just a Steel Town girl on a Saturday night..
Well, it's clear I have opened up a serious can of worms here. Thus far, we have one vote for Footloose and one vote for Flashdance (see yesterday's post. It is VITALLY important to this discussion). Let me just say, as far as my own thoughts go, there are a lot ways to dice this pickle. I think first we have to break it down thusly:
Kevin Bacon vs. Jennifer Beals. Advantage: Bacon.
Bacon's character vs. Beals's character: This is not so easy. Kevin Bacon's character is a gymnast and he has a job at the grain mill. Tossing sacks of flour is a great way to stay in shape. Plus he has the whole grain mill to himself so he can practice his gymnastics and really go to work on himself. Now, Jennifer Beals's character is a steelworker. Everyone knows just how tough steelworkers are. It's too close to call; this is a draw.
Supporting cast: The Footloose supporting cast is comprised of fine actors such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Christopher Penn. The Flashdance supporting cast is a bucket (containing water). Advantage: bucket.
Theme song singer: Kenny Loggins vs. Irene Cara. Kenny Loggins sang the themes to such movies as Top Gun, Caddyshack, Revenge of the Nerds 2 and Over the Top. Irene Cara had **[edited after new facts came to light] Flashdance, Fame, and maybe D.C. Cab. Slight advantage: Loggins.
Intangibles: Kevin Bacon's hair vs. Jennifer Beals's pluck. Advantage: Kevin Bacon's hair. Face it, folks, it's a national treasure, and there isn't a single one of us who wouldn't kill or die for it.
The end result? I'm afraid...Footloose would win in a split decision over Flashdance, if the two movies were to ever come to blows. I want to be clear, though, that both movies are classics that will endure through the centuries, long after the colonies on the moon have been abandoned.
A footnote: A few years back I was bitten by a radioactive brown Footloose spider. Though I didn't die, I now have the power to cut loose.
Footloose.
Kevin Bacon vs. Jennifer Beals. Advantage: Bacon.
Bacon's character vs. Beals's character: This is not so easy. Kevin Bacon's character is a gymnast and he has a job at the grain mill. Tossing sacks of flour is a great way to stay in shape. Plus he has the whole grain mill to himself so he can practice his gymnastics and really go to work on himself. Now, Jennifer Beals's character is a steelworker. Everyone knows just how tough steelworkers are. It's too close to call; this is a draw.
Supporting cast: The Footloose supporting cast is comprised of fine actors such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Christopher Penn. The Flashdance supporting cast is a bucket (containing water). Advantage: bucket.
Theme song singer: Kenny Loggins vs. Irene Cara. Kenny Loggins sang the themes to such movies as Top Gun, Caddyshack, Revenge of the Nerds 2 and Over the Top. Irene Cara had **[edited after new facts came to light] Flashdance, Fame, and maybe D.C. Cab. Slight advantage: Loggins.
Intangibles: Kevin Bacon's hair vs. Jennifer Beals's pluck. Advantage: Kevin Bacon's hair. Face it, folks, it's a national treasure, and there isn't a single one of us who wouldn't kill or die for it.
The end result? I'm afraid...Footloose would win in a split decision over Flashdance, if the two movies were to ever come to blows. I want to be clear, though, that both movies are classics that will endure through the centuries, long after the colonies on the moon have been abandoned.
A footnote: A few years back I was bitten by a radioactive brown Footloose spider. Though I didn't die, I now have the power to cut loose.
Footloose.
posted by Citizen at 9:59 AM
7 Comments:
irene cara had two oscar nominated songs from "fame", so that makes 4 to kenny loggins' 5! ha
Bravo, anonymous! Bravo!
Todd was bit by a brown footloose spider once...I mean whatever the real name is, recluse. Apparently he was really ill.
N-E-WAZE, I think this calls for a head to head movie night!
I say again, you are not counting spoofs, and any good spoof has to be built on a memorable scene or no-one wull get it. Flashdance wins the spoof category.
I disagree with you taking Bacon over Beals. Bacon tastes better, with fried eggs, never tried to fry up Beal, but the looks, the body, and you're still saying Bacon?
I can't argue with the next two points, and I'll even give you the theme song and Bacon's hair.
But where is the enduring moment in Footloose? The one you can sum up in a word or a three-second sketch in a game of Scattegories or Pictionary? It isn't there.
Flashdance... bucket. 'nuff said.
Missy, that's scary as hell! I hate brown footloose spiders! I'm sure glad he pulled through!
BC, what can I say? You're building a hell of a case. Stay tuned for further developments.
This is a worthwhile discussion; glad I stumbled across it. Perhaps the following should also be considered:
Soundtrack: Flashdance includes such classics as "Gloria" and "Man-eater." But Footloose brought us "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Let's Hear it for the Boy." I love "Man-eater," but Bonnie Tyler results in a point for "Footloose."
Trends: Flashdance began the awesome trend of ripped shirts and exposed shoulders. Advantage: Flashdance.
Endings: Footloose ends with a dance in a barn. Flashdance ends with an audition performance, complete with some impressive jumps/moves and some funny judges. Stripper-turned-dance student wins that point.
In order to make my final ruling, I'd need to watch both movies one more time. Sounds like a good way to spend a Friday night:)
Welcome aboard, Ally! Thanks for diving right in. Wow, you really took it to another level here.
Your reasoning is flawless, and your conclusion might be the only way to the bottom of this mess.
That does, in fact, sound like a GREAT Friday night! :-)
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