Rating: Summary: Why Zellweger? Review: Chicago is a great old musical. It has a funny story, and good characters. Unforunately, in my opinion at least, Renee Zellweger has ruined it. She does not have the stage presence or voice to play the lead in even a movie musical. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere on the other hand are stunning. John Reilly (universally beloved schleppy husband) does a fantastic version of "Mr. Cellophane", almost worth the price of admission in itself. These actors play their roles to a "T", sleazy but sincere. They pour a lot of love into their characters, while Zellweger's feels cold and impersonal. It's a true shame, because of the other actors and because the production itself is so well done. The costumes, soundtrack, lighting and camera angles are fantastic. Bravos to the cast, boos to Zellweger.
Rating: Summary: All that Sleaze Review: I love Bob Fosse's dancing. This show has magnificent dancing, wonderful costuming, that is, the characters that do wear actual costumes.This show is not a family show, and if it is something that I do not feel my children should watch, I do not feel that I need it in my head as well. There is a sex scene at the beginning, another bedroom scene halfway through the film, alot of "next to nothin" costumes, and alot of foul launguage. Just because this film is dazzeling does not mean it is uplifting. It is very dark. darkness is not a good thing. Shakespeares works are dark, but they have an uplifting moral to the story at the end, this film does not, it is just one big sensation, there isn't much to it. Despite all of the efforts on the part of the cast, crew, and director to make this a good experiance, despite all of the wonderful dancing and music, I finished this movie thinking, Why? What is the point of this production? Some people say that it was a complaint against the American law system or the blood lust of the American entertainment industry, So they have all those costumes, all that music, all that dancing, just to file a complaint, that is a sad act of humanity, if it is an act of humanity, I think rather that it is an act of in-humanity. If this show is infact a complaint against the blood lust of the entertainment industry, it is a sad irony because this film encourages blood lust. Even with all of the philosophy people might put out to justify this show, it doesn't justify the sex, the launguage, the next to nudity costuming. This film is sleaze, it is glittering, it is dazzeling, but none of that can justify what it really is, it is sleaze, nothing but sleaze....
Rating: Summary: Um Review: There...simply are no words. None at all. Other than there should be a -5 star rating.
Rating: Summary: It's All That and More! Review: I was really excited to see this film in the theater. It's been ages since I've seen a Broadway like hit at the movies. Some people liked Moulin Rouge. I love Chicago. The cast is incredable: Renee Zellweger (who learned to dance and sing in a matter of months) is spectacular and should have won an Oscar for this film, with along side the extremely talented and strong voiced Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifa (who's the best in this movie, then I've ever seen her in anything else), and the amazing Richard Gere who will make you smile with his numbers and dance moves. The movie is set of course in Chicago around the 1920's, where we meet a woman named Roxie Hart who will do anything to become famous. Starts off on the wrong foot by killing a man who she had thought could get her into vaudeville. Now thrown in jail Roxie becomes famous due to her lawyer Billy Flynn turning the story around to where Roxie is the innocent one. Meanwhile, while making enemies with the famous singer/dancer Velma Kelly who then both compete for media attention. And love stepping over each other's toe's. During this time Roxie daydreams of song and dance numbers at every event she experiences while in prison. The storyline, the music which fits extremely well and I have listened to this amazing soundtrack over and over again, makes this the best classic movie of all time and is well worth all the awards and nominations. Nothing is played down to the audience and there's no body doubles in this film everyone did their own song and dance. And from the behind the scene's look that's featured on the DVD this one story is based on a bunch of 'like' stories from around that time - minus the song and dance - but a reporter Mary Sunshine who was played by Christine Baranski in the film - actually wrote stories of women killing their men and writing about them in the paper to get the public to feel sorry for them and which stopped them from getting hanged. She then went onto writing the play which turned into the Broadway Hit with help of Bob Fosse. So in summery the movie, the music, the dancing, and the DVD is all the way an A!!
