Reviews (27)

Over 20 Years Later, And I Still Love It!
When I first saw Fame, I loved it. Although I was in the age range of the characters back then, I never went to a performing arts school, but I always found it fascinating, and my short stint at a NYC school was extremely exciting. Just something about the setting.

I was always curious how I'd feel about the movie in 10 or 20 years. I can now say that I consider this one of my all time favorites. It still moves me like it did in 1980. Sure, there are a few things about it that are dated, but I love the characters, can absolutely relate to seeing Rocky Horror for the first time, and the mood is captured perfectly.

And to this day, the scenes with "Out Here On My Own", "Is It Okay...", and "I Sing The Body Electric" give me chills.

A wonderful coming-of-age Musical
On its release "Fame" resonated for me because I was 18, headed for NYC, and full of many of the same hopes and dreams as its characters had. I also saw it with a group of friends, all of us recent high school grads, and whether we were off to study medicine or law, music or architecture, the movie captured the essence of what its like to be on the way to new dreams. The score is brilliant through and through, and the performances nuanced, sweet and special. From the auditions at the outset of the movie to the final sweeping "Body Electric" the film is powerful for anyone who came of age in the 70s. We can all relate to seeing "Rocky Horror" for the first time, doing the "Time Warp" and being on the losing side of love. And, those of us with overbearing mothers could understand Doris's embarrassing moments with her own backstage mom. The film has guts, emotion, and passion to spare, and still stands as one of the last great musicals Hollywood produced. This one deserves a full re-release on DVD, and is far superior to later spin-offs like "Footloose" and "Flashdance." They all started here, with "Fame."

Fame
This is a very good musical movie. It has so much going on. You can almost feel what each characater is going through in the movie. I can watch it over and over. I never get tired of it.

Film at it's best.
Fame is by far my favourite movie. It has made me cry and laugh all at once. I can definetly identify with the characters. If I were you I would get my copy fast.

It needed Debbie Allen for more than two lines.
Full of energy and spirit, but in the end a bit corny and very melodramatic. I attended a school of the arts in Washington, DC, and at that time we were all thrilled to see a film which paid tribute to the special institution we had to endure for 8+ hours a day- though there was not one moment, in the four years I attended, that anyone danced in the streets and on top of the cars!! I actually preferred the television show, which did not take itself as seriously, and created much broader, fuller, characters than the 'types' presented in the film (the ambitious over-achiever, the militant hood, the ingenue, the comic, etc.) All in all, it was passable, but could've been better. And recheck the movie; Debbie Allen is only in a small opening scene judging the dance auditions. She has been quoted as saying that her role was originally much larger, but producers felt it too closely resembled the Coco role, so it was finally reduced to two lines in the film's first fifteen minutes. She did, however, star in the TV show, and got to dance and choreograph on-screen. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Based on a true story, Prince of the City stars Treat Williams as Danny Ciello, a conflicted New York cop who reluctantly decides to go undercover for the feds to ferret out police corruption. At first, he recklessly gets off on the danger, but as the feds tighten the screws, the guilt-wracked Ciello is forced to compromise his partners and friends, and his own checkered past inexorably catches up with him.

Sidney Lumet, who also directed Networkand Dog Day Afternoon, is esteemed as an actor's director. This film is prime evidence. The peerless ensemble, including Jerry Orbach, Bob Balaban, and a duty roster of great New York character actors, is flawless. If there was any justice in Hollywood, Prince of the City would have been Treat Williams's star-making breakthrough, his Serpico (which Lumet also directed). But this film couldn't get arrested at the box office and was criminally snubbed by the Academy. Due to its length and gritty, profane dialogue, it is severely compromised when broadcast on network TV. For fans of NYPD Blue, Law & Order and Homicide, here is a movie ripe for discovery on home video.--Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Intelligent drama about loyality and morality
"Prince of the City" is, I believe, Lumet's best movie and one of the best films of the 1980s, an intelligent drama about the conflict between loyality and morality.

It's part of Lumet's investigation of corruption amongst the "men in blue" which includes "Serpico", "Night Falls on Manhattan" and "Q & A".

"Prince of the City" is about morality but it does not moralise. Lumet's characters face difficult decisions and he shows their agonising in all its complexity. Treat Williams' character (Danny) moves back and forth between self interest and loyality to friends and the law - never really clear what is right and always on his own.

Whenever there is a police corruption "scandal" in Sydney (and there often is !) I turn to this film to give me perspective - to remind me of how the protagonists are human and how life is never black and white.

