'Les Miserables' ***1/2

'les miz' is brilliant. the show that is. the tom hooper directed film is somewhat short of brilliant. but that is good. all of us 'les miz' fans have seen the film in our minds over the past 25 years. some of our thoughts and hopes may have been realized with this version. quite a few of mine were. well almost were. but i did not conceive it...mr hooper did and he is to be congratulated. he remained faithful to the original adding snippets here and there to tie together formally loose ends to make a more complete scenario. also a good move.

i cannot quibble with the production values. it is generally amazing to look at and listen to. generally.  for instance: there was just a bit, no maybe too much, excrement in the sewer scene. sometimes less is more. but this is a minor quibble. and vocally the idea to record live on set is quite remarkable with the exception of russell crowe.

the story of jean valjean (hugh jackman) begins with his release from prison, owning a factory encountering his former prison guard javert (russel crowe), encountering the down and out fantine (anne hathaway) and taking responsibility for her daughter cosette. but it all really picks up after the death of fantine when the story moves to paris and we meet the young revolutionaries led by enjoiras, (arron tveit) and his band of student rebels and his best friend marius (eddie redmayne), his friend eponine (samantha barks)  and the now grown cosette (amanda seyfried).

what we now have is an action filled revolt and true romance and the remnants of unrequited love and friends forever gone. and death. not your typical musical but still a bit above most all the others filmed.

the musical highlights are 'the red and black', 'in my life/a heart full of love, 'one day more', 'on my own', 'bring him home' and 'empty chairs at empty tables'. anne hathaways 'i dreamed a dream' is certainly her jennifer hudson moment. it and ms hathaway are wonderful but it is sung for the academy. it is her supporting actress oscar nomination and probable win. if there were justice that nom would go to samantha barks as eponine. i have never been kind to ms hathaway but will give her due credit here. she would just not get an oscar vote from me.

hugh jackman is terrific as jean valjean. eddie redmayne as marius is extraordinary. his 'empty chairs at empty tables is brilliant and a highlight. aaron tveit is a fitting and worthy enjoiras. samantha barks is the quitessential eponine and her 'on my own' is brilliant. amanda seyfried with an almost angelic voice is adorably convincing as the lovely cosset. sasha baron cohen and helena bonham carter add the necessary comic relief as the innkeeper thenardier's. and now we get to the weak link: russell crowe who's right for the part but not the singing. his voice is ear piercing. when he starts singing it just pulls you right out of the film. sadly. and admittedly it lost 1/2 a star because of him. 

all in all see it. it is a grand endeavor that succeeds. and samantha, eddie, aaron and amanda along with hugh amaze.

Looking Back: 'The Music Lovers'

'the music lovers' has always been a favorite of mine. finally here is someone, director bernard rose,  who agrees with me. we both think it is glorious and moving. it was ken russell's follow up to 'women in love' and he again used the wonderful, well brilliant, glenda jackson to play the nympho wife to richard chamberlain's so gay but terrifically acted tchaikovsky. it was killed by the critics at large. frack them. it is currently available on netflix streaming but never got an official dvd release. it deserves a blu ray release.

Josh's Juke Box

two from the incredible bonnie tyler

'total eclipse of the heart'


'it's a heartache'

'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' ***1/2

'salmon fishing in the yemen' is a lost gem of 2012. perhaps because it has one of the worst titles of the year. don't let that title fool you. it's one of those slice of life films i enjoy.  it's quite simple: a sheik wants to bring the sport of fly fishing to the yemen and his faith dares want to make the impossible possible. and of course there is the love angle as the relationship between consultant and expert, emily blunt and ewan mcgregor, grows from mutual admiration to something more. emily blunt is wonderful (i love her actually) and ewan mcgregor is subtly brilliant as always. and last but not least there is a rare comedic turn by the wonderful kristen scott thomas (i love her too). and yes emily and kristen are almost always wonderful and more.

this one is already available on disc and digital download. take a chance you may get swept in.

'Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2' ****stars

the 'twilight' finale gets 4 stars because it out did itself. it is a grand spectacle. now i have not always praised this series as there were some major bumps along the way. here we have a fond farewell. the cast shines in a way it has not before although robert pattinson always shined in this series for me.

now i never read the books therefore a turn of events toward the end of the film offered one of the best surprises in film in years. one of the few things that could beat it would be a remake on 'the sound of music' where the nazi's get the von trapps at the end. that would be a surprise!

the fans of the series have seen this already. if you have not seen the previous entries it may not make sense. still i am here to say it is the beat of the series. goodbye to the cullen can and the pack. you served us well.

one last thought: this finale was a better ending than the 'batman' finale although the first two installments of the 'batman trilogy' wre better than the 4 out of 5 of the 'twilight series. i hope that made sense.

Josh's Jukebox: ABBA

the song of the day is 'the songs of the day' abba remix

'Argo' ****

'argo' the based on a true story about the rescue of 6 americans during the carter administration is really really good. we know how it will turn, out but i now say the brilliant, director ben affleck keeps us engrossed and on the edge of our seats throughout. the cast is one of the best ensemble casts of the year. special kudus to alan arkin a supporting actor nominee potential.

a potential best picture nominee i urge you to see it. and congrats mr. affleck. you are three for three.
it is the possible winner of that roque oscar.

So Now What....

well i am pretty well on the mend so i can finally return to my passion...going to the movies. so today i begin with 'argo' as it may well be the first to disappear as it's been our the longest. so i'll see you tomorrow with more. but i leave you with this: music

Kate Weds for Third Time and Leo Gives Her Away

1. leo  dicaprio walked kate down the isle in a private ny ceremony. best hope third time is the charm. her new mate i ned rocknroll(???) nephew of british tycoon richard branson. let's just hope she left this headgear home for the ceremony. what was she thinking?

Audra Retuning to 'Private Practice' for Finale in January

'Nine' Revisted

'overture belle donne'


'guido's song'


'a call from the vatican'


'folies bergere'


'be italian'


'unusual way'


'cinema italiano'


'my husband makes movies'


'take it all'



'i can't make this movie'


'finale'

Merry Christmas

TODAY

50 Years Ago Today

one of the best films ever was released.

O Holy Night

Feliz Navidad

NOW!!!

Come See About Me

how great was it to see dianna agron, with naya rivera, back on 'glee?

Dear Santa

Josh's Jukebox: 'Holding Out for a Hero'

'glee' has shown new life this season. the musical productions are as good if not better than the past. 

with the exception of the bulimia crap, a horrible example to young girls, the plots have been fun and some bittersweet....more to come.

I'm Back....

i had major surgery after months of pain from cancer. i am now in recovery mode and hope to start here fresh and anew....

Meryl, Audra, Kyra, Kevin and More

From the Vault: 'Release Me'

streisand's new cd release is not exactly new. barbra went t the vault picked out some 12 cuts she did not think worthy of release at the time of the recording. but what the hell. need to add a room on to the home or whatever and feeling a bit lazy and not in the mood to record well just go to the vault. a bit lazy? really lazy!

Sally Field Receives HRC’s Ally For Equality Award

Josh's Jukebox: 'Seasons in the Sun'

the soundtrack of my life

terry jacks

 

westlife

American Horror Story: Asylum - Atheist

debuts october 17

Happy Birthday Kate

Save Big Bird and PBS Vote Obama

OK So Where the Hell Was Barack Last Night?

barack lost the debate on the economy. probably the most important of the three. what the f**k happened to him. who was inhabiting his body. this was sad. pitiful. discouraging. two to go. he needs to redeem himself. he better redeem himself! Oy.

Women's Voices for Obama

'666 Park Avenue' Sucks. That's Being Kind.

if the first episode is an indication of where this show is going it will be going going gone soon. it in a word was a BORE.

it's grade? F. really F. F- if there is an F-.

the worst yet! and i really wanted to like this series. really i did.

