Les Miserables

Though I saw Les Mis on Broadway back in the 90’s, I completely forgot the entire story and the scores of wonderful music. How could that be? Maybe I was just too young then to fully understand the emotions behind each song sang. I had not lived life yet. I was still naive and full of dreams. I believed in a life better. I guess 10 years later, those dreams are just shattered and Ive become a hardened person. Today, when I went to watch Les Mis in the theaters, I couldnt stop crying. If you were to pay attention to each word sang, you couldnt help but empathize. I think its because I lived enough life now to understand this misery and to be wretched. Particularly when Anne Hathaway sang “I dreamed a dreamed”, I began sobbing. Just be prepared to walk in there with a box of tissue. All I heard in the audience was sniffling and tissue crackling. Of course, Hathaway did a wonderful job as Fantine. Her acting is getting better in each production and I have to admit, I was surprised at how wonderful she sang that song. But for this song, I have to say, I miss Lea Salonga’s voice. For some reason, it was now that I fully felt the emotions of that song. This movie reminded me of my innocence and how I once was so naive. I believed in true love and all these dreams. Hugh Jackman did a fantastic job in displaying the wretched soul of Jean Valjean. Life throws us these loops and we become hardened and angry. Yet, Jean Valjean is touched by the grace of God and his heart is softened. In the end, his words, “..to love another person is to see the face of God”, my heart kick into high gear and that’s when a stream of tears just came falling. My heart has been hardened by life in general, but I am reminded that love truly is the greatest gift. There is nothing more amazing than to love another person and sacrifice everything for them. It is when you fall in love, that you see all your sins and imperfections. There is this overwhelming sadness and pain that goes with this love, yet its the most joyful moment of your life and you cant imagine losing it.

The entire movie was superb. The only fatal flaw was Russell Crowe. I just didnt see how he could be in a musical. His voice was stagnant and lacked any emotion. He was not convincing at all when it came to his singing abilities. The one surprising factor was this actor that has been a hidden gem in hollywood, Eddie Redmayne. His baritone voice brought such power to his character, Marius.  He had an amazing control over his voice and the stretch of each word sang. I absolutely loved his performance. Watch out for this actor. After Les Mis, Im pretty certain we will see more of him. All in all, this movie is a must see if you feel like you need a good kick in the face and be reminded about what life is really all about.

The movie is definitely long, but its because there is so much character development in this musical. Not a single moment is felt wasted in this movie. Each scene was needed to lead you to the full story. What is more amazing is the emotion that you feel in each scene. Each actor, with the exception of Mr. Crowe, was able to draw you into their life and feel what they feel. The pain, anger, excitement, despair, innocence and shame. Once you walk into this movie, your heart will feel a range of everything. The best movies are the ones that you dont want to end and you just want to stay for more. Les Mis 2012 does exactly that for this Asian American Fob. Here I end with the “People’s Song”. Sorry it isnt from the movie, but I really like this concert version since it was performed live.

Asian American Fob gives this movie 5 thumbs up, eventho I hated Russell Crowe’s performance.

Whose that girl? ….It’s Jess!!!

Recently Ive been obsessed with the new show called, New Girl,featuring Zooey Deschanel.

I literally spent one day watching the entire Season 1 just so I can watch Season 2 with some logic. Not that you need much logic to follow what is going on between these 4 roommates. The show revolves around Zooey Deschanel’s character, Jessica Day aka Jess. Ok, so I love her character just because of her name. Not that my name is Jessica (actually its Jessie – so pretty close). But, I love it when people call me Jess. Which then leads me to today’s review of 500 Days of Summer. I remember watching 500 Days of Summer when it first came out in 2009. Yeah that was awhile back.  Zooey Deschanel plays Summer and Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom. Its a flashback of Tom’s memories about his relationship with Summer. From the first day they met till they meet again a year after their break-up and Summer is married to some other dude. That’s the 500 days of Summer. That’s 1.36 years. That’s a lot of time spent on a person who doesnt love you and ends up marrying someone else. I admit, I do that too. You cant help it. You constantly wonder and playback every scene. Each scene you wish you could have done something different. Because just maybe, with a tad bit of hope, that if you had just done something slightly different you and that person will still be together today. But I think that was the whole point of the movie. Tom basically relives every dating scene he has with Summer. Finally, when he sees Summer again and knows that she is married, he wonders. Why not me? Great quotes from the movie:

Summer: You weren’t wrong, Tom. You were just wrong about me

Then Tom goes on to question her about what made her get married, because he always thought she didnt want to get married.

