Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Dec 30, 2012 16:48:08 GMT -6
Brady, was this your first time ever seeing Les Miserables? I can't help but subconciously compare it to the 10th and 25th Anniverary concerts, so I'm a little biased against it. So I saw it again, here's a quick update: -"Stars" is one of my favourite songs and Russell Crowe barely showed any emotion throughout it at all. It's not as bad as I made out but still a disappointment
- I forgot to mention "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables", that was so tear educing. Eddie Redmayne done an excellent job at Marius.
- Shame that they never established that Gavroche was Eponine's brother, but at least there was a shot in "A Little Fall of Rain" with him crying as she died. Also that shot of his body lined up next to hers after the battle.
- That also goes to show how despicable the Thenardiers were when you realise that they really don't care that both their son and daughter are dead.
- That CRACK! when Javert committed suicide was the most out of place thing in the film. I almost burst out laughing it was so bad.
- I also noticed that the Bishop was played by Colm Wilkinson, the original Valjean in Broadway and West End musicals
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Dec 28, 2012 7:10:54 GMT -6
Well, now that was an experience And what a miserable experience it was. That's a compliment. More than once it brought a tear to my eyes. And I'm not a very emotional man. It's a very miserable film, just what you'd expect from a title that translates to "The Miserable".
The film tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who becomes mayor of a town in France. Valjean agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of Fantine, and must avoid being captured again by Javert, a police inspector.
Unlike most musical films, no singing was recorded in a studio. It was all sung live on set, and it overall works. It didn't work so well for the larger songs like "One Day More" which comes off as a bit of a mess, but for most other songs it gives a much more personal and emotional sound to the songs.
One of the best parts of the film was easily Anne Hathaways' portrayal of Fantine, especially her performance of "I Dreamed A Dream". That whole song, which is done in one long take, is incredibly emotional. She whispers, she sobs, she cries out, and she does it all while singing beautifully. Placing it after "Lovely Ladies" rather than before made it all the more tragic.
The weakest link was easily Russell Crowe playing Javert. While he's not a bad singer, he's far out matched by everyone else. This is obvious in "Confrontation" with Hugh Jackman. He certainly wasn't as bad as previews seemed to make him out to be though, and he did a great job in "Javerts Soliloquy". Him giving Gavroche his medal was a touching moment as well.
Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as Mr. and Mrs. Thenardier are the only comedic elements to be found and they do their job incredibly well. Perhaps too well, they do feel a tad too comical at times. Doesn't help they look like they stepped right out of a Tim Burton film. "Master Of The House" is bloody funny anyhow.
"Suddenly" is a whole new song not present in any previous version of Les Miserables. It allows Valjean to express both his excitement and fear of becoming a father to Cosette. And it's a good song. But it's not a great one unfortunately.
I wholeheartedly recommend this. Some great and emotional performances ("I Dreamed A Dream" and "On My Own"), a decent song that fans of the stage musical won't have heard before and while it does have some underwhelming moments ("Stars" and "One Day More") it makes up for it in nearly every other aspect of the film.
4/5
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Dec 26, 2012 2:58:04 GMT -6
Alright, I've finally caught up. Here's my thoughts in the season so far Elena is easily the worst part of it right now. I possibly hate her more than Bonnie and I never thought that possible. She had potential to change into a more active character as a vampire, but I guess not. It doesn't help that she drags down every single character she interacts with. She's more of a plot device than a character, and I wouldn't care if she happened to die. The "sire" storyline is the only slightly interesting thing happening to her and even the writers have managed to ruin that.
Now Klaus is the opposite. I liked him last season and I love him even more now. 13 kills in a single episode? He is easily one of the best characters on the show at the moment (till Elijah returns).
I'm glad Jeremy and Tyler finally have a storyline each, though I don't see Tyler making it out alive this season. Jeremy becoming a Hunter does seem very forced but at least it gives him something to do other than moping around. Also, why are they rehashing Jeremy/Bonnie? I thought we were past that.
