Les Miserables: 2014

Les Miserables Hugh Jackman (Actor), Anne Hathaway (Actor)

Hugh Jackman, Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway star in this critically-acclaimed adaptation of the epic musical phenomenon. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. This enthralling story is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit and "an unforgettable experience" (Richard Roeper, RichardRoeper.com).

DVD - Region 1; Blu-ray- Region Free.

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Les Miserables Hugh Jackman (Actor), Anne Hathaway (Actor)

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Les Miserables (2012)

The much anticipated movie adaptation of "Les Misérables " has arrived, and director Tom Hooper deserves praise for infusing Victor Hugo's iconic story of Jean Valjean with drama and profound emotion. Hugh Jackman is superb as the former thief who is pursued relentlessly by his nemesis, Inspector Javert (a ruthless and bitter Russell Crowe), but Valjean focuses on redeeming himself by treating others with kindness. Anne Hathaway is affecting as the desolate Fantine, forced into prostitution in order to support her child. Valjean mercifully adopts Cosette, Fantine's daughter, after her mother's untimely death.

Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen are deliciously over-the-top as the Thénardiers, greedy innkeepers who steal from their customers and extort cash from Fantine for Cosette's upkeep while they keep the lonely girl in rags. Samantha Barks's show-stopping solo, "On My Own," is thrilling. Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried are appealing as Marius and the adult Cosette. Finally, the wonderful Colm Wilkinson lights up the screen in his brief appearance as the Bishop.

Why see this film if you have already taken in the Broadway show? First, Hooper distills the essence of the plot without getting bogged down in extraneous exposition. He elicits terrific performances from actors whose faces and voices are beautifully expressive. Since much of the dialogue is sung, it is worth pointing out that the sound quality is excellent and the performers take pains to speak and sing distinctly (not a given in today's films). Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's score and Herbert Kretchmer's lyrics are often soaring, at other times tear-filled and poignant, and always unforgettable.

Les Miserables (2012)

Monday, March 3, 2014

Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

I never imagined that I would write anything less than a glowing review of this album, but I'm afraid I must do just that. I understand that this is a "highlights" album, but how on earth is "Do You Hear the People Sing" not a highlight?

As for the music that is present, it's good, but it's hard for me to hear the songs being "acted" rather than sung. I'm sure this will make for a fantastic film, but it doesn't make for an amazing listening experience. I never expected for Jackman to equal Colm Wilkinson or Crowe to equal Philip Quast, yet I still feel disappointed. (As a sidenote, Eddie Redmayne has exceeded my expectations, Samantha Barks is as wonderful as I hoped, and I was thrilled to hear Wilkinson as the Bishop.)
Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]

This may well be the best novel I have ever read. I am comparing it to Anna Karenina and War and Peace which I recently finished. Previously, I had thought Michener's Hawaii and The Source were up there in the top 1 or two. But, the moral compass of this book, in spite of rather lengthy philosophical diversions from the storyline, was very strong. In the end, it was as moving as the musical upon which it is based. But, it takes work and time. When staying on task the story line is exciting and dramatic. His characters are so well and deeply drawn that they became a part of my psyche and of course, that level of familiarity and empathy is what in the end moved me.
Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]

Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert [Cast Recording, Soundtrack]

To celebrate 10 years as the world's most popular musical, the cast of Les Mis‚rables threw a phenomenal birthday party at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1995. A decade after Trevor Nunn directed its premiere at the Barbican Centre, and the subsequent move into what became a permanent home at the West End Palace Theatre, producer Cameron Macintosh felt the time had come for a little outing for "the miserables." Conductor David Charles Abell, having climbed out of the cluttered Palace pit, for one glorious night has the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his disposal and there are appearances from over 150 singers--birthday celebs from Les Mis stagings worldwide--who flocked to the grandiose venue. Hosts for the night are the 1995 London cast: Colm Wilkinson's Valjean has power and beauty in "Who Am I?" and "Bring Him Home," and Michael Ball is a charming Marius. Miss Saigon herself, Lea Salonga, gets the crowd-pleasing favorite "On My Own." The Albert Hall sounds filled to the brim with an appreciative audience that contributes to the festive atmosphere. The result is a real treat for fans and lovers of Boubil and Sch”nberg's greatest musical--this double CD is an obligatory item in every collection of Les Mis memorabilia.

Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert [Cast Recording, Soundtrack]

Les Miserables Les Miserables (2000)

After spending nearly twenty years imprisoned for stealing bread, Jean Valjean (Gérard Depardieu) vows to become a better man and regain his place in society.

Indebted to her dying mother, he rescues the orphaned Cosette (Virginie Ledoyen) but is forced to flee Paris upon being discovered by the merciless police inspector Javert (John Malkovich).

Les Miserables Les Miserables (2000)

Years later, as
revolution rages around them, Cosette falls in love with a young nobleman, whom Valjean saves in one final act of heroism.
Les Miserables Les Miserables (2000)

The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall (2008)

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score vividly captures the passion of Victor Hugo's epic tale of post-Revolutionary France, combining tear-jerking ballads ("I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring Him Home") and rousing anthems ("Do You Hear the People Sing"). The format of this concert is closer to that of a dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production; the singers stand at their microphone stands with an orchestra and chorus behind them, but they do wear costumes and participate in some movement. At certain points such as the climax of the barricade scene, the video switches to action from a stage production. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sounds great, and it can be thrilling when 200 choristers (dressed in logo T-shirts) rise to their feet for a full-company number such as "One Day More." Also, subtitles provide date and scene information and help move the story along.

The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall (2008)

Les Miserables Les Miserables (1978)

Richard Jordan, Anthony Perkins. The Victor Hugo classic about a man, imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, who eventually escapes and tries to put his past behind him-despite being pursued by the man who arrested him. 1978/color/123 min/NR/fullscreen.

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Les Miserables Les Miserables (1978)

Les Miserables Les Miserables (2012) (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2012)

Les Misérables is a deeply powerful film that's rich with raw feeling, the grittiness of life in 19th-century France, and the conflict between right, wrong, and the concept of redemption. Les Misérables takes viewers on an emotionally exhausting journey as it follows ex-convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) after his release from prison. Valjean breaks parole, but he is granted a second chance by a kind bishop. He then moves from place to place throughout France, trying to live an honest life while ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) hunts him relentlessly. Valjean meets the broken-spirited Fantine (Anne Hathaway), promises to care for her daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) as Fantine is about to die, and finds his own life completely changed as a result of that promise. Like the stage play, the film is dark, gritty, and passionate, but it enhances the sense of place in early- to mid-1800s France as a staged version simply cannot. The intricately woven plot is somewhat easier to understand here, thanks to an abundance of visual cues and the camera's unique ability to focus in so closely on the actors' faces. In fact, the intimacy of the extreme close-ups used throughout is at once uncomfortable and hugely effective. The vocal performances are generally quite good, especially considering the decision to record them live versus the customary overdubbing. Sure, some of the actors' voices seem pushed and strained at times, but that fact often only adds to the emotional intensity of the moment. Hathaway's performance is stellar, both for her vocal prowess and for the depth of feeling conveyed and maintained in her facial expressions throughout even the lengthiest and closest of close-ups. While Crowe seems an odd choice for Javert and is definitely outsung by the other members of the cast, he holds his own when it really counts with solos that are on-pitch and arguably even more powerful for their imperfections. Discerning listeners will not choose the film's Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack over the full-length London or Broadway cast recordings, but sometimes an outstanding performance isn't all about musical perfection--the overall Les Misérables film experience is definitely one of those cases. New for the film is the song "Suddenly," written by the musical's original composer and lyricist Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Trivia buffs will note that the bishop is played by Colm Wilkinson, who originally played Valjean in the London and Broadway stage productions, and Whore #1 is played by the original London and Broadway Eponine, Frances Ruffelle. --Tami Horiuchi

Les Miserables Les Miserables (2012) (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2012)