Dear Mr. President

Get Out and Vote. It Matters

'Glee' Season 4 Is Adrift in Medocrity Since It Graduated Some of It's Best Talent

'glee' is in free fall. since graduation last spring the choir room now seems hollow and empty. and lifeless. with rachel finn, quinn and santana gone all we have are empty tables and empty chairs. where the hell is naya rivera and diane argon? these two are a major losses and makes the show a lot less gleeful. at this point i give it a more than generous c-

kate hudson? okay i am not a fan so when she is the best thing about the new season all bets are off. her character is miserable, her acting almost passable and with great amounts of editing her dancing is well...good. no more no less than good. i mean bebe neuwirth she ain't!

lea michelle is best off being in ny away from the mess in mckinley high. she's got a hot cute talented guy swooning over her. her best friend kurt joined her in search of his own dreams so now they are besties and roomies. but she does have to deal with ms hudson. all those who srtrive in the theater know it will be hard...damn hard. there will be more downs than ups. heartache and heartbrake are par for the course. many can do it and succeed. but can't you at least want your teachers to be better than you are. ms hudson is not better than lea michelle. she doesn't come close to lea michelle. and i ain't thinking ms michelle is on her way to an oscar. i'm jusy saying she'll get there faster than kate hudson. and yet she is the best thing in this new season. how can this be? i do not know. it boggles the mind.

lea

kate

lea wins hands down.

i'll keep trying to watch 'glee'. at least a few good musical numbers will show up. they always do.

like this:

lea and newcomer melissa benoist

'Revolution' Is a Boring Mess...

and i'm done with it already i gave it the required two episode test. it failed. it's like they took 'fast forward', 'terra nova', 'the event', 'the walking dead' and 'falling skies' in a blender and poured out this glob of nothingness. could they not have written just one likeable character. someone to care about. guess not. so i am revolting from this d- mess.

Sunday Sweet Sunday is Coming

5 of my faves return for a new season this sunday

night  and i keep my fingers crossed for a sunday newbie. abc's adding '666 park avenue' on sunday night with 'once upon a time' and the moving 'revenge' seems a good idea. i hate that 'revenge' and 'the good wife' are up against each other but....i dvr 'the good wife' because who the hell knows when football will end on any given sunday night? just add recording time!

anyway here is sunday on abc:

 i wish cbs would send this back to a night that is not forever delayed by football or even worse golf.

i still love 'the good wife' and julianna margulies. it also boasts one of the best casts on the flat screens.

 

and then there is 'homeland' also returning on sunday. gratefully we can schedule this one at will to get it out of the sunday traffic jam.

all in all sunday's are looking tv good.

Josh's Juke Box: 'On My Own'

from the soundtrack of my life.
since i showd the poster art for 'les miz' yesterday this beauty of a song needs a revisit.

and i was dared by another blogger to name my top 100 songs from musicals. i'm up to 136 as of today. HA!
yet with a lot of thought i have come up with one that i must say is my favorite. 'on my own' from 'les miserables'

and here to sing it is the once and future eponine, samantha barks, brilliant rendering it. this is from the 25th anniversary concert of lez miz. miss barks will thankfully reprise the role in the film version coming in december.

Les Miz' Art Work

'les misersbles' the film poster goes back to it's origins by using the young cosette rather than the name stars in it's artwork. it's a nice tribute to the original concept. and let's not forget the original is still running somewhere in the world these 25 years later.

the film has been moved to christmas day in the states

the film

 theatre

the new featurette

A Glee Moment: 'Cough Syrup'

one of glee's best moments last season. darren chriss sang 'cough syrup' while another cast member attempted suicide for being bullied because he was gay. i understand this bullying as i was a gay kid growing up in brooklyn. thankfully i never attempted this final solution. not all kids are as lucky as i am.

(anyway more on the new season coming soon)

Julianne Moore Vindicated

after getting thumbs down from the real pit bull julianne gets two thumbs up from emmy. AND FROM ME! i am sure sure ms moore knows an insult from the moronic palin is a compliment. yeah she knows!

does anyone come off more insincere than claire danes? she comes off a bit condescending and downright arrogant even when being honored. this does not take away from a brilliant performance. it just makes her a less than desirable human being with no humility at all. perhaps she can platy ann romney in 'game change 2'

New Rules

Finally Someone Who Agrees with Me about 'The Music Lovers'

 i actually love most of the madness of director ken russell. this is madness personified in visual lushness. this film should have made richard chamberlain a 'star'. glenda jackson is brilliantly courageous. it is not for the weak of heart, mind or spirit.

