Review: Les Miserables

Les Mis is a musical. You probably know this because it has been around, literally, forever. So chances are that you probably have a rough idea of what it’s like, maybe you know some of the songs, and whether or not you like it. For those of you who haven’t come across the stage version before, it’s a musical set in early 19^th century France, it has themes of redemption and love, and has lots of people in costumes singing huge, melodramatic, bangers. It’s a Marmite kind of a thing really, you either love it or you hate it.

Those who fall into the second camp might be disappointed - the film doesn’t mix up the formula at all. It’s a straight up movement from the theatre to the silver screen. It is however a bloody good production, and this is for a couple of reasons.

Firstly the singing is really good. Which is pleasantly surprising given that none of the cast have a history of singing (not entirely true I know, but none of the cast are famous for their singing career). Particular mention goes to Hugh Jackman, who manages amazingly well throughout the whole film. Who would have thought that Wolverine could reach the high notes?

The other reason the film is so good is that the set and costume design is amazing. It really brings everything to life. From huge ships to dramatic barricades to bawdy inns, it’s all there in well thought through, sumptuous, detail. It makes the world feel as big and epic as the music which is, quite frankly, a pretty massive achievement.

Ultimately, the film is like a slice of super-rich chocolate cake. It’s indulgent, it’s probably too much for some people, but if it’s your sort of thing you are going to love it.

P.S What is up with Hugh Jackman’s new face? Has he got skinnier? Or does he just look really different with no sideburns? 

New Hobbit Pictures and Jumanji!

Check out this picture from The Hobbit: There and Back Again. It’s Legolas (obviously) and Bard the Bowman, which is kind of cool I guess.

There is also the news that Jumanji is being remade to “update it for the present”. I was going to say that the original was only made in a few years back in 1995, but then I remembered that that’s 18 years ago. Which made me feel pretty old to be honest. Anyway, I can’t really think what they would do to update it, other than put in CGI that’s better than what they could manage in the 90’s (which wouldn’t be hard). Could be good though - call me cautiously optimistic.

Other than that is the news that a new writer for Tron 3 has been announced. His name is Jesse Wigutow and he wrote a short called Ugly Naked People. Cool.    

OMG

This is the coolest thing ever. EVER!

Sometimes Life Isn’t Fair

There are thousands of failed writers and directors in Hollywood, flipping burgers or waiting tables, living for that one breakthrough that means that, finally, they will be on the receiving end of a Big Mac and fries. But, while they toil away, studio execs green light sequels for movies that haven’t even been released yet. Screw you Guillermo del Torro and your, probably very good, Pacific Rim franchise…

In other news, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is to director in and star in a comedy Western titles A Million Ways To Die In The West. Hot on the tails of this years Ted (read my review of that here), this will be darker in tone, which is good because, as far as Seth is concerned, darker is better. This is also going to be MacFarlane’s first appearance in the flesh, as it were, which will be interesting, if nothing else.  

That’s all for today folks, see you tomorrow for a first look at a brand new Star Trek Into Darkness trailer. Exciting times.  

Steve Jobs vs Guillermo del Toro vs Jamie Foxx

First up, this picture of Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs has appeared online:

Which can be compared to his one, which is Steve Jobs as Steve Jobs:

Pretty neat huh?

The portly Mexican we all know and love has said that the next picture he will direct, after Pacific Rim, will 

be a horror film called Crimson Peak.

He said it will be “very set-oriented, classical but at the same time modern take on the ghost story. It will allow me to play with the conventions of the genre I know and love, and at the same time subvert the old rules.”

He went on to say that it will channel such horror classics as The Shining, The Omen, and The Exorcist.  Which is pretty freakin sweet. 

Finally, we have confirmation that Jamie Foxx will be playing Electro in the upcoming spidey picture. See, sometimes rumours do come true. Until next time folks…

Sci-Fi Super Heroes and Zombies, It's a Winning Combo

You see this new Star Trek Into Darkness poster?

Looks quite a lot like this poster doesn't it?

Well, you know what they say about not fixing things that ain't broke...

In other news: the rumor mill today pumped out the news that the villain for the upcoming Justice League movie might well be Darkseid. Given that Jack Kirby modeled the character on famous historical dictators, he should prove a big enough bad guy for the all star roster this film will have to have. We need more details people!

Finally there is this new trailer for warm blooded, which looks cool.

See ya tomorrow folks!

Review: Gambit

Gambit is properly old school. The characters, sets, even the camera work, hark back to the days of the original, which was made in the 1960’s. Like a lot of Cohen Brothers films, it has a really strong sense of its time, and the comedy also feels like a throwback to that age. The jokes are physical and about ridiculous situations, as opposed to the self-referential irony we get a lot of today (I’m looking at you FamilyGuy).  So although this might not be a remake in the traditional sense of the word, the plot is totally different, it’s true to that age, and  to the feel of the original.

It’s also bloody funny, which is kind of important for a comedy. The plot follows Harry Dean (Firth), a down-on-his-luck art curator, who enlists the help of cowgirl PJ Puznowski (Diaz) in an elaborate con, involving the copying of a famous Monet painting, the target of which is multi-millionaire arsehole and publisher Lord Shabandar (Rickman). While it’s not the world’s most exciting plot, it’s classic rather than innovative, I provides for many, quite frankly hi-bloody-larious, set pieces (special mention goes to the Savoy scene, which is just amazing) and guffaws. You can probably guess that I did laugh a lot, which is saying something because this sort of thing usually is not my cup of tea at all.

It’s pretty difficult to say more than that really, the acting is good, the sets are good, the scripting is tight and everything just works well - it’s just a solid good film. I laughed my arse off and had a great time, and I don't even like farce. Go and watch it basically.  

Watch if you liked: The Pink Panther (the original)

If you liked this watch: BurnAfter Reading