"Chicago" packs a punch

[jackhammer91406]

Took some well needed escape time yesterday afternoon to go see CHICAGO. I had seen the show live in London last February and was knocked out by it. The movie has done a great job of "opening up" the show and all the performances are outstanding. I remember reading in a previous thread (originally about Julianne Moore) that some had seen the trailers. The show translates very well to the screen. All the key performers do their own singing and do it very well. Gere's tap dance is a real hoot done in context of that scene. Good job intigrating the songs into the story. Anyone else seen it or have a different reaction?

[+ deej]

It's one of my favorite musicals. I've wanted to see this movie since it was announced, although I had trepidation about the casting.

 

I've heard really mixed reports from both reviewers and friends who've seen it but every fag I know who's seen it RAVES about it so it MUST be FABULOUS! :+

[VaHawk]

RE: "Chicago" packs a punch

 

This movie is on my "to do" list this holiday weekend, so don't reveal too many details. I have been meaning to go see this movie since Benjamin recommended it, but haven't had the chance yet. What I don't understand is why it isn't playing at more theaters! There are only 3 theaters showing it in northern Virginia, all of which require a hassle for me to get to. http://jeeptalk.org/crack/smilies/contrib/ruinkai/confangry.gif

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

RE: "Chicago" packs a punch

 

Hawkster~

 

I hear that a few theatres in San Antonio are showing it and i've got the perfect date for you

 

 

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

RE: "Chicago&a...

 

Ah, a Chicago posting! How wonderful...

 

Well, at this writing i will have seen Chicago 7 times and i'm sure it won't be my last time. This truly is an amazing movie due, in part, to such a smooth transition from stage to screen.

 

As an ensemble, the cast shows strength vocally and physically. Individually, i see CZJ as the real ballsy standout due to being a natural triple-threat in real life. Her dancing is full of heart, energetic and obviously something trained at.

 

Renee Z, a first-timer to any singing and dancing, has the natural talent to truly bowl you over. Gere was vocally the weakest link, but showed great promise in his ability to tap (literally and otherwise) his way out of harm's way. Queen L was given one of the best songs in the show and i felt she sat on her voice way too much~ it felt too rehearsed and not from the heart. I would have liked to see this role recast with Jennifer Holiday in the role, but hey... Money talks and Holiday doesn't have the star power.

 

My only quam with the movie would be the editing... Obviously edited for an MTV-generation with attention spans of a 5 year old. Too quick with not enough focus on the music/lyrics. Although, i do understand that most movie audiences nowadays won't sit through an entire musical- much less an entire song without some razzle-dazzle, so moving it along at breakneck speed is mildly understandable. For me a characteristic too close to Moulin Rouge~ a 'musical' that Chicago now makes look like Sesame Street.

 

 

I'm not smitten enough to say that this movie will usher in a new era of movie-musicals, ala 1930's Gershwin, but i do hope it gets more actors in Hollywood to aspire to do more than the run-of-the-mill action blockbuster.

 

Hell, at the very least i'd like for Chicago to sweep the Golden Globes and take home a few Oscars....

 

 

 

Vociforious Regards

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Chuck50]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

I guess the real question Ben is it playing in MD for those of us who can't come to Texas at this time but may want too. HUGS Chuck:9

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

Where there's a will, there's way Chuckster

 

 

 

Seriously, check out MoviePhone.com and see when it's hitting MD. I know it's in limited release, but it's got to be somewhere around you

 

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Guest Dan]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

It's also my favorite musical too. I saw it a few years ago on Broadway with Bebe Neuwirth who gave the best performance that I'd ever seen in a musical. CZJ does it justice though. She's terrific and Gere is amazing. Zellwieger is good too, but I don't think she's as strong, but that's also due to the framing of the movie.

