Rating: Summary: All that Jazz Review: This movie was the best i have seen all year! i saw the actual play back in oregon and was so surpised how much better the movie was then the musical. I recomend this movie to all jazz lovers. It is an awesome film and deserves a lot of credit!
Rating: Summary: A Lot More Than 'All That Jazz' Review: The movie Chicago has it all. Music, Dancing, Sexiness and Style. I watched the movie in theatres hoping that it will exceed my expectations and it did...a lot. The movie has many sleek and cool musical numbers, that have just the right amount of 'punch' that it never gets boring. When the music came on right in the beginning (5,6,7,8) I knew that I was in for a good long ride.The performances given by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellwegger, Queen Latifah and Richard Gere are perfect! With Catherine standing out a little bit more, because of her musical background (she deserved the Oscar). Her opening act of 'All That Jazz' was flawless, and really got you in the movie. Her vocal tone is very strong and her dancing was right on the money! She's incredible. Renee Zellwegger's 'Roxie' performance and number is prestine, complete with mirrors and dancers behind her. She got those notes right up the there, with that moment being her's all the way. Queen Latifah gave her role of Miss. Mama Morton a bit hit, with her tough talking fast attitude performance that was a complete scene stealer. And finally, Richard Gere's tap-dancing interlude is a knockout with him doing all the tapping himself. I was left speechless. The Cinematography and Art Direction of this film is completely right out there. Though, maybe not as big as Moulin Rouge, (another musical that I love) It was completely accepted. The difference between Moulin Rouge and Chicago is that Moulin Rouge has a bigger scale that covered a lot of the Big Paris Landscape of 1899. While Chicago is more intimate and set in a bar like atmosphere that feels very musky and dark. I liked it :) Anyway, the movie is AMAZING! (as you all might have guessed) There are plenty of musical numbers that shows off Rob Marshall's Exceptional Choreography and Direction in this film. He took his dream of making Chicago a film, and he did it, giving him enormous amounts of awards and critical acclaim. Very surprising to know that this was his first film, and with that amount of success, we know we'll see a lot more of him in the near future. Great Work Rob!! The Musical Numbers in this film are all too much and all too good, but the one's that stood out was: All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, Mr. Cellophane, Roxie, We Both Reached For The Gun, When Your Good To Mama and Nowadays(Finale). Those numbers were cool, then again all of them were! I love the script with many quick back to back dialogue that is fast and right up to the point. Chicago Is a film that Is another hit at the big musical genre that is now coming back. So check this movie out and you'll see what Chicago has up it's sleeve.
Rating: Summary: Ha-cha! Whoopee! Jazz! Review: Rob Marshall has managed to translate the Broadway musical CHICAG0 so successfully to the screen that it even improves on the original. Brilliant performances from Zeta-Jones and Zellweger and strong support from Latifah, Gere and Reilly. The choreography is definitely Fosse inspired, but manages to still be original and inventive. The expansion of "Cell Block Tango" works wonderfully for the film and setting the plot more in Roxie's imagination than on a vaudeville stage, solves many of the narrative problems of Ebb and Fosse's book. Don't miss a quick cameo by Miss Chita Rivera (the original Velma Kelly in the 1975 Broadway production), as a worn-out inmate giving Zellweger's Roxie some advice on Mama Morton. Marshall has created perhaps the most successful screen adaptation of a Broadway musical since Fosse's CABARET in 1972. If Fosse were alive I think he would be pleased.
Rating: Summary: A Stellar Preformance Review: While some bitter one ruined this movies perfect ratings(notice the lack of links provided for feedback to the "bitterone" (smart)), this movie is by far, one of the greatest musicals ever to be transformed into a movie ever. The actors all have earned their awards, and have even been robbed of some (Renee for best actress, even though Nicole was good, she did not deserve it since her part was not big enough vs. Renee's). Also the re-writing has outdone itself, by taking a confusing misguided play, giving it a complete story, and training 2non-singers to sing like veterans, Chicago is by far, a 5star. This dvd is a garuenteed best-seller and should be owned by everyone looking to see real talent at work.
