Hey! I just added a new page to my blog--"About Me: Not-So Frequently Asked Questions," and I would LOVE it if you could ask a couple of questions! I added a few standard Q&As, but it would be great if you could ask me some of your own! Thanks!
~Hermione
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Les Miserables Movie Review
I have just returned from my second viewing of Les Miserables, my favorite musical of all time.
Wow.
It was amazing. The cast, songs, sets, costumes, camera shots, props--everything. I loved it. It went above and beyond my expectations. I was skeptical at first, but after watching all of the trailers I assumed my star rating would be around a 3.8.
I was wrong.
Not only did I cry for a significantly large portion of the 2 hours and thirty-seven minutes, I also felt so...uplifted at the end. Since it's really not enough just to review the overall movie, I'm going to give the individual cast members a review.
Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean): Spectacular. He had worked hard on the acting as anyone could tell. He was able to have that completely sunken look--achieved by going without water for 36 hours!!!--that fit Valjean as a prisoner. I understand this was supposed to be about acting, but I wish he had tried a little harder with the vocals--mainly on "Bring Him Home". I wasn't as moved by that song as I have been with other Valjeans.
Anne Hathaway (Fantine): Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Her acting was just...wow. And her singing brought so many emotions. I have no doubt in my mind that there wasn't a better choice for Fantine.
Eddie Redmayne (Marius): This was a job very well done. He did his role remarkably well--and even sort of looked the part! Of course, I'm always kind of mad at Marius...ignoring Eponine like that! How dare he!
Colm Wilkinson (Bishop): Yes, he was a small part, but I feel he deserved a mention. For those of you who don't know, Colm Wilkinson was the original Jean Valjean. And, although he was a small part, I felt very moved by his performance. And especially when they brought him in at the end...wow.
Amanda Seyfried (Cosette): She was good. Her acting was great, but when she sang, although she had a nice voice, she tended to trill a bit too much.
Samantha Barks (Eponine): Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Acting: brilliant. Left me bawling. Singing: Spectacular. She just...amazing. Truly amazing.
Russell Crowe (Javert): I left this one for last, because I have some very big thoughts on this. Okay, so in every review I have read, they hated Russell Crowe. No one had a kind word to spare. One particularly nasty review asked him why he was "trying to sing through a mouth full of Wonder Bread".
Now my thoughts:
This man, Russell Crowe, was................................................................................... PHENOMENAL. The best Javert I have ever seen, and I have seen many. When he sang "Stars", I was so moved...I don't know where to begin. I'll admit it; I didn't really think he could do it. Javert is a harder part to play than you'd think. But, boy, he DID IT. He expressed Javert's emotions perfectly, and left me in tears. But there's a particular scene...
...a scene that just so happens to be my favorite before the movie came out...
...that was...
Amazing.
Spectacular.
Brilliant.
Phenomenal.
Awe-inspiring.
Wonderul.
Terrific.
Tremendous.
Fantastic.
Marvelous.
Extraordinary.
Magnificent.
Outstanding.
And none of these are even close to describing just how good it was.
My favorite scene is (spoiler alert!) "Javert's Suicide." It was just...it was....I felt...I still can't think of the right word. I know Russell Crowe will never read this, but if he were to, I would tell him this: Don't listen to the critics. Ignore the hate. You, sir, moved me in such a way that was unbelievable. Your performance changed me. Thank you.
Was that corny? Well,if it was it doesn't matter, because I meant every word.
I'm sorry, but I must leave and go rethink my whole life.
See ya!
Hermione
Wow.
It was amazing. The cast, songs, sets, costumes, camera shots, props--everything. I loved it. It went above and beyond my expectations. I was skeptical at first, but after watching all of the trailers I assumed my star rating would be around a 3.8.
I was wrong.
Not only did I cry for a significantly large portion of the 2 hours and thirty-seven minutes, I also felt so...uplifted at the end. Since it's really not enough just to review the overall movie, I'm going to give the individual cast members a review.
Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean): Spectacular. He had worked hard on the acting as anyone could tell. He was able to have that completely sunken look--achieved by going without water for 36 hours!!!--that fit Valjean as a prisoner. I understand this was supposed to be about acting, but I wish he had tried a little harder with the vocals--mainly on "Bring Him Home". I wasn't as moved by that song as I have been with other Valjeans.
Anne Hathaway (Fantine): Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Her acting was just...wow. And her singing brought so many emotions. I have no doubt in my mind that there wasn't a better choice for Fantine.
Eddie Redmayne (Marius): This was a job very well done. He did his role remarkably well--and even sort of looked the part! Of course, I'm always kind of mad at Marius...ignoring Eponine like that! How dare he!
