One thing for sure, there won’t be a lack of awesome films this December. There are a few I’m giddily anticipating, Gerry Butler’s soccer comedy Playing for Keeps and of course, The Hobbit!! I’m not posting the second trailer as right now I’m already sold on it long ago anyway, but if you haven’t seen it, it’s on Terrence’s Trailer Time Thursday post.
Now, I had been curious about Les Misérables, and the first trailer has certainly sold me. This new featurettes shows just another reason why this movie quickly shoots up to be my most-anticipated musicals ever!! It’s not enough that Tom Hooper has assembled a brilliant cast that seems to fit the roles, he’s also got this shrewd technique of having all the actors sing the songs LIVE on set! Check it out:
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I LOVE this kind of featurette as you get a glimpse into the actors’ and filmmakers’ head and the challenges they face in portraying their roles. I’m a sucker for all the behind-the-scenes stuff that go on before the final piece is presented, and to me, for a story that’s already so well-know, the magic is not lost. I that high level of authenticity in the way the actors perform the song.
I could easily title this post ‘the year I’m warming up to Anne Hathaway‘ as I have been quite impressed with her lately, first with her performance in The Dark Knight Rises as Selina, and now this. Even before seeing the final film, she seemed to have worked her super hard on this film and obviously she’s got a great set of pipes for all that singing. The crucial part is the emotional resonance, as without that this film wouldn’t have made a dent. On that note, I think Anne pulled it off as I truly feel for Fantine’s well, misery. There’s something authentic about her portrayal that the words of the song I’ve heard over and over again somehow feels fresh and oh so heart-wrenching!! I’m a crier by nature but for the life of me I can’t stop my tears from falling even just hearing a few notes of this song!! I definitely will be packing a BOX of tissue going to the movies on Christmas day. I Dreamed A Dream has been stuck in my head since yesterday, and every few minutes I find myself humming it, just ask my poor husband, ahah!
Now, I realize you can’t compare the two stories but since both are costume dramas, I just want to say that Keira Knightley’s attempt to evoke her marital despair in Anna Karenina fails to elicit even the slightest pity from me.
Nothing much to say about the two main male cast: Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, both certainly have the charisma and showmanship to carry off the roles of Valjean and Javert, respectively. I can’t wait to see these two hunky Aussies to square off against each other, in tunes no less!
I’m also excited to see Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier, and Eddie Redmayne in the second movie I’ll see him in. He was quite good in My Week With Marilyn. Now, since I haven’t seen Victor Hugo’s stage adaptation before, this will be my first introduction to one of the most celebrated musicals of all time. Can’t wait!!
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Are you excited for this one folks?
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Super excited and I love the way in which they are choosing to let the music and the actors find their way in the live recording. brilliant.
I’m also glad, like you, to see Helena Bonham Carter and Eddie Redmayne (who’s acting I enjoyed in Pillars of the Earth, along with others)
Hi T, thanks again for the RT, not sure how the tweet went first before the article is published, that’s odd. Yes the live recording idea is brilliant, I’m sure it works well in the final product. Oh right, Eddie was in Pillars also, forgot about that. He’s getting around, good for him!
did you see that I was FIRST? heehee
btw, I just thought you should know that you are not alone in having the song stuck in your head. Me too. I watched the trailer earlier today again on my phone just because the song was in my head. LOL.
Yeah, woo hoo! 🙂 I just try not to listen to it too often as I get verklempt and starts bawling, ahah.
Les Mis is fantastic on stage so I’m really looking forward to seeing the film. It’s full of songs that’ll be stuck in your head for quite a while.
Oh you’re so lucky to have seen this on stage! I still hope to catch that next time they tour in my city again. I’m sure I’ll be humming the songs for weeks on end, ahah.
Eddie Redmayne nom nom nom… I have big plans for him and his career, you know 😉
Keira Wench….. ruined my day 😦 That film was doomed the moment the director chose his pet wanna-be-actress to make grimaces and grind her teeth in his film 😦
Yeah I think you’re right about Wright with Keira. The more I hear about that movie the less interested I am. But this one is the opposite, I’m super excited for it now. Well Eddie’s career seems to be on the rise now, good for him!!
