Rating: Summary: Flawless Fosse Review: Although watching the film now makes it look a bit dated, particularly the finale sequence, this film is one of the finest musicals made. Similar to Cabaret, All That Jazz integrates the musical numbers in creative and almost natural ways--unlike other musicals that seem to have to set up dialogue that then allows the actors to burst into song. The complexity of Joe Gideon, a man who has so few redeeming qualities but yet captivates his audience (no wonder he was so attractive to women), is remarkable.
Rating: Summary: Show Must Go On Review: At first, it's not a comercial work in today means - it's piece of art and part of cinema history. The one of smartest films about entertaiment industry. Maybe someone didn't like and still don't like that kind in what movie was made. One of complicate scenerios, lots of dance, music, jokes - that must cover one thing - point, what show business make with people. Movie is long, and maybe someone can sleep all time, don't check out what director means. And after that, can say - it's so boring, too much music, dance, etc. OK - movie doesn't say nothing? No, 'All This Jazz' with brilliant Roy Scheider and other actors (like beatiful Jessica Lange in Angelique or, how I call it, Death role) build up this scene not not for our entertaiment - but for our minds. But all is saying last song when credits rolling - There's no business like show business, and if your heart brokes, show must go on.
Rating: Summary: It's Showtime Review: One of the few truly auto-biographical commerical U.S. films ever made, what is so deeply affecting about "All That Jazz" is how ruthless Fosse is, to his characters and his actors and, most of all, himself. The finale to which Maltin refers above is notable for its distasteful feeling, which wouldn't be forgiveable except that it's Fosse's statement about himself- and in that way it's remarkable. Few filmmakers outside Woody Allen have ever been so revealing, or so caustic. For a completely informed viewing of "All That Jazz", watch Fosse's "Lenny" and read "All His Jazz: The Life and Death of Bob Fosse" by Martin Gottfried.
Rating: Summary: Not for Everone! Review: If you like your movies upbeat and with happy endings, don't watch "All That Jazz." If you dislike Broadway song and dance, stay away. But if you enjoy original, unflinching cinema, this is it!!It is hard to believe that it has been 20 years since I sat stunned after seeing this amazing film in the theater when it was first released. Young Jessica Lange appears as the beautiful, veiled personification of Death; young John Lithgow as an egotistical rival director; brilliant music and choreography; some of the most haunting images I have ever seen in a film: Joe Gideon's farewell to his young daughter and ex-wife in the "Bye Bye, Life" finale, followed by his calm, gliding exit into the arms of Death with a soothing trumpet solo is heartbreaking. This movie is one I watch every couple of years and remains one of my favorites. UNFORGETTABLE!
Rating: Summary: FINALLY!!!! Review: Lock up those little guys and gals that wanna be a star, Momma...this one is back! One of the most dark, wonderful films I had ever seen is finally back in print (leave it to the teeming hordes of "Chicago" fans who are snatching up anything Fosse to bring some distributor to his senses!) and just as thought-provoking as when I first saw it (about 20 times!) in 1979. Roy Schneider is terrific as Fosse (whoops, make that Joe Gideon) who destroys every personal relationship in his life for his art...it's all about the play, the musical, the number, never about his wise ex-wife (guess who-should we say Gwen??), his knockout girlfriend (played with ultimate knowledge by the Master's actual girlie at the time), nor his daughter (sassy and cute - the Peter Allen number with her and Katie is one of the highlights of the film). That this is autobiographical goes without saying, when Bob died of a heart attack in the 1980s, he was walking back to his apartment with Gwen. The biggest kick for me was to see characterizations of folks I knew in the business and how it is truly a business - the meeting with the insurance guys while Gideon undergoes (graphic) open-heart surgery should knock any romantic ideas of "The Great White Way" right outta your head. And "Take Off With Us"...is there a more seductive, erotic piece of film ever shot??? Simply superb, simply tremendous, simply...Fosse!
