About the Film

Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27^th year.  Helmed by The King’s Speech’s Academy Award^®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar^® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Set against the backdrop of 19^th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.  Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole.  When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

In December 2012, the world’s longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale.  With international superstars and beloved songs—including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and “On My Own”—Les Misérables, the show of shows, is now reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.

The Trailer

My Review

When I left the theater all I could say was, “Wow!” There is so much to this film that I needed to process it so that I could attempt to share my thoughts with you. As a whole Les Miserables is an epic movie worthy of every accolade and award nomination it is garnering. Since I have not read the book or seen the stage play I came to the theatre with no preconceived notions of what to expect and I was blown away.

The score is often intense and is the core of this musical. The movie actually includes an additional song that director Tom Hooper commissioned for Hugh Jackman to sing about his love for Cosette, his adopted daughter. the song fits seamlessly with the rest of the score and I didn’t even know there was a new song until researching for this review. Hugh Jackman is magnificent as the tortured soul, Jean Valjean. The emotion he brings to this role and these songs is palpable. Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Fantine is raw and transparent and deeper than anything I’ve ever seen her do. Russell Crowe as Javert is very good but in all honesty, his vocals just aren’t up to par with the rest of the cast, that doesn’t make it bad-the rest of the cast is just that good! I could go on and on about the powerful and heart wrenching performances by Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks and Isabelle Allen, they are all amazing in their roles. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are the only comic relief as the Thenardiers.

I believe the major thing that allowed the cast to be so magnificent is how this movie was filmed. Almost all movie musical cast go into a studio and record the soundtrack in advance of filming the movie then they lip sync to the track during the filming. That would never work with Les Miserables because there is little dialog between the songs and you would miss a lot of spontaneous emotion that happens during filming. Watch this clip about how the movie was filmed.

This movie is rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements. I tend to be more strict than the motion picture rating people but personally, I wouldn’t have taken my kids before they were 16. This film includes scenes of prostitutes, death, and violence. My 18yo enjoyed the movie but thought there was too much singing The movie is 157 minutes (2 hours 37 minutes) long. Les Miserables hits theatres Christmas Day.

Disclosure: I was invited to a media screening of the movie by Grace Hill Media. All opinions are 100% mine.

The post Holiday Guide-Les Miserables Review appeared first on The Mom Maven.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary† of a cherished family classic, Disney proudly presents a special movie collection featuring two modern-day fairy tales, The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, for the first time ever on Blu-ray!

Starring Academy Award®-Winning Actress Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins, 1964) and Academy Award-Nominated Actress Anne Hathaway (Best Actress, Rachel Getting Married, 2008), these two heartwarming and hilarious movies will touch your heart. As the future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia has everything a girl could want – except the enchanting romance she’s always dreamed of. Comic complications rule the day in these delightfully engaging stories about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

Relive all the magic and excitement of these two beloved favorites on this 3-Disc Combo Pack, which includes a DVD of each film. Share the laughter and the love for the first time on Disney Blu-ray.

The Princess Diaries Film Synopsis:   Mia Thermopolis is the average teenager – sweet, a little geeky and pretty much invisible to everyone with the exception of her mother, best friend Lilly and Lilly’s older brother Michael. Making it through high school without throwing up is a challenge in itself for Mia, so it doesn’t come as welcome news when her estranged grandmother shows up out of the blue and calmly informs her that she is in fact the heir to the throne of a European country called Genovia. Suddenly Mia’s life is thrown into complete overload. She’s being taught about scarves, waves and pears in order to become a perfect princess, she gets a makeover and a tough looking yet sweet bodyguard/limo driver called Joe. Things get out of hand when the media gets a hold of the story and suddenly Mia is thrust into the spotlight in both the newspapers and in school. On top of all that Mia has a choice to make. She must decide by Genovia’s Independence Day Ball whether she longs to relinquish her claim on the throne or to become the princess and heir to the throne and father and grandmother want her to be.

 The Princess Diaries 2 Film Synopsis:  Starring the irresistible Anne Hathaway and Academy Award winner Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins), this modern-day fairy tale picks up right where The Princess Diaries left off!  As future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia (Hathaway) has everything a girl could want – except the magical romance she’s always dreamed of.  But soon, Mia’s shocked to discover that she needs to get married right now or her family will lose the crown! Comic complications rule the day in this delightful family story about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

Talent/Cast:

Julie Andrews (Sound of Music, Mary Poppins)

Anne Hathaway (Alice in Wonderland, Get Smart)

Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman, Valentine’s Day)

Heather Matarazzo (Scream 3, The Devil’s Advocate)

Mandy Moore (Tangled, AWalk to Remember) – The Princess Diaries

Chris Pine (Star Trek, Unstoppable) – The Princess Diaries 2

Director: Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, Beaches, Valentine’s Day)

Producers: Debra Martin Chase (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Whitney Houston (TV’s “Cinderella,” The Preacher’s Wife), Mario Iscovich (Sister Act, Freaky Friday)

Writer: Gina Wendkos (Coyote Ugly)

Princess Diaries Bonus Features:         

• Outtakes and Bloopers
•  “A New Princess” Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
• 8 Deleted Scenes – Introduced By Director Garry Marshall
• “The Ultimate Tea Party” – With Audio Commentary By Julie Andrews And Anne Hathaway
• Music Videos
• Livin’ Like A Princess

The Princess Diaries 2 Bonus Features:

•  Royal Bloopers
• The PD2 Makeover
• Deleted Scenes – Introduced By Director Garry Marshall
• “Breakaway” Music Video – By Kelly Clarkson
• Find Your Inner Princess – A Personality Quiz
•  A Julie and Garry Commentary

Release Date: exclusively at Target Stores in April

Suggested Retail        3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack = $29.99

Rating:                         G (bonus material not rated)

Feature Run Time:       The Princess Diaries: 115 minutes / The Princess Diaries 2: 113 minutes

We know both movies so well we can practically quote them! The bonus features on the DVDs are great. I especially like the commentaries by Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews and Garry Marshall and the deleted scenes which are introduced by Garry Marshall. I love the way Mr Marshall shares with us his insights and the reasons the scenes were deleted from the final edit. I have enjoyed most of Mr Marshall’s movies and I really like seeing how well the cast and crew love working for him in the behind-the-scenes footage.

The 3-Disc Blue-ray Combo Pack is available right now, exclusively at Target and is a great surprise for the princess in your life.

What is your favorite scene in either of the Princess Diaries movies? I think mine is when Mia is at her first royal function and so many things go wrong. Anne Hathaway’s comedic timing coupled with Julie Andrews’ ability to be regal throughout it all is just so much fun to watch.

Disclosure: I received the The 3-Disc Blue-ray Combo Pack for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

The post Princess Diaries and Princess Diaries 2 Blu-Ray Combo Pack Review appeared first on The Mom Maven.

With the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, will.i.am, Rodrigo Santoro,  Jamie Foxx and  Jake T. Austin, this movie is sure to be a hit!

The music in the movie is a-maz-ing! Later this month I’ll be hosting a soundtrack giveaway but for now take a look at this behind the scenes neak peek at the making of the music of RIO.

Stay up to date on all things RIO by following @RIOmovie on twitter and searching for #RIOmovie there too!

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