Advantages: great acting, wonderful songs, the costumes
Disadvantages: not for children, songs missed out from the original score

...Musicals. They are a genre of films that make some people break out in a cold sweat as their thoughts turn to cutesy precocious stage school brats, dodgy Cockney accents and sweeter than sugar nannies and governesses. However the musical has progressed and reinvented itself with Chicago the multiple Oscar winning Bob Fossey musical that stars Renée Zellweger. Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere. The sexy, seductive feel to Chicago makes it one of my favourite musicals having seen the film, stage production, bought the soundtrack album and the DVD. Yes I like it that much. So why do I like it?? Chicago is set surprisingly enough in Chicago Illinois in the late 1920s. The era is one of gangsters, beautiful women in Flapper dresses, furs and elegant bobs dancing the Charleston to jazz tunes. Ladies and gentlemen the Jazz Era... Read review

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Advantages: The DVD looks and sounds terrific...every element falls into place beautifully...
Disadvantages: those who hate Romeo & Juliet probably wont bother to give it a chance...

...When I was growing up, my parents had two great musicals on the same tape---WEST SIDE STORY and GREASE. My mother knew I would enjoy GREASE more than WEST SIDE STORY and when I tried to watch it, I wasn't really impressed with it, and all I remembered from it was it starting with an aerial shot of Manhattan. I wasn't until this year that I saw WEST SIDE STORY in all its glory, after I was recommended to buy the DVD by a very good friend. Some of my favorite musicals have been MY FAIR LADY, 1776, and the SOUTH PARK movie (weird collection, I know), but I was absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer power and energy of WEST SIDE STORY. And now I'm glad to be writing a review on it, as I tell you about the film---and the experiance I had while watching it. First of all, I know everyone out there doesn't like musicals... Read review

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Advantages: Wholesome fun and great songs
Disadvantages: A couple of cringe moments

...Ten or so years ago the name Shania Twain was always said in the same breath as country music.I was never a fan of country music but when she decided to broaden her horizons and take music to a new level with a mixture of what i can only describe as 'country leanings with a pop music edge i was totally blown away by what this lady has achieved. After hearing a couple of her songs in the charts i was never going to say "That dont impress me much" (excuse the pun) because she did impress me with a few songs that were fresh and clean.A far cry from todays mad world of music where everyone wants to pop a cap in your arse. So,on that note i decided to buy the concert dvd and see what sort of performer she was on the live stage. Now i would like to point out that not all of us are shania fans but if you want to feel good and foot tap your... Read review

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Advantages: its a colourful restaurant by day, funky club by night!
Disadvantages: you can't guarantee the drinks offers are on!

...'m afraid and my guy is reluctant to tell me! #MEALS The restaurant area is non smoking and has a handy carpeted ramp for disabled customers. The venue opens at 11 am and meals are available from 12 noon until 10pm. *To view the standard menu visit www.chicago-rock-café.co.uk. Prices are a little bit higher than say, a "Wetherspoon's", but as with drinks there are special offers on most times. A current offer is two daytime meals for £5.95. Children are allowed in the venue before 5pm and there is a cute menu especially for them. Also at the restaurant area, if there are children eating, a child's DVD is played on the screen closest to their table. This is a lovely touch. *The last time I ate there was a good few months ago but I am visiting again this weekend so I will update then. :) #VENUE HIRE During the week... Read review

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Advantages: For the blokes...Girls in their undies
Disadvantages: Not 100% faithful to the stage show

...Having seen the show at the Adelphi Theatre in London and loving it (Denise Van Outen was Roxie), I was really looking forward to seeing the big screen version and I wasn't disappointed. Set in 1920's Chicago where the jazz is hot and the gin is cold (to steal a line from 'All That Jazz'), this is the story of Roxie Harte, who killed her lover in a fit of rage and her bid to escape the dealth penalty, set free from prison and see her name up in lights as a big star. The film is as fast paced as the stage show, and the transition between the musical numbers and the dialogue sequences is done well (though I'm still not 100% convinced that it is Richard Gere tap dancing). The songs are catchy, the filming is slick and well with half the female cast rampaging around in their skimpies most of the time, you can take the man in your... Read review

