Postscripts to Les Miserables

[jo]

And do you remember this message --

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgLuJuGINf4&feature=youtu.be


Happy Mother's Day!


Jo

[alma]

Jo,

I'd forgotten about that clip! Happy Mothers' Day to Deb and all fantastic adoptive mothers. Today let's give a hug to ALL the mothers we know! Happy Mothers' Day, everyone!

Thanks for dusting off this clip, Jo!

Alma

[mamaleh]

Yes, here's hoping all moms out there had a very Happy Mother's Day!

Ellen

[JH4HJ]

Hugh talking about giving Cosette to Marius.


Hugh and Colm - Q&A session


a bit more

[jo]

A retelling of his job biography -- until he reached Les Miserables!


www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/jackman-of-all-trades-20130517-2jpx1.html

Jackman of all trades

Date May 19, 2013

Giles Hardie

Entertainment Editor, smh.com.au


Acting wasn't always on the cards for one of our best-known stars.



Fill 'er up: former service station attendant Hugh Jackman. Photo: James Brickwood


In another universe, Hugh Jackman could well have been writing this article. In this universe, he might well have sold you petrol or signed you up for a gym membership you never wanted.

Not long after Jackman left school he enrolled in a journalism degree at the University of Technology, Sydney. At the same time he worked the graveyard shift at a Shell service station and behind the counter at a gym.

''I was the 'before' model at the gym,'' he says, joking. ''The only options when I was there were three, six or 12 months … but I did have a high rate of converting [members] to 12.''

It was one of the early signs of the infamous Jackman charm. Or, as he describes it: ''my bullshit, in journalism terms''. But journalism wasn't his destiny. ''I got caught up in the romance of journalism,'' he admits. The realisation it wasn't for him came from a tutor, Wendy Bacon. ''I saw in her this dogged 'I want the truth, I am going to track everything down.' I didn't want the truth. I was fine with the rosy coloured glasses on.''

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The wanna-not-be journalist began to feel a life of career-skipping beckoned. "I kind of for a while thought my surname was going to be my curse. The jack-of-all-trades. I was pretty good at a lot of things. As an actor, when I started, I would say the same. No one was tapping me on the shoulder saying, 'Oh my god, this kid.' It's been a slow burn for me and probably a little more hard work than natural gift."

Taking a drama elective in his degree, Jackman was cast in a play and it toured it to Armidale, where students were performing a Steven Sewell play. ''The thing I remember the most was staying with the students, watching what they were doing, and realising that I had made the wrong choice for the last three years. I wished I had my time again and had done that. So I went to the theatre.''

He's never had to turn back to journalism or the gym. ''I had a five-year rule with myself [for acting] … and after five years I was still earning money. X-Men had just hit.

''Then I did another five years. I haven't renewed, I've done an open contract to myself.''

Jackman was shocked in that film to land his most famous role. ''The greatest surprise to me is Wolverine, without a doubt. You probably only need to spend more than 30 seconds to realise that I'm not a natural [for the] casting. The thing I'm most proud of acting-wise is that role.''

More recently, he gambled on Les Miserables, a film he describes as ''a huge risk''. ''I've never put so much into a film. I'm glad to say a role like this has probably taken 20 years [for me] to become a better singer or dancer or actor. As Australians, we love the have-a-go attitude and this movie is a result of that.''

Les Miserables is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

[jo]

I was rewatching the special footage from the TARGET collection and I just realized something quite remarkable -- Tom Hooper can sing very well! He was directing one scene and he sang the entire sung dialog involved without pausing. I never expected a first-time director of a movie musical to have singing skills - I am impressed!

Jo

[jo]

Remember Izzy Allen ?

Here she is signing copies of the newly-released DVD/BluRay in the UK --

www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/les-mis-star-izzy-meets-fans-as-dvd-hits-shelves-1-5107722

The DVD release is also reporting very brisk business in the UK --

www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/les-miserables-becomes-uks-fourth-biggest-selling-video-title-of-2013-2230/

The DVD and Blu-ray release of Les Miserables has gone straight in at Number 1 on the Official Video Chart, and in doing so, it has become the fourth biggest selling video title of 2013 so far.

