Rating: Summary: Good..... Review: When I started watching this movie I was not sure if I was going to like it or not...some of it seemed a bit choppy. It took me a while to get the jist of the whole thing, but once I got into the swing of the film, I enjoyed it. I thought that the songs were great for the most part, and I was impressed with the talent that each actor/actress showed in this film. If you are into musicals, then this is the film for you.
Rating: Summary: Razzle Dazzle!!!!!!! Review: Absolutely fantastic, stunning, beautiful.......there just aren't enough words to describe how wonderful this movie is!!! I'm biased because I LOVE musicals......but I believe that even those who normally don't like musicals will enjoy this, simply because of the unconvential way the song and dance numbers are presented. Zeta-Jones, Zellweger, and Gere were BORN for this movie......I've NEVER liked Zellweger in anything I've seen her in until I saw this. John C. Reilly's rendition of Mr. Cellophane is beautiful, and who knew he could sing like that? Oh, and what can you say about Gere's tap number? You HAVE to see it to believe how good it is!!! Anyways, I won't go into plot details, there's no need to......but anyways, this movie is beautiful. It's definitely a crowd pleaser, and for that reason, it definitely deserved the Best Picture Oscar. I'm tired of stuffy, boring movies (The English Patient, or Il Postino, anyone? UGH) winning the Best Picture constantly, and it's about time that something fun and lively such as this took home the statue. I highly recommend this movie!
Rating: Summary: A daring review for Chicago Review: With the award for Best Picture and five other Academy Awards under its belt, I figured I would give Chicago a try even though I am not a big fan of musicals or films that are generally eaten up by the Academy Awards (I see the Oscars as more of a popularity contest than anything). I would have to say that I found the film visually wonderful. And I also really liked some of the performances, especially from Zeta-Jones. And I do have a respect for the choreograpy work that was put into this movie and the singing that was performed. But I felt that the film moved at an awkward pace. The movie kind of felt like a big flashy ride over an extremely bumpy road. It just seemed like the events of the story moved along rather fast and were blurred by the big musical/dance performances. And yes I do realize that this was based on a broadway musical and the story is really supposed to told through the musical performances, but I found it all to be distracting and misleading. And when the film ended, I had not a clue ten minutes before that the film was in its conclusion. But like I said, musicals are not my cup of tea and I can only judge and criticize to my own personal tastes. I absolutely can see why this film would be brilliant to others. I do have a big respect for Chicago, but I don't have to like it as much as I have to respect it.
Rating: Summary: The Best Movie of 2002! Review: This is an exceptional adaptation of one of the most forward-thinkning Broadway musicals of it's day. A lot of the Bob Fosse choreagraphy is intact, as well as a unique vision of the complex storyline (placing it within the furtile imagination of Roxie Hart) to explain the staged direction of the play. Exceptional work by Rob Marshall and the team at Miramax to bring this dream production to fruition.And I would be remiss without adressing the assine review from Charlotte, NC. This is NOT a glorification of murderess and their ultimate escape from justice. Rather, it is an indictment of the "trial by press" of even our current age (Kobe Bryant, OJ, etc.) when we should be more aware of the opressive effect of the media. But what can one expect from a reviewer from the crotch of the bible belt...this movie wil stand the test of time. A lot more than I can say for some of the slanted political views of the reviewer from Charlotte.
Rating: Summary: It's a well-done film but... Review: I am pleased to see the revival of the musical, but I have real problems with "Chicago". My problem is very basic - for any show to appeal to me, it has to resonate at some level. Especially with a musical, there should be someone in it you can either identify with or would invite into your home. The only sympathetic character is Roxie's husband, but I'd invite him in just out of pity. All through the "Razzle Dazzle" number, all I could think of was Johnny Chochran - and no, I wouldn't invite him in either. A good show about terrible people just isn't enough for me - and I remain totally underwhelmed by Renee Zellwegger.
