At The Movies This Week, 11th January 2013
At The Movies
Les Misérables ★★★★★
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anna Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen
From the director of ‘The Kings Speech’, Tom Hooper, comes his adaptation of ‘Les Misérables’, the stage musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel.
The story is set in the 19th Century France following ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who breaks parole and is seeking redemption for his crimes whilst he is being pursued by Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). After agreeing to care for his factory worker, Fantine’s daughter, Cosette, his life is about to change forever.
The cinematography, costume and sets are wonderful and the production design is impressive, the film opens with a spectacular effects scene but it’s the performances that really make this film.
Hugh Jackman is absolutely incredible as Jean Valjean and carries the film with remarkable grace. Anne Hathaway is nothing short of magnificent in her fleeting role as Fantine and could possibly win the Oscar for her performance. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as a pair of comically voracious innkeepers bring some much needed humour to lighten the mood.
Full of high emotion, ‘Les Misérables’ is communicated to us completely in song. The cast full of determination deliver a musical that is unlike any other.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D ★
Director: John Luessenhop
Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Dan Yeager, Trey Songz
Heather (Alexandra Daddario) inherits a house from a grandmother she never knew she had, accompanied by her friends; she goes home only to discover her killer cousin Jed (Dan Yeager), alias Leatherface, lives in the basement.
Most of the rehashes and sequels of the classic horrors have been disappointing of late and this is no exception. There are a few good 3D scenes and there are some scenes for fans of gore, however, most of the film consists of the heroine being chased by Leatherface.
There are some dumb plot twists, poor performances and clumsy suspense scenes that had potential to be something good but fails to deliver.
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Two films I would like to see, texas chainsaw massacre does not look scary but as a horror fanatic, I need to get my sick pleasure from somewhere!
I found that the first half was the better half for thrills and scares, wait for Evil Dead to come out, its looking to be pretty good!