 

I do have big problems with Queen Latifah. There's a big drive for her to win an Oscar by the hagiographer Liz Smith, but she shouldn't even be nominated. She does belt out her big number, but having her play it to the mostly male audience in the club gave it a whole different meaning and ruined her character. You never really got what she was up to or about. Listen to Marcia Lewis who sang it on the '96 revival album. Her voice just oozes a nefarious type of lesbianism. On the soundtrack, Latifah just belts it out, but it comes across without any meaning or emotion like early Whitney Houston.

 

But, the Cell Block Tango in all its incarnations, theatrical, film and record rocks.

 

Despite reservations, I've seen it three times.

 

Dan Dare

http://gaydar.co.uk/dandarela

[VaHawk]

RE: &qu...

 

Thanks Benjamin, as this was a great review and I am going to keep all this in mind when I see it this weekend (unless I get snowed in again, as they are calling for more snow). I appreciate your professional viewpoint on this movie as I am sure it will give me new insight into what I will be looking at! I might want to see it again if I like it, especially if I have great company!

http://jeeptalk.org/crack/smilies/cwm/cwm/lurk.gif

[Chuck50]

RE: Chicago the play and whatever!...

 

Would that be in Texas?? there good buddy?? HUgs Chuck

[+ deej]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

>It's also my favorite musical too. I saw it a few years ago

>on Broadway with Bebe Neuwirth who gave the best performance

>that I'd ever seen in a musical.

 

I would have killed to see that. I love Bebe Neuwirth.

 

I saw it on stage IN CHICAGO with the absolutely incomparable Jazmine Guy. (Now THAT's Jazz!)

 

Most reviewers are saying CZJ rocks.

 

I'm a little worried now about your comments about Queen Latifah. OK, so it's a role written for drag. I'll make the mental leap.

 

But my pal Luis (who shares my tastes almost exactly) said she rocked.

 

I'll just have to see it. The movie just popped up tonight on the local listings so maybe this weekend. I'm ready for a little razzle dazzle.

 

And I'm not ashamed to admit that I have all the CD's you mentioned ... except the new one. My favorite is the Gwen Verdon/Chita Rivera version, but mostly for "Whatever happened to class?" which I understand got cut from the movie.

 

I *need* to see this movie!

 

The cool thing is that the business analysts are saying that if it's a success it could mean the return of the hollywood musical. It's already a success even in limited release.

[Guest fukamarine]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

>Seriously, check out MoviePhone.com and see when it's hitting

>MD. I know it's in limited release, but it's got to be

>somewhere around you

 

 

Why would they want it to be in limited release when it has the potential to make so much money for them? Does that make sense? What am I missing here?

 

Just curious

 

fukamarine

[+ deej]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

>Why would they want it to be in limited release when it has

>the potential to make so much money for them? Does that make

>sense? What am I missing here?

 

There hasn't been a major blockbuster musical at the box office since Cabaret. Musicals are seen as a huge risk. Annie was just OK. Mame didn't even break even, if memory serves.

 

Limited releases help drive box office for general release, or it decides whether to go right to VHS.

 

What amazes me is that this movie is in the top of the list IN LIMITED RELEASE, and is generating Oscar buzz.

 

When a movie hits the top at the box office in limited release, it bodes well for general release.

[jackhammer91406]

RE: CHICAGO MARKETING

 

Hey Deej and FAM,

This time of year, the studios trot out pictures that have award potential. The rules for the Oscars say that in order to qualify for contention, the movie must have played for a period of time prior to a set date in December. Being that this is a musical (a tough sell to put it mildly) they probably decided to open small (limited release) to guage whether the movie would get the kind of reviews it has been getting (pick up some nominations...Golden Globe and Oscar) with the intention of opening "wider" once the word of mouth started. Yes, it is a huge investment, and a tricky "sell" given the recent history of musicals on the screen, but by opening small (fewer theaters) it creates a "must see" kind of environment because the thing is playing in so few theaters, so anyone who was going to see it no matter what, may have to go to greater lengths (distance?) to see it. That's an investment for the audience as well and in a psych. sense , increases the value of the movie in a subconscious way. (marketing blah blah blah).