Best police movie of all time
This is where "Hill Street", "Homicide" and "NYPD Blue" got their start. Anyone who liked any of those will love this film.

Sidney Lumet crucified the NYPD in his earlier critically acclaimed "Serpico". Allegedly, he took on this work to somehow atone for giving the police such a bad time. Here, we see how corrpution begins almost imperceptably (as one sympathetic prosecutor notes). Getting back from the bad guys, however, must be done in one great leap, as the protagonist so tragically shows us.

This film is based on the true story of a former NYPD detective, turned into a book by Robert Daley. It is terrifically cast, with Treat Williams creating a role of real-life Detective Robert Leuci. Backing him are Jerry Orbach as his partner, the quintessential New York cop. James Tolkan is the weasel of a prosecutor (who gets his come-uppance from Orbach), and Ron Karabatsos as the worst of the no-goodniks, Sal DiBennedetto.

Get past the profanity and don't let the inevitable conclusion of the attempted atonement be a downer. It is spell-binding.

A great movie!
A facinating account of a NYC cop who has a crisis of conscience.
He wanted to be a good cop but is caught up by the circumstances around him. A terrific performance by Treat Williams.
Superbly directed by Sidney Lumet. New York City gritty. Long (2 hrs 45 min) but well paced. Profane language but is used well to show the intensity of the film. Go buy it or rent it at a video store!

A cop movie for adults
I saw Prince Of The City years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. Its a long, heartbreaking story but wonderful from start to finish. Like the other reviewers I thought Treat Williams was headed straight to the top. I can only conclude he was sleeping with some Hollywood bigshot's wife. What a performance.

Forget any recent police drama...
Sidney Lumet-what a filmmaker. This man has made so many excellent films and is such a craftsman, it was hard for me to pick one to write something about. I guess this one gets a little less credit than some of the others and so I'm drawn to it. It's unbelievable how quickly I was totally entranced by this film. Treat Williams is never better than right here. It's as interesting a film to me as Oliver Stone's JFK and I think I like it a little more than that film. I just have to demand that you watch-as soon as you can. It's long, but well worth the trip and much more involving than any police drama I've seen in many years. Please, please watch it-or buy it!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This early effort by director Alan Parker is lively but jagged as it follows four students through their years in the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Rather predictably, the kids fall into four clearly defined stereotypes: brazen, gay and hypersensitive, prickly, shy. It makes up for a disjointed presentation with a lot of heart and a great soundtrack (for which it won two Academy Awards). The hopes and disappointments, failures and successes of these teens are fodder for emotional scenes and exuberant dancing in the streets. It also turned out to be the first of many imitators and spawned a popular television series. (It was the breakout film for the short-lived feature film career of Irene Cara, who sang the title song.) --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Over 20 Years Later, And I Still Love It!
When I first saw Fame, I loved it. Although I was in the age range of the characters back then, I never went to a performing arts school, but I always found it fascinating, and my short stint at a NYC school was extremely exciting. Just something about the setting.

I was always curious how I'd feel about the movie in 10 or 20 years. I can now say that I consider this one of my all time favorites. It still moves me like it did in 1980. Sure, there are a few things about it that are dated, but I love the characters, can absolutely relate to seeing Rocky Horror for the first time, and the mood is captured perfectly.

And to this day, the scenes with "Out Here On My Own", "Is It Okay...", and "I Sing The Body Electric" give me chills.

A wonderful coming-of-age Musical
On its release "Fame" resonated for me because I was 18, headed for NYC, and full of many of the same hopes and dreams as its characters had. I also saw it with a group of friends, all of us recent high school grads, and whether we were off to study medicine or law, music or architecture, the movie captured the essence of what its like to be on the way to new dreams. The score is brilliant through and through, and the performances nuanced, sweet and special. From the auditions at the outset of the movie to the final sweeping "Body Electric" the film is powerful for anyone who came of age in the 70s. We can all relate to seeing "Rocky Horror" for the first time, doing the "Time Warp" and being on the losing side of love. And, those of us with overbearing mothers could understand Doris's embarrassing moments with her own backstage mom. The film has guts, emotion, and passion to spare, and still stands as one of the last great musicals Hollywood produced. This one deserves a full re-release on DVD, and is far superior to later spin-offs like "Footloose" and "Flashdance." They all started here, with "Fame."

Fame
This is a very good musical movie. It has so much going on. You can almost feel what each characater is going through in the movie. I can watch it over and over. I never get tired of it.

Film at it's best.
Fame is by far my favourite movie. It has made me cry and laugh all at once. I can definetly identify with the characters. If I were you I would get my copy fast.

