Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > Movie Talk
Reload this Page >

For those who have seen Chicago: favorite musical number?

Movie Talk A Discussion area for everything movie related including films In The Theaters

For those who have seen Chicago: favorite musical number?

Old 01-05-03, 07:53 PM
  #1  
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Posts: 23,485
Received 192 Likes on 149 Posts
For those who have seen Chicago: favorite musical number?

I know not many have found this yet at their multiplex, and I had to travel to catch it, but for those that have, I must ask what you liked.

My favorite is definitely Cell Block Tango. The movie was cute and fun up to that point, but that number really kicked the flick into high gear IMO. I really felt like I was watching a stage on screen, if that makes any sense.
The song is really great, and the eye candy mixed with the choreography really won me over!

Catherine Zeta Jones=
Old 01-05-03, 08:40 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would have to say Cell Block Tango as well. It was done great and like you said, the eye candy wasn't bad either. I really liked the way it began with each of the women saying one word and you were like, "Huh?" And then it tied into each of their stories. Nicely choreographed, filmed and performed.

After that, it would have to be "They Both Reached for the Gun" or whatever it was called. The ventroliquist dummy act was really interesting in that number.
Old 01-05-03, 08:49 PM
  #3  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Rypro 525's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: a frikin hellhole
Posts: 28,264
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Even though I hate Richard Gere's guts, I liked his opening number, and his little
Spoiler:
tap dancing act
I also enjoyed the Cell Block Tengo, (actually I'd all over Rene Zellwigger. I also enjoyed the opening number of All That Jazz.
Old 01-05-03, 09:01 PM
  #4  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey, I like Zeta-Jones as much as the next guy although I though Zellwegger was too thin and bony in this one. But over either of them I would drool more over Denise Faye, the red-head in Cell Block Tango who
Spoiler:
poisoned her "Mormon" husband.
Old 01-05-03, 09:06 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Rypro 525's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: a frikin hellhole
Posts: 28,264
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by badger1997
Hey, I like Zeta-Jones as much as the next guy although I though Zellwegger was too thin and bony in this one. But over either of them I would drool more over Denise Faye, the red-head in Cell Block Tango who
Spoiler:
poisoned her "Mormon" husband.
I don't think this is too thin imo

BTW, here is a shot of Zeta-Jones from the Cell Block Tengo number
Old 01-05-03, 10:43 PM
  #6  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Ginwen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 7,386
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts
I also hate Richard Gere, but I liked both the puppet one, and the tap dance one. I can't decide which I liked best out of the whole movie since they were almost all really good.

I guess I'd pick the opening number with Catherine Zeta Jones, since I was pretty sure right from then I was going to love the movie.
Old 01-05-03, 11:33 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Hokeyboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 20,382
Received 671 Likes on 415 Posts
The Crazy Girls review in Vegas does a nude lip-synched version of the Cell Block Tango. Never has the name "Lipschitz" sounded so sexy....
Old 01-06-03, 08:29 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The City of Angels
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pop. Six. Squish. Uh uh. Cicero. Lipshitz.

They cut a few of the weaker numbers from the stage version, so what's left is pretty choice (though I do miss "Class", which is a duet by Velma and Mama Morton).

That said, my favorites are probably "Cell Block Tango" (which just ignites the screen) and "We Both Reached for the Gun" (which is marvellously realized). Runners-up, in order of their appearance, would be the opening number "All That Jazz", the Marilyn-homage "Roxie", Gere's circus-themed "Razzle Dazzle", and the "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" closing number.

Last edited by Skorp; 01-06-03 at 08:34 AM.
Old 01-06-03, 10:04 AM
  #9  
Banned by request
 
Supermallet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Termite Terrace
Posts: 54,150
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
My favorite number was "Roxie," easily. Just fantastic filmmaking. My second favorite number was "I Can't Do It Alone." I really wasn't impressed with "Cellblock Tango," the choreography was cool, but I hated the song. Any song which uses the word "Lipschitz" as part of the rhythm is not a good song in my book. Also, and this is really nitpicky, I hated the short cut where Roxie says, "Yeah, but did you do it?" It looks like she's in a confessional or something, and is at odds with the style of the rest of the film. But, as I said, that's really nitpicky.
Old 01-06-03, 03:24 PM
  #10  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Hawaii, USA
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I liked the opening "All That Jazz" best, though many were wonderful!
Old 01-06-03, 03:27 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Blake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Orange
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cell Block Tango was my favorite.

Planning on watching again tonight. Being a member of OFCS has it's perks...mmm...Chicago DVD
Old 01-06-03, 06:38 PM
  #12  
Moderator
 
Giles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 33,630
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
on that's really hard to answer:

I really liked "Mr Celophane" followed by "Cell Block Tango"
Old 01-08-03, 12:55 AM
  #13  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ventriloquist and Cell Block Tango.

It looks like Cell Block Tango wins by a landslide.
Old 01-08-03, 06:49 AM
  #14  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My vote goes to cell block tango as well - brilliant blending of the narrative and music. The runner up would be the press conference.

How about the worst number? Mine is a toss-up between Zelwegger's solo in the middle of the movie (I've even forgotten what it's about) and Richard Gere's Three Ring Circus (that one is just too obtuse).
Old 01-08-03, 04:38 PM
  #15  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 9,866
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: Pop. Six. Squish. Uh uh. Cicero. Lipshitz.

Originally posted by Skorp
They cut a few of the weaker numbers from the stage version, so what's left is pretty choice (though I do miss "Class", which is a duet by Velma and Mama Morton).
My understanding is that THAT song will be on the soundtrack even though it is not in the film. (Also there will be included amn R&B reprise of "Cell Block Tango" by Queen Latifah, Macy Gray and Lil' Kin - shudder - and the Kander and Ebb duet "I Move On". I hope some extra footage of the cut numbers find their way to the DVD!)

Obivously because of the framing device (
Spoiler:
through Roxie's imagination
) several of Velma's numbers HAD to be cut in order for the film to work. Too bad too b/c I would have liked to see a little more of CZJ - esp since Velma is IMO the bigger role in the show.

My favorites were also "Cell Block Tango" (I FINALLY know what "#17 - The Spread Eagle" looks like ) and "We Both Reached for the Gun".

"We Both Reached for the Gun" was visually STUNNING and wonderfully creative. Rob Marshall showed that he could use the film medium to produce a fantastic musical number without being complete fantasy (e.g. the dancing on the stars number from Moulin Rouge). The "press puppets" concept was quite simply a truly inspired vision (as was the entire framing device of the film)!

Last edited by rfduncan; 01-08-03 at 04:41 PM.
Old 01-08-03, 05:28 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cell Block Tango was definitely the best choreographed number in this very well done film. But my favorite would have to be And All That Jazz opening number and close behind is We Both Reached For The Gun, all in all there wasn't any bad songs in the film. Both Zeta-Jones and Zellweger

Last edited by bsktballDude1; 02-09-03 at 07:55 PM.
Old 01-09-03, 08:56 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The City of Angels
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Re: Pop. Six. Squish. Uh uh. Cicero. Lipshitz.

Originally posted by rfduncan
Obivously because of the framing device (
Spoiler:
through Roxie's imagination
) several of Velma's numbers HAD to be cut in order for the film to work.
I thought the same thing. I've been listening to the recent Broadway cast album and don't see how they could've made a couple of the cut numbers work in the movie.

Since "Class" is on the soundtrack, we'll hopefully see it as a deleted scene on the DVD. The most logical place for it in the film is in the scene where
Spoiler:
Mama gives Roxie's diary to Velma
, but that would seem to violate the movie's structure, as Roxie is nowhere around.
Old 02-04-03, 02:12 AM
  #18  
Cool New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
whats amusing after reading a bunch of threads is that there is so much dissagrement on which songs are good and which aren't

one guy says mr cellophane was horrible, and another will say it was one of the best haha, funny stuff


But over either of them I would drool more over Denise Faye, the red-head in Cell Block Tango who

oh yea, she was incredible she's listed in the american pie 2 cast. not sure, but isn't she one of the two "lesbians" ? i can't match the name to the person in the movie in my head:P

Last edited by PochaCCo; 02-04-03 at 02:23 AM.
Old 02-04-03, 08:05 AM
  #19  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
mdc3000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 9,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hands down, without a doubt, my favourite number is easily "WE BOTH REACHED FOR THE GUN". I think the song itself is fun and energetic, and the way it was shot was terrific. I think Zellwegger does some of her best work in this scene without saying a word and Gere is just having a great time. I think this scene and the Tap Dance are the best parts of the flick... cell block tango is fun, but I think it's a little too long, other than that, those are my 3 favourites....

MATT
Old 02-04-03, 10:13 AM
  #20  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
tanman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Gator Nation
Posts: 9,822
Received 913 Likes on 637 Posts
Wow this is a tough one. I woul have to say All that jazz, Mr. cellophane, we both reached for the gun and cell block tango; in order.
Old 02-04-03, 12:21 PM
  #21  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Pearland, TX
Posts: 4,042
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There are too many good ones:
All That Jazz
Cell Block Tango
Razzle Dazzle
Mr Cellophane
We Both Reach for the Gun

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.