According to the Official Charts Company’s sales data, Les Miserables was the biggest selling DVD and Blu-ray release in the UK last week.

The home release of Tom Hooper’s adaptation of the musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel of the same name, has gone straight in at Number 1 on the Official Video Chart. It has also topped the Official Blu-ray and Official DVD format charts, as well as the Official Film On Video genre chart, too.

After selling 805,000 copies since last Monday, Les Mis (which stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Barks, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen) has already become the fourth biggest selling video title of 2013 so far, sitting behind The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Number 3), The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey (2) and Skyfall (1).

The accompanying soundtrack spent four non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart earlier this year, and is the second biggest selling album of 2013 so far (behind Emeli Sande’s Our Version Of Events).

[mamaleh]

Whaddya know? Hugh was nominated for a Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Actor-Drama. Anne H. was nominated for Choice Movie Actress-Drama; Amanda Seyfried for Choice Movie Actress-Romance; and Eddie Redmayne for Choice Movie Actor-Romance. The movie itself was nominated for Choice Movie-Drama and Choice Movie-Romance.

www.thewrap.com/tv/article/twilight-iron-man-3-lead-first-wave-teen-choice-awards-nominations-93236

Ellen

[jo]

I was leafing again through the Vogue issue which featured Anne and the Les Miserables movie and saw the article by Adam Green ( theatre editor/writer for Vogue) who has also covered Hugh in A Steady Rain and Back on Broadway. I loved re-reading this page --

www.vogue.com/magazine/article/leap-of-faith-anne-hathaway/#4

I cannot reproduce the entire page ( you need Vogue permission) but let me type out my favorite parts --

As anyone who saw him camp it up on Broadway as Peter Allen in 2003's The Boy from Oz or tear down the house in his one-man show last year can tell you, there are few -- scratch that: There are zero - other performers who combine Jackman's good looks, charisma, acting talent, and box office clout with an ability to sing and dance like nobody's business...

Hooper was, in a word, impressed. "I would not have made this film at all if Hugh Jackman did not exist -- there was no second choice," he says. "The power of the man when you're standing next to him and he's singing these songs -- it just sort of knocks you sideways."

Btw, Adam Green has pedigree to write about these things. Not only has he been Vogue's theatre writer for years now -- but his late father was the very famous movie musicals and Broadway lyricist and playwright Adolf Green, who summed up Les Miserables in these two sentences --

Jean Valjean, no evildoer
Stole some bread 'cause he was poor
A detective chased him through the sewer.
The End

Adolf Green was the book writer, together with is writing partner Betty Com for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - one of their most famous accomplishments. According to his Wikipedia page, his son Adam is also a songwriter. I wonder when we will see if he inherited his father's gift with words?


Jo

[mamaleh]

Just adding my two cents: Adolph Green (ph, not f) was the co-writer of the screenplay for 1952's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, most of the songs for which were written decades earlier by Nacio Herb Brown (music) and Arthur Freed (lyrics). The latter was so prolific and talented that MGM named the Freed Unit, which produced numerous musical films (ON THE TOWN, GIGI, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS), after him. Adam Green's sister, Amanda, a lyricist, was recently nominated (along with composer Trey Anastasio) for a Tony for their score to HANDS ON A HARDBODY, and she co-wrote the lyrics to the Best Musical nominee BRING IT ON. Adam and Amanda's mom is, of course, Phyllis Newman. Lots of people think Adolph Green was married to Betty Comden, but she was only his writing partner.

Ellen

[jo]

Argh --

Adolf ( instead of ph)- must have been thinking of the more infamous one
and Betty Com... ( I forgot to type the last syllable)

Lol - my spelling has deserted me.

Re SINGIN' IN THE RAIN --

Can this work or be reworked as a movie musical remake? Can Hugh portray the Gene Kelly role, in his own inimitable way, without the inevitable comparisons? In the movie, it was Donald O'Connor whose dancing was truly remarkable - which current talent can approximate those steps? Gene Kelly of course was the matinee idol and whose singing/dancing with an umbrella, with tap shoes on, was what was immortalized. Who can play the ingenue played by Debbie Reynolds?

