52

So it's all been a little quiet on the western front. There hasn't been much going on out here. This past week things have picked up a little. Of course, Christmas happened, but it was a strange one. It felt like it was a summers day outside and everything was still open. It's not as big a celebration for the locals as Chinese new year is and as such Christmas day felt like a non-day. It was almost like I was watching it go by, and it did go by in a flash.

Then there are the films that have come out recently. First Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

 I had to go and see this one. I have seen all the others in the series and had, therefore, to finish the job. It was much better than the last offering, but to be fair the fist half of breaking dawn was also my least favourite part of the book series. The film in the twilight saga was very good and almost as fresh as the first one, and cleverly directed with good opening and closing titles. There was a moment when I feared a terrible deed had been done and the ending had been altered but thankfully my fears were alleviated and overall it was one of the better films of the saga.

Next came The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I was so excited about this film. I have been waiting for it since Lord of the Rings came out and I could not wait to get the cinema to see it. I was not disappointed. In fact I loved it so much that tomorrow I am going to see it again. The acting is superb, the costumes and make-up sublime and Peter Jackson delivers the story with love and care. There were moments I was unsure of, as many things that are mentioned in passing in the book are expanded on, but Jackson does an excellent job of explaining the Lord of the Rings after he has made it. It will, I think, make all six of the films  (once the following two installments of The Hobbit are released) into a complete unit.

The final film is, of course, Les Miserables.

I have also been eagerly anticipating this release, though I knew I would be somewhat hard to please. I grew up listening to the 10th Anniversary Cast, featuring Colm Wilkinson who has dominated the role of Valijean since it's inception. I have not heard, and will be hard pressed to hear, a rendition of Bring Him Home that matches Wilkinson's. Despite being hard to please, I thoroughly enjoyed Les Mis. Anne Hathaway was excellent as Fantine and her I Dreamed a Dream was a highlight of the film. Hugh Jackman delivered an award worthy performance as Valjean and Eddie Redmayne's Marius was the best I have seen him act. Russel Crowe's Javert was strange. He brought Javert to life well and I liked his interpretation of the character, but I struggled with his voice, It was nothing like I was expecting, and I am used to more strength and depth than he had. That said, Crowe's numerous duets with Jackman worked very well and their voices meshed together excellently. Isabelle Allen was a revelation and Amanda Seyfried voice was perfect.
Overall, and regardless of my gripes, there is no doubt in my mind that Les Mis is a cinematic masterpiece and I do hope it does as well as it deserves during awards season.

That has been my time back at the cinema and I am now plotting a further task. Reading is one of my favourite things, and I have more books than I remember on my kindle, so to help me get through them I am taking on the challenge of reading 52 books in a year, one a week. The list is nearly done (though I am sure it will change a few more times, and may even cross over to next year) but I am rather exited. Nothing like a bit of structure and a list to make you do something! Here's just hoping I can stick to it!