Rating: Summary: Don't buy into the hype. Review: 'Chicago' was probably a great stage musical. On-screen the plot is too flimsy, the dialogue and action too campy even for one who usually loves camp, i.e. me. Dancing was fine, the direction & effects were truly impressive, singing was good, songs were good. But no more than good. Not great. And after seeing it, I had no desire to ever see it again or to hum any of the songs. It was imminently forgettable. This film seems to be more about showcasing the hidden musical/dancing talents of actors known solely for acting than about a plausible story. The wit is superficial at best, and the moral of the story is a real yawner (if you even think there is one). If this is supposed to be the movie that brings back musicals, I think I'll just rerun some of the old classics instead. I dunno, I always think the Oscar winner for best picture should be one that will stand the test of time, e.g. Casablanca, The Sting, etc. I really don't think this movie can do that. All that aside, kudos to the one real singing talent I did see: Queen Latifah's acting may have been a trifle wooden but on stage she stole the entire movie with the one song she had. That was the only memorable scene IMHO. Otherwise, a very mediocre movie. I gave the DVD away the day after I watched it.
Rating: Summary: Fantastic Review: At last, the Oscar's came to their senses and picked the actual best picture of the year. Chicago is a treasure to be cherished for years to come. Rob Marshall (who should have won this year's best director award)has triumphantly brought back the American musical in top form. This is the best example in years of director, cast, and production team all coming together to create something special which is what fine moviegoing is all about. The pairing of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart and Velma Kelley is sensational. Jones is her sexy and sultry best as the explosive Velma. Her All That Jazz and I Can't Do It Alone numbers show off what a great belter and dancer this former London West End star is. She doesn't just perform in this film, she tears up the screen with sexiness and a passion not seen since Barbra Streisand in her heigh day. Her Best Supporting Oscar was most certainly deserved for her terrific work. After last years' funny and touching Bridget Jones, Zellweger continues to impress with as Roxie Hart. Her charm makes the shrewd Roxie more appealing to the audience and she hits the mark as a musical performer especially in her Roxie and Nowadays number. There was some doubt about the choice of Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, but Gere's proves the speculators wrong with a fine performance showing off his flashy side singing and tap dancing splendidly. Queen Latifah turns in her best screen performance as Mama and John C Reiley delivers a powerful and touching Mr. Cellophane like a true Broadway trouper. A nice addition to the DVD is the deleted number Class which is a lovely song. Marshall's idea to keep most of the musical numbers as Roxie's fantasies is good because it allows the film to switch from dialog to song and dance at a swift and believable pace that compliments the constraints of a film compared to the more vaudville style of the stage musical. I am so impressed with this movie because it gives audiences something that hasn't been seen in a long time, popular filmmaking at its best
Rating: Summary: ALL THAT JAZZ INDEED! Review: "Chicago" is one of the very best movie musicals to come out of Hollywood in a long long time. It has a stunning cast with all the principals turning in memorable performances. I have always liked Catherine Zeta-Jones but in "Chicago" she simply bowled me over with her tough sassy turn as Velma Kelly. Renee Zellwegger was a revelation as Roxie Hart. Who ever thought she could sing and dance like that? Richard Gere was wonderful as was Queen Latifah and John C Reilly who I also never knew could sing. His rendition of "Mr Cellophane" is heartbreaking. Kudos to Rob Marshall for the superb direction. For those who are comparing this with "Moulin Rouge", don't. They are two different types of musicals and both are brilliant in their own way. The DVD also contains the deleted song "Class", a brilliant duet between Catherine and Queen Latifah which should not be missed. Bravo!
Rating: Summary: A great disappointment Review: Chicago is a great disappointment: it is a comedy without humor; a musical without music; a play without a plot; has much offensive material; however, many of the costumes were beautiful.
Rating: Summary: GIVE THEM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE Review: ChiCago does just that! This muscical movie is awesome-all the numbers are fun to sing along with and watch! I bought the dvd and glad I did-cause all the sets and stuff is good-and the singing was good too! AND ALL THAT JAZZ!
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