Summer: I just….just woke up one day and I knew.

Tom: Knew what?

Summer: What I was never sure of with you. 

Ah!!! Talk about a heart-wretching moment. I could feel Tom’s tears forced to be held back from breaking free. Because the reality of broken relationships is that you think you had control over it and that’s why you replay each moment thinking you could have changed something to have a different outcome. But the truth is that no matter what you do, the outcome would have been the same. Because both of you just werent right for each other.  If doubt ever creeps into someone’s mind, the relationship is ultimately over. Doubt trumps everything. That’s what causes all those fears and anxieties about whether this person is right for you. Summer always had doubts from the beginning, but Tom just ignored the signs of it. In the end though, we realize that these broken relationships were actually for the better. Because it makes us learn more about ourselves. It changes us to be better. It makes us more aware that whatever we do, never let doubt creep into a relationship. That’s the ultimate love and romance killer!  

This movie moves at a fairly slow pace, but the dialogue is great and I really love the intense moments of seeing what a person goes through after a break-up. Gosh, I can totally relate to that. Who doesnt replay every damn moment. There’s hoping & wishing  that this was just all a dream and when you wake up you will be lying next to that person again. But then you wake up and see its just you.

Asian American Fob gives this movie 4 thumbs up. Good Night and good luck!

Oh and just in case I dont get back to you before Dec 25 and Jan 1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope you will find that special someone waiting for you under the mistletoe!

Je t’aime Paris

Sorry that it took me this long to write a new review.  Ive been slightly distracted lately – its called traveling through Europe. Yes, which brings me to today’s review on “Midnight in Paris“.  After a month since returning from visiting London, Paris and Rome, I had to re-watch this movie again. I’m trying to reminisce the days I was in Paris. I completely fell in love with Paris. Now I totally understand why Midnight in Paris was an awesome movie!!! I get it now. You have to had been to Paris to really really appreciate this movie. Gosh, I love Woody Allen. He captures his cities so well. There is no other city that compares to Paris and can use the name “City of Lights”.  Paris was exactly where I needed to be after a bad break-up. Yup, right before my trip to Europe, I had this awful break-up and the only saving grace was this trip of mine. No need to feel sorry for me, Ive done that to myself already. There is nothing to pity because I completely deserved it. It is what is expected when you date a douchebag. So I have only myself to blame for my stupid choice in men.

Anyhow, Midnight in Paris is about Owen Wilson’s literary fantasies and his romantic notion that life in Paris in the 1920’s was the best of times. The movie goes onto portray various expatriate writers/painters living in Paris in the ’20s – Hemingway, Stein, Fitzgerald, Dali, just to name a few. Woody Allen again does a fantastic job in using his script to paint us a picture of a city that is full of history. Every scene in the movie draws you into a feeling that you once felt when you walked through Paris. Nearly 80% of the movie is filmed at night, which then captures the essence of the romantic lights that stream through the city. The entire movie is filmed with this beige/brown/yellow color which is the color that is reflected in Paris’ night lamps that are situated at every corner. Again, you can only appreciate this film if you have been to Paris.

Like all Woody Allen films, his main character is always a reflection of Woody Allen’s true neurotic personality. I do give credit to Owen Wilson who tries to complete that neurosis, however, I honestly think there could have been a better actor for this part. As for Rachel Mcdams, I give her enormous thumbs up for being a complete spoiled rich brat that only has her own interest in mind. She fit the part perfectly! Even the movement of her body says, “I’m a stuck-up bitch!”

If you are like me, and want to walk through memory lane of your times in Paris, then this movie is it! This Asian American fob found that even though you dont have  love, you can still feel the presence of love whether it be strolling along the streets of Paris, walking through the Musee D’orsay experiencing Lautrec’s bohemian paintings, or just sitting at a cafe in Saint Germain and smelling the sweet air of luxury. No matter where you are in Paris, the city permeates love. Its Midnight in Paris that leads you to that wonderful feeling of hope.

This Asian American fob gives this movie 4 thumbs up. It would have been 5 if it werent for Owen Wilson.