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The Behrend Beacon
‘Chicago’ gives them the ol’ razzle-dazzle
by Daniel J. Stasiewski
A&E Editor
There’s just something
about a character breaking
into spontaneous song that
exemplifies the ultimate
fantasy of the cinema
world. Last year, 1 was
spellbound by Baz
Luhrmann’s extravagant
movie-musical “Moulin
Rouge” and all its melodic
mania. The glamour of that
Parisian dance hall at the
turn of the century can also
be found in a 1920 s Chi
cago jazz club.
While “Chicago,” the
Broadway production
turned movie-musical, is no
Luhrmann-style love story,
its appeal is easily found in
the wild cynicism. Flam
boyant song-and-dance
numbers and glittery,
barely-there costumes bring
this brassy satire to the
screen with all the flash the
show deserves.
After shooting her deceit
ful lover, the adulterous
murderess, Roxie Hart
(Renee Zellweger), is sent to the state prison. With
the noose tightening around her neck, Roxie’s
dreams of lighting up the stage seem unlikely, but
her story takes a showy turn when she meets the
jailhouse cast of characters.
There’s Velma Valentine (Catherine Zeta-Jones),
the former jazz club starlet, who murdered her hus
band and sister when she caught them doing “the
old spread eagle.” Velma’s outside celebrity is just
as apparent in prison as her close dealings with the
jailhouse head Mama Morton (Queen Latifah) put
Renee Zellweger puts on a show in ‘Chicago’
her on the fast track to freedom
The male lead in the prison production goes to
Velma's fast-talking, conniver of a lawyer Hilly
Flynn (Richard Gere). Flynn's presence at the jail
leads to a meeting with Roxie where he sees the
rising star as a deeper tragedy and a bigger head
line. The ringmaster of the courtroom circus soon
dumps Velma’s fading celebrity and trains Roxie
in the ways of judicial show business.
"Chicago” is the type of film that triggers a smile
and never allows it to fade. The moment the band
AiiT3 £
Friday, January 17, 2003
leader (played by Taye Diggs) introduces Velma
Valentine and the intimidating charisma of her flash
and fervor gives way to the first line of “All That
Jazz," you are hooked. Last year’s “Moulin Rouge”
needed trust and about 20 minutes to prove its sig
nificance. Instead, “Chicago” seduces within mo
ments and there’s no getting away.
After the first dazzling dance number, the film
starts dishing out hardy doses of sarcasm. One of
the "Merry Murderesses” as they are called de
scribes her husband’s murder with, "He ran into
OF ZAP:
Rap artists take over clothing
and film industries
by Olivia Page
Staff Writer
Run DMC set the stage for the rap take over of today.
Rap artists are reaping platinum
sales, such as Nelly with his album
“Nellyville,” and Eminem with “8 Mile.” Rap
pers are also inspiring their own clothing lines.
This new clothing line “trend” involves a
number of different rap artists.
The movie and clothing line trend
began with rappers Run DMC, who put rap
on national charts in the mid 1980 s. This trio
triumphed as the first rap artist to go gold Run
DMC, platinum King of Rock, and multi
platinum Raising Hell records. They later ap
peared in movies, endorsed Adidas shoes, and
a clothing line.
Following Run’s fashion line, urban
clothing lines such as Wu Tang Clan’s “Wu
Wear” and P.Diddy’s “Sean Jean” succeeded.
As fans of Run DMC mourn the passing of
Jam Master Jay, who was killed on Oct. 30,
2002, they remember Run DMC’s legacy as
one group that opened the doors for rap art
ists, outside of music.
Run DMC’s clothing line idea is
sweeping the rap industry. During the past few
months, rappers have introduced to their fans
a clothing line that replicates the artist taste.
Other rappers are in the process of continu
ing this “trend.”
Among the rappers going into the
fashion industry and/or film is Jay-Z, also
known as Shawn Carter. Jay-Z has a total of
behrco!ls @ aol.com
my knife. He ran into my knife TEN
TIMES.” This saucy attitude is brilliantly
delivered by each and every cast mem
ber.
Of course, “Chicago" stars Zeta-
Jones, Zellweger, and an extremely sur
prising Gere, all of whom are tremendous,
but there’s no question about the stand
out cast member. It’s Queen Latifah. The
rapper-tumed-actress deals a double dose
of hilarity every time she's on screen. Her
showy musical number, “When You’re
Good to Mama,” is the highlight of the
film.
Behind the swank and sizzle of
the cast and the film is debut director Rob
Marshall. His amazing choreography is
sure to make him the must-have musical
film director in the years to come.
Marshall’s inexperience with
shooting a feature film is still quite appar
ent. “Chicago” sometimes feels like a live
taping of a stage production, but there’s
no doubt an Oscar nomination (at least)
will be in his future.
1 never really wondered what
“L.A. Confidential” would have been like
if it was a musical, but “Chicago” showed
me, anyway. The corruption, the sar
casm, the flashy spectacle motivated by
the darkest themes, this movie is fun as
hell. It’s been 35 years since a musical
won the Oscar for Best Picture, but the
razzle-dazzle of “Chicago” might just change all
M*ll/2
out of
4 stars
nine platinum plus albums. These albums have
sold more than 19 million units.
Jay-Z has a business side also. He
owns a share of
Roc-a - F e 11 a
Records, Roc-a-
Wear and Roc-a-
Fella Films. Jay-Z
is now completing a
shoe contract with
Reebok called the
“S. Carter Collec
tion by RBK.” This
shoe line will go
into advertisement
in February and will
be released this up
coming June.
Eminem,
also known as Slim
Shady, has also de
cided to go into the
fashion industry
with Shady Sports
wear. Shady Sports
wear will be in
stores this fall.
Eve, the
First Lady of the Ruff Ryders, has co-starred
in the recent movie “Barbershop.” Now, she
has plans for a UPN television show that is as
yet untitled. She will star as a fashion designer.
She also has developed a clothing line called
“Fetish” due in stores soon.
There are many other rap artist par
ticipating in the fashion industry including
Trina, Ice-T, Beenie Sigel, Lil’ Romeo, Nelly,
and Ja Rule.
Trina has “Diamond Princess Wear”
in stores now. Ice-T will have “Ice Wear” in
stores by July. Beenie Sigel will soon release
“State Property Wear.” Lil* Romeo will be fol
lowing his father’s (Master P) footsteps with
“P. Miller Shorties.” This is a clothing line
under Master P’s “P.Miller” which is in stores
now. Nelly has “Vokal” clothing in stores now,
and Ja Rule is planning on releasing a cloth
ing line called “Mogul.”
Run DMC were the first rappers to have
their picture on the cover of “Rolling Stone”.
Now entire magazines are devoted to rap
music, such as the Source. Run DMC were
the first rap artist to have videos played on
MTV. MTV now has the video show “Hip
Hop Countdown” which is strictly for rap mu
sic. MTV also has TRL, which counts down
top 10 songs in the country, including many
by rap artists.
Chica,
o ' starrin,
Renee Zellweger,
Catherine Zeta-Jones,
and Richard Gere and
directed by Rob
Marshall is currently
showing at
Tinseltown.