Les Miserables CD/DVD-Blu-Ray/Other media

[jo]

Mar 22, 2013 18:07:16 GMT -5 birchie said:

Wasn't sure where to put this but it is "other media" and it's a song from Les Miserables sooooooo...I thought it was very well done. I have a feeling that this song is going to produce a lot of videos like this one! Hope you all enjoy it. youtu.be/NxVehgQBLRg
Sue

Thanks, Sue!

I do not know who is more adorable - Bambi or Cosette ...or who looks/sounds more protective of his little one - Bambi's father or Papa Jean

I also found a cover of SUDDENLY sung by a woman -- and it evoked scenes of a mother singing to her young child! I posted it somewhere here ( maybe in Postscripts to Les Mis?).

I think SUDDENLY is going to gain a solid following as time goes. I was surprised to see close to 700,000 YouTube hits on an upload of the song ( no video, just Hugh singing) and I was so struck by some of the comments ( including presumably from a Mom who said " this is one lullaby that I am going to sing to my child").



Jo

[jo]

I just talked to my sister ( who has been visiting with her son and family in New Jersey for sometime now) and she is coming home on Sunday evening with my copies of the Target special edition, the deluxe CD, another copy of the voice/piano compilation, a copy of the Hugh cover story on The Hollywood Reporter >

I didn't think I would get them this early >

Jo

[marymagdalene]

Mar 22, 2013 20:30:53 GMT -5 jo said:

I just talked to my sister ( who has been visiting with her son and family in New Jersey for sometime now) and she is coming home on Sunday evening with my copies of the Target special edition, the deluxe CD, another copy of the voice/piano compilation, a copy of the Hugh cover story on The Hollywood Reporter >

I didn't think I would get them this early > Jo

Hey, Jo!
Where did your sister find a copy of "The Hollywood Reporter"?
I tried my local Barnes & Noble, and they do not carry it, so I think I might have to contact the magazine itself to see if I can purchase a copy direct from them...

[jo]

I did the looking ;D

I saw it being sold on Amazon, purchased it and had it delivered to my nephew's home address and his Mom ( my sister) is flying home with all the stuff Saturday morning.

Maybe you can try if it is still available on Amazon?


Jo

[marymagdalene]

When I found out that Hugh was going to be on the cover, I researched this magazine, and all I found was that they were a subscription-only magazine...

I asked one of my friends at the Barnes & Noble bookstore who does the magazines when they come out (and removes the old ones), and even she said that it was a subscription-only magazine...

So it looks like I will have to do some more research about this particular issue!

[njr]

My son who works at Target got me their special Blu-Ray DVD set of Les Mis! ;D

Nancy

[jo]

The Target Exclusive Disc includes the following :

*The Genesis of Les Miserables
*The Transformation of Hugh Jackman
*The Young Revolutionaries
*Anatomy of a Scene : Lovely Ladies
*Anatomy of a Scene : Master of the House
*Les Miserables Lives On

The bonus features for the BluRay are also very good.

Jo

[alma]

I listened to the supposedly "Full" soundtrack on YouTube. It must be the highlights version. It's missing a lot of songs, of course, and Look Down includes only one verse. Better than nothing, though, while my own two-disk soundtrack arrives.

I watched the video on YouTube showing what the Target set includes. But I want to hear from you guys...

Jo, Sue, Nancy and everyone else who has bought the Deluxe Combo pack and the Target set: is it worth getting both if you're not really giving the extra copies to anyone? I'm the ONLY HJ or Les Mis 'black sheep' in my family!

So good to count on Ozalots who 'get me', and understand what it's all about.

Alma

[jo]

I am a not the best person to ask, Alma ;D

I always get backup copies ( even more than one) because I live outside the US ( or even the UK) and when one disc has become worn out ( not supposed to, but it can happen) or gets lost or my BluRay player has become dysfunctional, I am insecure enough to get all those extra copies so I can play them on my DVD player/audio player. LOL!

