Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:32 am
Opening day has been set back to Christmas Day - guess where I will be spending that "let-down" part of that special afternoon.
Annie
alice Five Star Member
Number of posts : 15672 Registration date : 2008-10-22 Age : 76 Location : Redmond, WA
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:02 pm
Lucky you! Your Crowe friend again
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:11 pm
Yes, but I would be as excited no matter who was playing Javert. I have been waiting since 1988, since I saw the play in DC at the Kennedy Center. To my thinking there has never been a more powerful musical, and I cannot think of a better time than right now for it to finally be released.
And Inspector Javert doesn't even sing that one.
Annie
alice Five Star Member
Number of posts : 15672 Registration date : 2008-10-22 Age : 76 Location : Redmond, WA
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:07 pm
I quite agree:)
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:56 am
New poster has been released. This is Isabelle Allen, who plays "Little Cosette," and who will be singing "Castle on a Cloud."
This is Mia Jenkins singing at the 25th anniversary concert:
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:01 am
Australian Richard Wilkins interviews Hugh Jackman on Les Miz set:
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:58 am
New posters for Les Miserables
Shelagh Admin
Number of posts : 12662 Registration date : 2008-01-11 Location : UK
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:39 am
Can't wait! I saw this musical on a London stage. It was amazing!
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:54 am
I saw it in DC. It blew me away.
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:24 pm
I keep getting asked, "Yes, but can Russell Crowe sing?" From the little bits that have been posted to YouTube, the answer is a clear yes. He has always has his own folk/rock band, but of course, this is a different sound.
But he started taking lessons months before his audition, which apparently went very well, and he continued those lessons throughout filming. His voice coach, Roberta Duchak, recently commented:
Quote :
Vocal exercises warm up the voice. You have to do them every day for 10 to 15 minutes, and you will see a difference. Russell did. He once sang “Stars” 23 times in one night. I don’t know a lot of musical theatre people who could do that.
(Roberta Duchak, 46, musical director at Drury Lane Oakbrook, trained Russell Crowe for his role as Javert in the film Les Misérables, out Dec. 14. - Chicagomag.com Fall Culture Guide) http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2012/A-Chat-with-Roberta-Duchak/
Still, it's a movie. All the cutting room guys will have to do is show close-ups of those green eyes. Who will care?
The group from last year's Garden Party is getting together again this Saturday night at Gramercy Theater in Manhattan. Last year's show in Newfoundland was pretty awesome, according to the audience. One change, Danielle Spencer (Mr. Crowe) is staying home in Sydney with their sons, so the female vocals will be done by Samantha Barks (Eponine in Les Miz.) All of the Merry Men from Robin Hood plus an Irish group called Size2Shoes:
DMPierson Three Star Member
Number of posts : 156 Registration date : 2012-07-27 Age : 39 Location : Illinois
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:50 pm
Heh, that Russel poster reminds me of Judge Dredd with Sylvester Stallone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvJiYrRcfQo
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:49 pm
I never saw that one, but the name, "Judge Dredd," sounds like one that would fit Javert perfectly:
Quote :
Javert: I have heard such protestations Every day for twenty years Let's have no more explanations Save your breath and save your tears.
Have you seen the musical on stage, or is it new to you?
Do you plan to see the film?
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:20 am
The posters are definitely focusing on the eyes Amanda Seyfried as Cosette:
Anne Hathaway as Fantine:
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:17 am
Oops. My post disappeared. Let's try again:
The best yet trailer - sorry I can't imbed it. It is worth following the link(You will need to scroll down through the article just a little (It's best if you click "full screen"):
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:10 am
Soundtrack can be pre-ordered on Amazon for Dec. 24 release. http://filmmusicreporter.com/2012/11/16/republic-records-to-release-les-miserables-soundtrack/ (I just pre-oredered mine.)
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:28 pm
'Les Miserables' Wows First Audience in New York, Clearly Headed for Oscars (Analysis) Universal's highly-anticipated awards contender Les Miserables, the first film directed by British filmmaker Tom Hooper since he won the best director Oscar for The King's Speech two years ago, screened for the first time on Friday afternoon at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. No movie musical has seriously contended for the best picture Oscar since Chicago (2002) won it a decade ago, ... But, judging by the loud applause that followed every one of this one's big numbers -- which were performed by Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Barks, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, respectively -- and the raucous standing ovation that the film and its key talent received once its credits started to roll, that could certainly change this year. At the very least, Les Mis joins Argo, Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook in the top echelon of this year's contenders, and puts Universal back in the thick of the race for the first time since Frost/Nixon (2008) was in contention four years ago.
Quote :
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/board/flat/207336451 Julie Stone @Julie_Stone
#LesMiserables screening audience burst into applause after songs and gave a long standing ovation during the credits Pilar Walsh @pilarsings #LesMiserables is the film to see. Tom Hooper does it again, #RussellCrowe,#HughJackman,#AnneHathaway, and all the others were brilliant
Pilar Walsh @pilarsings LOVED YOU IN LES MISERABLES@russellcrowe wish you could have been at the Q&A, settling with #EddieRedmayne, wonderful job both of you!