Rating: Summary: AND I HATE MUSICALS! Review: Up until watching Chicago, the only musical I thought worth watching was Grease. Even with all the hype, winning best picture, etc. I was still amused by the fact that I found this movie entertaining at all. Granted, I wish there was less singing and more story. But even the song and dance stuff was pulled off, and didn't make me roll my eyes due to the way it is handled. Makes some interesting comments on celebrity in the U.S. All in all, a solid movie that I was expecting to hate. The DVD has some nice special features, but nothing too grand. Recommended though if you are a fan of the film, and on the fence about purchasing the DVD.
Rating: Summary: Great Acting, Singing, Dancing....and All That Jazz! Review: Chicago, a film adaptation of the Broadway Musical by Fosse, is brilliantly brought to life in this production starring Rene Zellweger, Katherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. With a supporting cast featuring other Hollywood A-List actors like John C. Reiley, Lucy Liu, and the fabulous Queen Latifah, its no wonder that this movie went on to achieve the pinnacle of fame as it swept its way through the Academy Awards this past year. The story, set in the roaring 20's Chicago of gangster fame, is the tale of Roxie Hart (Zellweger), an ambitious unknown singer whose hunger for fame and fortune leads her into the arms of a man who promises to get her the connections she needs. Later, when she learns that he is has been leading her to sleep with her, she shoots him in a moment of anger. Her husband, unaware of his wife's extra-marial affairs, takes responsibility for the crime until he learns the other man is actually the same man who recently sold them furniture. Roxy is incarserated, where she meets famed singer and dancer, Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones), who is also in prison for the murder of her husband and her sister. The musical, which is filmed brilliantly in opposing counter-point of real life incident and elaborately staged jazz song-and dance numbers that narrate the story, is cleverly drawn together, blending musical fantasy with the fascinating story of these women's struggle for fame from inside the "slammer." Desperate to escape public execution, Roxy implores the assistance of Matron "Mama" Morton (Latifah), the prison headmaster whose corruptability is equal to her authority. She puts Roxy in touch with Billy Flynn (Gere), top criminal lawyer in Chicago, and the man who is already representing Velma, to get her out. The music is sizzling, sultry, sexy, as are the costumes and the actors that work these numbers. One of the most impressive surprises in this film is that all of the actors sing and dance their own numbers. Catherine Zeta-Jones is dynamic, performing like a veteran of the Broadway stage with a confidence that equals her talent. She is beautiful in the role of Velma, and was perfectly cast. Zellweger and Gere also nail their numbers, bringing a vitality and a sexual tension to their characters that make this movie work as a musical. One of the surprise performances in this production was that of John C. Riley, who plays Amos Hart, Roxy's estranged and dumb-witted husband. He brings a sensitivity and innocence to the performance that gives his character as much vitality as that of any of the larger roles in this film. Running a little over an hour and a half, this is a fabulous film production of a legendary musical. It is no wonder why this film has had the acclaim that it has. It is sure to dazzle, entertain, an all that jazz.... Scott Kolecki
Rating: Summary: Perfection. Jones is hot! Review: Formerly known as Catherine "T-Mobile" Jones, she finally gets her respect and a well-deserved oscar for best supporting actress in the Kander and Ebb/Fosse classic, "Chicago." The movie version of the Broadway hit is spectacular. T he singing and acting (cough cough, Richard Gere aside) is really good and Queen Latifah also shines. Renee Zellweager is great as the sassy Roxie Hart. Though I could give her one bit of advice, try eating a hamburger or two. You could use the weight. Otherwise c heck out this CLASSIC!