 

The thing that stands out to me in watching how the film was translated to the screen: This project in all of it's stage incarnations had the imprintur (sp?) of Bob Fosse who created, directed and choreographed the original. The revival was "Fosse" choreography by Anne Reinking (sp?) with help from the still living Gwen Verdon, so it stayed true to the original. This version has fresh choreography and direction, but retains the sensual, razzle dazzle style that is a tribute to Fosse while being it's own thing at the same time.

 

The performance by Queen Latifah had enough of the undertones of the lesbian predator to define the character without making it so obvious as to drive away mainstream audiences (which is why I think the makers chose to tone down that element). For anyone who knows the motivations of the character, I think there is still enough evidence of intent, it's just not as in your face (for better or worse) and she does belt her song out in a grand style.

 

I dunno, maybe it's me, but I can see the hand of the director in this, walking a fine line of trying to do a piece a material so closely identified with another artist (Fosse) and make a piece of art all his own. I think he not only does that, but in a way that pays tribute to Fosse AND gives the audience who already knows the material enough of what they came to see, while still adding his own stamp to it.

 

The Big numbers are just that! Big. All that Jazz, The tango Sequence, Latifah's number, Gere's two numbers. Even Mr. Celophane is a great "in one" kind of treat. I guess you can tell I enjoyed it.

 

Memo to Dan Dare: I would gladly see this again and again (having directed some stage shows in my day, I love to watch films to de-construct (and yes, steal) bits. Since you are close by, give a shout whenever you want to go, I'll gladly bust loose and join you.

 

;-)

[Guest Bitchboy]

IMO, a truly great but flawed film. The casting is near perfect, with the zaftig CZJ having much more talent than I would have ever guessed. She has a beautiful face and the body of a growing calf (can you say "Moo!?!?"), but what the hell - she moves well and has a great voice. Gere is good and while his singing leaves a lot to be desired, the dancing, or at least the editing of it, was a great surprise. I loved Latifah. To me, Zellwegger is an amazing artist. True, she isn't the best vocalist or dancer around, but Roxie wouldn't be either. She is so earnest. I love this performance. And I think John C. Reilly is a knockout as well. His Mr. Cellophone rendition is a highpoint.

 

Production wise, the film is probably the best adaptation from the stage I've seen in a long, long time. My major criticisms would be Christine Baranski and Taye Diggs, both wasted in roles that must have been cut to shreds. Also, Baranski as a sweet-natured newspaperwoman just doesn't ring true to me.

 

While nobody is Bebe Neuwirth (I first came across her playing Sheila in A Chorus Line in the last few years of the Broadway run), it is a first-class job that deserves all the kudos.

[bigguyinpasadena]

Saw Chicago(the film)and was disapointed.Catherine Zeta Jones was great,Zellwegger good,Riely Good,Gere-you are kidding right?Why did they cast him in this?So off the mark.

Deej,I too saw it with Jamine Guy-HATED HER.And Momma Morton is not a drag role-that would be Mary Sunshine.

They tool so much of the sexiness out of the rivival for the film

The editing was horrid

Danny Elfmans incdental music-WHY???Kander and Ebb wrote a great show and need no help from a pischer like Danny"let me roll over this scene with my music so they will know what a genius I am"Ellfman.

LOVED Queen Latifah,true the tuned down the dykiness of Momma-bought her number was great-totally in keeping with the period,if not the original.

They cut 2 songs out of the show which they said did not belong,yet had time for music and dance that were not in the show.

And Rob Marshall's choreography was so far from the GENUIS that was FOSSE-that it was bland.

Still,It is the best Mpvie Musical since CABERET.

[Guest Dan]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

>>Why would they want it to be in limited release when it

>has

>>the potential to make so much money for them? Does that

>make

>>sense? What am I missing here?