To give you a straight answer -- I think I saw the Youtube clip of the supposedly Full soundtrack -- it was terrible! The one who uploaded it did not do the uploading right ( I think it was a technical thing) because the sound of Hugh's singing was terrible. How did I know that? I listened to the highlights album and it was completely different - natural and much more engaging.

I have just watched all the features on the Target exclusive and on the regular BluRay/DVD extras -- they are all worth it. Maybe because I am a longtime Les Mis fan, a Hugh Jackman fan, and even a bit of a Francophile ( Paris is one of my favorite cities even if they only CGI'ed it in the movie) -- too long a fan of the show/novel! Those insights really make you appreciate the movie even better!

I have also watched the movie with the Director's commentary -- that is really the true bonus - so much insights! Some I had some deja vu feelings because I came across them during the filming ( I was on IMDB all the time, sharing all the tidbits we could get about what was happening during filming)...others I had come to an understanding after the final movie turned out to be a slightly different than what we heard during filming ( such as the change in the ending, such as why Eponine was filmed in the finale but edited out, etc). I found it amazing that my understanding of why and how Bring Him Home was filmed that way...was exactly what he said in the commentary ( which I did not know when I was posting all those remarks about why Bring Him Home was different in the film, compared to the stage)! I could not believe that the change was accidental - because as he says, the song was meant to be a journey for Valjean, not just a simplistic talking to God! And when he said that "that the songs had to be reinterpreted for the camera closeup" ( when he was talking about how Samantha had to reinvent the way she sang On My Own), he expressed the definitive distinction between film and stage when it comes to musicals! There were many more insights that Hooper shared -- outstanding!

They even include why the handheld camera and the use of closeups were deliberate and wise decisions! Hooper and his creative team and his acting team were the best - they did not make stupid decisions. The handheld allowed more artistic freedom for the actors while singing ( and Hooper learned about the wisdom of using it in the first scene of Valjean in the mountains) while the closeups connoted that the character was singing from his/her own head and not as responding to the outside influences ( citing I DREAMED A DREAM, for this one). True, the decisions are departures from convention, but who cares if they seek better even if untried artistic solutions. I have become a true Tom Hooper fan!


I still have to listen to the deluxe soundtrack - maybe today. But it all came from the movie - so I expect not to be disappointed. We already have Val to thank for the complete audio upload of the movie anyway

I have so much Les Mis stuff -- I am not the best person to ask whether I may have too much of it - LOL!

Btw, can you get the Target copy from where you live? I had to ask my sister to bring home my set ( including a backup copy - LOL!) as Target would not ship internationally and they do not have overseas stores, as far as I know.

Jo

[alma]

Mar 25, 2013 18:31:29 GMT -5 jo said:

I am a bad person to ask, Alma ;D

I always get backup copies ( even more than one) because I live outside the US ( or even the UK) and when one disc has become worn out ( not supposed to, but it can happen) or gets lost or my BluRay player has become dysfunctional, I am insecure enough to get all those extra copies so I can play them on my DVD player/audio player. LOL!

To give you a straight answer -- I think I saw the Youtube clip of the supposedly Full soundtrack -- it was terrible! The one who uploaded it did not do the uploading right ( I think it was a technical thing) because the sound of Hugh's singing was terrible. How did I know that? I listened to the highlights album and it was completely different - natural and much more engaging.

I have just watched all the features on the Target exclusive and on the regular BluRay/DVD extras -- they are all worth it. Maybe because I am a longtime Les Mis fan, a Hugh Jackman fan, and even a bit of a Francophile ( Paris is one of my favorite cities even if they only CGI'ed it in the movie) -- too long a fan of the show/novel! Those insights really make you appreciate the movie even better!

