Rating: Summary: enough said Review: I went and saw Chicago with my friends and we were busting and rollin the whole time...Chicago....enough said. This is a must see
Rating: Summary: A DEFINATE MUST SEE!!! Review: This is probably one of the greatest movies to hit the screen in the last decade. Yes, it doesn't have the slightest bit of morality in it, but sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the show...and the music. The acting was phenomenal, the singing was spectacular, and the choreography was brilliant. I have nothing but the greatest respect for this film and the people involved with it. I'd give it a million stars if I could. See it!!!!
Rating: Summary: Hands down-the best movie to grace the screen this year! Review: I walked into "Chicago" not knowing a thing about it. I am a fan of musicals but that certainly does NOT mean they can't be ruined in a movie. Having said that.. Renee Zellweger was outstanding in this movie and it is a CRIME that she did not recieve the Oscar! She dances, sings and acts like a pro to the point that you believe she IS Roxie Hart. Catherine Zeta-Jones who DID win an Oscar(she deserved it the most), was sexy and humorous in the movie and the fact that she can sing and dance like a broadyway actress helps as well! Richard Gene is fantastic as a silver-tounged lawyer and the supporting cast includes a wheeling and dealing Queen Latifah, a cellophane-like man: John C. Reily and a "Sob Sister" role for Christine Baranski. Set in the jazzy 1920's, the story opens with "All that Jazz" proving that it revolves around Roxie Hart(Zellwegger) who wants more than anything to be a vaudville star.When the man she is cheating on her husband with walks out on her with the words "You're a two-bit talent with skinny legs-face it Roxie, you ain't never gonna have an act!", Zellweger's character shoots him dead. When her "Funny Honey" Amos arrives home, he is prepared to take the blame-'till he discovers what Fred Casley and his Roxie were doing every night. Roxie is shipped off to jail, were famous vaudville legend Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) is imprisoned for the same crime. Matron "Mama" Morton promises Roxie to help her for a price in "When Your Good to Mama". Enter Billy Flynn the best criminal lawyer in all of Chicago, "All I Care About". One of his best lines is: "I don't mean to toot my own horn but if Jesus Christ had lived in Chicago and had $5000, things would have turned out differently." Flynn is also Velma's lawyer and Velma isn't to happy about him taking Roxie's case. Within a week ROXIE ROCKS CHICAGO is the headline and everyone, including reporter Mary Sunshine (Baranski) believes that Roxie and Casley "both reached for the gun" The name on everyone's lips is "Roxie". Velma tries to gain Roxies trust by offering to do an act with her in "I can't do it alone". But the now extremely arrogant Roxie says no. Roxie announces her pregnancy but Amos realises that he isn't the father! He also realises how pathetic and sad his life is in "Mister Cellophane." Roxie turns on the old "Razzle Dazzle" during her trial-and is found absolutally NOT GUILTY! However-no one wants to take her picture, but after all-that's Chicago! Then out of the blue-something amazing happens: Velma and Roxie are in a show TOGETHER and have one back all that was lost! This movie will appeal to everyone in some way. The camerawork is unique and the setting really looks like the 1920s. The dancing is the best-the singing is great-the script couldn't be better-GO SEE IT. END OF STORY!
Rating: Summary: The DVD could have had more extras Review: I just seen the Chicago DVD (Widescreen Edition) and though I would give the film on this DVD 5 stars (especially for having the DTS sound option along with Dolby Digital), I would give the "Special Features" section of this DVD only 3 stars because the "Special Features" section is poorly lacking compared to past Miramax DVDs like The Cider House Rules. Miramax could have included other extras such as the original theatrical trailer, all the TV spots (and there were many of them) plus all of the music videos (though the music video, "And All That Jazz" was shown at the end of the featurette, they could have also included the other 2 music videos, "Cell Block Tango (He Had It Comin')" from Queen Latifah and Lil' Kim featuring Macy Gray plus "Love is a Crime" from Anastacia). I assume that Miramax will add most if not all these features in a special collector's edition DVD in the future as part of their "Miramax Collector's Series" collection. Until then, enjoy watching Chicago on this DVD edition (as long as it's the widescreen version and not the "modified" fullscreen version).
Rating: Summary: The Best Movie I Have Ever Seen Review: When I saw the Chicago trailer when I saw Sweet Home Alabama I was so excited for it to come to theaters. As time went on it started comin out in select places and finally it came to a theater near where I live. So I went to go see it with a friend who was just as excited to see it as I was. I had never seen Chicagoon broadway so I wasnt sure what I was going to see. All I knew is that it had gotten GREAT reviews and the trailer looked pretty cool. I came out of the theater very pleased and humming Nowadays. I saw it three more times and everytime I seem to enjoy it more and I cannot wait until August 19! I have become so obsessed with this movie, I bought the movie book and the soundtrack which I listen to almost everyday. I just cant get enough of it. If you are the kind of person that is very uptight about morals this probably isnt the movie for you. But if you let yourself loose then you wont have a problem with it. Most of you who havent seen it probably think it is a drama, it's actually more of a comedy. A dark comedy mind you. Cell Block Tango and We Both Reached For The Gun and a few other songs are supposed to make you laugh. The cast is amazing, Renee can sing. No, shes not the best but did you expect that every good actress to be able to sing perfect too? Catherine is awesome and is easily my favorite actress, she charecter is my favorite too. Velma is bold and sarcastic and isnt afraid to tell you what she thinks of you. Queen Latifah was so comical! Dying her hair blonde, that was hilarious, I was giggling through that whole entire scene. John C Riely is good, but through the whole movie I kept thinking "Awww...poor Amos" Richard Gere was also surprisingly good, as was his is singing. This movie proves itself to be a true classic which will be remembered for years to come.