>

>There hasn't been a major blockbuster musical at the box

>office since Cabaret. Musicals are seen as a huge risk. Annie

>was just OK. Mame didn't even break even, if memory serves.

>

While Chicago is the best musical since Cabaret, A Star Is Born ('76), Purple Rain ('84) or the biggest musical of them all, Grease ('78) to name three musicals that outgrossed Cabaret.

 

Can't say about Moulin Rouge because they would require doing an analysis of '72 dollars vs. 2001 dollars!!!!

 

 

 

Dan Dare

http://meetlocalmen.com/mlm/dandarela.html

[Guest Dan]

RE: CHICAGO MARKETING

 

>Hey Deej and FAM,

>This time of year, the studios trot out pictures that have

>award potential. The rules for the Oscars say that in order

>to qualify for contention, the movie must have played for a

>period of time prior to a set date in December.

 

forgot to address this in my last post, but that set date is december 31st!!! used to be that a movie had to play a full week, but no longer. While I understand the need to platform, one aspect I don't understand why they don't open a movie at least Christmas day to take advantage of teh full holiday week.

 

Dan Dare

http://meetlocalmen.com/mlm/dandarela.html

[+ Hoover42]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

>...is it playing in MD...

 

Yes, it's playing at the Rockville Regal Center 13 and the Gaithersburg Loews Cineplex Rio 18.

[Guest RetrdEscrt]

RE: "Chicago" packs a punch

 

I saw the movie in London it opened limited release on 12/26 and i thought it was FABULOUS,the 3 leads were superb,Gere is a revelation and surely Oscar noms will come for Zeta Jones and Gere maybe even Rene Z as well.

 

After seeing the show in London and on Broadway i was worried that the movie would be a lame version but it is very 'theatrical' in the way it is filmed which gives the whole thing an intimacy that might have been lost as well as with the budget and location work seeks to widen the Chicago era visuals which are stunning.

 

The movie goes wide 1/29 if memory serves me correct and with Miramax behind it i think the Oscar noms are guaranteed.

 

If only Gangs of New York was as good as hoped then i would have been even more excited as i saw them both on the same snowy day .Gangs i thought was good in parts but overall disappointing.Daniel Day Lewis will be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar as he is the best thing in it by miles,Di Caprio is ok and Cameron Diaz pulls out a good role but ultimately it didn't work for me ,i think that if the project had been viable when Scorcese originally wanted to do it it would have been made and not waited for 20 odd years till someone would do it.

[Guest bottomboykk]

RE: Chicago packs a punch

 

This is coming from someone who didn't care much for the stage version of "Chicago." While I enjoyed the music and the dancing, the show as a whole left me wanting.

 

I LOVED this movie. It was vastly superior to the stage version. I found it very confusing to follow on stage, where it clearly worked on the screen. They were able to make the song and dance make sense in the context of the movie by making it clear that most of the acts were in the minds of the characters.

 

The dancing was superb, every bit as good as Broadway, and the actors did a super job. Gere was a very pleasant surprise. Renee was very good. Catherine Z-J was a knockout (I'd forgotten she was in the movie, and I swear I didn't recognize her with the short hair) and was by far the best talent in the major roles.

 

I'm rooting for several oscars for this one.

[Guest Jocoluver]

RE: Chicago the Musical..

 

"Class" is included in the CD soundtrack of "Chicago" and extremely well done. I love this recording - the orchestrations are fabulous, lush, big orchestra.

 

I've seen movie twice (and the stage about 30 times) and love it, helped undoubtedly by my trepidation what Hollywood would do to it (think "A Chorus Line," "My Fair Lady," "Hello Dolly" -- vomit)

 

I hope it wins tons of Oscars etc and makes tons of money. I think Fosse might have like it!

