"Chicago!"

You go Caramel!

You should start an Oscar trivia thread, Boo.

Lightwizard,
...I was about to be lazy, and suggest that with my limited knowledge, perhaps a proven moviephile that actually hangs out with people in the industry should be the one to do that. But I suppose that guy already has a full plate, don't you...er..I mean doesn't he? So I guess I could do it like the music one is done. Pass the ball. ..Stay tuned, your seed is planted.

Listening to the soundtrack now- can't believe Richard Gere was not nominated for an Oscar!

Jose,
...He just might be one of those under-appreciated guys, that someday gets a Lifetime achievement award. I know before a few months ago, if you asked me my favorite actors list, Gere's name never came to mind. But with all the hoopla for this movie, I got to thinking, " I've never seen this guy in a movie where I didn't really enjoy him". He just makes it look so easy, Like Kirk Douglas. Plus I believe good looking guys, and women, get under-estimated in general. Just one man's opinion.

Booman<

You may be correct that the only Oscar that Gere will ever get is the Lifetime Achievement Award.

I'm going to be more positive, though, and say that more meaningful scripts will be sent his way as a result of his performance in Chicago.

Surely, from Chicago, Gere's career will be, excuse me, in high gear.

Dang, another perfectly good monitor, ruined by projectile vomit.

High gear(gro-o-an!)

It's very rare that a musical delivered to a live audience can pack the same punch when transferred to the cinema. Chorus Line was a dismal failure. Chicago, on the other hand, has left me speechless. Bertolt Brecht meets MTV. I didn't think Hollywood had it in em to make such an incredible film. It is truly a tour de force that raises the standard of film in general not just musicals. No false moments, tight as as drum and full of subtle nuances that will register only after multiple viewings. I finally got to see a film that did not insult the audience. Sweeney Todd could be the next, but it had better have an excellent director and producers who are ready, willing and able to take a big chance. Why not a modern Three Penny or for a bigger risk, Mother Courage? Leave Jesus Christ Superstar alone for God's sake. I'm going back to see Chicago tomorrow night.

chicago
Kayla, just came back from seeing Chicago. I'm stunned. The music, lighting, choreographyt, editing, performances are fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the amazing "tango" and "puppeteer" scenes. The clown/cellophane man performance was very moving.

Just saw Chicago. The performances, choreography, music, lighting, editing were astounding. Loved most the tango and puppeteer scenes and the "cellophane man" performance. A powerful experience.

kayla & JL<

Enjoyed your comments re: Chicago.

kayla, you are correct: multiple viewings of this wondrous film seem necessary.

chicago
Actually, when I see it again, it will not be to catch something I missed the first time (and I'm sure there's a lot of that). It will be to immerse myself again in ALL THAT JAZZ. The strength of its rhythms and body movements gives me that sense of power FELT in observing flamenco performances. It was, also, a very sexy film.

Very sexy.

In French Mime, Le Coq teaches a clown mime technique that involves tearing down the external affectations until one is left with
"loss of hope" or "the clown." I saw that in Reilly's "Cellophane", a true wonder.

With the Oscars about a month away, do you think Chicago should win Best Picture?

The Academy probably has it in their heart to finally laud a great musical after all these years. Rob Marshall should get director for bringing it off but you know how the Academy is -- the voting body can bring about a peculiar result sometimes. They may split the vote to give Scorcese an Oscar after basically snubbing him from the beginning of his career. He has made waves, to be sure, in a rather anti-Hollywood stance -- the Academy is, after all, another political machine with a bureaucracy more akin to Madison Avenue than for true art. Louis B. Mayer spearheaded AMPAS as an avenue to promote the Hollywood film industry. It wasn't difficult to put together with the other studio bosses falling in line. When one looks back at who won an Oscar, how many really deserved it?

"The Pianist" could pull an upset as well. This year's show could be the very suspenseful indeed.

I am glad I only paid $5 to see this film because it was barely worth the time spent in the theatre.

Granted, I am definitely not a Richard Gere fan and it works against the viewer if she dislikes the leading man (or woman). While there was a tiny message -- that a trial is entertainment -- it was in the ho-hum range: as if we all don't know that! The movie wasn't nearly as good as Catch Me if You Can, which is pure entertainment without any message, or even as good as Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which is probably pure entertainment although it might have a tiny message...if I can find it.

Is the film worth 13 Academy Award nominations? NO!!! the only nomination it should have received was supporting actress for Queen Latifah.

The Two Towers, Harry Potter II, Catch Me, Confessions, The Pianist and the Michael Caine film (can't remember the name) were all far and away better movies.

If Chicago was nominated for best costumes, the best costumes were in the film Eight Women...as a home sewer, I have to admit that one scene, shot over Isabella Adjani's shoulder which showed how well constructed her suit jacket was made me cry! So beautiful!!!!

We are really in disagreement here...read my remarks!