Rating: 
Summary: Moulin Rouge vs. Chicago
Review: It seems to be an "either / or" situation with these movies. Is it OK that I like both of them? They're actually very, very different from one another. The only common thread is that they are both musicals. As far as "great movie-making" goes, Moulin Rouge is much better than Chicago, IMHO. Moulin Rouge runs the gamut of emotions, and it really pushes the envelope a lot more than Chicago does. Chicago is pretty much just a big Bob Fosse tribute (which is fine... I love Bob Fosse! But he made such a mark, he's no longer "original"). Anyway, I think it is possible to like BOTH movies. Chicago is a lot of fun!The extras on the DVD are good -- I learned a lot about the history of the source material on the Making Of Featurette, and I liked seeing the 'Class' number, which was cut from the feature release. I strongly recommend the widescreen version as opposed to the fullscreen. Fullscreen cuts off so much of those beautiful visuals -- I can't believe they would even release it that way, all visually chopped up.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD: Very Fine Transfer, Nominal Extras
Review: I received an advance copy of the "Chicago" DVD several days ago. The quality of the transfer is superior. Audio options include DTS and an informative commentary track by director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon. Unfortunately, there isn't much else. Miramax includes the 30 minute infomercial for the film that aired constantly in NYC and LA during Oscar campaign season, plus the deleted "Class" musical number (not enhanced for Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS) and that's it. Not even a trailer. The lack of extras is surprising for highly successful major studio release (the most successful in Miramax's history---over $300m earned worldwide), not to mention an Oscar winning best picture. And there's a lot of history behind "Chicago" and its various permutations over the decades---and the many years it took to bring the musical to the screen---that is touched upon in the enjoyable but superficial infomercial but could have been explored in much more detail. A missed opportunity.
Rating: 
Summary: Chicago is a musical and Moulin Rouge is a cabaret act
Review: To compare the two movies is ludicrous. Chicago is a musical based on Bob Fosse's work and Moulin Rouge is just a mishmash of different song types. None of the songs had anything to do with the time peroid. Renee Zellwegger and Catherine Zeta Jones did a great job as did Richard Gere. ... Chicago is not only a great movie but it also had a great soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Review: And Fosse would have loved it too. It's really a challenge to translate a stage production to the screen and keep the energy and excitement of the original. Where "Moulin Rouge" was manic (which was kinda the point), "Chicago" is fast-paced and edgy. The performers were amazing, both individually and emsemble. Compare it to "Cabaret" and rachet it up about 25% and you'll be close. I don't buy movies because I rarely watch them more than once. I'll buy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: I had never seen the broadway show, so didn't know what to expect from this movie. I loved it!! Catherine Zeta-Jones did a great job. I was never a fan of hers before, but she really impressed me. I bought teh soundtrack right away and sing along in my car. I can't wait to get it on DVD! If you love musicals, this is a movie for you.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: i thought this was a great movie. it is short, so those of you who are like my mum, dont have to get up halfway through the movie. It wasn't my favorite movie, but i would definately watch it over and over again. The dance choreography was great. i definately would recomend this to anyone
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Ever
Review: I would reccomend this movie to anyone. Even people who generally hate musicals would like this one, because its not like some guy is walking down the street and suddenly bursts into dance and song and magically everyone else suddenly knows the dance moves. It all takes place in the mind of Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) the main charecter, a person who is obsessed with fame so it makes sense that she would dream all this up. It all starts when the vaudville singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta Jones) kills her husband and sister, she rushes to the Onyx theater because she has to preform. So as shes singing All That Jazz you see Roxie Hart watching her every move because she herself wants to be just like Velma. She leaves with the man that she is having an affair with, because he promises her he can get her an act. When Roxie finally discovers that her lover is a phony and liar she shoots him. Roxie tries to get herself out of what she has done by making her husband tell the police that the guy was a burglar. But as always the police find out the truth and arrest Roxie for murder. At the Cook County jail she meets up with Matron "Mama" Morton, Billy Flynn a smooth talking lawyer, and Velma Kelly her idol. She hires Billy and starts stealing Velmas head lines and I have to stop there because I might say too much if I go on. I've heard that they wanted Goldie Hawn,Nicole Kidman Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cameron Diaz for the role of Roxie. Goldie Hawn is much to perky, and to old (sorry Goldie) Nicole Kidman is to tall an to elegant to take on a role like this, as for the other two I could never see them as Roxie. For Velma Kelly they considered Madonna who couldve done ok but Catherine WAS Velma Kelly and NO ONE couldve done better. They considered Kathy Bates & Rosie O'Donnel for Mama, Kathy Bates wouldve been ok but Rosie O'Donnell is just to ....... well Rosie! :) Anyways the cast is awesome, so I could never see anyone else in their roles. Well, buy this DVD or rent it, but im sure you will love it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Entertainment
Review: I, for the most, part watch movies for their entertainment value. And in the case of Chicago I was not dissappointed! Great story, excellent musical score and creative cinematogrophy. I found myself replaying several musical numbers in my mind for days following my first viewing. An excellent return to the musical genre!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Moulan Rouge by a long shot!!
Review: The combination of sexy women with a crazy plot make this broadway musical a very entertaining movie. It takes place in a jail for women. The main characters , renee zellweger and catherine zeta jones, are two women competing for a lawyer, richard gere, who happens to be the only one who can get them out. Yes, it is a sort of dreary setting and the people aren't always happy but what can u expect since it set in a jailhouse? I love the music to the movie and had to go out and get the cd as well. If you like jazz with a little kick then you'll love this movie and soundtrack as well.
Rating:
Summary: Satire at its finest
Review: The movie is absolutely brilliant. Those who would be hesitant to see a cheesy musical where the actors just bust out into song for no good reason will be pleasantly surprised. The storyline is a scathing commentary on the American media, and the way it tends to sensationalize the wicked to the point that the criminals become stars themselves. Anyone who tells you it glorifies crime simply doesn't get it. It is a satirical look at the lengths some will go to for fame and fortune, and how we as a society reward notoriety. The film also skewers the law profession and the fact that reality plays little part in the court room as long as you have the press and public opinion on your side. The crimes of the Renee and Catherine characters are undermined in a sea of headline-grabbing reporters and manipulating lawyers. It is a peek into how society suffers at the hands of spin doctors. It shows how in the legal process/media frenzy, the crime and the victim are secondary to the commerce of selling papers or building a booming law practice. Good stuff. The music is thrilling, and the perfomances are top-notch. The number where Richard Gere is a puppetmaster to the press and his client Renee Zellweger is worth the price alone.
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