Rating: Summary: Razzle Dazzled Me! Review: This is one of the top 10 films I have ever seen! I was dying to see this movie the second I heard about it years ago, and it did not disapoint. On the contrary, it was even better than I'd expected. The whole cast was brilliant and brought so much life to the story. When I think of this movie, I see it in splashes. Richard Gere's tap number, the ventriloquist routine, and of course All That Jazz. However, my favorite number is Catherine Zeta-Jones' I Can't Do It Alone. Wow, now that was dancing. Velma was my favorite character in the movie. I didn't really think Renee had too much in the way of dancing to do, so I had a much greater respect for all of the work Catherine had to do for the singing and dancing (and Cell Block Tango? Fantastic). This movie definately deserved Best Picture as did Catherine deserve her best supporting actress Oscar. My only complaint is not with the movie, but with the DVD. You'd think there would be way more extras on a best picture winner. There's next to nothing here. Which really disapointed me. I was shocked to find the only things of note to be a tiny featurette,commentary, and a deleted number. Rob Marshall says in his commentary that there were a ton of deleted numbers from the original musical, so why none of those on the DVD? Or a longer feature? It was just really bare bones for the huge movie it was. Maybe they're holding back for a Special Edition in another year (doesn't everyone now)...I hope so, because I'd really like to see way more extras.
Rating: Summary: THIS MOVIE IS ABSOLUTE JUNK! Review: At first I was exited to see this movie.But it turned out to be extremely boring! I don't think it had a good storyline at all. It was a total waste of money to see this movie. I just don't understand this movie.
Rating: Summary: Give em' the old Razzle Dazzle, and All that Jazz! Review: I knew that after watching Molin Rouge that musicals weren't for me. But when I was dragged into seeing Chicago, my mind was changed. I loved it! I'm not a mucial fan, but Chicago was spectacular, and all that Jazz! It shined with beauty and glamour! I was stunned and amazed! I realized that after watching Chicago, it was the most fun I ever had in a movie theatre! I literally wanted to get up and start dancing! I was suprised at the cast. I never knew that Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere could sing the way they did. I loved Renee's "Roxie" musical number and Richard's "Razzle Dazzle" was a big bang! Catherine Zeta-Jones was hot! She's very talented and I'm so proud of her. When she sang "All That Jazz" I knew it was going to be a fun ride of a movie! I was also suprised with Queen Latifah. She was great. I never knew Queen Latifah could sing like that. I always just saw her as a hip-hop singer, but after hearing her "When You're Good To Mama" number I know she's more than that. I hope she keeps doing movies like these that really show her talent. I really had great sympathy with John C. Reilly's character Amos. I never expected him to sing, but when he sang "Mr. Cellophane" I was really happy. Great song, very sad. I like the cameo's by Lucy Lui and Taye Diggs as the announcer. And I never expected to see Mya during the "Cell Block Tango"! I love the story and the music and the dancing and all that Jazz! I love how they show a backstory, emotion, introduction to characters all by a musical number. I'm glad it won Best Picture because it really deserves it! I'm a movie fan and I like watching movies for their great story and characters, not for their mindless action scenes and whatnot. I'm a guy and I happen to love Chicago. You may call it a chick flick, but if your a guy with good taste for movies than you'll love it too. We need more movies like this. I mean look at the kind of junk they have been giving us like "2 Fast 2 Furious", "Bad Boys II", "xXx", "Legally Blonde 2", "Tomb Raider 2", "Daredevil"...shall I go on? We need more movies like Chicago, The Pianist, Gangs of New York, About Schimdt, Adaptation, Punch-Drunk Love, Scarface and so on. The only think I don't like about the DVD is the lack of extra's. I was hoping they would have the making of each Musical number including the actor talking about the experience and the work of doing that number. I would have liked to see a documentary on the Broadway play and how it went from the Stage to the Screen. I would have liked interviews with the stage actors of the play and an audio actor commentary. I would have liked a Skip-To-Musical-Number feature where you can watch all the musical numbers one right after the other. I did like the deleted musical number "Class" by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah, it was hilarious! The director commentary was also good. The featurette was good, but I was hoping for a lot more extras. There wasn't even a theatrical trailer! If Miramax ever realesed an improved Chicago DVD, I would definatly buy it in a heart-beat!
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