I have also watched the movie with the Director's commentary -- that is really the true bonus - so much insights! Some I had some deja vu feelings because I came across them during the filming ( I was on IMDB all the time, sharing all the tidbits we could get about what was happening during filming)...others I had come to an understanding after the final movie turned out to be a slightly different than what we heard during filming ( such as the change in the ending, such as why Eponine was filmed in the finale but edited out, etc). I found it amazing that my understanding of why and how Bring Him Home was filmed that way...was exactly what he said in the commentary ( which I did not know when I was posting all those remarks about why Bring Him Home was different in the film, compared to the stage)! I could not believe that the change was accidental - because as he says, the song was meant to be a journey for Valjean, not just a simplistic talking to God! There were many more insights that Hooper shared -- outstanding!

They even include why the handheld camera and the use of closeups were deliberate and wise decisions! Hooper and his creative team and his acting team were the best - they did not make stupid decisions. True, the decisions are departures from convention, but who cares if they seek better even if untried artistic solutions. I have become a true Tom Hooper fan!


I still have to listen to the deluxe soundtrack - maybe today. But it all came from the movie - so I expect not to be disappointed. We already have Val to thank for the complete audio upload of the movie anyway

I have so much Les Mis stuff -- I am not the best person to ask whether I may have too much of it - LOL!

Btw, can you get the Target copy from where you live? I had to ask my sister to bring home my set ( including a backup copy - LOL!) as Target would not ship internationally and they do not have overseas stores, as far as I know.

Jo

No problem understanding you, Jo!!! I've got two copies of the Oklahoma DVD and two of the Soundtrack, and I'm the only one who watches or listens to them!

Yes, I agree with you that the YouTube upload of the highlights sounded 'off' somewhat, but even that is okay while waiting...

Valerie has done a complete audio upload of the movie?!?!? Where??? Much rather listen to THAT!!!!!

I am definitely looking forward to the Director's commentary. I hadn't really heard of Tom Hooper before Les Miserables, although I REALLY liked The King's Speech. I even liked Helena Bonham Carter in it! Like you, I am now a Tom Hooper fan. I think very, VERY highly of him after watching Les Miserables seven times in the big screen. In my opinion, even with Hugh's enormous talent, sometimes directors can spoil a scene by requiring Hugh to turn a little too slowly, or stand a certain way. I'm thinking Australia, which I watched recently on cable. I really liked that film, but there's a few scenes... well, just my take on that!

So I totally respect and admire Tom Hooper's work. And to me, an added bonus is that he seems to be well-mannered and unpretentious. That's the cherry on top.

As for Target only shipping within the US, I can get things sent to a PO Box that my son shares with some friends in a border town in the US only a couple of hours away, so that takes care of that. The negative side is that sometimes it sits in the PO Box for weeks before someone brings it down! Though lots of other people do, we don't travel to the border for "shopping" as often as we'd like...

Alma

[jo]

Valerie has done a complete audio upload of the movie?!?!? Where??? Much rather listen to THAT!!!!!

Check out her post detailing how to download the two-part upload --

ozalots.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=memberonlytreats&thread=113&page=4#6577

It is on the section of this board called "Les Mis- Assorted Clips"

Jo

[alma]

Thank you, Jo!!! ;D

Alma

[birchie]

Mar 25, 2013 20:28:26 GMT -5 alma said:

<snip>

I am definitely looking forward to the Director's commentary. I hadn't really heard of Tom Hooper before Les Miserables, although I REALLY liked The King's Speech. I even liked Helena Bonham Carter in it! Like you, I am now a Tom Hooper fan. I think very, VERY highly of him after watching Les Miserables seven times in the big screen. In my opinion, even with Hugh's enormous talent, sometimes directors can spoil a scene by requiring Hugh to turn a little too slowly, or stand a certain way. I'm thinking Australia, which I watched recently on cable. I really liked that film, but there's a few scenes... well, just my take on that!

