This week's new film releases are a lovely New York melting pot: ballroom dancing teens, Arab/Israeli anxieties, motor skills-challenged geeks, neurotic female friends, and a thoughtful Polish director thrown in for good measure. Spring may have sprung outside but it's also a great time to be inside at the movie. more ›

But you can dance in your heart, if movies like Strictly Ballroom, Mad Hot Ballroom and the seminal, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, tell us anything! Unfortunately, a judge has dismissed a lawsuit to allow dancing in establishments without special cabaret licenses. The group of dancers which had brought the lawsuit claimed that bars and restaurants that did allow dancing were harder to get into (not mention violated the first amendment that allows people to shake their thang/express themselves). However, Judge Michael Stallman ruled, "The issue is whether the presence of additional people who wish to dance may cause increased noise and congestion in certain places. If these establishments draw more people because they offer dancing, then there is a greater likelihood of pedestrian traffic, increased vehicular traffic and associated noise." Yes, you read it here: Dancing equals traffic and noise (bad!) even if it's a good cardiovascular workout (aren't there studies that say how New Yorkers are fat or something?). more ›

It's the last moments of campaigning for the Mayor and his rival with the Amateur Salsa Dance team (they must have seen and loved Mad Hot Ballroom!) behind him. Expect Mike Bloomberg or Fernando Ferrer to pop up unexpectedly in your neighborhood this weekend, bearing bromides and media phalanxes. Mayor Bloomberg did, however, get the endorsement from the Mayor of Puerto Rico, which must burn Ferrer a little bit. With the polls showing that he has a crazy 25+ point lead over Ferrer, the Mayor is still making sure to remind people to go out and vote for him. Eh, if anything, go out and vote for the Transportation Bond Act. And also vote for your mayor, City Council person, Borough President, etc. more ›

Yomaira Reynoso, Dancing Queen (and teacher) more ›

As for this weekend, so many new movies are coming out: If you’re a Will Ferrell fan then there’s soccer-comedy Kicking and Screaming ;documentary fans should definitely catch the heartwarming Mad Hot Ballroom; those who loved Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels might appreciate the producer’s new Layer Cake, the tale of a British coke dealer trying to exit the underground drug world; Gothamist saw Monster-in-Law and while J.Lo was Nutra-sweet annoying, menacing Jane Fonda was hysterical, and not only because she indulged in what so many have yearned to do: slap J. Lo around (really, the audience was cheering). more ›

Some of the most entertaining documentaries come from the most random topics, such as Mad Hot Ballroom, which approaches the seemingly archaic sport by following adorable, urban NYC kids transform from awkward dancers into “ladies and gentlemen," as they prepare for a citywide dancing competition. While Gothamist has little interest in the world of professional dancing, we saw this captivating film a few weeks ago and still can’t stop thinking about it. We suggest catching Friday night’s exclusive at City Cinemas, 60th St. & 3rd Avenue, to meet the filmmakers after the 7:00pm and 7:45pm shows. more ›

Tickets for Robert Deniro’s lovechild have gone on sale, offering over 150 films, documentaries, a free movie “drive in”, and an outside street fair. While movies range from the highly praised and much hyped Mad Hot Ballroom, be aware that acclaimed home video actress Paris Hilton’s horror opus House of Wax will also debut. So please, don’t drink and buy tickets. Highlights include: more ›