SYNOPSICS
Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago (2016) is a English movie. Peter Curtis Pardini has directed this movie. Lee Loughnane,Robert Lamm,Walter Parazaider,James Pankow are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2016. Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago (2016) is considered one of the best Documentary,Biography,History,Music movie in India and around the world.
A profile of the rock band Chicago - originally called the Chicago Transit Authority - from their inception in 1967 to present day is presented. Constants over the entire course of their existence are wanting to be comprised of the best musicians, initially all from their native Chicago (hence the name), and the democracy of sorts which ruled the way they operate as a group. That democracy meant that no one person was ever to be known as the front man, each band member was treated equally - which further meant that the contributions of each person was considered of and treated as equal value even if it didn't meet the sensibility of some - and each band member was meant to contribute to the best of his ability. After the struggles of being a club band to their initial success finally able to crack airplay on AM radio, they became known as the rare breed of a horn band i.e. that equally featured the horn section unlike most bands of the era solely featuring guitars and/or keyboards. ...
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Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago (2016) Reviews
1st half a 10, 2nd half a 5.5
First half of this documentary was interesting, informative and offers viewers a great deal of background info using unique film techniques that worked really well. In the FIRST HALF of the film interviews with the band members were honest and provided thought provoking context for the various story lines. However viewers should keep in mind that this documentary was produced by the band and its founding members... So we only get one perspective. The one the band wanted us to see and hear. The result is a great deal of score settling in the second half of the documentary that goes unchallenged. The lone exception was Drummer Danny Seraphine who deserves high praise for his openness and honesty throughout. Bottom line...Impartial or objective are not terms to associate with this film. BUT Having said all that, The first half is a great watch.
Great history and powerful performances, but why trash former members?
This is a film made by the remaining members of the Chicago. The first half will thrill any Chicago fan, great live performances, the stories behind some iconic Chicago tunes, a wonderful tribute to Terry Kath, but as the movie progresses, the band felt the need to trash most former members. This is a shame because the music they made was special and while the remaining members put on a good live show, the music made since Danny, Peter and Bill left does not live up to the legacy they ALL created! I think it was very classy of Danny to be interviewed but Bill, Peter and JWC have all been conspicuously absent from the band recently and it says a LOT that they refused to participate in the film. Like the band's musical legacy, the first half of the film is a solid 10, the second half, is a lackluster 2.
Flawed Retrospect of a Historical Band
I'm a huge fan of the band Chicago, mainly of the 1968-1978 output. The combination of jazz, rock and pop was uncanny, and the band wasn't afraid to try out new things that were uncomfortable at times. I was looking forward to this documentary, to learn about the various band members, the different variations of the band and how some of their big songs were composed. What we get instead is a biased view from the four remaining original members, who seem defensive of where they are today. I enjoyed the tribute to Terry Kath, easily the heart and soul of this band, whose death changed everything. The man was a guitar legend, and seemingly underrated compared to most of this time frame. Jimi Hendrix himself called him the best guitar player of the time, even better than himself! Kath also had a soulful growl, similar to Ray Charles, that gave their sound an R&B flavor. It was fun to learn about the early days, from forming in the namesake city to moving out to L.A. living in squalor to creating albums at a retreat in Colorado, where anything and everything was allowed (sex, drugs, rock and roll). However, we lose Kath to a gun accident, and the band never fully recovered. They lost their label and their direction. Eventually, they would get resigned and start working with David Foster. This period is very polarizing to fans. Some think this was Chicago at their best, others thought the band was too slick, too focused on ballads and Peter Cetera. Danny Seraphine admitted he was the one who pushed them towards Foster, and Foster even admits he might have changed the band too much. Lamm considered leaving the band at this time, and Cetera soon would when the band wouldn't allow him time to work on a solo album. Shortly after, Seraphine would get canned when his drumming deteriorated due to his focus on the more managerial aspects of the band. The four others don't seem to have nice things to say about Cetera or Seraphine. They say Cetera "wasn't that important" to the band, regardless of the fact he was one of their main lead singers and created many of their important singles. They make Seraphine's replacement seem like such a better drummer, which is completely false. These remaining members seem bitter and grumpy about things, and it's really too bad. The better name for this film should have been "how a great band turned into an oldies act and can't let go of things." Disappointing.
For those unfamiliar with the band
I can see where some of those familiar with the history of the band Chicago might take issue with how the documentary was presented. While most of the documentary seemed reasonably accurate, there were a few of the stories that didn't seem to jibe with what I remember. Specifically the departure of drummer Danny Seraphine. For those unfamiliar with Chicago, this documentary is useful for bringing those viewers up to speed. From their beginning to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, viewers are able to get an idea how the band has evolved over the last 50 years. I would highly recommend this documentary to anyone who wants to know who the band Chicago is.
Very Disappointed in Now More Than Ever History Of Chicago Doc!
I was very disappointed in the production & information of this doc. Not very well written with unnecessary cheap reenactments. I give them credit for old pictures and footage of the band in earlier years therefore they earned my "1" point for that but even the pictures and footage felt crammed into the film. It was very boring and negative when the current band members gave their interviews. They were snarky and mean. It was very one-sided in favor of the current band line-up while the former band members were all pretty much either thrown under the bus or just plain ignored completely. I didn't walk away feeling like I had learned anything new about the band except that they have enormous egos and that I will never go to another Chicago concert again!