I remmeber watching the dvd of the live performance(or one of its live performances anyways) at a friends house. It will be interesting to see how this version goes, although i don’t think im as excited for this as some people
Oh I should do that, get the live performance dvd! Though I still want to see this LIVE one day 🙂
I am really looking forward to Les Miserables!
http://eclecticbooksandmovies.blogspot.com
Glad to hear!
Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait! Oh, I hope this film delivers. The cast and the visuals look great, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. Needless to say, I’m eagerly anticipating its release. 😀
I have a feeling this won’t disappoint Josh, I don’t know, I think the singing live thing would certainly make the performances more authentic. Fingers crossed!
Why do I really want to see this, I don’t normally like musicals. I’ve lost my mind argh! 😀
Ha..ha.. what really sold you on this Tim??
It looks quiet good, got big stars, the singing sounds good and the story is actually really interesting 😀
Why would you want to see it?
Me? Oh I quite like musicals and this seems like it’s got the ingredients to be pretty epic, at least I hope so!
It does look like it will be rather a big film 😀
I’ve not seen Les Mis, but even I’m getting excited about this film. I love the fact that they’re ACTUALLY singing in the film. How it should be!
Also, right with you on Anne Hathaway. I have never been remotely moved by her. TDKR did change my opinion slightly, and this looks to further change it.
Yeah, I had always been cool towards Anne, I think she’s just an ok actress, a bit overrated. But since TDKR and now the trailer for this one, I’m ready to change my mind on her!
So excited! Not being a big Anne Hathaway fan, I was apprehensive at first, but now await this with eager anticipation. But I also really want to see Anna Karenina too. This holiday season is all about the epics!
Hey, we’re on the same page, Janet. I’m more excited for this than Anna Karenina, to be honest. Ahah yeah, lots of costume dramas this holiday season indeed!
I’m one of the people who’ve never got into the Les Misérables craze, I still remember the film version with Uma Thurman that came out a few years back, there were a lot of buzz on that version too but it faded when the film finally open. Guess it wasn’t very good?
As you know I’m not a big musical fan so I won’t be seeing this one, unless my date wants to see it. I’m hoping she’s not a big musical fan. 🙂
Yeah, Becky & I were talking about the Liam Neeson version w/ Uma, I think that one took too much liberty from the original story that it didn’t work. I can see why you’re not anticipating this if you don’t like musicals though.
Never saw the show on B’way, but this has the making of being quite a film. I may give this one a chance 🙂
Quite a film yes, let’s hope it’ll live up to this awesome featurette Iba!
Great cast, and Les Miserables is my favorite book. I’m definitely looking forward to this although I would definitely have preferred a straight drama adaptation of the book rather than an adaptation of the musical.
I remember you said that Castor, I sure hope this is a faithful adaptation that at least captures the spirit of the book. Did you see the Liam Neeson version? I heard it’s more of a drama but it took too much liberty from the book.
No I didn’t see the Liam Neeson version. I don’t think I want to do this to myself ahah
Fair enough Castor, I heard it wasn’t worth a watch anyway 🙂
My most anticipated movie of the year. I CANNOT WAIT. It will be so great, I’m sure. Loved the featurette and love the fact that they sung live, that is amazing.
Woo hoo! Yeah the featurette sold me even more Fernando, I hope this lives up to our expectations!
I will admit that this is not my thing AT ALL, but I was pretty impressed witht he trailer. I reckon I might even go to the cinema to see this… Take my mum i think!
Seems that this one would make even the non musical fans to give it a shot. Glad to hear you’ll watch it matey, yeah take your mum, she’ll be delighted. I’d think Lynn would too! 😉
hey Ruth!
Once again I’ve taken a very long break from blogging but here I am again (for the time being). I totally agree with you when it comes to Les Miserables. I actually watched the featurette for the first time a couple of days ago as they played it as part of the previews before “End of Watch”, and it’ll certainly be interesting to experience all of the actors singing live.
Anne Hathaway’s career has been a series of highs and lows for me. I like her in some films, and not so much in others. I don’t doubt her talent, but she just doesn’t seem to know how to select her projects at times.
Please check out my blog as I got back into blogging with a review of End of Watch. Personally, I was hugely entertained.
Hi Niels, welcome back! Glad you feel the same way about Anne but she does look very good in this and her voice carries so much emotion in it. Can’t wait to see it!