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gretchkuhn
Reviews
Chicago (2002)
Absolutely Amazing!
I just saw this today, 19 January, and I was amazed! I have seen the Broadway Revival 4 times, and LOVE the Stage Show... When I heard that Richard Gere was going to be Billy Flynn, I was a bit skeptical, until I did some research on him... He was on Broadway, in "GREASE" as understudy to Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show) as Danny Zuko. When "GREASE" went over to London's West End, Richard opened as 'Danny Zuko.' Granted, it has been 25+ years since Richard has really sang, I thought that Richard did a most admirable job as Billy Flynn... Catherine Zeta-Jones is Velma Kelly. She is astounding! I knew prior that she could sing, as she put in her time in London's West End herself... Sing more, please, Catherine! I wish I had her legs! Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart did a commendable job. Roxie Hart is a Performer-want-to-be... A Third Class Act, good enough for some places, but not Quality enough for the Big Time... But Renee pulls it off perfectly! Renee, keep on singing! I really liked the fact that they had so many Broadway Actors in the Movie, primarily as the Dancers in the Jazz Clubs, or as the Husbands of the Murderesses of the Cook County Jail. Granted, I would have loved to have had Broadway People as the Main Characters: Roxie, Velma, Billy, "Mama" Morton, but I do realize that you need "Name Actors" especially for a Hollywood Production, and for it to at least break even... Even though I was around for the Original Broadway production in 1975, and I did not see it then, but from what I have read about it, this is closer to that than it is to the Current Broadway production... When you mention "CHICAGO" to the right people, and they will say "Bob Fosse," as he choreographed the Original B'way, and Ann Reinking (one of his Dancers) choreographed the Revival, there is really nothing FOSSE in CHICAGO the Movie. But I did get glimpses of "Fosse" throughout... Rob Marshall, who was the Choreographer of "CABARET" currently playing at Studio 54 in NYC, a Fosse show to the utmost, did a wonderful job as Choreographer & Director for "CHICAGO." Cannot wait until your next Movie! Rob was both Director and Choreographer for Disney's re-creation of "ANNIE" with Victor Garber and Kathy Bates. Rob was the Choreographer for Disney's "Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA," also with Victor Garber & Whoopi Goldberg as King & Queen, and Brandy as Cinderella.
Chicago (2002)
Absolutely Amazing!
I just saw this today, 19 January, and I was amazed! I have seen the Broadway Revival 4 times, and LOVE the Stage Show... When I heard that Richard Gere was going to be Billy Flynn, I was a bit skeptical, until I did some research on him... He was on Broadway, in "GREASE" as understudy to Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show) as Danny Zuko. When "GREASE" went over to London's West End, Richard opened as 'Danny Zuko.' Granted, it has been 25+ years since Richard has really sang, I thought that Richard did a most admirable job as Billy Flynn... Catherine Zeta-Jones is Velma Kelly. She is astounding! I knew prior that she could sing, as she put in her time in London's West End herself... Sing more, please, Catherine! I wish I had her legs! Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart did a commendable job. Roxie Hart is a Performer-want-to-be... A Third Class Act, good enough for some places, but not Quality enough for the Big Time... But Renee pulls it off perfectly! Renee, keep on singing! I really liked the fact that they had so many Broadway Actors in the Movie, primarily as the Dancers in the Jazz Clubs, or as the Husbands of the Murderesses of the Cook County Jail. Granted, I would have loved to have had Broadway People as the Main Characters: Roxie, Velma, Billy, "Mama" Morton, but I do realize that you need "Name Actors" especially for a Hollywood Production, and for it to at least break even... Even though I was around for the Original Broadway production in 1975, and I did not see it then, but from what I have read about it, this is closer to that than it is to the Current Broadway production... When you mention "CHICAGO" to the right people, and they will say "Bob Fosse," as he choreographed the Original B'way, and Ann Reinking (one of his Dancers) choreographed the Revival, there is really nothing FOSSE in CHICAGO the Movie. But I did get glimpses of "Fosse" throughout... Rob Marshall, who was the Choreographer of "CABARET" currently playing at Studio 54 in NYC, a Fosse show to the utmost, did a wonderful job as Choreographer & Director for "CHICAGO." Cannot wait until your next Movie! Rob was both Director and Choreographer for Disney's re-creation of "ANNIE" with Victor Garber and Kathy Bates. Rob was the Choreographer for Disney's "Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA," also with Victor Garber & Whoopi Goldberg as King & Queen, and Brandy as Cinderella.
The Elephant Man (1982)
Totally Amazing!
I remember seeing this TV movie when it was first run.
I was about 10 when it was on, and I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY with PHILIP ANGLIM's performance as JOHN MERRICK, aka the Elephant Man...
As much as I love David Lynch's (1980) movie with the absolutely adorable ANTHONY HOPKINS as FREDERICK TREVES and JOHN HURT as JOHN MERRICK, it was PHILIP ANGLIM's performance TOTALLY VOID OF COSMETICS, PROTHESTICS, AND OTHER MAKE-UP, THAT BLEW ME AWAY!!!
Philip Anglim ACTUALLY CONTORTED HIMSELF TO SUCH A DEGREE, THAT I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A PRETZEL!!!!! THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT HE CAN UNTANGLE HIMSELF!!!
To tell you the truth, I was so impressed with Philip's performance, that I honestly DO NOT REMEMBER any other performance here, despite the fact that both GLENN CLOSE! and CHRISTOPHER HEWITT! (Mr. Belvedere) were both in the show!!!
I would venture a 99.44% chance that it was this performance that made me fascinated with the story of John Merrick.
The Dream Is Alive (1985)
ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING!!! AWE-INSPIRING!!!
I have had the EXTREME PLEASURE of seeing this SPECTACULAR movie 5 TIMES!!! I would have enjoyed seeing it MANY, MANY MORE TIMES ALSO!!! This is a movie, where after seeing it, you do not come out appreciating what the Astronauts do, I think that you do not appreciate the BEAUTY of SPACE! If I were 5'4", I would have been doing everything that I could so I could get my B. Science degree at a College or University so I could qualify to be on the Waiting List of Potential Astronauts! But, as my luck would have it, I am only 5'1/2", and so, unfortunately, this will have to be in another life... Ah, but the opportunity to see a Sunrise EVERY 90 MINUTES!!!! THAT WOULD BE THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WOULD BE SIMPLY GORGEOUS!!!
The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
Absolute Fun!
I happened to see this shortly after seeing "The Pirate Movie" with Kristy McNichol & Christopher Atkins... I was impressed with the skill of Kevin Kline... His comedic routine, his timing, everything about him is superb! I only wish that he sang more often! His voice, is AMAZING!!! Had it not been for this movie, I never would have thought that He could SING! KEVIN: PLEASE DO MORE THINGS LIKE THIS!!! IF YOU HAPPEN TO READ THIS!!! PLEASE! YOU ARE GREAT!!!