to compete in a prominent music festival while learning a thing or two about themselves in the process. Convinced that they are destined for stardom and determined to make it to Spain to compete in the New Voices of Music Festival, New York teens Galleria (Raven Symone), Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Aqua (Kiely Williams), and Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan) pull out all the stops to convince mothers Juanita and Dorothea that a "cultural and educational experience" on foreign shores is just the thing to prepare them for the rigorous demands of adulthood. When the girls finally arrive in Spain and find their priorities leading them each in different directions, they quickly discover that there may be more to life than living the wild life of a Cheetah Girl. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Raven Symone, Adrienne Bailon, (more)
- 2005
The only good news that Rory (Alexis Bledel) receives this week comes from the unlikeliest of sources: her biological father Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) continues adjusting to the fact that he's the father of 12-year-old April -- and also continues to avoid telling Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Elsewhere, Luke's wacky sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) goes "Martha Stewart" for Thanksgiving; and Lane's band is on the verge of breaking up as Brian (John Cabrera) seethes with jealousy over the song that Zach (Todd Lowe) has written for Lane (Keiko Agena). Carole King returns in the role of bookstore manager Sophie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) returns to town, only to get a very cold shoulder when Rory (Alexis Bledel) introduces him to Logan (Matt Czuchry). Even so, Jess' presence causes Rory to do some deep thinking about her future. Meanwhile, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) devotes all her spare time and energy to her dog Paul Anka in an effort to forget her troubles. And Luke (Scott Patterson) is shocked by the brutality of the middle-school girls' soccer team that he has agreed to manage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
A minor car accident brings Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) back together. Christopher (David Sutcliffe) is made to understand the seriousness of the relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson). Rory (Alexis Bledel) helps Logan (Matt Czuchry) write an article for the "Yale Daily News", hoping to wangle an introduction to Logan's publisher father. And Lane (Keiko Agena) mulls over her mother's invitation to attend a Lunar New Year Party--but will she bring Zach (Todd Lowe)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Though no one in Stars Hollow is terribly surprised at the possibility of romance between Lorelei (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson), Taylor (Michael Winters) warns them that there is disaster ahead -- and he's got the astrological charts to "prove" it. Elsewhere, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) squander an opportunity to patch up their marriage. And back at Yale, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has her first encounter with fellow student Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchny in his series debut), the son of a wealthy and powerful publisher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Rory (Alexis Bledel) draws closer to Logan (Matt Czuchry) when she goes undercover to write a story about Yale's super-secret "Life and Death Brigade". Elsewhere, Emily (Kelly Bishop) is now aware of the relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson), but Lorelai is still reluctant to invite Luke to one of her mother's famous (or infamous!) Friday Night Dinners. And fellow band members Lane (Keiko Agena) and Zach (Todd Lowe) go on their first date--without ever leaving Lane's home. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Luke (Scott Patterson) isn't happy when his zany sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) returns to Stars Hollow for her high school reunion -- and, making matters worse, Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) shows up demanding the return of his car (which has been stolen!). Elsewhere in town, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) can't bring herself to tell her parents about her relationship with Jason (Christopher Eigeman). Meanwhile at Yale, Rory (Alexis Bledel) is an unwilling contributor to the strenuous efforts by Paris (Liza Weil) and Jamie (Brandon Barash) to avoid one another. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Now reconciled to her mom's relationship with Luke (Scott Patterson), Rory (Alexis Bledel) is upset when she sees Lorelai (Lauren Graham) dining with Christopher (David Sutcliffe) at the Dragonfly. For Lorelai's part, she is appalled at the though of her own mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) re-entering the dating scene. Elswhere, Jackson (Jackson Melville) struggles manfully to control his temper while enduring the pregnant Sookie's (Melissa McCarthy) moods swings. And back at Yale, Rory's date turns into a study session, and Rory's roomie Paris (Liza Weil) noisily observes Ramadan as part of her research for an article. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
- Add Gloria Estefan: Live and Unwrapped to QueueAdd Gloria Estefan: Live and Unwrapped to top of Queue
Gloria Estefan celebrated the release of her bold and innovative 2003 album Unwrapped with a special concert at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and a camera crew was on hand to capture the magic of this one-of-a-kind performance. Gloria Estefan: Live and Unwrapped features the award-winning Latin songstress performing with a 23-piece band and a team of gifted dancers as she interprets both new material and her biggest hits. Songs include "Wrapped," "Te Amare," "Your Picture," "Conga," "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Get On Your Feet," and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2003
When Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) fails to call her, Rory (Alexis Bledel) goes "stag" to a high school hockey game, where she links up with Lane (Keiko Agena) and her sham boyfriend Young Chui (Samson Yi) -- and also gets her first look at her ex-beau Dean's new girlfriend, Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel). Elsewhere in town, the Doose family descends upon the Inn for a family reunion. And Emily (Kelly Bishop) digs up an old scandal with which she hopes to neutralize her irksome mother-in-law Trix (Marion Ross). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is determined to win Stars Hollow's annual 24-hour dance marathon, if only to stifle the obnoxiousness of perennial champion Kirk (Sean Gunn). With no one else available, Lorelai chooses Rory (Alexis Bledel) as her partner, a gesture which leads to trouble when Rory spots Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) and Shane (Jessica Kiper) together at the dance -- and this, in turn, leads to a shocking public outburst by Dean (Jared Padalecki). And elsewhere on the romantic front, Paris (Liza Weil) can't concentrate on an upcoming Chilton social event when her heartthrob Jamie (Brandon Barash) unexpectedly arrives in town. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) are placed in an awkward position when they agree to attend three different Thanksgiving dinners -- and things get even more awkward when they also agree to show up at Emily and Richard's house. The only way out of this social dilemma is to actually consume four dinners within a 24-hour period, beginning with the deep-fried repast at the Kim household. Then it is off to the home of Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) and Jackson (Jackson Douglas), thence to Luke's diner. Finally the ladies arrive at the Elder Gilmores' house -- where Lorelai has a hissy fit upon discovering that Rory has applied to Yale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
- Add Barbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert to QueueAdd Barbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert to top of Queue
On December 31, 1999, Barbara Streisand gave a concert that she announced would be her last. This video, Barbara Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert, is a record of that event. Streisand performs 40 songs, including the standards "Something's Coming," "The Way We Were," "Evergreen," "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)," and "People." The concert also features duets with Frank Sinatra, Bryan Adams, Barry Gibb, and Celine Dion, as well as dancing by Savion Glover. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
French director Roger Vadim pillages his own grave in this nominal re-make of his 1956 creamy sensation And God Created Woman -- the film that made Brigitte Bardot an international star. Unfortunately, he is unable to do the same thing for the cool and cryptic Rebecca DeMornay in this version. DeMornay plays an escaped convict who lands in the limousine of New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Frank Langella and seduces him. For some inexplicable reason, she turns into a hot singing act. DeMornay also seduces innocent stud carpenter Vincent Spano along the way and suckers the poor guy into marrying her so that she can get an early parole. But the joke is on him when she announces that their marriage does not include sexual relations. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rebecca De Mornay, Vincent Spano, (more)
After completing Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola initially planned for his next picture to be an intimate romantic musical shot on a low budget in Las Vegas. Three years later, One from the Heart had mushroomed into a big-budget spectacular, shot on strikingly stylized sets at his newly opened Zoetrope Studio and costing a then-massive $27 million. The story concerns Hank (Frederick Forrest) and Franny (Terri Garr), a working-class couple living on the outskirts of Las Vegas; after five years together, their relationship has fallen into a rut, and they both set off in search of new partners. Hank meets up with Leila (Nastassia Kinski), a beautiful high-wire artist, and Franny has a fling with Ray (Raul Julia), a dashing actor-waiter. But Hank and Franny still love each other, and their search for romance brings them back into each other's arms. Singer/songwriter Tom Waits received an Oscar nomination for his widely acclaimed song score, performed with country crooner Crystal Gayle. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, (more)
A teenage girl learns about love, adult responsibility, and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963, "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is a 17-year-old spending the summer with her family at a resort hotel in the Catskills; she plans on being in the Peace Corps next summer, so this is expected to be her last summer as a carefree adolescent. Baby doesn't get along with her older sister, Lisa (Jane Brucker), and she's bored to tears by most of the older guests at the resort. However, one night Baby hears what sounds like a party going on in the employee's dormitory, and she pokes her head in to discover most of the hotel staff enjoying the sort of close dancing that would get you kicked out of the senior prom in no time flat. Baby is particularly struck by handsome Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), a dancer in the resort's floor show, and falls head over heels in love, wanting to be near him. When Johnny's dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters, Baby volunteers to learn her steps and take her place; however, Baby's father, Dr. Jake Houseman (Jerry Orbach), will have none of it, convinced that Johnny is a low life and that his daughter is too young to understand her own feelings. Dirty Dancing was a surprise box-office hit, and the soundtrack album was an even bigger success, spawning several hit singles and inspiring a top-drawing concert tour featuring several of its artists. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, (more)
