Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie

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Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie United States

Fun City Editions | 1984 | 90 min | Rated R | Nov 12, 2024

Heavenly Bodies (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

6.7
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Overview

Heavenly Bodies (1984)

A small "Dance-ercize" studio fights for its existence against the unscrupulous owner of a rival club. The conflict boils down to a "Dance Marathon" to settle the score.

Starring: Cynthia Dale, Richard Rebiere, Stuart Stone, Patricia Idlette, Linda Sorensen
Director: Lawrence Dane

DramaInsignificant
RomanceInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

  • Audio

    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

  • Subtitles

    English SDH

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Packaging

    Slipcover in original pressing

  • Playback

    Region A, B (C untested)

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.5 of 53.5
Video4.0 of 54.0
Audio4.0 of 54.0
Extras4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 5, 2024

When “Flashdance” was released in 1983, expectations for the feature were tempered. It was a highly stylized offering of dance and music aimed at a younger audience, using MTV-style visuals of the day to deliver a basic story of determination and romance. While it debuted second at the box office during its release weekend (unable to match the Chuck Norris-starring actioner, “Lone Wolf McQuade”), “Flashdance” found its footing soon after, topping the charts for the next three weeks, also launching a wildly successful soundtrack to keep the “Feelin’” going for the rest of the year. It’s only natural that other producers wanted in on the action, resulting in a few knock offs, including 1984’s “Heavenly Bodies” (released in the U.S. in 1985), which trades the steel industry and glossy cinematography for the world of aerobics, also trying to ride a fitness trend to monetary glory. The gods of instant profitability weren’t kind to “Heavenly Bodies” (which opened in ninth place on the box office chart, only to plunge 90% in its second week) but there’s a decently entertaining picture to enjoy here. Co-writer/director Lawrence Dane goes simple with the endeavor, supplying enough musical moments and earnest character actions to support the viewing experience. It’s not a rousing study of fortitude, but the effort has a certain spark, greatly enhanced by star Cynthia Dale’s heroic commitment to every moment of her performance.


Samantha (Cynthia Dale) is suffering through an office job, working up the money and courage to open an aerobics studio with her pals, KC (Patricia Idlette) and Patty (Pam Henry). The trio find a decrepit warehouse to renovate, turning it into Heavenly Bodies, which amasses a large clientele in a matter of months, as folks are driven to join Samantha and her commitment to physical fitness. Samantha, a single mother, is soon pursued by Steve (Richard Rebiere), a football player who’s fallen for the lady, and she receives the opportunity of a lifetime after scoring a host job for a morning workout program on local television. Losing the gig is Debbie (Laura Henry), who’s dating Jack (Walter George Alton), the owner of the Jack Pearson Sporting Club, which is losing customers to Heavenly Bodies. Jack is smitten with Samantha, but Debbie seeks revenge, engineering a plan to destroy the rival studio, putting a woman holding big dreams in a difficult position as she declares war on Jack’s business.

“Heavenly Bodies” isn’t very 1980s in attitude. The tone is more movie musical of the 1930s, pushing Samantha as a spirited young woman out to change her life by opening an aerobics studio, joined by supportive partners. She’s the big draw of the building, inspiring customers to throw on workout gear and sweat it out inside a newly refreshed warehouse, putting Heavenly Bodies on the map almost immediately. Samantha has heartache after losing the father of her son, Joel (Stuart Stone), and she has responsibilities as a parent, forcing her to labor in an office to make money. But her days of drudgery are over, and “Heavenly Bodies” initially tracks the rise of the fitness business, keeping Dane busy cooking up montages and sequences of rhythmic movement.

Conflict arrives with Jack, who’s happy to turn away from Debbie, his girlfriend, to attract Samantha. He owns a rival fitness center, but Debbie’s the one to watch, growing resentful as Samantha wins the T.V. job, becoming a popular host in the area, which only helps Heavenly Bodies to grow bigger. It’s pure formula, but Dane doesn’t care, launching business world scheming that frustrates Samantha, and she’s handed a love interest in Steve, a seemingly arrogant jock who’s really a good guy, striving to create a future with his object of desire. Samantha rejects control and antagonism, trying to remain focused on her goals, which results in a few sequences that have the character purging her emotions through dance, briefly turning “Heavenly Bodies” into a musical at times. This level of imagination actually works for the picture, watching it try to tap into something lively and, intermittently, cheery, eventually making its way to a Big Game finale involving a marathon aerobics competition between the studios.


Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  4.0 of 5

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Heavenly Bodies" lists the film as making "its worldwide Blu-ray debut from a new 4K restoration of its original 35mm internegative." There's softness to the viewing experience, but some detail is appreciable, examining the dancing characters and their fibrous workout gear. Skin particulars are acceptable, capturing sweaty appearances. Studio spaces remain cavernous, with decent depth. Exteriors also retain dimension during city and park tours. Colors are reasonable, exploring style of the era, delivering clear pinks, reds, and powered blues. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.


Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.0 of 5

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix supplies a clear understanding of soundtrack selections, which maintain sharp instrumentation and balance, with crisp vocals. Dialogue exchanges are also defined, exploring group interactions and emotionality as feelings intensify in the final act. Atmospherics are appreciable, visiting workout rooms and street activity.


Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  4.0 of 5

  • Booklet (14 pages) features essays by Nathan Homes and Margaret Barton-Fumo.
  • Commentary features Millie DeChirico and Jeffrey Mixed.
  • Home Video Version (89:34, SD) of "Heavenly Bodies" is included.
  • "A Little Bit of Gold Dust" (14:02, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Cynthia Dale, who details her early interest in musical theater, making her way through the entertainment business in small parts before achieving the lead role in "Heavenly Bodies." Already in possession of a dance background, Dale was prepared for the part, discussing her approach to the character and her confidence carrying the picture, which was shot in 18 days ("fast and dirty"). The interviewee shares memories from the shoot, working in large warehouses while cranking out choreographed routines for the feature. Offered a chance to contribute to the soundtrack, Dale was brought to Los Angeles to demo a song, struggling to catch the pop music mood. The conversation also explores the release of the film and publicity touring plans for its star, which brought her all the way to Japan. Fandom is also celebrated, as Dale recalls a letter she received from a Russian woman who used "Heavenly Bodies" as a source of inspiration.
  • Image Gallery (3:07) collects poster art, film stills, and press kit pages.
  • T.V. Spot (:35, HD) offers one commercial for "Heavenly Bodies."
  • And a Theatrical Trailer (1:57, HD) is included.


Heavenly Bodies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.0 of 5

There's no room for nuance in the feature, which is mostly out to sell a soundtrack (the film is packed with tunes) and offer careful concentration on gyrating, glistening bodies. Again, simplicity is the name of the game here, and while "Heavenly Bodies" isn't riveting cinema, offering a feeble last-act detour into melodrama, it achieves most of its creative goals. And there's Dale, who's often single-handedly working to keep the endeavor on its feet, offering a charmingly broad performance that's big on feels and physical activity, helping the effort find its place as easily digestible entertainment with a heavy '80s atmosphere.