Colm Wilkinson (Bishop): Yes, he was a small part, but I feel he deserved a mention. For those of you who don't know, Colm Wilkinson was the original Jean Valjean. And, although he was a small part, I felt very moved by his performance. And especially when they brought him in at the end...wow.
Amanda Seyfried (Cosette): She was good. Her acting was great, but when she sang, although she had a nice voice, she tended to trill a bit too much.
Samantha Barks (Eponine): Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Acting: brilliant. Left me bawling. Singing: Spectacular. She just...amazing. Truly amazing.
Russell Crowe (Javert): I left this one for last, because I have some very big thoughts on this. Okay, so in every review I have read, they hated Russell Crowe. No one had a kind word to spare. One particularly nasty review asked him why he was "trying to sing through a mouth full of Wonder Bread".
Now my thoughts:
This man, Russell Crowe, was................................................................................... PHENOMENAL. The best Javert I have ever seen, and I have seen many. When he sang "Stars", I was so moved...I don't know where to begin. I'll admit it; I didn't really think he could do it. Javert is a harder part to play than you'd think. But, boy, he DID IT. He expressed Javert's emotions perfectly, and left me in tears. But there's a particular scene...
...a scene that just so happens to be my favorite before the movie came out...
...that was...
Amazing.
Spectacular.
Brilliant.
Phenomenal.
Awe-inspiring.
Wonderul.
Terrific.
Tremendous.
Fantastic.
Marvelous.
Extraordinary.
Magnificent.
Outstanding.
And none of these are even close to describing just how good it was.
My favorite scene is (spoiler alert!) "Javert's Suicide." It was just...it was....I felt...I still can't think of the right word. I know Russell Crowe will never read this, but if he were to, I would tell him this: Don't listen to the critics. Ignore the hate. You, sir, moved me in such a way that was unbelievable. Your performance changed me. Thank you.
Was that corny? Well,if it was it doesn't matter, because I meant every word.
I'm sorry, but I must leave and go rethink my whole life.
See ya!
Hermione
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
Hello! I'm blogging to spread some holiday cheer and wish each and every one of my followers a
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
How are you all doing this holiday season? I'm sorry I haven't been blogging lately, but I've just been so busy! Schoolwork, holiday shopping, you know.
As of the 21st I've been on winter break! Woohoo!!!!! More time for friends, reading, not doing homework, and, of course, blogging.
Are you doing anything special during the break? On Saturday, my friends and I are going to see Les Miserables!!!! My all-time favorite production!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I have to say is this: Russel Crowe had better do a dang good job as Javert, or he'll be hearing from my lawyers. I'm dead serious.
Well, on that note, Doctor Who: The Snowmen airs in 53 minutes!!!! How many Whovians out there are getting in there pajamas, taking a couple of holiday goodies, and hiding down in their TV room to watch it? *Raises hand* Teehee...I'll be curling up in my bunny slippers with a box of Russell Stover chocolates, and rejecting any family member who tries to join me. (I know that sounds mean, but Doctor Who is quite literally my only me time. :P.)
Well, I must get ready! To the TARDIS!!!!
Happy Holidays,
Hermione
(P.S. I would just LOVE to hear about your holiday, so comment with whatever you'd like--presents you received or gave, holiday traditions, etc.)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
How are you all doing this holiday season? I'm sorry I haven't been blogging lately, but I've just been so busy! Schoolwork, holiday shopping, you know.
As of the 21st I've been on winter break! Woohoo!!!!! More time for friends, reading, not doing homework, and, of course, blogging.
Are you doing anything special during the break? On Saturday, my friends and I are going to see Les Miserables!!!! My all-time favorite production!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I have to say is this: Russel Crowe had better do a dang good job as Javert, or he'll be hearing from my lawyers. I'm dead serious.
Well, on that note, Doctor Who: The Snowmen airs in 53 minutes!!!! How many Whovians out there are getting in there pajamas, taking a couple of holiday goodies, and hiding down in their TV room to watch it? *Raises hand* Teehee...I'll be curling up in my bunny slippers with a box of Russell Stover chocolates, and rejecting any family member who tries to join me. (I know that sounds mean, but Doctor Who is quite literally my only me time. :P.)
Well, I must get ready! To the TARDIS!!!!
Happy Holidays,
Hermione
(P.S. I would just LOVE to hear about your holiday, so comment with whatever you'd like--presents you received or gave, holiday traditions, etc.)
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Seana's Holiday Contest!
Hello! This is not a regular post, just a little reminder or notice that Seana over at The Totally Insane Writer is having a holiday contest! So be sure to hop over to her blog and check it out! All of the information is here.
Good luck, and Happy Holidays!
Hermione
Good luck, and Happy Holidays!
Hermione
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Connecticut Shooting
One man.
His gun.
26 innocent victims--the majority of them children.
It makes me sick.