I wish we could hear from Hugh about his current plans as to when he would be in a musical again - Broadway or otherwise!

Jo

[Jamie]

If I were Hugh I wouldn't go anywhere near Singin' In The Rain. It is considered the best musical ever made to the point of multiple releases in every format, anniversary editions, top of the top 100 lists etc. It would be inviting a storm of criticism. Now an original life story of Gene Kelly or a remake of one of the lesser films such as Brigadoon would probably work well while still leaving open the comparison (favorable) to being "this generations' Gene Kelly).

[jo]

Plus the AMPAS likes biopics

And there would not be too many who are real triple-threats among Hollywood A-listers who can portray the role!


Jo

[birchie]

May 26, 2013 8:04:46 GMT -5 Jamie said:

If I were Hugh I wouldn't go anywhere near Singin' In The Rain. It is considered the best musical ever made to the point of multiple releases in every format, anniversary editions, top of the top 100 lists etc. It would be inviting a storm of criticism. Now an original life story of Gene Kelly or a remake of one of the lesser films such as Brigadoon would probably work well while still leaving open the comparison (favorable) to being "this generations' Gene Kelly).

That has long been at the top of my wish list...that they would do the life of Gene Kelly as a musical with Hugh as Gene!!! Nobody else could do it and the time is now. I just wish I knew movers & shakers that I could send emails to. smiley-computer004
Sue

[Jamie]

May 26, 2013 10:30:50 GMT -5 birchie said:

May 26, 2013 8:04:46 GMT -5 Jamie said:

If I were Hugh I wouldn't go anywhere near Singin' In The Rain. It is considered the best musical ever made to the point of multiple releases in every format, anniversary editions, top of the top 100 lists etc. It would be inviting a storm of criticism. Now an original life story of Gene Kelly or a remake of one of the lesser films such as Brigadoon would probably work well while still leaving open the comparison (favorable) to being "this generations' Gene Kelly).

That has long been at the top of my wish list...that they would do the life of Gene Kelly as a musical with Hugh as Gene!!! Nobody else could do it and the time is now. I just wish I knew movers & shakers that I could send emails to. smiley-computer004
Sue

There is another possibility that could probably get Hugh another Emmy (Matching sets are so nice). Gene Kelly did a TV special called "Dancing is a Man's Game" where he used all the moves in sports to create dances, even dancing with Sugar Ray Robinson youtu.be/Rd70iqK_bsU.

If Hugh re-created that show with modern sports figures and incorporated clips from the original to give Gene the respect he's due (possibly dancing with Real Steel's Sugar Ray Leonard in a jump rope number) .... I could write this script in my sleep ... It would be a great variety show with lots of fun quips such as the balls to the balls bit with Warne for a Cricket segment or some of the guys from the Eagles or Crowe's Bunnies plus weight lifters, surfers, all of the sports he enjoys.

[birchie]

May 26, 2013 13:14:17 GMT -5 Jamie said:

There is another possibility that could probably get Hugh another Emmy (Matching sets are so nice). Gene Kelly did a TV special called "Dancing is a Man's Game" where he used all the moves in sports to create dances, even dancing with Sugar Ray Robinson youtu.be/Rd70iqK_bsU.

If Hugh re-created that show with modern sports figures and incorporated clips from the original to give Gene the respect he's due (possibly dancing with Real Steel's Sugar Ray Leonard in a jump rope number) .... I could write this script in my sleep ... It would be a great variety show with lots of fun quips such as the balls to the balls bit with Warne for a Cricket segment or some of the guys from the Eagles or Crowe's Bunnies plus weight lifters, surfers, all of the sports he enjoys.

