2012: Week 52: Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Genre:  Musical, Drama

Main Players: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter

General Gist: "Ex-prisoner Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever"  (taken from movies.yahoo.com)

Deb's Take: 
I have never seen this in any way, shape or form.  I was super excited to see it.  First off, the movie is long...really, I felt it was too long.  I suppose it mimics the on stage performance, but I got tired of it.  Second, I got tired of the singing/chanting.  I know it's a musical, but I really like more of a part sing, part speak show.  Third, I was amazed at the performance and singing of the actors.  I think they did a great job, and all the characters were wonderfully cast.  Unfortunately, I think this movie should have been left on the stage.  I think some of it's character and charm was lost as a movie.  Don't get me wrong, the movie was exceptional in scenes, sets, costumes, etc...but sometimes I think leaving the arts in their true form is just as well.

Deb's Rate: Rent it (in case you need to pause for a short break)

Tiff's Take:
Yes, this movie was long.  But I'm not sure there was really a way to get around that.  A "big" movie like this with a lot of hype is bound to be long, right?  This was my first time as well to see any form of Les Mis.  Mainly because I'm not a huge musical person so I've never made a point to see it on stage.  After seeing this I don't really think I will make a point to go that extra step.  Not because I thought it was horrible though, but because seeing a dramatic, musical once is probably enough for me. 

And full on musical it was.  No talking at all.  Just singing.  The entire time.  A little much for me.  But I did enjoy the story even if it was a little depressing.  The acting was great and the singing was for the most part great.  I would be curious to hear what someone thought who had seen the musical on stage.  Did it do it a huge injustice??  Or was it a great interpretation?  I'm sure personally I'll never know but I'm glad I did see it even if it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

Tiff's Rate: Matinee

Preview:  One more to come for 2012!

2012: Bonus Review: Week 28.5: The Dark Knight Rises/Giveaway!

The Dark Knight Rises

Genre: Action, Adventure

Main Players: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordn-Levitt, Michael Caine

General Gist: The last of a trilogy...Batman...need I say more?

Deb's Take:  So….My sweet dear sister was able to get free screening passes to this movie, playing on the IMAX,  and so graciously gave them to me and my husband to use since our kids were out of town and she knew my husband was sort of stoked to see the movie.  I thanked her so profusely as I knew it would be a fun date.  Plus, I think deep down neither of us (my sister and I) were really too excited about seeing this movie and so we didn’t feel like we would be missing out if we didn’t go as our weekly movie..Let me tell you….We were sooooo wrong.

As you know, I am not real gung ho about super hero movies.  I usually leave those to my son and husband.  I have gone to more in the last year than ever in my life though, and I think I am getting a better taste for what is good and what isn’t.  This one totally rocked the house.  It probably helped that it was in the IMAX theatre, but all around it just was super  cool.  I have to say, I was tired when we left to go to this movie, some small little part of my brain was secretly hoping that the screening line would be too long and we wouldn’t get in so I could go back home and call it a night.  Well, the line was super short…the theatre was almost empty actually..and I am so glad we went.

Every actor in this movie was perfect for their part.  Both my husband and I agreed we were a little concerned that Anne Hathaway wasn’t going to be able to pull off “Catwoman”  well, she did, and I no longer see her as the “Princess Diaries actress”.  This could be a really long post if I stated all the good in this movie, action, cool cars, good adventure, action, action, action….but I won’t.  The only downfall…Tom Hardy’s character, “Bane”, was hard to understand sometimes.  I chalked it up as my poor hearing, but my husband said the same thing, and I heard some 20 somethings say they couldn’t understand him either, (he did have a weird mask on mind you).

I think you should go if you like adventure, and if you like Batman especially.  I liked it so much I am willing to give someone two passes to go see it!  I want to share!  So, tomorrow, Friday, I will pick a winner but you must post either here or on our Two Sisters  facebook  page the answer to this following question…I will pick a winner randomly from all who post…Who are three actors who have played “Batman” in the past?

Deb's Rate: Opening Day


Preview: We're thinking a popcorn giveaway.

Week 35: One Day

I was looking forward to seeing One Day as well.  The previews made it seem like it was going to be a really good love story.  It didn't really end up being one. 

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess played the main characters.  I'll admit I'm not a huge Anne Hathaway fan.  I'm not really sure what it is but I just don't love her.  Jim Sturgess was someone I've never seen before.  I can't say I was overly impressed.  I don't know if it was his character or just him but he didn't really do it for me. 

I agree with Deb in that this movie seemed like it should have been really good.  It had potential to be really good I think but it fell short.  I didn't realize it was a book until after the fact but I can see why the movie seemed disjointed because of it.  There were gaps and holes galore.  The relationship didn't seem quite developed and neither did the characters themselves.  It might have been okay if I had read the book first but without reading the book it just left me with questions.  I think this was probably your classic book to movie flop.

To Sum it up: High expectation but low results.   

Week 35: "One Day"

I was super excited to see this movie. All the previews made me think this was going to be a super romantic, make you fall in love again type of movie. I was gravely disappointed. So the movie trailers make you think you are going to a movie where there are two friends, played by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, who have this super lover/friend connection, and on the same day each year they get together to "bond"...or something like that. Well, that wasn't the case. These two friends were just that, two friends, with questionable feelings towards each other, who were in communication all the time, and never seemed to become the couple they both secretly wanted to become.

The story line could have made a wonderful movie...However, I felt like I was sitting in a movie, that was made from a book, that I didn't read and so I was missing too many details. The connection of friendship, lovers, enemies ect. just never was strong. I think the book probably had a lot of inner thoughts, which can't be portrayed on film, making the movie disconnected and lost.

I was totally bummed...I thought I was going to get to see a movie I could fall emotionally into. Instead I left feeling disjointed and disappointed.

I would say...read the book and hope it's better than the movie. Next review: The Warrior, we have free screening passes to this tomorrow night, yah! A free movie!!