Why do people do this? Why do they bring harm to other people who had never even entered their lives before?
There is no word that is able describe this. I'll be praying for the victims and their families all throughout this week.
I read about these things and cannot believe how lucky I am. These children, with their whole lives ahead of them, will never know what could've been. And I'm still here. With a future ahead of me. It's enough to make anyone put away all of their sorry and realize how lucky they are.
Stay safe,
Hermione
His gun.
26 innocent victims--the majority of them children.
It makes me sick.
Why do people do this? Why do they bring harm to other people who had never even entered their lives before?
There is no word that is able describe this. I'll be praying for the victims and their families all throughout this week.
I read about these things and cannot believe how lucky I am. These children, with their whole lives ahead of them, will never know what could've been. And I'm still here. With a future ahead of me. It's enough to make anyone put away all of their sorry and realize how lucky they are.
Stay safe,
Hermione
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Time to Make You All Cry
*Waring*: Contains spoilers for Harry Potter.
This paragraph was created by a fan, NOT J.K. Rowling:
At Luna’s wedding, the whole of the front row seats was reserved for apparently no-one. Harry went up to her at the end of the service. “Luna, who was meant to sit there?” Luna turned her glassy eyes to him. “Oh, they did sit there. In a spiritual way, I suppose” she said. She pointed out the seats one by one. “Right. That one’s for my mother, those are for your parents because I think I..would have liked them, that one is for Sirius, the one next to that was for Professor Lupin - they were friends, weren’t they? - and thats for Tonks, then Fred Weasley, then Mad-Eye, then Professor Dumbledore, then Professor Snape. I hope they liked the wedding.” She smiled and waved into what was seemingly empty space, before prancing off into the crowds. Harry had never felt so touched before.
"Every mirror is the Mirror of Erised to George Weasley."
--Unknown
This paragraph was created by a fan, NOT J.K. Rowling:
At Luna’s wedding, the whole of the front row seats was reserved for apparently no-one. Harry went up to her at the end of the service. “Luna, who was meant to sit there?” Luna turned her glassy eyes to him. “Oh, they did sit there. In a spiritual way, I suppose” she said. She pointed out the seats one by one. “Right. That one’s for my mother, those are for your parents because I think I..would have liked them, that one is for Sirius, the one next to that was for Professor Lupin - they were friends, weren’t they? - and thats for Tonks, then Fred Weasley, then Mad-Eye, then Professor Dumbledore, then Professor Snape. I hope they liked the wedding.” She smiled and waved into what was seemingly empty space, before prancing off into the crowds. Harry had never felt so touched before.
"Every mirror is the Mirror of Erised to George Weasley."
--Unknown
Now, of you'll excuse me, I have created a river with my tears and must leave before I drown. Sorry if I caused any permanent heart-damage.
Hermione
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Lights...Camera...Stage Fright!
I get awful stage fright.
I start shaking, I can't breathe, and I think I'm going to barf.
It's the worst feeling ever.
Some days, I can get through it. Today was not one of those days. I was at my piano recital. There is only one other girl besides me whom both plays and sings. Anyway, for one of my pieces, I was singing with this girl (who is really nice), and I totally freaked out during the piece. I could only get a few notes out, and she was really doing most of the singing. I was supposed to sing a solo after that, but I just had to tell my piano/voice instructor I couldn't do it. Now I'm really disappointed :(.
As upsetting as that was, I realize now that it happens to everybody. My dad himself told me that as a boy, he was too afraid to play his clarinet in front of his own grandmother.
So if you ever are performing and get stage fright, just remember: it happens to everyone. Some may say that they don't get stage fright, but it's probably just not the freeze-in-place or want-to-barf kind. You'll be fine! And if you ever need to back out of it, by all means, back out! It's no fun if you feel sick!
Thanks for reading,
Hermione <3
I start shaking, I can't breathe, and I think I'm going to barf.
It's the worst feeling ever.
Some days, I can get through it. Today was not one of those days. I was at my piano recital. There is only one other girl besides me whom both plays and sings. Anyway, for one of my pieces, I was singing with this girl (who is really nice), and I totally freaked out during the piece. I could only get a few notes out, and she was really doing most of the singing. I was supposed to sing a solo after that, but I just had to tell my piano/voice instructor I couldn't do it. Now I'm really disappointed :(.
As upsetting as that was, I realize now that it happens to everybody. My dad himself told me that as a boy, he was too afraid to play his clarinet in front of his own grandmother.
So if you ever are performing and get stage fright, just remember: it happens to everyone. Some may say that they don't get stage fright, but it's probably just not the freeze-in-place or want-to-barf kind. You'll be fine! And if you ever need to back out of it, by all means, back out! It's no fun if you feel sick!
Thanks for reading,
Hermione <3
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