This week on DANCING WITH THE STARS, the couples paid tribute to the big screen. I was excited not only to see what everyone came up with, but was hoping that there would be movie-musical songs weaved into the episode-I was not disappointed!
The night started with an opening number inspired by Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio which was wonderful, but then it got a little crazy...because hilarious comedian and guest judge Kevin Hart gave the contestants a run for their money when he took the dance floor along with the pros for their "Shake a Tail Feather" number.
I was really excited about tonight's episode, until I realized it was one of those odd performance and elimination episodes. They never made sense to me because it doesn't make sense that a couple is going to be eliminated on the same day they are performing. What if tonight a couple performs a dance worthy of a 40, but can never reach their potential because America's votes are only counted from last week? I could go on and on, but we have eleven numbers to go through, and I am updating you all live.
So without further ado, here is my recap of DANCING WITH THE STARS Movie Night...I hope you have your popcorn ready!
Couple: Randy and Karina
Movie: Rocky III
Style of Dance: Paso Doble
5 second review: Karina overshadowed Randy in this performance.
Score: 26/40
I understand that as the professional Karina, in theory, should be better than her partner. However, I feel like Randy was just a prop almost...simply there to help showcase Karina. That isn't how a dance should be. It's a shame because I love the song, and the can't try to redeem themselves because they were eliminated at the end of this episode.
Couple: Alfonso and Witney
Movie: Austin Powers: Goldmember
Style of Dance: Quickstep
5 second review: Is there a dance this guy can't make look easy?!
Score: 32/40
Alfonso is always such a joy to watch on stage. He and Witney are such a great pair, and always seem to know what to do both technically and entertainment-wise. I loved the Mini Me bit...very creative.
Couple: Betsey and Tony
Movie: Ghost
Style of Dance: Contemporary
5 second review: Betsey Johnson is such a wonder to watch. Beautifully done.
Score: 29/40
Betsey Johnson is just showing the world that there is so much more to her than meets the eye. She is so graceful and elegant and that showed tonight as she danced beautifully once again. The way she and Tony incorporated Ghost into their routine was also very well done.
Couple: Lea and Artem (safe)
Movie: Back to the Future
Style of Dance:Cha Cha
5 second review: THIS is how a Movie Night performance should be done! So much fun and so well done.
Score: 31/40
Lea and Artem were smart to pick the Back to the Future movies to pay homage to. They executed the entire performance so well. Between the Flux Capacitor replica and the gorgeous prom sequence,this dance definitely deserved an Academy Award.
Couple: Michael and Emma
Movie: Robin Hood
Style of Dance: Waltz
5 second review: Such an improvement from last week-I like that Michael showed the audience a softer side of himself.
Score: 28/40
I won't lie; I was incredibly nervous for Michael's performance, especially considering his dance last week. I was pleasantly surprised. I found his serious role on the dance floor tonight quite charming. I also like the fact that although the dance was serious, he didn't take himself too seriously thanks to the fun Robin Hood hat.
Couple: Antonio and Cheryl
Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
Style of Dance: Foxtrot
5 second review: Aside from the lack of a Guardians of the Galaxy feel in the dance, I thought this was Antonio's best dance yet.
Score: 29/40
Every other performance tonight had some form of prop or costume to resemble the movie their dance was honoring. The biggest film of the year and not being represented in any way other than the song choice (that has been used in various other films) was disappointing. I just hoped that there would be a more creative representation of the Marvel film.
Couple: Sadie and Mark (safe)
Movie: Up
Style of Dance: Viennese Waltz
5 second review: This was such an adorable and charming performance!
Score: 32/40
This Waltz was the perfect amount of charisma and elegance. Mark did a wonderful job choreographing this sweet tribute to Disney/Pixar. He and Sadie are great together. I also have to mention how heart-warming I thought the balloons were at the end. Great job.
Couple: Jonathan and Allison (in jeopardy)
Movie: The Great Gatsby
Style of Dance: Tango
5 second review: That was so intense.
Score: 32/40
At first I didn't quite understand why Jonathan and Allison chose the movie they did for the Tango. But as the dance progressed, I realized that their Tango was more about the intensity of emotion than it was about passionate love (which is what a Tango generally portrays). I thin this pair does a solid job every week.
Couple: Janel and Val
Movie: West Side Story
Style of Dance: Jazz
5 second review: That was so much fun to watch! Such great storytelling!
Score: 40/40...the first perfect score of the season!!!!!!!!
This performance deserved the 40 that it received because everything was so on point. The fact that the pair faced so much legal trouble just to get through the choreography of the number and still pull off a flawless tribute to the film?! Brilliant. Plus the costumes were a wonderful nod to the Oscar winning movie-musical.
Couple: Tommy and Peta
Movie: Scent of a Woman
Style of Dance: Tango
5 second review: Wow...I was pleasantly surprised by Tommy's performance. Stirring.
Score: 34/40
Never in a million years would you have been able to tell me that Tommy Chong could dance the Tango...until tonight, that is. I was so taken by his and Peta's dance. This week e made me laugh not by anything he said, but by his "student becomes the teacher" mentality this week.
Couple: Bethany and Derek
Movie: Singin' in the Rain
Style of Dance: Jazz
5 second review: Oh. My. Goodness. Derek Hough never ceases to amaze with his brilliant choreography.
Score: 40/40
This was the performance o watch tonight. I rewound my DVR twice to rewatch it. Yes, the choreography and prop work and the ability to make it rain indoors were all 40/40 flawless, but what made that performance worthwhile for me was the look on Derek's face as he danced to one of the most iconic songs in dance history. This was his and Bethany's breakthrough performance. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for next week!
After all of the couples danced their hearts out, the time came for another couple to leave the show. That couple this week was Randy and Karina. I will not say that I am surprised, because I am not. I am disappointed though. It is always hard to see another couple leave, and we'll never know if their dance this week could have saved them.
Next week is Reflections week where contestants perform dances that reflect important or iconic times in their lives. I'm excited to see what moments the contestants decide to show us. I have a hunch that next week Alfonso might just give us all what we've been waiting for...the only way to find out is to tune in next Monday at 8/7c on ABC! And, of course, stop by BWWTV for my live updated commentary!
Let me know what you thought of each routine, Kevin Hart, and the one day schedule, in the comments below. Also, don't forget to follow @BWWTVWorld on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for all of the latest TV news, reviews, and recaps.
Photo Credit: Adam Taylor | ABC
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