It needed Debbie Allen for more than two lines.
Full of energy and spirit, but in the end a bit corny and very melodramatic. I attended a school of the arts in Washington, DC, and at that time we were all thrilled to see a film which paid tribute to the special institution we had to endure for 8+ hours a day- though there was not one moment, in the four years I attended, that anyone danced in the streets and on top of the cars!! I actually preferred the television show, which did not take itself as seriously, and created much broader, fuller, characters than the 'types' presented in the film (the ambitious over-achiever, the militant hood, the ingenue, the comic, etc.) All in all, it was passable, but could've been better. And recheck the movie; Debbie Allen is only in a small opening scene judging the dance auditions. She has been quoted as saying that her role was originally much larger, but producers felt it too closely resembled the Coco role, so it was finally reduced to two lines in the film's first fifteen minutes. She did, however, star in the TV show, and got to dance and choreograph on-screen. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Highly recommended--for Saturday Night Fever completists and connoisseurs of bad movies. This notable dud updates the story of Tony Manero (John Travolta), the disco prince from Fever, as he heads across the river to Manhattan and tries to make it as a dancer on Broadway. Someone had the bright idea of handing Staying Alive to Sylvester Stallone, who directed and cowrote the screenplay (and pops up in a shameless two-second cameo). Stallone gives the picture the pumped-up Rocky treatment, and completely misses the dance-floor excitement of Saturday Night Fever. Travolta tries to recapture his signature role, but this is one of the movies that put his career into its pre-Pulp Fiction deep freeze. The action culminates in a laughable Broadway opening night that really should be seen to be disbelieved. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Good guilty pleasure!
Staying Alive is definitely not the best movie ever made but one I continually go back to - mainly for the music. The soundtrack was understandably ignored because Saturday Night Fever was such a masterpiece but the new Bee Gees songs are terrific, Frank Stallone's songs are good and Cynthia Rhodes is wonderful as well. I don't understand why she didn't have a bigger career. She's a great dancer and singer. Finola Hughes has some terrific dance scenes too - especially the one in which John Travolta first sees her. I agree with critics that the storyline is not that great and you do wonder what happened to all of Tony's family and friends. But the movie is worth seeing - just not to be taken too seriously. Definately worth buying the soundtrack. Pay special attention to "Moody Girl" - "Life Goes On" - and "Finding Out the Hard Way"

The title says it all!
This is the story of Tony Manero nearly six years after what we saw him do in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. Tony(John Travolta) now lives in Manhattan(he was true to his word in the last scene of the first film) where he now teaches at a dancing school called Fatima's Danceland. Cynthia Rhodes,the real-life Mrs. Richard Marx,is Jackie Cole,Tony's girlfriend. Finola Hughes is Laura Revell,a British beauty who is half-bitchy and another love interest of Tony's. Steve Inwood is Jesse,a choreographer. After seeing a broadway show starring Jackie and Laura,Tony comes to Laura's dressing rooms and compliments her performance. Laura tells Tony about Satan's Alley,an upcoming play which they and Jackie would appear in in the last scene of the film. Tony becomes so fed up with Laura that he loses interest in her and reconciles with Jackie,who's a band's lead singer. One of Jackie's bandmates is Carl(Frank Stallone),a rhythm guitarist who Tony suspected Jackie of having an affair with. This film was directed by Hollywood great Sylvester Stallone(he and Frank are brothers) who also co-wrote the screenplay and has a cameo during the opening credits. The soundtrack features 5 new songs written and recorded by the Bee Gees plus a recycling of STAYIN' ALIVE(only the film title carries the G). We hear Frank performing FAR FROM OVER,a hit from the soundtrack album,during the opening credits,MOODY GIRL and NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP,his duet with Rhodes. Rhodes recorded FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY solo. Memorable scenes from the film include Tony and Laura riding in a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park,Tony walking from Manhattan to his mother's Brooklyn home(in the process,he walked on the Brooklyn Bridge and past the 2001 Odyssey nightclub which was part of the set of the first film), and Tony at Laura's pre-Christmas party which Jesse was also a guest. Another memorable scene was the very last,where Tony happily struts through Times Square after the hit performance of Satan's Alley(Tony's mother was in the audience). That's where,when Tony's movement freezes,the end credits roll and the full 4 minute and 42 second version of STAYIN' ALIVE is heard. The Stallone brothers previously worked together in the 3 Rocky films made before this one. The only co-star of Travolta's from the first film to appear in the sequel is the late Julie Bovasso who played Florence Manero,Tony's mother. This was a handful of dancing films released in the early 80's,the others being FAME and FLASHDANCE. Inwood also appeared in FAME. This film was not as successful as its predecessor. Take note that Tony is no longer the chain-smoking trashmouth that he was in the first film. He even pumped himself up,probably inspired by the director,whose legendary character Rocky Balboa was pumped-up also.