Rating: Summary: This is Chicago Review: The advent of the stage musical was driven by a young American society seeking an English speaking opera which could combine the talents of American Jazz, the celebration of the American spirit, and provide a hopeful look at life. This was even more evident during the depression. During the 60's and 70's the musical took on different life forms. The ideals that theatre was a vehicle of social awareness did not limit the genre to only three act dramas guaranteed to make us angry. The musical saw this through an enormous success of "Hair". Then we saw "A Chorus Line", "Sweeny Todd","Cabaret" and a string of shows with a sociological edge to them. When "Chicago" opened it was met with mixed reviews, and did not really enjoy its deserved recognition until it's Broadway revival in the 1990's. "Chicago" was not meant to celebrate killers, or adultery, or crooked lawyers. That is not the point. "Chicago" takes a look at the society that was overlooked in the early part of the century. The mobsters, the crime, and the fact that we let killers manipulate the press and become heroes. This is a story of just how [mentally challenged] people can be, and how enamored they can become by sensational stories. Even based on truth that become distorted. I would imagine that a musical about OJ Simpson and Scott Peterson would be a more modern take. The execution of the story with its fast paced attention to detail makes this a film. The way that the producers stayed true to the score makes this a surprise. So, people who see this film as a movie celebrating killers really miss the boat. This film is all about how our society is more interested in how the press makes killers into famous people. That is the core, and that is the idea everyone should remember. If we could send a message to the press that we do not want Scott Peterson to have any press time at all, things in this country would get a bit better. Thanks "Chicago" for reminding us of that.
Rating: Summary: Great, Great, Great! Review: I have one word to say about this movie: WOW!!!. I haven't been a big fan of movie musicals, but this one I absolutely loved. The music is great. The acting is fantastic. The dancing is fun. The film is just an all around fun time. Some of the scenes are an absolute joy, such as the "Both Reached for the Gun", "All That Jazz" and "Cell Block Tango" musical numbers. When watching this movie, I kept in mind that I should not take this movie seriously, that I should simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the film, simply for what it is: a musical. This what everyone should do when viewing the film. This will certainly make the film enjoyable. Don't simply skip the film because it isn't titled "Moulin Rouge" or for the fact that it seems to make these murderesses seem more human, even though they killed people. To me, this movie is simply a farce or satiracal look at Hollywood and how anyone will do anything just to be famous. I actually found the movie to be very funny and charming. The movie can't be compared to "Moulin Rouge" because, get this, it ISN'T "Moulin Rouge." People seem to be skipping "Chicago" because they assumed that "Moulin Rouge" was great and "Chicago" will ruin that idea. You will be surprised how wonderful "Chicago" is. It is certainly a fun movie to watch and enjoy.
Rating: Summary: Very Entertaining Review: Like the windy city in which this movie is set, the musical numbers in Chicago simply blew me away. I've read comparisons between Chicago and Moulin Rouge, but believe me - there is no comparison. Where Moulin Rouge had a sappy plot buried somewhere among the flashy morass, Chicago's musical numbers tie the storyline together in a clever, coherent fashion. The droll dialog (an announcer intones "Miss Velma Kelley, in a act - of desperation!") and tongue-in-cheek numbers (Richard Gere is a tapdancing laywer - both literally and figuratively) all add up to one very innovative movie. I was sorry to see the movie come to an end - and there's not many movies I can say that about!
Rating: Summary: Has no one heard of this Broadway Musical? Review: Is murder deplorable? Most of the time, yes. Fortunately, this is NOT what Chicago is about! This is not a historical look at the 1920's jaded by this century's "immorality". This movie is based on a 1975 Broadway Musical about media influence and the circus that the American public allows itself to be caught up in. Funny that this is still so very very true 28 years later. I loved the Broadway version of this story featuring Bebe Neworth and Ann Ranking, and I did like the movie version as well. Are they the same? Of course not silly. Are they both enjoyable? Absolutely! If you have no sense of irony and cannot see past the surface of movies, then you will probably not enjoy this film. You must also practice the all-important willfull suspension of disbelief that makes movie magic successful. There are shifts between reality and fantasy worlds in this film. They are not handed to you on a silver platter, you must actual THINK for yourself during this film. Imagine that. You must also think for yourself and decide what this film is truly trying to say. Katherine Zeta Jones's training in Stage Musicals is evident in this film, as is Richard Gere's. Rene Zellweger makes a remarkable first effort. One thing that makes movie musicals so difficult to pull off is the different demand for voice talent between the two (stage and screen musicals). If you had performers who were only familiar with stage acting do this film, it would be ridiculous. They would seem to overact and over sing. the audience is far away from the stage, but right in front of the story on film. The effect is very different for each genre. My only qualm about this movie is the removal of the Fosse choreography. It adds such an interesting touch to the story (even if it was accidental and a mockery of the late choreographer's disabiltiy). Inclusion of more of the original dance numbers would have made this a perfect 5 for me. I believe this film, and all involved deserved Oscars. If you think Gangs of New York should have won, check your history books! The historical inaccuracies are mortifying!
Rating: Summary: Excellent!! Review: Best musical I've seen in a long time. A great all around movie.
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