Rating: Summary: All That Music, All that Drama, ALL THAT JAZZ!!! Review: If you have very little knowledge of the life and work of Bob Fosse, you'll probably see this movie as dark and pointless. But for anyone who knows anything about this legend, you'll agree that "All That Jazz" is nothing less than a MASTERPEICE! Fosse was nothing short of a genius. That fact that he could actually predict his own death and face his vices head-on proves what an intelligent, strong, sensitive, and brilliant man he was. Yes, this film is very depressing, but life isn't always a Walt Disney film. Like his other musical triumphs, "Sweet Charity" and "Cabaret", the film is dark and sexy, but has plenty of heart. And like all of his film work, it is visually stunning and truly original. This is one guy who didn't do stuff by the book, and the results are always unique and dynamic. Roy Scheider and Ann Reinking give the best performances of their careers. Fosse is an icon who will never be forgotten, and this film does justice to the virtuoso he was. If you aren't familiar with Fosse, I would recommend one or both of the excellent books "Razzle Dazzle: The Life and Works of Bob Fosse" or "All His Jazz: The Life and Death of Bob Fosse". It will give you appreciation for this hauntingly poetic piece of contemporary cinema. A true work of art.
Rating: Summary: A challenging but classic melding of two genres Review: Brilliant and reckless, self indulgent and obsessive, Bob Fosse's self destructive masterpiece of a semi-autobiography fuses the genres of the musical and the horror film in a flame of black magic. ALL THAT JAZZ, while far from perfect, demands viewing if for no other reason than it holds no punches while it stares its subject bluntly in the face. And the face in this case is none other than one of the maddest geniuses the American Theatre ever produced- the choreographer enfant terrible- Bob Fosse.
Webster's Dictionary presents these definitions of the word "horror:
- intense aversion or repugnance
-a state of extreme depression or apprehension
- and as an adjective- calculated to inspire feelings of dread
ALL THAT JAZZ inspires all those feelings as it intoxicates, infuriates (the steaming and sexy airline number is so overlong- but that is the point!) and wallows in the grotesque, while offering not a single apology along the way.
Fosse dares to take his audience deep into his soul and stare it down with unstinting rage against Dylan Thomas' "dying of the light". His cinematic alter-ego "Joe Gideon" (expertly played by Roy Schieder- a good actor absolutely brilliant here) is a egomaniacal pig. He uses, abuses and discards all around him- including his very soul. His devotion to "show business" and art is singular. Fosse captures the Everests and Canyons of the creative mind. But he does not romanticize or glorify the mercurial creative muse. He is too intelligent an artist for that. The creative genius can be a deal with the devil and Gideon (and Fosse?) eagerly signs his life away.
The dance numbers are magnificent- filled with Fosse's unique style of movement. The much vaunted opening "Cattle Call" sequence is a brilliant example of editing and color. The climatic "Bye-Bye Life" number in which Fosse morbidly films his own death deftly induces both euphoria and repulsion. Fosse's perfection and sense of rhythm intoxicates and seduces as we weaves beautiful bodies in and out of the frame. His choreography celebrates the venal and the holy in a marriage between the organic and the technically precise. There will never be another like him.
Yes, the film is dark. A cautionary tale to be sure. This a unique film that is not only a musical drama, but a horror film- a horror film where the monster is the creator himself.
Historically speaking, it is fascinating that ALL THAT JAZZ came out the same year as that other mad masterpiece- APOCALYPSE NOW (also a true horror film). In man ways ALL THAT JAZZ is the musical version of APOCALYPSE NOW.
Maybe not for all tastes, but a genuine work of art worthy of repeated viewings and analysis.
Rating: Summary: A treasure of a soundtrack - A toilet flush of a recording Review: Finally this soundtrack is released, but the mastering of the tracks is so horrible, I had to turn it off. Between the fallen voices and overly pumped flat drum beats, the non existing bass and the muddy quality - you might as well play your old beaten VHS copy through your old mono speaker tv and be happier. Too bad.
Rating: Summary: all that jazz Review: While I would recommend this item...the music was wonderful the dealer sucked big time. First they sent me the wrond CD. Then at my own cost I had to return it. In the interim I was able to purchase the same item at the same cost locally. I e-mailed the company to cancel the order but they ignored me. I would never, ever order thru this company again....they aren't worth it!!!!
Rating: Summary: My most watched film Review: This is probably one of my most often watched movies. I had skipped this movie for the longest time, thinking it was all about dance. It's not. Those in Theater tell me this is a good look at what goes on behind a big Broadway production. Those who knew Bob Fosse think it's a narcissistic self-serving film. I didn't think so. In my opinion, this is a movie about life, using an unfinished Broadway musical as a metaphor for all the loose ends we leave behind us when we leave this world behind. The movie is quite a roller-coaster ride of funny, sad, dramatic, and light-hearted scenes. Such is life.
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