I could watch it for the 138th time!
Either you have good taste or you don't. Staying Alive is by far one of my favorite movies of all time.

It is so bad it is funny!!!
Oh God, I'm still laughing and laughing at this horrible movie after seeing it for the first time a few hours ago. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is kitsch and silly here. One of the worst movies ever made without a doubt, this film has the ugliest dance scenes I ever saw in my entire life as a movie fan. What the hell is that Broadway "musical"? Satan's Alley? Shoulda have been the name of the movie (LOL)!

Why did I give this 3 stars?
Because this movie was just terrible. But I know some of you are connoisseurs of the so-bad-it's-good genre. In fact, we all have our favorites of this type (mine is Showgirls), so to all of you lovers of cinematic dreck may I present: Staying Alive!

This was a legendary sequel misfire. For reasons that will remain a mystery, they took the Tony Manero character completely out of Bay Ridge and put him in one of the worst Broadway musicals in history. Folks-say hello to "Satan's Alley." It seemed to involve no plot and lots of fog. Like Andrew Lloyd Webber without....well without the Andrew Lloyd Webber. We get no follow up on the other Fever characters other than a very brief appearance from his Mom at the end. Where are Joey and Double J? Where's his brother Frank the ex-priest? What happened to Tony's relationship with Stephanie and Annette for that matter? Who cares said director Sly Stallone et al. How about that mean British lady? The heat and mystery generated by all that dry ice? Isn't that Cynthia Rhodes cute? Cmon, there's (no)sexual tension and sweaty dance numbers and an angry pseudo-Fosse director guy.

When I happen to catch Saturday Night Fever these days, I pretend this steaming dump of a movie never occured. But, oh my friends, when I'm in the mood for some nonsensical dancing, ridiculous costumes and eager to chart just where John Travolta's career began to go to hell, then I seek out this little screen gem-not.

(I'm just sorry it didn't come with commentary. That indeed would merit 5 stars.) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lordage 'Shield'
A CIA agent named Doug Matthews (Michael Dudikoff) goes to Iraq to save his imprisoned brother against a diabolical defector. That's the whole movie. "The Human Shield" is like Noah's Arc, it brings splendor to many. I was dumbfounded with the thrilling action scenes which happened in this movie, totally deserving of an award (not really). Praise the heavens for this motion picture! Even the love triangle that forms is too much! Again, "The Days of Our Lives" would be jealous. Too bad this movie is not on DVD unlike all of the other Michael Dudikoff Cannon Films affiliated movies. Please MGM! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lordage 'Shield'
A CIA agent named Doug Matthews (Michael Dudikoff) goes to Iraq to save his imprisoned brother against a diabolical defector. That's the whole movie. "The Human Shield" is like Noah's Arc, it brings splendor to many. I was dumbfounded with the thrilling action scenes which happened in this movie, totally deserving of an award (not really). Praise the heavens for this motion picture! Even the love triangle that forms is too much! Again, "The Days of Our Lives" would be jealous. Too bad this movie is not on DVD unlike all of the other Michael Dudikoff Cannon Films affiliated movies. Please MGM! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lordage 'Shield'
A CIA agent named Doug Matthews (Michael Dudikoff) goes to Iraq to save his imprisoned brother against a diabolical defector. That's the whole movie. "The Human Shield" is like Noah's Arc, it brings splendor to many. I was dumbfounded with the thrilling action scenes which happened in this movie, totally deserving of an award (not really). Praise the heavens for this motion picture! Even the love triangle that forms is too much! Again, "The Days of Our Lives" would be jealous. Too bad this movie is not on DVD unlike all of the other Michael Dudikoff Cannon Films affiliated movies. Please MGM! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lordage 'Shield'
A CIA agent named Doug Matthews (Michael Dudikoff) goes to Iraq to save his imprisoned brother against a diabolical defector. That's the whole movie. "The Human Shield" is like Noah's Arc, it brings splendor to many. I was dumbfounded with the thrilling action scenes which happened in this movie, totally deserving of an award (not really). Praise the heavens for this motion picture! Even the love triangle that forms is too much! Again, "The Days of Our Lives" would be jealous. Too bad this movie is not on DVD unlike all of the other Michael Dudikoff Cannon Films affiliated movies. Please MGM! ... Read more