So I totally respect and admire Tom Hooper's work. And to me, an added bonus is that he seems to be well-mannered and unpretentious. That's the cherry on top.
<snip>
Alma

First, I love the Target set. I got the BluRay/DVD combo from Amazon first, but the extra disc and the little book from Target make it so worthwhile. I did have people to give the extra BluRay and DVD to but you never know you may meet someone some day who would appreciate it or something could happen to your disc. The little book is about 32 pages with a nice cover and lots of images, some of which I hadn't seen before...and I thought I saw them all. It tells much of what we've already heard or read before, but some new things or in a new way with a bit of extra detail that made it interesting.

I totally agree about Tom Hooper, including how nice and down to earth he seems. I was already a fan because of The King's Speech but now I will love him till the day I die for the care and passion he put into creating this beautiful movie. As a passionate lover of the book and the musical this was a dream come true to have a movie adaptation that faithfully serves both of the previous mediums.

I love his commentary on the movie. Explained a lot for me and I like the way he puts things too. Like when he talked about shortening Little People when Gavroche exposes Javert. He said something like he thought it was more important for the action to keep moving along rather than have everyone just stand there and watch Gavroche sing his little song for two and a half minutes. I got a chuckle out of that and it makes perfect sense. He also explained that extra bit the Thenardiers sing after Javert rides off at the Inn. I previously commented on not caring for that bit but now I understand it and it is yet another example of Tom paying homage to the book and clarifying things that the musical itself left a bit confusing. The man is a genius and I'll be forever grateful for how he made this movie.

I also agree about Austalia, Baz's fingerprints are all over that movie and the editing...and not in a nice way. I love the movie but some scenes make me cringe.
Sue

[annetter]

Believe it or not, I have not received my deluxe package from Target yet. "Pre-ordered" it on 2/14 and I might get it Monday 4/1. Been on the phone almost everyday with customer service. They have not been of any help and can not explain the delay. I told them I will never order from Target.com again

You can imagine how frustrated and disappointed I am.

[jo]

I think they may have run into a bottleneck problem ( I know somebody else from NYC who has not received her copy).

What I did is to get it with the option of "DELIVERY on day of release" because my sister was flying home the day following release. As insurance my niece went to Target on the day of release to get a copy - which she luckily did! I have read reports on IMDB which says the stores were not carrying too many copies either. I think Target underestimated the demand for it.

Have a little more patience, Annette

Jo

[birchie]

Mar 29, 2013 18:53:50 GMT -5 annetter said:

Believe it or not, I have not received my deluxe package from Target yet. "Pre-ordered" it on 2/14 and I might get it Monday 4/1. Been on the phone almost everyday with customer service. They have not been of any help and can not explain the delay. I told them I will never order from Target.com again

You can imagine how frustrated and disappointed I am.

I'm glad I didn't order it from them online! My son picked it up for me at the store! They should take lessons from Amazon! Pre-orders arrive on the same day that the stores get them so I'm always happy with them. Sorry you're having to wait so long. I'm not the patient type at all, I'd be fuming too. I will make sure I don't order from them in the future, lesson learned the hard way for you though.
Sue

[wildfire]

My order from Target was right on time. The one from Amazon did not come till Monday.

[jo]

In the UK, the deluxe version is expected to do very well. although I don't necessarily agree with the premise that Mackintosh said that what made that the appeal of the music universal was simply because of Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream. She didn't appear till a few years ago, but the music has been there since 1985, actually 1980 when one is talking of the French version. And in that time, there were already the millions and millions who have seen the show worldwide and bought the albums and have already been part of the Les Mis army

Including moi -- I have been a great fan since 1988!

But I wholeheartedly agree with these comments --

>>>The extended version works as a stand-alone album partly on the back of Claude-Michel Schonberg’s powerful, operatic score.