Pilar Walsh @pilarsings #RussellCrowe can sing! And with so much passion! Jon @ToastJonEat
After seeing Les Mis: I predict Best Picture (not worthy of a win imo), Best Supporting actors for: Hathaway, Seyfried, and Crowe.
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:48 am
The Les Miserables YouTube page has several new clips, featuring each of the major actors singing. I tried to follow their directions for sharing them on Facebook, but It isn't working as well as I would like - you can get there if you're willing to work at it, but that generally isn't what Facebook is about (see Betty's thread for more)
So, here is the link to the Les Mis page: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSRQ4OUhMDbuQ4M2P1dXkC1SKtpDQKvLZ and here is an, um, somewhat objectively chosen example.
But, be sure to go to the first link, if you have the time. It really gives you a total picture of the tone of the film - it's differences from the play as well as how it has carried out the original concept.
If you click on the first clip there, the playlist will automatically take you through all five -all are short and worth hearing.
Last edited by alj on Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:34 pm; edited 2 times in total
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:12 pm
And for those who are really interested, here is a PDF file from Universal Studios: Production notes, photos, and comments about and by the director, producers, and major actors. Almost enough to keep us all from losing it before Christmas Day, or whenever it is released in your country. http://www.universalpicturesawards.com/assets/lesmis/pdf/LESMISProductionNotes.pdf
It's really well done and worth a look - promise.
Quote :
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the endurance of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after hebreaks parole. When agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.With its story’s bands of the disenfranchised joining together to challenge corruption and demand change, Victor Hugo’s 150-year-old tale that inspired the world’s longest-running musical has never been timelier. Now, Les Misérables brings its power to the big screen in Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of this classic epic. With international superstars and beloved songs—including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and “On My Own”—the show of shows is reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:51 pm
The movie is official now. It premiered in London earlier tonight. If you aren't into seeing it yet, listening to one of the actors in the ensemble talk about the experience and his commitment to his role and the film's concept, you might be convinced.
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:15 pm
Love this photo from The Hollywood Reporter article:
(Hugh Hackman, Valjean; Tom Hooper, Director;Russell Crowe, Javert; Anne Hathaway, Fantine; Eddie Redmayne, Marius; Samantha Barks, Eponine; and Amanda Seyfried, Cossette.
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:52 am
FIRST REVIEW: Vive Les Miserables! Hugh Jackman gives the screen performance of his career in this five-star musical extravaganza
Also, because Hooper insisted that the singing be shot live, as opposed to being pre-recorded and then lip-synched as is usually the norm in film musicals, there's a more naturalistic feel to the singing. It doesn't smack of artifice, instead the numbers flow with a more realistic sensibility. The movie is sung through and Claude-Michel Schonberg's score and the book and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer have never been more potent. Even though the movie is set in 19th century France it resonates powerfully with the 21st century revolutionary struggles in the Middle East, and even here. -------------------------------------- Those of us who have seen Cameron Mackintosh's stage production or who have read the novel understand the moral code that propels Javert to bring , as he proclaims, Valjean to justice. But it's not made fully clear in the film what it is that makes [Javert] search for Valjean for nigh on two decades. That has nothing to do with Crowe's performance, rather, I suspect, more to do with choices made in the editing room. However, Crowe does something in the second part of the film, after the bloody revolution and after the barricades have come down that gives some sense of the conflicting emotions swirling around in the man's mind. It's a simple act of magnanimity that, I would argue, is as moving as any of the heartfelt musical numbers. I won't give the moment away here but I have seen the scene make grown men cry, although some of them were sobbing well before then. And, interestingly, the moment was the actor’s own idea. --------------------------------------- When you watch it think of the extraordinary levels of British, ok, and French, talent that went into bringing this treasure to the screen. I know some people loathe musicals but I suggest they not be glum and give Les Miserables a go. They might be pleasantly surprised.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-2244064/Les-Miserables-review-Hugh-Jackman-gives-screen-performance-career.html#ixzz2EIrAS8i4 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:24 pm
With the London Premiers behin and the American coming up tomorrow, there is a lot in the news about the production, the director's vision and choices. 60 Minutes Overtime has a very good clip at this site:
Sorry, I don't know how to embed it here if it isn't from YouTube or DailyMOtion - promis it's worth a look. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57557944-10391709/crowe-vs-jackman-the-great-rivalry-of-les-mis/
alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
Subject: Re: Les Misérables - Extended First Look Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:29 am
One more video... Except I can't embed it, so if you want to see it you will have to follow the link
A Dallas/Ft. Worth reporter asks Mr. Crowe what singing live is like. After giving her a very good answer, he proceeds to talk about another bit in the film that has to touch a Texan's heart, as it will many elsewhere.
Dallas ain't the Hill Country, but in this case, it comes close (Hit the link if you love animals, especially big ones.)