“Do You Hear the People Sing?” – Les Miserables – December 22nd, 2012

I am a huge musical theatre nerd and I am fairly certain that almost everyone who meets me learns this fact. I’ve loved watching musicals since I was a child – I guess it started before that, because I was exposed to it in the womb when my mother went to see The Phantom of the Opera when she was pregnant with me. From that moment I have loved going to the theatre to watch musicals.

When I heard that there was going to be a movie version of Les Miserables I got very excited. This is because Les Miserables is one of my Top 5 favourite musicals. I have seen the stage show twice, watched both anniversary concerts and have lost count of the number of times that I have listened to the Broadway recording.

I was lucky enough to have met the “original” Jean Valjean – Colm Wilkinson – when I was working in Toronto.

As I heard more and more about the movie I grew impatient to see it. I was happy to learn that it was premiering here in Japan on the 21^st of December and I knew that I had to see it before I left for my Christmas vacation (as English movies don’t stay too long in Niihama). So on the 22^nd my friend and I went to see it. This is a little more of a detailed review than that of The Hobbit and that’s because I did like this a little better then The Hobbit.

The film did not disappoint.

It really came to life on the screen. Being dropped into the actual cities and seeing these characters close up really made the story seem closer. With the film I felt that I could become more integrated with the story, rather than sitting apart from it like in the theatre. Also having the use of homes, churches and an actual set allows the world of 19^th century France seem real. (Though I did want at one point want to see some set piece spin, like the stage does.) Even the way the film is shot is wonderfully done; with the close-ups and sweeping crane shots it gives it an epic feeling – which is what this musical deserves. 

As for the acting I was a little wary about some of the casting, but I think that everyone did a very good job.

My favourite performances were by Aaron Tveit (Enjolras), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen (The Thenardiers). The first two performers by far are the best singers of the movie and when they were on the screen I couldn’t help but watch for them. Tveit does a wonderful job rallying the young Frenchmen to the cause. Barks breaks my heart as Eponine, her rendition of “On My Own” [which is my favourite song of the show] is one of the best I’ve heard and her death also brought on my first set of tears.

Cohen and Carter bring the laughs to movie. Their scenes could have stolen the show – as the songs and characters lend to that – but they didn’t. That though isn’t anything against the actors but more on the direction of their scenes. It something that I missed in the movie, as the levity is needed at parts. But I still enjoyed every scene they were in.

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean did an excellent job of showing the strength and fear of the character. His singing is very good and he gives to the songs a different tone, but I still prefer Wilkinson. [Who has a part as the Bishop – which was nice to have him in the movie]. I think it’s because Jackman’s natural singing voice isn’t meant for these songs. Anne Hathaway was great as Fantine, showing this broken down, starving and desperate woman. She wouldn’t have been my first choice for the role in any dream casting but she does nail it and though I am not crazy about her singing her version of “I Dreamed a Dream” was a great moment. Russell Crowe as Javert also surprised me, he was a lot better than I expected. He isn’t the best singer, but he still held his own, what he was good at was the intimidation and hardness of Javert.

As for Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Amanda Seyfreid (Cosette) I wasn’t to impressed; I think there could have been different casting choices. They were decent, however as opposed to staged versions I didn’t feel any connections to these two actors in these roles.

Though by any means it isn’t a perfect movie it was still amazing. I cried, I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed watching the story unfolding across the screen. I have to go see it if you have the chance!

4.5/5 Stars.

The Hobbit - December 15th

I have been looking forward to seeing the Hobbit since it was announced that they were going to be making the novel into a movie. As some of you know I really loved the Lord of the Rings Trilogy – loved it so much that I saw each of the films a couple times in the theatre, and have watched the extended DVDs more than I can count.

The Hobbit had it’s premiere on the 14^th and I would have gone that night, but I had other plans so I reserved the 15^th to go see the movie. I went with two of my friends – Angelina and Bret – and it was a good way to end the day.

AHEAD ARE MINOR SPOILERS!!!!! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED DON’T READ!!!!

The movie was action packed, funny and a little scary which is something that the other 3 films had as well.

The movie opened with the set up of the dwarves and the tale of Smaug. Almost like a prologue – which parallels the prologue scene of the first LOTR movie. From there it’s a recall to the first scenes of Hobbiton and The Shire from The Fellowship. Elijah Wood and Ian Holm introduce the movie and it sets it all within the same world. 

This was not the only tie to the LOTR films – there were a few scenes that set up the story that follows the events of The Hobbit. Though these scenes may have be absent from the actual novel it gives the movie more depth and allows the story to be more than just the children’s story that Tolkien wrote.

Having not read the book in over 10 years I was immediately swept up into the story of the dwarves reclaiming their home. All of this brought to life by wonderful filming and even better acting.

Ian McKellan as was - shown in the trilogy – the perfect choice to play Gandalf. This time though he was able to show off a little more of his comedic side, as well Gandalf gets a little more fighting and action, which I really liked to see.