As for the "Cure" storyline, I don't see it ending well for anyone. Elena getting the cure would be too easy. I could see Klaus getting it, especially if the writers want to kill him off, that would be the way. Also, I cannot wait to meet Silas. I've got a feeling he's not going to be the nicest guy around.
Pretty good first half, lots of potential, but WAY too much Elena and the god awful love triangle.
Current favourite characters: Elijah, Klaus, Rebekah, Damon, Katherine and Caroline. Least favourite characters: Elena and Bonnie
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Dec 10, 2012 7:06:08 GMT -6
There is at least three parts where you'll end up crying. At least. I know I will.
Knowing me, I'll also probably end up singing along to "One More Day", "Red and Black" and "Do You Hear The People Sing". Maybe even more.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Dec 4, 2012 6:15:32 GMT -6
Jesus, this is going to be one of the best movies of the year isn't it?
I said I wasn't going to watch any of the musicals or read the book, but I cracked and bought the book (1300 page? Bloody hell its long) and watched the 25th Anniversary Musical, and it was amazing. A tip for anyone going to see this movie, bring a box of tissues, maybe two.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 25, 2012 3:51:33 GMT -6
You could watch one of the other musicals if you really wanted. I think they're on Youtube (not 100% certain). Honestly, I'm not going to touch anything till I've seen the film, just to make it that much more special.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 19, 2012 10:51:25 GMT -6
I'm not really a fan of musicals, but this looks incredible. Certainly one to look out for in the future.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 12, 2012 7:08:46 GMT -6
Well MJ... you've been GREENLIT!!!
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 12, 2012 3:59:12 GMT -6
Paranormal Activity 4 was so boring. I'm not a fan of the others but my god, It was bad.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 10, 2012 5:22:58 GMT -6
Darrin, sorry for being so late with this one. You're GREENLIT!!!
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Nov 9, 2012 7:04:11 GMT -6
Why....
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Oct 30, 2012 16:33:30 GMT -6
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Oct 10, 2012 5:19:08 GMT -6
Oh Brady, you know as well as I do that the love triangle will never disappear. They ALMOST finished it in last seasons finale but circumstances have changed so the writers will drag it out even more. All in the name of what they believe is drama.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Oct 6, 2012 10:41:24 GMT -6
50-60 pages is the standard amount we're looking for.
I'm afraid we can't greenlight this idea yet. While it has potential, It's very vague and needs more development.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Sept 30, 2012 5:30:58 GMT -6
Bought Resident Evil 6 today. No idea why its out so early in Australia but whatever.
I've finished Leon's campaign. The story, like all Capcom stories, has lots of potential but fails to live up to it. Unlike a certain annoying blonde President daughter, Leon's partner this time round, Helena, is actually pretty well written for a Capcom character. Her motivations are believable and her voice acting isn't too shabby. The gameplay for Leon is basically like "Lost In Nightmares", DLC from Resident Evil 5. Much more survival horror-ish than the previous game.
I've only just begun Chris's campaign, and his gameplay is straight out of 5. Gunplay and action and explosions. But it works. Plus his partner isn't too bad either.
I've given the Mercenaries mode a quick go as well... I hate it. I don't recommend it.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Sept 28, 2012 7:46:53 GMT -6
The Originals were fantastic. Klaus, Rebekah, Elijah, Finn, Mikael (played by the awesome Sebastian Roché). I even like Kol, though getting taken down by Damon several times really lowers his ranking in my books.
With a group of characters like these, I must question why I should root for the main cast when these characters are FAR more interesting.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Fringe
Sept 26, 2012 22:04:48 GMT -6
Post by Carey on Sept 26, 2012 22:04:48 GMT -6
Shit is about to get real.
|
|
Carey
VPN Community Member
|
Post by Carey on Sept 26, 2012 5:03:44 GMT -6
Brady, congrats. You've been GREENLIT!!!
|
|