Welcome to MovieJawn’s Split Decision! Each week, Ryan will pose a question to our staff of knowledgable and passionate film lovers and share the responses. Chime in on Twitter, Facebook, our Instagram, or in the comments below.

This week’s question:

In honor of In The Heights, what is your favorite large-scale dance sequence in a musical?

While “The Broadway Melody” from Singin’ in the Rain is probably the apex in this category, I can’t help but pick "Simon Zealotes” from Jesus Christ Superstar. Not only is it a great song about the political context of the Christ story, but the energy the dancers are putting to this shot-on-location-in-the-g-damned-desert choreography is nothing short of mesmerizing. Add Larry Marshall’s seductive energy and you’ve got al all-timer. –Ryan Silberstein, The Red Herring

Jane Russell’s “Ain’t There Anyone Here for Love?” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, because, really, how can you choose? –Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

There are so many truly exquisite dance sequences in the history of movie musicals, from Busby Berkeley to Gaspar Noé - many of which have been pointed out by my fellow responders. But one that I continually go back to is the “Straight and Nappy” number from Spike Lee’s School Daze. This tightly choreographed showdown between Mission College’s Jigaboos and Wannabees isn’t just a supremely entertaining number, it’s Spike Lee at his finest. Madame Rere’s Salon is a fantasy set straight out of a Vincente Minnelli dream ballet, but populated by Black women who were rarely featured in classic movie musicals. It’s a reference that’s pointed and loving, both celebrating and criticising a key moment of film history, while also tackling then (and still) current issues of colorism and hair texture. And oh yeah, it’s endlessly rewatchable to boot!–Ryan Smillie, Staff Writer

I love every single sequence on the fictional 1960s televised teen dance party The Corny Collins Show (ala Hairspray). If I had to choose though, I think I would go for the deliciously evil Velma Von Tussle in (The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs. While my love for Debbie Harry in the original well surpasses that of Michelle Pfeiffer, she still gives a classic divalicious performance, one that heavily relies on her constantly being hoisted onto the shoulders of teenage heartthrobs. It's what would happen if Evita enrolled in the beauty pageant from Drop Dead Gorgeous. 

The Apple (1980) is an absolutely buck wild musical that started out with the intent of getting it performed on stage. Unable to find the funding for that, writer Kobi Recht eventually hooked up with Menahem Golan (of Golan-Globus and The Cannon Group) who agreed to produce it as a film! The resulting flick is so committed to its utterly batshit bananas world (set in the then far future year of 1994) that I immediately fell in love with it. I'm a sucker for musicals anyway and I love an underdog and The Apple is kinda both. We actually covered it on the fifth episode of Hate Watch/Great Watch with Bryan Bierman, who introduced me to the film, as our guest. My favorite dance sequence is tied between the title song "The Apple" where our heroine Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart) descends in to a glam rock Hieronymus Bosch underworld full of glittery demons, a cavorting snake man, and notably "an actual, actual, actual vampire!" or the big number from the finale, "Coming For You" which is all just aerobic thrusting and sexual gymnastics for like 10 straight minutes! Hey, I never said it was subtle.

Honorable Mention goes to the music video for Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet" (originally by Betty Hutton). The video is directed by Spike Jonez and, as you might expect, prominently features Bjork. So that's about all I need to say on that one.– “Doc” Hunter Bush, Staff Writer

Not a musical, but I love the dance sequence to “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates in 500 Days of Summer. –Melissa Strong, Contributor

I...love...dance! But even more than dance, I love dancing in movies. When I first read what this week’s Split Decision prompt was, I was toe tapping with excitement. But then...I couldn’t decide. So many options to choose from! All That Jazz, West Side Story, Funny Face, An American in Paris, The Red Shoes, Summer Stock...there are so many scenes and moments to choose from. So I’m breaking the rules a little and going with the final dance sequence in Center Stage. Yes, you heard me right. Yes, I know it’s not a musical. But It's amazing and I think about it approximately three times a week. –Jaime Davis, The Fixer

“Hospital Hallucination, Take 1” from All That Jazz. Hospitals are terrifying, right? Bless you, Bob Fosse for making me enjoy a hospital room. Believe it or not, this little scene has worked wonders in helping me not fear death. It’s showtime!–Ashley Jane Davis, Staff Writer

“The Jailhouse Tango” has probably been my favorite dance sequence in a film since I saw it for the first time. It's fun, sexy, and it's about women murdering their terrible partners, what more could you ask for? - –Victoria Potenza, Staff Writer

I know it’s a predictable answer but it has to be ‘America’ from West Side Story. I love the back and forth between the women and the men and the fact that parts of it are like a bullfight. I love the red and purple costume design and Rita Moreno’s sassiness. I love how perfect the lyrics are and how they’re interpreted in the dance moves. It’s an all-time great movie dance sequence –Fiona Underhill, Contributor