[Guest Kenny021]

RE: Chicago packs a punch

 

I saw the "Broadway Chicago" 4 times....one of my favorites. Saw Bebe Newirth and Ann Reinking, Joel Grey and was just bowled over. Saw the movie two weeks ago in Boston (sitting next to me was Mario Cantone of Sex and the City and regular appearances on The View). I liked the movie and, like many who posted here, think it's the best movie musical since Cabaret.

"My only quam with the movie would be the editing... Obviously edited for an MTV-generation with attention spans of a 5 year old. Too quick with not enough focus on the music/lyrics. Although, i do understand that most movie audiences nowadays won't sit through an entire musical- much less an entire song without some razzle-dazzle, so moving it along at breakneck speed is mildly understandable. For me a characteristic too close to Moulin Rouge~ a 'musical' that Chicago now makes look like Sesame Street."

 

I completely agree with the above. While the actors (all of them) were adequate (with the exception of CZJ who really has singing and dancing talent,) casting real singers and dancers who can act would have been so much better. Who can possibly top Bebe Newirth in the part of Velma (of course Chita is too old now but she was delicious in the original). "Marquee names" is the only reason Gere, Zellwiger etc were cast.(Remember the disasterous casting of Lucille Ball instead of Angela Lansbury in Mame). I know, they are NOT BAD but let's face it, Gere cannot sing and his "dancing" leaves alot to be desired. Zellwiger fares better and actually comes across quite well in some of her numbers but not as well as CZJ. John C Reilly did not impress me. As for Queen Latifa, I thought she underplayed her part too much. They completely toned down the "lesbian" aspect of her character, especially in her big song (When you're good to Mama). One of "Mama's best numbers "Whatever happened to Class" was cut for the movie but I'm sure will be available to view on the DVD when released. The Mary Sunshine part in the Broadway version is played by a drag queen. The movie casts Christine Baranski and cut her song. It also wastes Taye Diggs.

As much as I appear to be criticizing this movie (and there's alot to criticize) it is a very enjoyable experience and deserves to be seen by everyone. I just did not like Moulin Rouge but I liked this one, even with the flaws, it's truly worth seeing. Of course with a better cast and keeping more of the "Fosse" sexuality in it, it could have been great. As it stands now, it's just very good. 3* out of possible 4*.

[Guest Dan]

RE: Chicago packs a punch

 

>I completely agree with the above. While the actors (all of

>them) were adequate (with the exception of CZJ who really has

>singing and dancing talent,) casting real singers and dancers

>who can act would have been so much better. Who can possibly

>top Bebe Newirth in the part of Velma (of course Chita is too

>old now but she was delicious in the original). "Marquee

>names" is the only reason Gere, Zellwiger etc were

>cast.(Remember the disasterous casting of Lucille Ball instead

>of Angela Lansbury in Mame). I know, they are NOT BAD but

>let's face it, Gere cannot sing and his "dancing" leaves alot

>to be desired. Zellwiger fares better and actually comes

>across quite well in some of her numbers but not as well as

>CZJ. John C Reilly did not impress me. As for Queen Latifa,

>I thought she underplayed her part too much. They completely

>toned down the "lesbian" aspect of her character, especially

>in her big song (When you're good to Mama). One of "Mama's

>best numbers "Whatever happened to Class" was cut for the

>movie but I'm sure will be available to view on the DVD when

>released. The Mary Sunshine part in the Broadway version is

>played by a drag queen. The movie casts Christine Baranski and

>cut her song. It also wastes Taye Diggs.

 

It's like they doubly emasculated Mary Sunshine.

 

I think that they may have toned down the lesbianism aspect of Mama Morton because word on the street is that the Queen is a King.

 

I also agree with the poster who was disappointed in Gangs of New York. I was so hoping that this would be a truly great epic, but instead I was bored.

 

Dan Dare

http://meetlocalmen.com/mlm/dandarela.html

[VaHawk]

RE: Chicago the play and whatever!...

 

I would never "kiss and tell", except for a HB review!! http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/lilly/eek1bluegreen.gif