Rating: Summary: A Very Good Musical Review: Roxie Hart is a wanabe singer from Chicago who dreams of reaching the stage someday. When she kills her lover in a fit of rage, she doesn't realize how close she's about to become to her dream. In prison, she hooks up with lawyer Billy Flynn, and another singer in prison, Velma Kelly. Watching Velma work Billy and getting her name in the paper is all Roxie needs. She lures her husband into supporting her legal problems and hires Billy to be her attorney. Before she knows it, Roxie is more famous then she ever dreamed she'd become. Intersped with musical numbers that help tell the story, Chicago is a satire about the control the media holds over it's audience.If you're a fan of musicals, or even if you're not, you will truly enjoy the musical numbers in Chicago. They have a twenties theme and are worked very well into the context of the story. The performances are outstanding, with my personal favorite being Richard Gere as Flynn. This was definitely an underated performance. One flaw with the film is it's lack of likeable characters. Roxie is hardly likeable in the ways she treats her husband, and what she will do to be famous. Velma is an arrogant woman who sees herself in a higher light then everyone else. Billy is a lawyer who only cares about the bottom line. And, Roxie's husband Amos, probably the most sympathetic, is also a fool, making him hard to like. The DVD is a little bare as far as DVD's go. Only three extras to speak of, an informative behind-the-scenes documentary which runs 30 minutes, a director's commentary, and a four-minute musical number with Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones which was cut. For the best picture winner, you'd think they would come out with a fully loaded DVD. Overall, Chicago is a wonderful cinematic experience, with only a few flaws. But as you fall into the musical numbers, you will soon forget the flaws.
Rating: Summary: razzle dazzle.....and not much else Review: Supposedly, the Oscar win for "Chicago" is helping bring back the genre of the musical. If so, I hope that the new musicals will be modled after the classics, and not this one. There are 2 reasons I gave this movie 2 whole stars. One is Queen Latifah (who stars as Matron Mama Morton). The other is John C. Riley (starring as Amos, Roxy's husband). The leads were fine, but the whole movie I wanted to see more of Amos, who was the only sympathetic and also one of the only interesting characters in the movie. John C. Riley is one of the best supporting character actors of our time, and I can't wait until he starts to get larger roles. And I absoloutly loved Queen Latifah, who filled the movie with more sass and spark than Renne Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere combined. This film was so processed and unfortunatly very BORING, not because it was long or because I dont like musicals, but because it was bland. Behind all the sparkle on Renne's little tap shoes and the false eyelashes one Catherine, what else is there? Oh one good thing about it! I went out and rented "Bringing Down the House" and "The Good Girl" (starring the queen of sass and cool, Queen Latifah and the hugely talented and lovable John C. Riley)
Rating: Summary: chicaca Review: moulin rouge was a good movie, it was well made, used visual effects as way to get the audiences attention...in no way did chicago do that...it couldnt have been more plain and boring...a matter a fact, ive seen old 1930 movies that were more cinamaticly advanced than this one... oh yea, nice tracking shots...my mother can push a dolly as well as they did! but i did like the widescreen.......My review...
Rating: Summary: Keep in mind, Daniel Wahl, this is based off a true story Review: Some people don't seem to undarstand that this story has a history. This was first written by a journalist who was living in the time that this took place (the 20's). She wrote a book and it was made into a musical. Then there were a few movies made based on the musical, but not a one turned out too well. Director Rob Marshal thought it would be a great idea to make another movie, but this time it would be with most of the musical numbers. He took on a difficult task to make this film, and make it good. The actors were hand picked for their talent and their ability. The costumes worn by the characters throughout the film were ALWAYS eye catching and were the style of the 20's with a flair of the 21st century. There weren't any doubles for the singing and dancing either. The film opend with the memorable song titled "All That Jazz", and went on from there. All of the musical numbers after that come from Roxie Hearts mind. This is because almost all she ever thinks about is being famous on stage, her name in all the papers. Then a bargen goes wrong and she lands herself in jail with the notorious Velma Kelly. Roxie compeats with Velma for the headliners with the help of Billy Flyn, the greatest female criminal lawyer in all of Chicago. Billy and Roxie stretch the truth enough to get her out and chase her dreams of being on stage. But, again, things don't work out as planned. Same goes for recently freed Velma. So, since "one jazz killer isn't enough" they help each other out. So if you don't like this movie, that's fine. But just understand what you are talking about before you go making your comments. You can't trash a movie when it's based off of a musical that is based off of facts. And, by the way, the song is called Cell Block Tango.
Rating: Summary: Fosse's Masterpiece at its best Review: The movie contained on the DVD contains everything you could possibly look for in a movie. It has style, flair, deceit and fabulous acting. Renee Zellweger and Cathrine Zeta-Jones are just two of the actresses who deliever Oscar-caliber (and honored) performances. The extras include the deleted song "Class" which though it was cut is great to watch. I recommend this DVD to all viewers, it is one of my favorites.