Oh, I could see it too!! I'd definitely watch something like that and it would be a wonderful showcase for Hugh. While it would be great, they hardly make any good variety shows anymore so we're unlikely to see it happen. Variety shows used to be a staple on TV. Now it's all reality (not) shows. I'd love to see a number/parody about Cricket for Americans...could be very funny since most of us haven't got a clue. I've even tried to read up on cricket and still come away scratching my head so I can envision a very funny bit on that! And they would surely have to include Sugar Ray as a special guest. There are a lot of sports guys who do music as a hobby too and, of course, including Russell in something about his Rabbitohs would be a must! Too bad we're not in charge of these things...there might be a resurgence of "must see TV"!
Sue

[mamaleh]

I saw that "Dancing is a Man's Game" at, I think, the Museum of Broadcasting some years ago. It featured references to many sports legends of the time, including Mickey Mantle. What a great concept for a TV special, the likes of which unfortunately are seldom if ever on broadcast TV these days. If only Hugh could do an updated version...wow, I think I'd wear out any eventual DVD version.

Ellen

[jo]

An update on Aaron Tveit...with some kind words for Hugh


www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/boy_wonder_YPw8HTwUJDowP6pnly9xCM

Cast in the film version of “Les Miserables” in 2011, he says co-star Jackman diminished any butterflies he had about doing the movie.

“I went to see Hugh’s one-man show on Broadway after I’d gotten it. In the middle of the show, in front of the whole audience, he congratulated me,” he says. “That’s the kind of gracious and amazing person he is. Someone like him leading the company really put my nerves at ease.”...

The update talks about his new TV program, GRACELAND, with whom he co-stars with another former Broadway attraction, Daniel Sunjata.


Aaron Tveit, left, and Daniel Sunjata star as undercover federal agents bunking in a beach house on “Graceland.”


Jo

[birchie]

I know there is a Random Bits thread/board/whatever...but I couldn't find it so I'm posting this here.

For a geeky Doctor Who fan, and an adoring Hugh Jackman fan, this just warmed my heart (like the sun)...
youtu.be/3AZ6244Fg1Q
Sue

[jo]

www.fashionmagazine247.com/photos/54107/russell-crowe-hugh-jackman-grab-a-coffee-in-new-york.php

It looks like the friendship has endured --

Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman Grab A Coffee In New York

Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman Grab A Coffee In New York In This Photo: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman Actors Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman meet up for a coffee at Hugh"s cafe, Laughing Man in New York City, New York on June 9, 2013.

[jo]

A budding high school journalist gets the point --

my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/articleid/603286/newspaperid/4583/Les_Miserables_A_Beautiful_Piece_of_Art.aspx

Les Miserables: A Beautiful Piece of Art

Monday, June 10, 2013 By Anna Cote-Wurzler


The 2012 Les Miserables starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, and Russell Crowe was a beautiful movie and, shockingly, it wasn’t just because I love musicals. Even if the actors and actresses had been speaking all of their lines, it still would have been outstanding because of the emotion that they made me feel. Acting in a musical isn’t about how you sound or what you look like, but about the emotion that you make your audiences feel.

Watching Les Miserables made me want to cry at times and at others it made me feel safe. I didn’t cry the first time I watched it because I didn’t want to miss two seconds of it, but after seeing it once I was sobbing by the time Hathaway sang I Dreamed A Dream. It made me angry at how she was such a good person, but got the short stick of everything in life. The emotions within Les Mis was outstanding and something that you very rarely see in the theatres anymore.

For example The Sound of Music had no emotion other than happy because of the tone in which they were singing their words.It didn’t even make sense for them to be happy because what was going on in the world during the time was anything except happy. All of the kids were always happy and their voices angelic which made me feel like I was falling in love and that I was, “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” the entire time. Logically they should have included some sadness to make the happiness happier and to fully understand the events that were surrounding them. It wasn’t really scary when they were trying escape the Nazi invasion, but in reality it would be terrifying.

Unlike The Sound of Music Les Miserables was incredibly realistic. They sang with emotion that wasn’t just trying to make me feel warm and fuzzy. I felt as if I personally knew the characters and that is what a musical should be. We as spectators to these people’s lives should no longer feel as if we are in a theatre, but as if we are a part of their story. An example of its realism was when Anne Hathaway got her hair cut on scene. She also lost a lot of weight to ensure that she played her character the way she was meant to be portrayed which showed real dedication.

Les Miserables brought tears to the theatre and awe to those who have a passion for musical theatre. Les Miserables was a must see and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t hate music. I don’t want to give it all away, but be prepared to use a whole box of tissues both from tears of happiness and sadness.

