Les Misérables

I really hope Eddie gets recognition for this. I have no doubt him and Aaron are going to be the stars of the show...This movie cannot come quick enough.

Haven't heard anything about Tveit's performance, good or bad, nor much word on Cohen and Carter. Most of the kudos so far has been for Hathaway, Jackman, Banks, and a little for Redmayne.

I found some reviews from Aaron's agent, so they are kind of biased...but she's raves about him,

8h Elin Flack ‏@ElinFlack
Despite AT not being in advance previews his part is big and important and I am sooo proud. His voice! Enjolras & Marius are total bros.

8h Elin Flack ‏@ElinFlack
There is soo much to take in. Every performance is remarkable. I cant wait to see it again & again . #sachacohen #helena #barricadeboys.

8h Elin Flack ‏@ElinFlack
Also,mark my words,you will fall in love with young Daniel Huttlestone who plays Gavroche.Brilliant casting Nina Gold. Brava!

8h Elin Flack ‏@ElinFlack
LES MIZ. It is everything I dreamed it would me. AT is FANTASTIC. Big featured part. Nothing cut. Hugh & Eddie dazzle. #aaronjolras

There was actually a tonne of tweets, but here is a few of em.

The more I look at these clips, the more I like the way they did that part of "At the End of the Day"--the women advancing on the camera feels like Fantine's perspective of her accusers. On the other hand, Crowe's performance isn't wearing well on me--I don't hate it, but I don't think he's as comfortable acting through a song as the other cast members and I'm not convinced rock yelling is an appropriate vocal technique for Javert (though to his credit it is a credible rock yell, unlike some other actors who have tried to lay claim to the technique).

~LCD

Two more TV spots: http://www.411mania.com/movies/news/265220/%5BVIDEO%5D-Two-More-TV-Spots-Released-For-Les-Miserables.htm

Funny story: http://www.film-news.co.uk/show-news.asp?H=Eddie-Redmayne-regrets-horse-lie&nItemID=16181

Good piece about the larger meaning: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/12/04/they-dreamed-a-dream-les-miserables-is-a-whole-new-kind-of-movie-musical/

First reviews are trickling in, with a pretty even split among the "love its" and the "hate its." This could very well turn out to be another Moulin Rouge, sweeping some people up into it and alienating others. (I loved Moulin Rouge, though, so I wouldn't mind that.)

~LCD

I didn't really like Moulin, so I hope it's a hell of a lot better.

Effusive:

Nicola Christie at The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-night-review-les-miserables-directed-by-tom-hooper-and-starring-anne-hathaway-8390395.html
Robbie Collins at The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9727469/Les-Miserables-review.html
Catherine Shoard at The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/dec/06/les-miserables-review-first-look
Baz Bamigboye at The Daily Mail (surprise surprise): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-2244064/Les-Miserables-review-Hugh-Jackman-gives-screen-performance-career.html
Grant Rollings at The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/4684894/les-misrables-review.html

Largely positive:

Justin Chang at Variety: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948874/

Largely negative:
Todd McCarthy at Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/les-miserables/review/398662

So, basically, the British press are cheering for it, and the two Hollywood critics who've chimed in so far are less sold.

Good, long piece on the development and making of the film from the Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/les-miserables-anne-hathaway-russell-398099

Also a good piece in the NYT that focuses on Working Title: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/movies/awardsseason/working-title-films-looks-to-les-miserables-for-oscars.html

Nice piece on Jackman that mentions CamMac had wanted him to do Javert in the West End for years: http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/showbiz/a-joyful-les-miserables-1.182376

I always thought of him more as a Javert type as well.

Yeah, I thought Jackman would make a good Javert as well--but I'm just thrilled he's finally getting to show his musical chops on film, and I'm loving what I've seen of his Valjean so far.

Speaking of, here's the first look at the new awards-bait song, "Suddenly." I'm not sure it fits seamlessly into the score, but I kind of like it.

~LCD

Nice. Certainly seems better than Learn to be Lonely.

SenorSwanky wrote:Nice. Certainly seems better than Learn to be Lonely.

Well, that's not hard to accomplish. *snort*

To rub salt into the wounds of envy, look at what Miz fans get if they buy the "Stage to Screen" book that's out next year:



By comparison, remember that crappy Companion Book we got to that even crappier film in 2004 and weep tears of frustration. Anyone know what they did with theirs? Can't remember what I did with mine. Think I shoved it underneath a bookshelf to support it. That's at least one good thing it does.

Wow. Hate to break it to everyone, but I've just come from seeing Argo. Hands down, best movie I've seen since The Insider in 1999. I don't care how good Les Mis is, but it will not deserve to be Best Picture at the Oscars.

Nice piece on Colm's role in the film: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/166014/director-tom-hooper-on-how-original-les-miz-star-colm-wilkinson-served-as-a-generous-guide-for-hugh-jackman/

Besides the one on Suddenly, three other behind-the-scenes featurettes: http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/four-design-featurettes-for-tom-hoopers-les-miserables-musical/

For those in the US, Hugh will be featured on 60 Minutes tonight (the 9th).

I love how grotesque the whores looks--tattered finery and heavy makeup that can't even begin to cover the squalor and disease. I'm not sure this movie could score Best Picture (not having seen it or any other front-runners) but some nominations/wins in the tech categories would not go amiss.

~LCD

Extra bit of the 60 Minutes coverage online: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57557944-10391709/crowe-vs-jackman-the-great-rivalry-of-les-mis/

The full aired segment: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50136709n

Lots of new footage, including BHH and the Confrontation. I like what I see of the latter so far, though Hugh's BHH, as described in some of the reviews, is strained. I wish he'd gone for more the quiet, lullaby quality he did for Suddenly. Would've been perfect not only musically but symmetrically in the story, as he first reflects over his new love for Cosette and then prays for God to save her fiance.

