Antonio Banderas has the moves. So it's a kick to watch him play Pierre Dulaine, the dance teacher who took his skills into New York's public-school system and turned troubled teens into ballroom smoothies. Inspired by a true story (translation: a lot of it is made up), the movie shucks its corn straight from the cob. But it's no less engaging for that, thanks to the enthusiasm of the young cast and the fusion of classic dance with hip-hop moves courtesy of Rich and Tone Talauega. First-time director Liz Friedlander, who did videos for U2 and Blink-182, wisely lets Banderas tango with Katya Virshilas, who'd make anyone sign up for lessons. They're mad hot.

“Time to Pretend”

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”