Review #21 - Les Misérables (2012)

It is the start of 2013 and already we have had some amazing movies released. Les Mis has been backed up with cast from the theater showings including Samantha Barks (Esponine), Daniel Huttlestone (Gavroche) and more. However these are just a few of the cast in this story. Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Anne Hathaway (Fantine) and Russell Crowe (Javert) to name a few of the lead roles.

  Upon the opening scenes, if you are a fan of the story and have seen the musical on stage, will send tingles up you’re spine – it sure did for me. Even though many comment on the singing it is simply the instrumental that gets me throughout this movie.

    I am not aware of Hugh Jackman doing any musicals before – I apologise if he has – but from my point of view he did incredibly well during many of his songs including ‘Valjeans Soliloquy’ which is well supported with close ups on his facial expressions. For me this scene and song sung by Jackman had me rooting for him as a character knowing that this is the turning point from a bad life to a new life, with the voice portraying the emotions that Valjean goes through. Another notable song that I feel Jackman nailed was ‘Suddenly’, an emotional start to Valjeans and Cosettes life together.  As supporting evidence of Hugh Jackmans enticing acting he managed to pick up a nomination in Les Mis for the Oscars.

    Anne Hathaway, also picking up a nomination in the Oscars for best actress in a supporting role, has shocked many with her utterly wonderful version of “I Dreamed A Dream” (currently rank 19 in the iTunes charts at the time this was written). This song was recently, 2009, covered by Susan Boyle who got the song into the top 40s and Hathaway smashed that with the emotional tear jerking version. With Hathaways short screen time she is one of the key components that allowed this film to pick up so many nominations. 
    Another big name that comes to mind in this production and a key role is Russell Crowe, Javert, who in my opinion suited his role did not perform as well as the others. Throughout the movie his voice is fairly monotone. Songs that Crowe sings include “The Confrontation”, “Stars” and “Javert’s Suicide” to which need more emotion and power to which Crowes voice couldn't give. However as an actor and his character this role was well suited for Russel Crowe to which we see a man strong and unstoppable in his profession beaten by Valjeans choices.

    Other actors who deserve a mention for their singing include Isabelle Allen who sings “Castle On A Cloud”, the base instrumental for the trailer and an emotional start to Cosettes role. One of the more fun songs in this musical is “Master Of The House” sung by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter who create the roles of Madame Thenardier and Thendarier himself. Putting their own twist on the role these two lighten up this movie with light jokes and a few laughs from the audience. Samantha Barks, Eponine, who was in the stage show as well as the movie sings “On My Own” who got this moving song to 37 in the charts. Then combined singing from Barks, Amanda Seyfriend and Eddie Redmayne in “In My Life / A Heart Full Of Love” who compliment each others voices so well create the love story behind this musical.  Eddie Redmayne who plays Marius creates one of the most tear jerking moments in the movie which is the song “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables” his voice just carries so much emotion in this scene.
    However with all these individual songs two songs which will always stick out to me will be “One Day More” and “Do You Hear The People Sing?” which are sung by the whole cast combined. “One Day More” is one song which I feel Russell Crowes voice is strongest and suits so well.
All actors in this production deserve credit for the live singing they used for each scene which allowed a initial reaction and emotion from themselves singing it how it feels right rather than being told to do it in a certain way.

Moving on from the musical side and onto the film aspect. There is only one thing which I feel let the film down on the majority part and that was the fixed, close up shots on the actor’s & actress’ faces throughout.  Where it worked for Anne Hathaways “I dreamed a Dream” it did not work so much on songs such as “Javerts Suicide”. Where this type of shot helped give the same feeling as if it was on stage and showing the emotions there could have been room for so much more which was sadly missed. 
 The creative side to this film also deserve a mention as many of the set was created in a warehouse and looked genuine and perfect and also the fact that they chose to use the church 5 minutes from where both Jess and I live. The make up teams deserve note for the scenes with “Lovely Ladies” and the transformation of both Valjean and Fantine – special note to Hathaway for persisting that her real hair be cut in the scene for authenticity.