Emmy Awards Tonight

as much as i love a lot of tv the emmys don't grab me as say the oscars do. even though the oscars draw a lot of dreck they tend to pick 'most' of the best. most! not all. 

the emmys tend to get monotonous mostly due to repetition. 'mad men ' again? really? yes really. i'm not into most tv comedies to me they died with seinfeld, raymond, friends and the golden ladies.

but tv drama still gets me. i think most tv dramas are written better than big screen films. but the emmys also tend to ignore the real 'best of'. i mean 'once upon a time' and 'good wife' are ignored for best drama but those damn mad men keeps getting the nod. i still can't figure out who the hell nominates and eventually vote the winners. who is this committee?

well anyway the category that i think is the tightest and best this year is for actress in a leading role drama. it appears claire danes will win it. she is certainly worthy. i'd love michelle dockery to be the surprise winer. she is flawless in 'downton abbey'. ans a repeat win by julianna maggulies would be always welcome. i'd have voted for dockery. sublime. yes i repeat sublime. but hell i did not get a vote. 

enjoy them for what they are tonight. i do like the glamour of it all.

Walk and Talk the Vote - West Wing Reunion - Bridget Mary McCormack

Hitler Reacts to Mittwitt's 47% Plan

Josh's Juke Box: 'The Music of the Night'

the soundtrack of my life

Memories

Teabonics

idiots

Josh's Jukebox" 'The Weddind Song'

for blake and ryan

paul stookey

Married

blake and ryan quietly married this weekend. congrats to both.

Josh's Juke Box: 'The Prayer'

from the soundtrack of my life

'the prayer' is a beautiful song especially as a duet. many have been done but this one vocalized by andrea bocelli and katharine mcphee is my favorite.

General Hospital Sonny Explosion Sept 10 at a New Time. Check your DVR

'Downton Abbey' Newest Season 3 Trailer: Enter Shirley MacLaine

'Downton Abbey' Season 3 New Trailer

the date for the usa premier is jan. 6th on pbs. six months from today. damn! i know time flies but this seems like almost forever.

in the meantime

Watch: Extended Gucci Ad Starring Blake Lively Features Nicolas Winding Refn Cameo & More Staring Out Into Space

Brava! Brilliant Speech

And Today the Intelligent Convention Begins

Josh's Jukebox: 'Rags'

what labor day is all about. the triangle fire factory showed the need for reform the musical 'rags' brought it to life. the amazing judy kuhn gave it life.

Happy Labor Day

kristen chenoweth and 'the star spangled banner'

For Me

One Man 'Les Miserables' Nick Pitera Medley

i have no idea who this guy, nick pitera, is but i think we all will hear more from him. his one man medley of 'les miserables' songs is brilliant. i've been doing this in my mind and in my shower for years. bravo!

Idiot of the Week: Clint Eastwood

so so many to choose from but this moron talking to an empty chair wins!

GLEE - First Look: Season 4

Josh's Juke Box: 'Putting It Together'

another from the soundtrack of my mind

The Universal Soldier

Say It Ain't So

but alas it is so. 'pretty little liars' ends it's summer run tonight. so we find out who killed maya not really one of my favorite characters. yet it remains one of my favorite shows and still gets an A for this partial season. see you in october girls.

Vera Farmiga Joins 'Psycho' for AMC

the ever promising vera farmiga joins amc's 2013 series as norma bates mother of future serial rapist killer norman. accepting the role makes me believe this is more than a schlock rip off of a film classic. it will be titled 'bates motel'.

Josh's Juke Box: 'Sweet Sir Galahad'

soundtrack of my life

Alexander Skarsgard's Calvin Klein Encounter

Perfect Poster for Family Planning and Choice

oy what a motley crew

Idiot of the Week: Todd Akin the 'LEGITIMATE RAPE' Moron

Approved by the Catholic Chuch...Shame on Them!

so much for separation of church and state. this video could have been produced in fascist germany. damn papists!

Josh's Jukebox: 'There Goes My Baby'

the soundtrack of my life

trisha yearwood

'Homeland' Season 2 Trailer

premiers september 30th on showtime

Two 'Downton Abbey' TV Spots from across the Pond

unfortunately we have to wait to january 6th. oy!

Josh's Juke Box: 'Mrs Robinson'

the soundtrack of my life
simon and garfunkel

Josh's Jukebox: R.I.P. Scott McKenzie Who Passed Away Today

from the soundtrack of my life

scott mckenzie

'Revenge' Season 2 Trailer: Emily's In Way Over Her Head!

Bill Maher: Voter ID Yet Another 'Tricky, Racist Law'

LET'S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED