Zero Dark Thirty

It was okay.

Les Miz Review

I knew going into this film that I was going to pick it to pieces. I have grown up loving the music and the spectacle. There is a style and a certain performance for each part that is ingrained in my mind. For example, if Jean Valjean is not Colm Wilkinson, then it pretty much does nothing for me. Each year I teach a unit on Les Miserables to my sixth grade students. We read a condensed version of the novel and then watch the Les Miz concert with Colm. It never gets old. I loved that he played the Bishop. Kam even turned to me and said, "That sounds like the guy who played Jean Valjean in the show we watched." Good ear, Kam!

I went in with low expectations and tried to love it more than I did. It was a good film (B-  maybe) but it didn't move me when I wanted it to. Here's what I liked: the movie focused a lot on the Revolution. The songs were the same, but it seemed to bring out the story of the Revolution and its importance. Loved that! My main complaint of the film is that Les Miz is supposed to be a big, bolstering musical power, but the intimacy of film took much of that away. Many songs pulled back and didn't go for the rafters. Too many close-ups. I wanted the actors to just let go, but most times they didn't.

I really wanted to like Hugh Jackman. I have never not liked him with his past performances. I thought he gave Valjean a great character and nailed his redemption, but I'm sorry, his voice SUCKED! Way too high and tinny. Sorry, Hugh. You are not my Jean Valjean. (Grade: B)

Worst part of the show. Russell Crowe was woefully miscast. (Grade: F)

I hate Fantine. Everyone hates Fantine. She is a whining little...anyway, I've never been a fan of her character or her voice. Anne Hathaway totally turned me on my heels though. She made me cry like a baby. I LOVED her! Who would have thought? (Grade: A-, I bring her down a bit for her death scene--a little too much drama)

Hilarious! The Thenardiers don't need strong voices--they just need to provide the slime and humor. Sasha Baron Cohen was perfect. I was giggling every time he was on screen. (Grades: Thenardier- A-, Madame Thenardier- B)

Listening to Amanda Seyfried sing is what I imagine a unicorn would sound like when singing. That's not a compliment. Marius can either be a great force in the show (Michael Ball) or someone to laugh at (Nick Jonas). Eddie Redmayne was my favorite part of the show! Fantastic acting and singing. I rooted for him and loved every moment of his performance. (Grades: Cosette- D, Marius- A)

If you don't love Eponine, then you have no business loving Les Miserables. She is always my favorite in the show and if you have a good Eponine, you can overlook most everything else. Samantha Banks was just about perfect in every way. I loved, loved her. "A Little Fall of Rain" is the reason why I will see this again someday. (Grade: A)

Les Miserables

Just saw Les Miserables tonight. I will post about it soon. Might be a long one...

Great movie line

Lindsay and I watched The Social Network the other night with our brother Collin. Great movie. I love this line referencing Karate Kid:

Divya Narendra: Every minute this site is up HarvardConnection becomes less valuable. I want an injunction, I want damages, I want punitive relief and I want him dead.
Cameron Winklevoss: Yeah, I want those things too.
Divya Narendra: Then why aren't we doing anything about it? Because we're gentlemen of Harvard?!
Cameron Winklevoss: No, because you're not thinking how it's gonna look.
Divya Narendra: How's it gonna look?
Cameron Winklevoss: Like my brother and I are in skeleton costumes chasing the Karate Kid around the high school gym.

MTC with the Family

My dad is serving in a branch presidency at the MTC and last Sunday our family went to his sacrament meeting. We had lunch in the cafeteria (food has not improved in the last 20 years) and then attended their meeting. The kids were a hit with the missionaries, especially the sisters. We had a good time and the boys were excited to see what lies ahead for them (not saying that Brynn isn't going on a mission, but her only thought there was running up and down the halls).

The Return of the King

This is going to be a tough one. There are so many great moments and great shots in this film. It's definitely our favorite to go, "Oh, I love this shot. This is the best shot." It has my favorite musical theme with "The Grey Havens." It's hard to point to what my three favorite scenes are, so I will just go with what my favorites are right now. (Always subject to change).

 

3. The side of Mount Doom- 

Sam: "Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?" 

Frodo: "No, Sam. I can’t recall the taste of food… Nor the sound of wood or touch of grass… I’m naked in the dark, with nothing. No veil between me and the ring of fire. I can see him with my waking eyes!"
Sam: "Then let us be rid of it! Once and for all! Come on Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you! But I can carry you! Come on!"

Genius!

2. Four Hobbits returning home-There is a brief moment at the end of the film when Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin are sitting at Green Dragon in Hobbiton sipping their favorite ale. There are no words spoken, just a glance between these friends that have gone on the most incredible journey. They are changed. They have just saved Middle Earth and the other Hobbits around them have no idea. They are strangers in their own home now. The look and the moment they share is so beautiful and heart-breaking.

1. Frodo receiving a much needed boost-Frodo has sent Sam home, escaped Shelob's lair and has just thrown Gollum off a cliff. He falls to the ground, but finds himself in Lothlorien. Galadriel (so beautiful in every way) tells him, "This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will." She takes Frodo by the hand and lifts him up. He finds himself back in Mordor. It's so short, but so perfect. I think I love it so much because of its link to Fellowship.

The Two Towers

I didn't mention yesterday that Fellowship of the Ring is my favorite of the three films. It's actually my favorite film of all time. My brother in law commented about seeing it for the first time and how it impacted him. Same for me. I was brought to another world. I wish I could have that experience with films all the time. A few have done it for me--Die Hard, Dances With Wolves, Forrest Gump, Titanic... But this was just an absolutely amazing experience! Nothing can top it for me.

Anyway, on to Two Towers. Great film! I love the music of this film. It has some beautiful themes created by Howard Shore. 

My three favorite scenes:

3. Gollum's schizophrenia-I love when Gollum is having a conversation with himself. He allows Smeagol to take over and for a time dismisses his evil side of Gollum. Not only is it a great performance by Andy Serkis, but it so greatly hits on one of the strong themes of LOTR: addiction and the ability to overcome it.

2. The Warg Rider attack-Such a great intense scene to come just at the right time. Two Towers can be a slow-moving film (one word: Treebeard), but this scene comes right at the middle and offers some needed excitement. Legolas is awesome in this scene: firing his arrows across the valley and then hopping up onto Gimli's horse like Tony Hawk on acid.

1. Samwise's Speech-How do you wrap up a movie like this? It has no real beginning and no real ending. So they give Sam one of the best speeches ever put on film! "I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.--That there's some good in this world and it's worth fighting for." That's how you end a film.

Three nights of LOTR

We just finished with one of my favorite events of the year: watching Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy three nights in a row. Mom, Dad and Jani join Lindsay, Kam and I. We eat some Indian food, drink far too much Cherry Coke Zero, and eat more dark chocolate and popcorn than the average oompa loompa. But the extra 15-20 pounds I might have gained is very much worth it. I love these films! They are passionate movie making in every aspect. As we watch, we point out parts of the score that we love, actor's performances that no one else could pull off and Jackson's direction that amazes.

Here are my top three favorite scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring. The next two films will follow soon.

3. The Bridge of Khazad-dum--Gandalf facing off with the Balrog is powerful. When the Fellowship try to run to his aid, but have to flee...heart-wrenching. Howard Shore's score at this point is beautiful.

2. Hobbiton--The movies get progressively darker. I love the light and humor of the first part of this film. Bag End is such a great set.

1. The Uruk Hai Battle--I love when Aragorn is tempted by the Ring, but then closes Frodo's hand around it--"I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor." Awesome! And then to take on the entire Uruk army on his own?! Bad a@*! Everything about the ending of Fellowship is just great: Legolas firing about 20 arrows while standing in the same spot, Boromir sacrificing himself for Merry and Pippin, Frodo standing on the shores of Anduin knowing what lies ahead...

Love this quote

Nothing in my life has ever been as important as pressing the elevator floor button is to my 3 year old.
-Jim Gaffigan

Congrats, Emily!

Last week, Lindsay's little sister Emily was married to Brian Smith. I have watched Emily grow up from second grade and the family has always known how much I have loved her. There was a time when I know I was her favorite, but not anymore! The same thing is going to happen with Brynn...

Emily's sisters made crepes for the wedding and they all did a fantastic job!

Maddie and Isabelle

Adam was an awesome busboy! The reception was a success because of him.

Have you ever seen a cuter little man?

More Merry Christmas

We had a really fun day with the kids. For the most part, they did well. Not much fighting at all and they enjoyed the things they got. Here is a run-down of pics:

I love the way our tree and presents look before the kids come down and ruin it all by opening things. Selfish rats.

My friend Chris Young, who is the most amazing artist in the world, did this portrait of Brynn. It is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. Come over and take a look. You will not believe your eyes.

This is all Brynn wanted for Christmas. She loves it!

Adam got a Jaseboard and Dad got a RAD longboard. We took them over to the school and rode around the halls. SO much fun! I want to bust into a high school. Those halls are massive.

Max with his Angry Bird and putting together his Avengers LEGO set.

Kam got a Kindle Fire HD. We are trying to get used to the Android setup.

Christmas at G & G Rad's. Brynn got more horses. The small ones are heirlooms from Jani. Such a sweet gift.

Chilin'

Max has some talent in there. We expect him to be playing our Christmas carols this next year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!