This fantastic film of one of the greatest musicals I have seen at the theater picked up 8 Oscar nominations – winners announced on 24^th/2. Whilst at the Golden Globes Les Mis picked up 3 gongs. With the Les Mis Soundtrack album currently resting at number 1 on the UK iTunes album charts – even though there are songs missing. 

Overall this movie is a fantastic transition from stage to film and has been recommended by many and remains trending on twitter, #LesMis. I rate this movie 5/5 and have recommended to so many.

#LESMIS

Review #20 - The Impossible

'The Impossible'. This film has without a doubt cracked the impossible of getting a whole cinema to tear up over the emotional scenes within. With tears, sniffling and the nervous laughter by those who are unsure what to do at points 'The Impossible' is a movie that you won't forget easily. With the movie itself being based on a true story from the outset you know what you are about to watch will be an emotional journey.

With actor Ewan McGregor, Henry, taking a 'lead' role in this movie alongside co-star Naomi Watts, Maria, you get the shear sense of understanding through their passion for their family. We have heard Naomi Watts scream for 'King Kong' but the piercing screams she gives during this feature will have you moving in your seats.  Tom Holland, Lucas, deserves huge recognition for his outstanding acting in this film. As any young person would he starts out like an average teenager but as disaster strikes the transformation and the love of his family this young actor takes his character to a whole other level. I found myself at times sitting there wondering what I would do in those situations and knowing a real life young person has been through this really brings it to home.

From the outset of the movie starting the sounds play a huge part. With the sound of the sea the opening scene of the ocean is cut short by the roaring engine of a plane. The next 10 minutes, maybe longer, sets a calm and amiable nature to the holiday destination but what happens December 26^th 2004 is an event even you won't have forgotten. The sound over the trees and the roaring ocean soaring through the sky just creates a deafening sound of destruction that is unforgettable.

 Without going into the film too much scene by scene there are moments of this first hour where you will tear up, so get you're tissues ready from the point the tsunami hits to the end of the film. The end of the film is touching to the heart as all the loops and one liners previously made which you would have laughed and cried to are wrapped up but the sound of a plane and the sight of the ocean as this worn out family get the peace they deserve.

This feature length film is a daunting reminder that Mother Nature itself can cause so much destruction but the will and strength of a family in such a vast disaster pulled a very real life situation to home whilst we sit in our seats watching. With over a quarter of a million people dead in the real event this movie has portrayed the confusion and panic amongst so many people both there and at home wondering about their families involved. So let's not forget those who past and take a moment to remember whilst we sat watching on the TV that Boxing Day in 2004 a very true and sad event took place.

I would rate the acting in this film 5/5 as everyone that played a role portrayed such emotions perfectly. The film itself also deserves a 5/5 so take you're tissues and sit back and enjoy for this has to be one of the top films to be released over the past 12 months.

“Film of the year, 2013”

“Harrowing, get ready for some tears”

“When does this come out on DVD? I'd watch it again for sure”

Blog #2 - Welcome to 2013!

Welcome to 2013! We have completed many Reviews of the past year being under the Cineworld Unlimited card but both myself and Jess no longer have those cards so have in turn been to the cinema less.
 However this does not mean our reviewing days are over! I will continue to write film reviews of 2013 releases as and when I can after I have seen the movie. Looking at our statistics we had a fair amount read from all across the world so I can’t let you down. With the first review of 2013 following this blog.

We had some fantastic films released last year including The Avengers, The Hobbit: Unexpected Journey, The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Rises, The Woman In Black, Safe House and more! So let’s have a peak at what we have in store this year!

 The Sweeney, Identity Theft, Oz: The Great and Powerful,  Jack The Giant Slayer, Scary Movie 5, Iron Man 3, The Great Gatsby, Fast and Furious 6, Hangover Part III, World War Z, Kick Ass 2, Monsters University, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and so many more. All movies to watch out for over the upcoming months!

So get you’re friends together organise the trips and mark down the dates for the releases you want to see! As 2013 looks like it will be good one!

Hope you had a good xmas and a great start to the New Year! Welcome back to Cine-Addicts Reviews!