But its appeal is also built on outstanding vocals, with the deluxe version adding some extended choruses. It is Hugh Jackman who sets the tone: he is full-throated on Valjean’s Soliloquy, holding a single high note for ten seconds, and tender and reflective on Suddenly<<<

Ten seconds - I thought I counted 11 ;D

Jo

[annetter]

thanks for the encouraging words guys. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

[mamaleh]

Although my Target package arrived a week ago, I only just got to viewing all the contents yesterday. I liked Hooper's analytical, thoughtful commentary, even if he did seem to relate more anecdotes about Eddie Redmayne than others. But that probably stems from their prior relationship on another project some years ago, so I suppose that's understandable. I chuckled on hearing that Colm Wilkinson called the filmmakers and asked to be part of it; I thought they had contacted him initially. I do wish Universal would have included SBC's filmed-but-cut "Dog Eat Dog" number in the sewer as well as outtakes showing Hugh constantly cracking up at SBC's antics. All in all, it's a good set. Annette, keep after them until they make good.

Ellen

[alma]

Sue, "cringe" is exactly the right word! I was chuckling to myself remembering that many times when reading your posts, I'm thinking "Who is this Sue? She keeps reading my mind!" And you did it again.

I tracked my Amazon order for the Blu Ray set and it has arrived at the PO Box. We're all on Easter break down here, so hopefully one of my son's friends has traveled across the border and will bring it down.

After reading your comments about the Target set, I think I'll wait to hear that Annette R has got hers safely before making up my mind to order it for myself (I only have the online option).

I think you're right: it's good to have a back-up copy!

Alma

[alma]

Mar 29, 2013 21:05:04 GMT -5 jo said:

In the UK, the deluxe version is expected to do very well. although I don't necessarily agree with the premise that Mackintosh said that what made that the appeal of the music universal was simply because of Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream. She didn't appear till a few years ago, but the music has been there since 1985, actually 1980 when one is talking of the French version. And in that time, there were already the millions and millions who have seen the show worldwide and bought the albums and have already been part of the Les Mis army

Including moi -- I have been a great fan since 1988!

But I wholeheartedly agree with these comments --

>>>The extended version works as a stand-alone album partly on the back of Claude-Michel Schonberg’s powerful, operatic score.

But its appeal is also built on outstanding vocals, with the deluxe version adding some extended choruses. It is Hugh Jackman who sets the tone: he is full-throated on Valjean’s Soliloquy, holding a single high note for ten seconds, and tender and reflective on Suddenly<<<

Ten seconds - I thought I counted 11 ;D

Jo

Oh no, Jo! Did Mackintosh really say that? What was he thinking?

We may have stumbled upon the reason why all the hype for the movie centered on Anne and her song. > Is HE the one to blame?!?

Susan Boyle only sang it precisely because the song was already a "classic" for years and years.

But I second any and all praise for Schonberg!

Alma

[alma]

As much as all Hugh-Fans all over the world would love to see at least one obligatory shirtless Hugh scene in each movie, Tom Hooper is too serious a director to bow down to our fan fantasies.

I guess the closest we got was the opening "Look Down" ragged clothing, but I particularly like :o the "In My Life" scene when ValJean sings "Dear Cosette, you're such a lonely child"...

Whoa!

As Ellen so deliciously expresses it: "The Cashmere Returneth"! ;D

Each consecutive time I saw him on the big screen standing there with his partially open shirt, it only got better and better, particularly because after that first time I LOOKED FORWARD to those few seconds, the 1800's-style greying locks notwithstanding.

I can't find a nice, large, high-resolution still of Hugh standing there looking scrumptious.

Can anyone help me? ;D

Alma

[birchie]

Mar 30, 2013 18:16:21 GMT -5 alma said:

Sue, "cringe" is exactly the right word! I was chuckling to myself remembering that many times when reading your posts, I'm thinking "Who is this Sue? She keeps reading my mind!" And you did it again.

I tracked my Amazon order for the Blu Ray set and it has arrived at the PO Box. We're all on Easter break down here, so hopefully one of my son's friends has traveled across the border and will bring it down.

After reading your comments about the Target set, I think I'll wait to hear that Annette R has got hers safely before making up my mind to order it for myself (I only have the online option).