Rating: Summary: I loved every minute! Review: I am very much a theater fan, and I thought this movie was a brilliant, gaudy, wonderful version of the musical Chicago. I understand that the voices were not the most beautiful, but they were not supposed to be. I thought the voices, faces, and acting abilities were perfectly matched to the characters. I hated Moulin Rouge, could barely sit through it. Chicago is a play that is based on the old vaudville routine, so no, there's not a plot. It's not meant to be a story, and in fact this movie has nuch more of a plot than the play does. I particularly adored Cell Block Tango, and thought it was a wonderful version. I can't wait for it to come out on video, but I'll be sad not to see it on the big screen. Truly an awesome movie!!
Rating: Summary: Yongjoon writes Review: Apparently, musicals are back in style these days. Last year's, Moulin Rouge hinted the return of the genre in Hollywood. This year, it is back in full form with much flair in Rob Marshall's Chicago. Musical used to be a staple of Hollywood during its golden age. At its peak , it produced such unforgettable classics such as My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and the Sound of Music. However, in the late sixties the genre started to lose its steam and since then it was slowly phased out from the silver screen. Those in the film industry attributed the main cause of its demise to the audience's change of taste. The audience had simply grown tired of the form. Others cited problems with the budget which tended to snowball in most movie adaptations of a stage production. Whatever its reason , it seemed true that musical was finally dead. However, after decades of hiatus, people are once again ready to embrace the genre, and for the most part, Chicago does not disappoint us. The film revolves around two murderesses, a somewhat famous chorus singer named Velma Kelly(played by Catherine Zeta-jone) and a nonentity called Roxie Hart(played by Renee Zellweger) who aspires to perform on stage just like Velma. Coincidentally, fate has it that both of them end up in jail for murdering their lovers who had done them wrong. At first there's no doubt that they are on a sure-fire track to the gallows. But then a publicity-seeking hot shot lawyer by the name of William Flynn (played by Richard Gere) takes an interest in their case. At first, Velma receives much of the attention since she already had a semi-celebrity status. However Flynn starts to discover Roxie's talent in dazzling the public. As the story progresses, the two vixens vie against one another to hog the attention of their lawyer and more importantly , the spotlight from the public. Soon the crimes they committed start to become less important than what they are wearing for their trial. The movie brims with mordant criticism of how the American trial system can be susceptible to the influence of the media. Such critiques aren't exactly covering new territory. During the past decade, we saw a surge of such criticism in the wake of the O.J. Simpson's case, Lorena Bobbitt's case, Tanya Harding's case and numerous others. There have been movies made about it too. In Gus Van Sant's To Die For, Nicole Kidman played a similar type of publicity-addict. In Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers, a pair of mass murderers were given the spotlight. The movie Chicago is based on a famous Broadway play during the 70's which is in turn based on a novel. The novel itself is said to draw as its source from a real life event in the 20's with a story similar to Roxie and Velma's. As one can see, the bond between crimes and the media goes back a long time. So how does the movie fare? As I said before it does not disappoint us. The two leads , Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones throw themselves out there with a palpable conviction. There's no question that these two stars invested a lot of time in getting their dance routines right. Equally impressive is the supporting ensemble cast, including Ricahrd Gere as the smarmy lawyer, Queen Latifah as the 'matron Momma', John C. Reilly as the cuckold husband, and Christine Baranski as the sycophantic reporter. If my count is correct, there are about ten musical numbers, nine of which that takes place in Roxie's imagination. Credits should be given to the script writers for coming up with such a clever story device. As for the singing, however, my feelings are divided. Some of them are excellent. Queen Latifah is naturally good (she's better known for her music career after all), John C. Reilly delivers a surprisingly luscious voice, and as for Catherine Zeta-Jones, to hear her belt out the opening tune 'All that jazz', should alone be worth the admission price of 7000 wons. But Renee Zellweger's singing leaves much to be desired. Although it isn't exactly bad, it's not all that impressive either. She suffers from the same problem Nicole Kidman faced in Moulin Rouge. She simply doesn't have a strong enough voice. However compared to Richard Gere's singing, hers is Pavarotti. I expect the audience to cringe as I did when he gets his voice running. Some people should just not be allowed to sing. At the moment, Chicago is the front runner in the Oscar race with thirteen nominations including Best Picture. I expect the film to win the coveted Best Picture Oscar, not because I believe the film is a masterpiece, but because the competition is so weak. Although I do not feel the picture deserves a space on the mantelpiece alongside the likes of The God Father or Schindler's List, I do admit to having enjoyed two hours of good entertainment. 5,6,7,8..hit it! "All that jaaazzzz¡Â!"