Yeah, Hugh's "Bring Him Home" is definitely not his strongest song. To be honest, I tend to think the song is pitched way too high to begin with--there's very few singers who've been able to convince me they're thinking anything apart from "Oh dear God dear God don't let my voice break oh Lord here comes the high note..."

On the plus side, he nails the end of "Who am I?" And "Soliloquy" looks absolutely stunning.

~LCD

Jackman and Crowe doing Confrontation at Joe's Pub the other night: http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-hugh-jackman-and-russell-crowe-do-karaoke-at-new-york-pub/

Crowe sounds pretty good here.

SenorSwanky wrote:Jackman and Crowe doing Confrontation at Joe's Pub the other night: http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-hugh-jackman-and-russell-crowe-do-karaoke-at-new-york-pub/
Crowe sounds pretty good here.

I still don't care for Crowe's voice in the role, but that was very cute. I got a big kick out of seeing "Javert" rock out like that.

SenorSwanky wrote:Jackman and Crowe doing Confrontation at Joe's Pub the other night: http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-hugh-jackman-and-russell-crowe-do-karaoke-at-new-york-pub/

Crowe sounds pretty good here.

Yeah, despite the facts that a) Jackman is still singing rings around Crowe and b) they're just doing this for shiggles, that was rather good and actually a bit thrilling.

~LCD

Just saw Anne Hathaway on Letterman. They showed a brief clip of Fantine's Arrest. Best thing I've seen so far.

Positive review from Christy Lemire at the AP: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Film/2012/Dec-12/198121-hoopers-les-miserables-is-relentless-and-extravagant.ashx#axzz2EoEkoXDj

Very thorough and most positive review from IGN: http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/11/les-miserables-review

Scorp wrote:
To rub salt into the wounds of envy, look at what Miz fans get if they buy the "Stage to Screen" book that's out next year:

By comparison, remember that crappy Companion Book we got to that even crappier film in 2004 and weep tears of frustration. Anyone know what they did with theirs? Can't remember what I did with mine. Think I shoved it underneath a bookshelf to support it. That's at least one good thing it does.

My copy is shelved somewhere in my books - far away from where I keep my *real* Phantom books.

I've been trying to keep a positive outlook about the Les Miz film, but at the same time I haven't been rushing off to drown myself in all the photos and audio/video clips available out there. One Big Deal I like about how the film is being handled is the army of former stage cast members who are involved, even in a minor capacity. And of course, there's Colm as the Bishop - masterstroke cameo right there.

Just a whole lot more respect for the material than was ever displayed during the making of the Make it Sexy Phantom film. Then again, that seems to be par for the course when talking about Les Miz events versus Phantom events.

I will definitely try to see the Les Miz film as early as I can. I'm trying to round up some people to see it with. At this rate I might have to be gagged in the movie theater to be prevented from singing along to the big ensemble numbers, though, lol.

~Madame~

Largely positive review from the Brisbane Times: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/much-more-than-a-musical-20121212-2b90d.html

Also pretty positive from the San Jose Mercury News: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/entertainment/ci_22173691/review-les-miserables-short-subtlety-but-big-sentiment

I sold my Phantom 2004 companion book at a garage sale. Can't believe I paid 20 dollars for it when it came out.

This movie is going to look amazing. The vocal performances aren't going to be all that amazing. But at least it'll be better than Phantom 2004. :/

Anne better get that Golden Globe for Les Miserables. And, the Musical/Comedy Golden Globe should go to Les Miserables. I don't think Hugh was apt for the part of Jean Valjean, so I'm hoping he doesn't get the Golden Globe.

Hugh doesn't have a great upper register, but in terms of acting, he's perfect for the role. Can't think of anyone better. He's been one of my favorite actors since I saw his first frame as Wolverine.

I actually think Les Mis has tough competition in the Musical/Comedy category from Silver Linings Playbook. Haven't seen it, but buzz is it's a Hollywood favorite. Then again, this is the Foreign Press Association voting, and they love musicals, and Les Mis is also sort of a foreign film. Speaking of which, it's ludicrous to still lump musicals and comedies together, but I digress....

In the first video here, there's a new-ish clip of At the End of the Day: http://celebrity-gossip.net/late-night-jimmy-fallon/anne-hathaway-mad-libs-christmas-carols-%E2%80%9Clate-night-jimmy-fallon%E2%80%9D-775280

SenorSwanky wrote:Hugh doesn't have a great upper register, but in terms of acting, he's perfect for the role. Can't think of anyone better. He's been one of my favorite actors since I saw his first frame as Wolverine.

I like Hugh, as an actor. As a singer? Not really. Like you said, he doesn't have a great upper register and that just kills the roles he plays in musicals on stage. If I wanted to see Hugh Jackman act the role, I'd rather them remake the 1998 film. :/ Oh well, still seeing the film, but Crowe and Jackman are just blah.

I think you're in the minority on that. It's much more important, especially for film, that they get a good actor than a good singer. And Hugh is a more than passable singer. I also have a much higher opinion of his voice than I used to.

SenorSwanky wrote:I think you're in the minority on that. It's much more important, especially for film, that they get a good actor than a good singer. And Hugh is a more than passable singer. I also have a much higher opinion of his voice than I used to.

Well, agree to disagree.

A great piece on Colm in the WSJ: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324481204578175663842475762.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

And one on CamMac in WaPo: http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/les-miz-and-cameron-mackintosh-go-hollywood/2012/12/13/dbe8b0c2-4477-11e2-8c8f-fbebf7ccab4e_story.html

Short behind-the-scenes doc on the history of the show, with some new clips: http://mashable.com/2012/12/13/les-miserables-movie-video/