Rating: 
Summary: A Surprise
Review: I was flipping through the channels late at night, and I stumbled upon this film. I was prepared to toss it aside as a late night "B" flick- but I was immediately swept into the story line. I was so engrossed, I hardly noticed the length of the film, and was disappointed when the credits began to roll. The sheer artistry of the movie is enough to grip even the most non-musical person. Fosse's choreography is intense and beautiful every step of the way, and it is riveting. It is easy to get wrapped up in the story, and you find yourself unsure of whether you want Joe Gideon to live or die. Roy Scheider plays Gideon brilliantly, and it is almost a shock to see him fit so well into the roll. This film is a must-see, and I will not hesistate to add it to my collection...and I don't even LIKE musicals!!
Rating:
Summary: It's showtime, Folks!
Review: Bob Fosse is a name that, in the minds of Broadway enthusiasts, is paralleled with images of breathtaking and original choreography. Those who have seen live versions of Cabaret, Chicago and Sweet Charity will know what a major talent he was in the Broadway world. In 1979 he directed and co-wrote All That Jazz - a 'fictitious' autobiographical account of his work and life.Whilst a little long and some over indulgence occurs, All That Jazz is a remarkably original movie. It is not only a fascinating insight into the mind and life of a brilliant and talented man, but a captured record of the 1970's Broadway scene. What is so remarkable about All The Jazz is that we actually enter into Fosses' mind to explore his thoughts, feelings and emotions. Two vehicles are used to achieve this - conversations with death (in the form of a white laced Jessica Lange) and stunning Broadway musical sequences. We explore his feelings on women, death and his art. Roy Scheider brings a considerable amount of charisma and emotion to the role of Joe Gideon (who is based on Fosse). Another standout is Anne Reinking - ex lover of Fosse and seasoned Broadway performer. It would have been nice to see her film career take off so we could have seen more of her work. All the cast perform brilliantly in their roles, and a few surprises pop up with some early performances of some now well known actors. All That Jazz contains wonderful performances, brilliant music and a story that not only captures the essence of a significant man in the history of Broadway, but also the vibrancy and originality of Broadway in the 70's. Watch this movie and go back in time to a wonderful world during a colourful era.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: Have only seen this on the Big Screen but was riveted. It's like a traffic accident, you can't look away. A mans road to self destruction set to great music.
Rating:
Summary: Overindulgence is the word here.
Review: With all the hubbub over the film adaptation of Bob Fosse's stage hit, Chicago, I chose to revisit one of Fosse's film exploits, the semi-autobiographical All That Jazz. Roy Scheider stars as Joe Gideon, a director and choreographer of stage and film who is overextending himself in his life and his work. He is on a daily dose of amphetamines, cigarettes, and alcohol; and can't seem to settle on one woman to go to bed with. This problem has cost him one wife, Audrey (Leland Palmer)--around whom he has built his next stage project--and is threatening his relationship with current girlfriend Katie (Ann Reinking). Even his daughter Michelle (Erzsebet Foldi) often requests that he "stop screwing around." At the same time, the producer of his latest film, The Standup, is after him to deliver a final cut after seven months of editing. These scenes are intercut with scenes of Gideon talking to Angelique (Jessica Lange), an angel/spirit who seems simultaneously caring and accusatory regarding Joe's life decisions. Lange is very beautiful and ethereal, wearing various white diaphanous gowns and just appearing altogether "angelic" (hence "Angelique," I suppose). There are several obvious links to Fosse's life, the most obvious being Gideon's line of work (identical to Fosse), Gideon's ex-wife (ostensibly based on former Mrs. Fosse, Gwen Verdon), and the film Gideon is editing (Fosse directed *Lenny*, starring Dustin Hoffman and based on the life of controversial comedian Lenny Bruce), as well as Gideon's overactive lifestyle. This makes All That Jazz that much more compelling. It has been said that this is basically a fictionalization of Fosse's trials while rehearsing the stage version of Chicago. Unfortunately, the musical numbers are too numerous and too long to hold this reviewer's attention. I like a good musical, but make things either short or interesting. The final "Bye Bye Life" number is about ten minutes too long. Overindulgence is the buzzword here and Fosse let things go much too far. Yes, Ben Vereen is good, but do something with the man other than having him be support for the star. This makes All That Jazz less successful than it could have been. The rehearsal scenes for the new play and the girlfriend/daughter tribute were delightful, but from "Hospital Hallucination, Take One" on, there was not enough going on to rate the running time. I would watch All That Jazz again, but would likely fast-forward through the last third.
Rating:
Summary: If you've never seen the stage Fosse...