Rating: Summary: I LOVED this movie! Review: As I write this review, and note that any format would be an awesome purchase in my opinion!, I think "did I see this as a play or a movie?". So well produced - Rob Marshall created a masterpiece of bringing theater to the big screen but with a twist of flashbacks through the eyes and mind of Renee's character, Roxie Hart. My congrats to their Academy Awards - totally deserved! I hear the songs in my head, see the characters singing them - Catherine Zeta Jones is fantastic and any doubt that Rene Zellweger or Richard Gere can pull off the characters and the vocals is dashed. And Queen Latifah! She, as Momma Morton, well, I can't say enough! Another 5 stars, just for her! Do I need to say I enjoyed this movie!? It is superb entertainment! I recommend it highly and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Since this is pre-DVD release review, I must wait for August 19th. I am anxious for this DVD to be in my collection! Enjoy the show!
Rating: Summary: tHe bEsT mOvIe eVeR Review: This movie is so wonderful!!! I know I have rated this movie like 100 times but oh well! Its an all around great movie! When I saw it for the third time when it was over my freinds & I started to sing All That Jazz in front of everyone! I love everything about this movie! The songs are wonderful! The cast is wonderful! Catherine Zeta Jones & Queen Latifah really shine in this movie! The scenes with those two together have to be some of the best in the move! I thought Moulin Rouge was ok but Im sorry after seeing Chicago you realize Moulin Rouge stinks! Renee Zellweger totally deserved the OsCaR! Im sorry but Nicole Kidman was not that good in The Hours. This movie is a cLaSsIc & it will be remembered for a VeRy long time!
Rating: Summary: Loved it Review: I am 19 years old and a music major in college. Me and my music major friends saw this movie 10 times! We would sing and have so much fun. Thats what this movie is all about just having fun with the music. It shows that if u try hard u can make your dream come true. My fav line is "who said that marders not an art" Get your friends together pop this in and your sure to have a great time! I hope it brings you as much fun as it did me and my friends
Rating: Summary: The Best Movie eVeR Review: I can't put into words how wonderful this movie is! Its so awesome! People who say that the acting & singing was horrible must have seen a ToTaLlY different movie. The casting was awesome! Catherine Zeta Jones was beyond aWeSoMe! Queen Latifah was hilarious! Renee Zellweger shone. And Richard Gere was good too. I saw a preview of this when I saw Sweet Home Alabama and I really wanted to see it. Alot of people compare it to Moulin Rouge and are saying that Moulin Rouge is better and I totally disagree. The only thing Moulin Rouge & Chicago have in common is that they are both musicals. I mean Moulin Rouge is a romance & Chicago has like no romance in it. So disregaurd people's comments about Moulin Rouge being better. I can't wait until this DVD comes out because the special features sound like they will be fun to watch! I've heard that there is another song thats in the deleted sung by Velma! In my opinion Catherine Zeta Jones totally out does herself & out shines Renee Zellweger. I just cant put what I feel about this movie into words.
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