Martin Freeman was perfectly cast as Bilbo. He wonderfully plays the contradictions of the character. He nails Bilbo’s desire to go on an adventure, while still saying “no” and that Baggins’ don’t go out on an adventures. An actor who can play a slacker office worker, a scared space traveller and a modern John Watson captures the spirit of a hobbit. The scene where he is introduced to the dwarves was one of my favourites, as was the riddle competition between Bilbo and Gollum – both of these scenes prove that Martin Freeman is the ideal Bilbo.

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield was great. I haven’t seen him in anything and didn’t know his skills as an actor. He brings this sadness and strength to Thorin and I was very impressed.

The filming of the movie was just as epic as the trilogy. I didn’t see the film in the 3D 48fps version so I am not sure how that actually changes the visuals, but I was very awed by the way that the movie comes to life on the screen. What was really nice to see is that being set 60 years earlier everything about the sets is more lush and green then what is seen in the trilogy.

I was disappointed in some of the overuse of the CGI – mostly on the orcs and the goblins. What I really liked in the original trilogy was the prosthetics and actors in these roles. It gave these monsters substance and I think made them more terrifying. In The Hobbit all these monsters done on computer and I think it takes away from the movie. It really was too fake and distracting and I think it would have been beneficial to have some of these characters be “real”. However the CGI of Gollum was better. He seems more real and terrifying then he did in the trilogy.

The last thing that made the movie intense was the music. Howard Shore is what brings the whole movie together. From the sweep hopeful music playing over the shire, to the deep chanting and drums of the mines he sets the tone.

Over all I really enjoyed the movie. I’m not sure if it’s as good as trilogy – but I’ll have to wait and see.

4/5 Stars.

ps. next review will be Les Miserables which will becoming out on the 21st. 

Ehime Prefectural Science Museum – December 9th, 2012

A fun, educational and entertaining day out in Niihama is going to visit the science museum. I was lucky to be taken by my friend Yuko. The museum is a combination of both science and natural history – so I had been excited to go when I learned that Niihama had such a museum and it didn’t disappoint.

Two new friends: Galileo and Isaac Newton

The architecture of the entrance to the museum is spectacular; the glass cone is really something to see. On the inside the cone is the part of the walkway between floors.

The museum is also home to the world’s largest planetarium with a diameter of 30m. Yuko and I went into the planetarium and saw a show of the rising of the constellation Gemini; it was then followed by a Dinosaur movie. The star and constellation demonstration was impressive; the dinosaur movie was laughable. 

Planetarium

How they show the stars

After the planetarium we walked through the museum displays. I enjoyed the hands on physics and illusion area.

But Nothing beats the DINOSAURS!!!!!

Watch the video to see the animatronic T-Rex and triceratops.

There is one downside to the museum though, and that’s that everything is in Japanese. However even if you don’t go with someone who can translate – most of the displays are self explanatory.

1368 Steps to the Top – Kotohira – November 25th

We’re still enjoying the nice fall weather here in Japan, of course the days have grown colder but there is still sun and still a lot to see.

Last week I had to teach a coverage lesson in another city. The city was Kotohira, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw when I got off the train. The city, from what I learned at the station, was actually quite famous and is home to a famous shrine. I made the decision then to return to Kotohira on my next day off.

On Sunday the 25^th, I hopped back onto the train and made my way to Kotohira and I was lucky that it was a bright sunny day.

My first stop on the way to the shrine was Takadoro. It was built in 1860 and is Japan’s tallest lantern at 27m. When lit the signal was used to guide ships along the Inland Sea.

Takadoro

From there it was the start of the climb to the inner shrine of Konpirasan. The full journey from the base to the inner shrine – Okusha Shrine – is 1368 steps. I made it all the way to Okusha but before getting there I took some time to explore a few sites on the way.

As it is peak autumn colour viewing time I once again captured photos of the bright yellows, reds and oranges of the leaves.

My next stop was at the Asahi Shrine. It is located between the main gate and main shrine – Kotohira-gu. This meant to be a quick rest before continuing upwards. Here I saw these large cauldrons. On closer inspection they were filled with water and money. The aim is to slowly lower in a 1 yen coin and hope that it floats. (This shows just how light the 1 yen coin is and the amazing surface tension of water).

Floating 1 yen coins

After wishing that I had a 1 yen coin on me, but finding none I made the next journey to the top of 785 steps. This journey takes you to the main shrine of Kotohira. Looking out from the mountainside you can see the Inland sea, Kotohira, Marugame and Sakaide. The shrine itself is large and yet it seems to have almost a compact shape. It’s one of most beautifully shaped shrines that I have seen.

Main Shrine

Main Shrine

Here I took another break. I also found this cutie.

Kawaii

 From that point it was another 583 steps to the inner shrine. I made it all the way to the top and once again got a great view of the city below. The inner shrine also compared to the main was bright and colourful, a beautiful vermillion that stands out amongst the green and grey. 

Then it was all the way down with a quick stop at Kanamaruza Theatre. It was built in 1835 and is Japan’s oldest wooden Kabuki theatre. Even today Japan’s leading kabuki actors perform shows.

Then it was back to Niihama after a wonderful afternoon.

As always more photos on my facebook or my tumblr, both are linked at the top of the page.