Review: ...then this is the ultimate compliment film. It gives a lot of the same excited atmosphere and electricity of a Fosse Broadway show; never mind that it is autobiographical or- as less friendlier critics like to repeat over and over again- a bit self-indulgent; it is the essence of the man who was a showman from his first dance steps to his burlesque-musical imagined death. The George Benson "On Broadway" opening/audition elimination is electrifying, funny (note the man who can't dance at all), and gloriuosly sexy (women with long legs were just meant to dance Fosse). It is only matched by the stunning "Take Off With Us/AirRotica" piece (which seamlessly transfers from a punchy, rhythmic ensemble dance to a beautiful, steamy ballet in just a few seconds). And the performers are mesmerizing- from the non-dancing Roy Scheider to Leland Palmer (who has a more than passing resemblance to Gwen Verdon) to the gorgeous, leggy Ann Reinking. The film has bumps in it- notably the "Lenny" alegories, the self-analysis, and the baseball-bat sequence of 'heartless' producers in conference juxtaposed against a truly graphic open-heart surgery- but mercifully these are few and far between. I was glad to know that it garnered Fosse another directoral Oscar nomination.
Rating: 
Summary: Meet you at the corner of "8 1/2" & "42nd Street"
Review: The late Bob Fosse's cinematic love letter to his own excess ages surprisingly well. In fact, a few hyper-egocentric Woody Allen confessionals aside, "All That Jazz" remains a movie genre unto itself. Roy Scheider's portrayal of Fosse's barely-disguised alter-ego... a middle-aged, chain-smoking, pill-popping, womanizing choreographer/film director dancing on the edge of an impending massive coronary is nothing short of extraordinary. Along the way, Fosse's patented choreography explodes across the screen as if its creator's life depended on it (which, for all intents and purposes, it did). The opening "On Broadway" sequence has become the stuff of legend, although I'll admit a preference for the steamy "Air-rotica" sequence, containing the hottest display of sexuality outside of a "Triple-X" film (and no one disrobes...well, er, there is some brief nudity involved, but it's very, ah, um, artistic). The final 30 minutes, which could be interpreted as the most drawn-out death scene in the history of film (albeit with great dancing!) may test your patience, but no one can deny the overall artistry of this this must-see experience.
Rating:
Summary: "Showtime"
Review: Bob Fosse is one of the great American directors. Certainly in the world of theater and Broadway he is recognized as such. He won so many Tony Awards they should change the name to Fosse's, but as a film director I don't think he gets as much credit as he deserves. His style is so unique, blending his musical theater with film, I have never seen it's equal, yet most remember Fosse as a great Broadway director. The film All That Jazz isn't exactly what I would call a traditional narrative film, but that is the point, and that makes it great. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of All That Jazz is the autobiographical element to the film. Much like Welles did with Citizen Kane, Fosse almost eerily predicted his own demise. In 1974 Fosse was cutting his film Lenny, and simultaneously preparing his next Broadway show when he had a heart attack. Five years later he made it the subject for All That Jazz. However in the film, Gideon, played by Roy Schider, has a different outcome than Fosse did, although Fosse would never slow down and his self-indulgence would eventually lead to his death. Everything about All That Jazz is top notch: the acting, the story, the cinematography, the choreography, especially the choreography. The great influence of Fosse is his dance, and it really is something to behold. No one else did it like Fosse so it's great he eternalized it on film. Few directors could pull it off, if any, the way Fosse did. The film beautifully captures the rigors of his life, and life in the fast lane so to speak. Fosse made only one film after All That Jazz and in a way it is a perfect curtain call for such an amazing man. Anyone interested in the business should definitely see this film, Fosse's official guide to, "Showtime."
Rating:
Summary: THIS DVD IS BEING SOLD RIGHT NOW
Review: ... Well at least I HAVE IT, think i was very fortunate to find it. What can you say, music is incredible, story, dancers one of my favorite with Fame, Footloose, Chorus line. I is a must buy, warning it has some partial nude scenes. I dont worry about that myself, but be warned though scenes are very theatrical and enjoyable. There are some "supposed" interviews with Roy Sheider, well there arent. These should be called some questions asked to Roy. And if you want to know at least how Foss looked. Well some tiny excerpts of him can be seen when They were shooting the film. It is a MUST, ... must have it in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Ladies and Gentlemen...Let me lay on you...A GREAT MOVIE!!!
Review: Without exageration I have seen this movie over 2500 times. YES 2500!!!! I first saw it on pay tv at the very impressionable age of 16! It was my first weekend home alone and I fell in love! I was already a fan of jazz, classical, drum and bugle corp, rock, hell just a fan of MUSIC! This movie introduced me to dance as well, and a genius. How a wrist flip or an eybrow lift can say so much I will never know. I was dating long legged dancers the next day! Ann Reinking you are a goddess!!! I have worn out 7 copies on VHS...WE NEED THIS ON DVD. The music blends so gracefully with the characters...and the sound editing on the cast reading scene left me speechless. If my life passes before my eyes the way it did for Joe Gideon I hope I die a thousand times!
Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the DVD
Review: I saw this movie when it was released in the late seventies and thought it was ahead of it's time. The music and choreography is outstanding. It was edgy then and it's still edgy today. If imitation is the best form of flattery then you will see that quite a few music video's got their ideas about dancing and music from this film.
| 