Rating: Summary: I can't stop watching this movie! Review: For me, this movie is an absolute pleasure! I watch it over and over again- I can't get enough of it! Catherine Zeta-Jones is riveting...whenever she's on screen I can't take my eyes off her! Renee Zellweger was perfect as the not-so-dumb blonde and I was suprised at how well she sings and dances. And if you haven't seen "The Jailhouse Tango" song-and-dance number, it's worth buying the DVD for this alone! I'm not suprised that this movie got the Oscar for Best Picture - it deserved it!
Rating: Summary: Nobodys Got No Class...especially Daniel Wahl... Review: First of all, I think its absolutely ridiculous for a reviewer to say they didn't like this movie because it has murder in it. Daniel Wahl needs to take a long vacation and get the stick out of his behind. I'm sorry, but not ALL musicals have to be happy-go-lucky. I'm a huge musical theatre fan, and I love a happy ending as much as the next gal, but dark musicals like this are FUN to watch if you have the right expectations. Is Chicago the best musical ever? No, and its not even my very favorite show but this movie is a wonderful version if you can't see the stage show. These characters are not always "lovable" but they are very much human, and they appeal to the "dark side" of everyone. Yes, they are murderers, but if you see the stage version, they don't take themselves seriously at ALL. The six women on the Broadway soundtrack make funny accents and are by no means acting like "cold-blooded murderers". But I digress. The movie version DOES take itself more seriosuly than the show, but that doesnt make the characters detestable. If we look hard enough, who DOESN'T see a bit of themselves in Velma or Roxie? Who hasn't wanted to perform on stage in front of an adoring audience? Who doesn't love to dance and sing? With that being said, the music for this movie is WONDERFUL and somewhat true to the stage version. Zeta-Jones and Zellweger give (suprisingly!) wonderful performances, as does Richard Gere. They really put themselves out there by (gasp) singing and dancing, and I can't believe how negative some of these reviews are. If you don't like stories of greed and murder, then don't watch this. If you want to see fun, dazzling show-stopping numbers sung by scantily clad murderesses-turned-showgirls, then Welcome to Chicago!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining and fun in parts Review: When I first starting watching this movie, I didn't think I was going to like it. But there are some very good scenes (all of which belong to Richard Gere). Richard Gere stole this movie in my opinion. It seemed that Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellwegger were only supporting players. True, the characters left a lot to be desired, but Richard Gere played the sleazy lawyer perfectly. Most of the songs in the movie were lousy. You're not going to get a great message out of this movie. But for pure entertainment, watch the Richard Gere parts!
Rating: Summary: What ever happened to real talent? Review: Maybe I am a spoiled New Yorker... I thought this movie was overated! I can only compare it to the last Broadway production, which was amazing; full of talented ladies and gentlemen that could not only sing well, dance with grace, but could also act convincingly. Renée Zellweger, though pretty to look at, is not such a great singer nor dancer, and in my opinion, not the best actress for this part (loved her in Nurse Betty though). I was surprised with Catherine Zeta-Jones' singing ability, she was better fit for her role, but still not a real dancer. It was so obvious that there where "dance doubles" doing the more demanding moves - cut to face - cut to legs - and so on. Richard Gere, suave as he was, just could not carry a tune, let alone "Rex Harrison" it either. The real shame is that there are so many talented people out there, but I guess the producers thought that they needed big names. I disagree, I think the show is solid enough. I would have preferred truly talented actors, rather than Hollywood stars. That was Rob Marshall's big mistake... well he did nail it with Queen Latifah though, she really was perfect, the lady can sing and act! Perfect casting there. Otherwise, for the rest of the show, well it is visually impressive and the ensemble cast were excellent (now those guys and gals could move!). I felt that it drifted from Bob Fosse's treatment, a little too happy and sanitized - It's a dark farcical theme that should not have been made so glossy and sappy. I feel other reviews focus more on the story rather than this production, and this production, in my opinion, does not do it justice.
Rating: Summary: Good, not great Review: Chicago is the story of a young woman (Renee Zellweger)who kills her lover (she is married) and seems doomed to die on Murderer's Row. While in the slammer, she hears about and eventually gets a lawyer (Richard Gere)to help her get out. The lawyer is famous for freeing guilty women who have walked in her shoes before. As musicals go, it's just ok. I can't believe it got all the hype it received including best picture. The characters are all interesting, especially Queen Latifah, who makes the most of a small role. Gere and Zellweger are their usual passable selves, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, as another convicted killer looking for a way out also does things pretty well. The problem is, that when musicals insist on making everything musical, it gets in the way. I swear, not one important point is spoken in this film, it's all sung. That gets on my nerves. Since the performances are good, not great and the story is average at best, this film would appeal to only real musical fans, or fans of the performers. Since I fall into neither category, it was average for me.
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