I think you're right: it's good to have a back-up copy!

Alma

Well Alma, Jo reads my mind so I'll read yours and it'll all balance out in the end 8-)
I had to go back to see what I was cringing over...it could be so many things...not that I'm picky or anything! Now I see and yes, I stand by that statement...definite cringe worthy moments thanks to Baz in what could/should have been a perfect epic love story!

You and Jo are sooooooo right about Susan Boyle! I'm so sick of hearing that she's the reason for Les Mis' success. What do they think was happening the twenty plus years before her when Les Mis was continuing to be a hit all over the world. So ridiculous to think that CamMack is on that bandwagon! It was only a year after she sang the wretched song that he put on the big 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 to celebrate all those years of Les Mis success. It was probably closer to a few months actually when you consider the time involved in planning and preperations...does he think we can't read or add??? Susan Boyle indeed...argh!

Hope you get your BluRays ok. I'm glad I don't have to jump through so many hoops like you and Jo...I'm spoiled!
Sue

[jo]

I think CM has not really hit the nail on the head - to say that Susan Boyle triggered the strong box office response to the movie musical is somewhat farfetched and may even be unfair to the worldwide popularity of the musical and to the box office draw of the major cast. Because if Boyle is the magnet -- why did they just not cast stage actors who have been identified with the musical since Susan could really be depended upon to bring in the mob ( movie audiences)??

One must not forget how difficult it is to market a movie musical, maybe especially in the USA ( which of course represents the largest market component), even if the material has worldwide appeal. Check out what happened to the film version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. It probably only made break even ( on the assumption that only no more than a half of box office receipts returns to the producers/studio). Phantom of the Opera is arguably a more popular musical than Les Miserables - if I remember right, at the time of filming the movie musical, the cast album had reportedly sold some 25 million albums! But it wasn't cast right ( and no name of significance for Hollywood box office purposes) and the creatives did not have the pedigree of Oscar winners. So, it is a real balancing act - to find the acting talent that can do justice to the score and of course deliver the acting needs ( if possible with awards-worthy performances) as well as having the clout to open the box office! Compare the names of Jackman, Crowe and Hathaway to the attraction of Boyle to generate movie box office sales

I do remember the initial reactions to the first teaser - on twitter and on IMDB and the sites which featured the teaser. It draw over a million hits on its initial showing, and I think that was why the marketing at Universal "stubbornly" ( but understandably) used I Dreamed a Dream as the bait for most of the marketing. It started when Universal showed the teaser at the cinema convention and the reaction was superb - how realistic and how compelling it was. I do not remember any reaction which referenced Susan Boyle's rendition. Her previous cover of the song may have triggered the millions of tweets but it was more of an internet interest ( you know how things can get viral on the internet!) in the ugly duckling becoming Cinderella phenomenon ( I don't mean any insult -- it was just the best way to describe her unusual rise to the public consciousness). Anne's handling of the song impressed many, many people!

I Dreamed A Dream has been a popular song -- since Patti Lupone first sang it...since other Fantines ( notably Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, and a few stage stars) made it a memorable song from the musical.

CM was not involved in the major casting - he was in the audition panel but according to his office he was not involved in the key casting. Universal through Working Title made the decision ( since they were financing the movie) that only a Hollywood stellar cast can bring on the box office results!

I think CM should have acknowledged that the casting of Hugh, Russell and Anne were key to the general interest in the movie musical, on top of the generation-long interest in the stage musical. Not Susan Boyle!

Sorry, but I think since he or his company was not involved in the promotion of the movie musical - it was the marketing group of Universal Pictures ( who were also the distributor), he probably did not realize how impactful a strong and well-known cast can bring in the bums on seats for movies! He never had any experience with how to market movie musicals!

Anyway, I think the interview may have been slanted by the source towards the British side of it - maybe CM was just responding to a question re Susan Boyle and CM was just being magnanimous.

Jo