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Advantages: Quick, fun and great music
Disadvantages: None that I could see

...be happy with the DvD so I can watch the film over and over again. What was it about the film that had me gripped? Set in Chicago, Illinois in the 1920s - an era full of beautiful women in flapper dresses dancing to the Charleston and equally dapper gangsters, this musical has everything you could wish for - great music, amazing dance routines, fantastic costumes and a plot which keeps you seated until the very end. The movie starts off with Catherine Zeta Jones as Velma Kelly being arrested for the murder of her husband and sister after catching them together. Watching is married Roxie Hart an ex chorus line dancer who seeks fame and she starts an affair with a furniture saleman whom she believes will start her career in show business. When Roxie discovers this not to be the case she shoots him. Roxie meets Velma at the Cook... Read review

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Advantages: EXCELLENT , FUN, GREAT MUSIC
Disadvantages: NOTHING

...was at the theatre with all of the vibrant outfits and lights and the singing. I think the music is great lots of brilliant songs. I would definitely see this film in theatre after watching the film. Renee Zellwegere is not someone I would have thought of for this part, she has lost so much weight and is skinny. There are lots of female dancers in this film and some pervert at the back of the cinema when Renee flashed her leg began a dirty laugh. I'm sure the men will also like this film even if they wouldn't admit it. This film begins in Chicago in the 30's I think when we see Velma Kelly (CZJ) arrive for her performance, her act is the Kelly sisters but unfortunately as explained later her sister has died so she is a solo act. Before she gets ready to perform we see her trying to wash blood off her hands. She sings the famous 'All That Jazz... Read review

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Advantages: The contrasting architecture. Music. Relaxing Parks.
Disadvantages: Parking fees. Rush Hour.

...~~A is for Architecture~~ When Chicago was all but destroyed by fire in 1871, there arose from the ashes one of the most famous skyscapes in the US if not the world. Chicago was home to the first ever skyscraper, a steel-framed ten story building, the Home Insurance Building built in 1885 and demolished in 1931 to make way for even taller cloud busters (as they were known way back when). Ten storeys, although no doubt impressive then, are mere small fry compared to today's skyscrapers - the Sears Tower standing at 108 storeys and The Trump Tower (currently under construction) is planned as 150 storeys high. Travel up to the giddy heights of the Sears Tower ($12.95 Adults and $9.50 children) or the Hancock Observatory (15$ adults, 9$ children) to look down upon the city for a overarching and breathtaking view of the architectural... Read review

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Advantages: Read review
Disadvantages: Nothing

...As I child I always wanted to travel to Chicago, the fact that I had family living their, which I hadn't seen in over 10 years made it even easier to go their. Having only two weeks in Chicago, I made the most of it, viewing all the big tourist attractions, whilst also seeing the smaller more unseen sides of the Windy City, such as the local museums, libraries, jazz bars, the attractions, which aren't usually advertised in the holiday brochures. This review will only cover my experiences of Chicago, I will try to explain as much as I can, but hopefully this will give readers an informative and different perspective of Chicago. Brief History: Chicago has quite an exciting history, founded in 1833. Chicago is the largest City in Illinois and has the third highest population in the U.S. Chicago's history runs deep throughout the U... Read review

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Advantages: Great acting, great music, excellent dance routines, glamour and something unique and magical.
Disadvantages: None!

...INTRODUCTION I love musicals, so when I saw the DVD of Chicago was available, I rented it from our local Blockbuster. So on Friday evening, I sat down to watch it with two of my daughters (aged 10 and 12). My husband was playing on the football game, but was half-watching, as was my son (11). I soon became engrossed, right from the first number. All That Jazz is the most famous song from the musical and the film begins with this song, juxtaposing Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones)’s stage performance with the actions of wannabe star, Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) and her lover, Fred Casely (Dominic West). This is an extremely clever way to introduce the characters and show us something of their lives, while carrying us along on the passion of the music. The synchronising of the two heroine’s movements is very... Read review

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