(Sarcastic) Note to Myself : Send copy to Neil PH, Michael Cerveris, Stephanie J. Block and Adam Lambert...and critics who didn't appreciate the point. giggle



Jo

[jo]

We really should have a "Where are they now?" separate thread for our Les Miserables stars --

This is great news! A potential Oscar bait role for Eddie Redmayne, in a part biopic story of physicist Stephen Hawking!

www.deadline.com/2013/06/eddie-redmayne-to-play-stephen-hawking-in-working-titles-theory-of-everything/


Jo

[alma]

Jun 10, 2013 1:30:43 GMT -5 jo said:

www.fashionmagazine247.com/photos/54107/russell-crowe-hugh-jackman-grab-a-coffee-in-new-york.php

It looks like the friendship has endured --

Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman Grab A Coffee In New York

Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman Grab A Coffee In New York In This Photo: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman Actors Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman meet up for a coffee at Hugh"s cafe, Laughing Man in New York City, New York on June 9, 2013.

Russell Crowe seems to have mellowed a lot since his telephone-slinging days. I'd like to credit working with Hugh ( giggle --sorry, just had to try out the giggle icon) but also very likely having two sons, whom he seems devoted to.

Did anyone watch him on Jay Leno last Friday? He was promoting "Man of Steel" (he plays Jor-el, Superman's real father, by the way). He told a great story about meeting Henry Cavill (Superman) eleven years ago. You can read about it here:

comicbook.com/blog/2013/06/08/man-of-steels-russell-crowe-tells-jay-leno-that-young-herny-cavill-had-fire-in-his-eyes/

It's even better to watch/hear him TELL the story. You can try this link (I can't check it out because it's not available for me down here, but I think it's the whole episode):

www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/friday-june-7-2013/n37811/

Stick around for the cicada expert part, in which Russell also participates.

And man! I wish they would make X-Men "statues" as good as these figures made for "Man of Steel":

www.nerdyrottenscoundrel.com/2013/02/toy-fair-2013-man-of-steel-figures.html

Scroll down to see Russell's. They ALL look just like the actors.

Alma

[Jamie]

Russell Crowe seems to have mellowed a lot since his telephone-slinging days. I'd like to credit working with Hugh ( giggle --sorry, just had to try out the giggle icon) but also very likely having two sons, whom he seems devoted to.

Did anyone watch him on Jay Leno last Friday? He was promoting "Man of Steel" (he plays Jor-el, Superman's real father, by the way). He told a great story about meeting Henry Cavill (Superman) eleven years ago. You can read about it here:

comicbook.com/blog/2013/06/08/man-of-steels-russell-crowe-tells-jay-leno-that-young-herny-cavill-had-fire-in-his-eyes/

It's even better to watch/hear him TELL the story. You can try this link (I can't check it out because it's not available for me down here, but I think it's the whole episode):

www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/friday-june-7-2013/n37811/

Stick around for the cicada expert part, in which Russell also participates.

And man! I wish they would make X-Men "statues" as good as these figures made for "Man of Steel":

www.nerdyrottenscoundrel.com/2013/02/toy-fair-2013-man-of-steel-figures.html

Scroll down to see Russell's. They ALL look just like the actors.

Alma

During the Cicada part they were rapping on "pick up lines" for mating. Russell was hilarious. My favorite of the Australian lines for mating: "You Awake Love?"

[jo]

Two new movie musicals are hoping to repeat the Christmas Day box office success of Les Miserables --

*A remake of ANNIE (with Academy award nominee Quvanzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Sandra Bullock in negotiations as Miss Hannigan) will be released on Christmas Day 2014.

*The film adaptation of INTO THE WOODS by Rob Marshall with a cast led by Meryl Streep as the Witch is also going to be released on the same day.

But going against these two musicals will be the third in the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM series ( with Ben Stiller and helmed by Shawn Levy, also of Real Steel).

www.boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=bydate&release=theatrical&date=2014-12-05&showweeks=4&p=.htm




Interstingly another installment of THE HOBBIT will open the previous week.


Jo