Les Miserables

I have waited quite awhile to write about this movie. I saw it over a week ago. I had to give myself time to come down from the heady high I was in. So before I go any further let me give you some history about me.

I've been told that when I was little I saw a commercial for CATS (the musical) and said I want to do that. I took dance classes, voice lessons, and was even a theater major in college. I had done a lot of shows when I was little all of various kinds. In college I was more behind the scenes then in front of an audience. It never bothered me. One of my favorite experiences in college was being a stage manager for a play. I was absolutely in heaven with what path I had chosen.

In my early preteen and teen years I saw numerous musicals. From CATS to The Who's Tommy. I loved everyone of them. I even saw The Phantom of the Opera on stage in Los Angeles over 100 times (I loved the music and the story). I never got to see Les Miserables . . yet. So for me this film was my first time to experience the action with the music. I know it can't be compared because film is far different from live theater so I won't even go there. I just felt you should know my history.

The opening of the film is when Jean Valjean is in prison, him and the others are pulling a badly damaged ship into a dry dock for repairs. This is also the first time we see Javert overseeing the prisoners. From there we see him released but marked as a prisoner on parole. He would never know a life without this mark. He travels and ends up in a church, taken in by the priest. The first act of kindness he has received. A major turning point in his life. The best part about this is that Colm Wilkinson is the priest, he has portrayed Valjean in numerous cities. A real treat, at least for me.

I could go on with the whole story but I don't want to be a bore. Overall the story is one of rebuilding a life, making a promise, keeping that promise, and just paying forward all the kindness that Valjean was shown that one night at the church. At least that's what he had hoped until his identity becomes known and he is once again on the run from the authorities to keep his promise to Fantine.

Hugh Jackman was amazing! If you saw him host the Oscars with Anne Hathaway then you know this man is talented. He brought the character to life, you always could see in his eyes and body language that he remembered where he came from and where he wanted to be. What he hoped he could be to Cosette. His voice is crystal, overwhelming with emotion, and beautiful. He is reminiscent of the actors that came before him, those that could sing, dance and act.

Anne Hathaway was extremely beautiful even at the lowest point of her life, her Fantine exuded brilliance, life, despair and pride. I saw her interviewed by Jon Stewart on the Daily Show before I had seen the movie and she discussed the filming of her song I Dreamed a Dream. It couldn't be more perfect that way it is presented in the film. She makes you feel that passion that any mother would have to protect her child at all cost.

I heard of some instances where critics did not enjoy or like Russell Crowe's performance as Javert. I would disagree with them. He is the part. He is authoritative, passionate and is duty bound to his position in the government. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, his voice dark, heavy and gravelly. I loved his rendition of Stars. I think he was perfectly cast and fulfilled his role as well as many others he has had.

I only mention the three, but truly everyone in the film is incredible. It could not have been cast any better. It brought together many of the talented performers in Hollywood that have the ability to hold their own and come together to be a cohesive cast that brought this musical from the stage to the arena of film.

I'm still hoping that one day I will get to see Les Miserables on the stage and I'm sure I will the next time it is in Los Angeles.

And as I always do, here is a link to the IMDB page of the movie Les Miserables.

Laid Up

Well it seems that my plans to see a movie every week has to be put on hold.

I had to get a tetanus shot on Wednesday and then saw my doctor Friday. I was told to elevate my foot as much as possible because of the bite. That means no walking or really normal sitting for awhile.

I hope to go next week. So many good movies out and I want to see them. For now I'll survive with my DVDs and Netflix.

Sometimes Life Hits Hard

It's been awhile. I haven't been to the movies since I saw Sinister. I have however been watching plenty of holiday movies between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sometimes however life gets in the way.

The first week of December my cat Sport went missing. I was heartbroken, lethargic, and wondering why a cat who has lived indoors all his life would ever want to go outside. There are many possibilities of how and why he got out. I went to the shelters that were local and left fliers in the hopes that if he ended up there I could get him back. Then something strange and wonderful happened. I heard a meow while in the bathroom, I ran outside thinking he was right under the window, but he wasn't there. I convinced myself that I was just hearing things because I wanted him back so much. Then a day or so lately, sitting in the living room with my mom and Tony, we all heard a meow, faint and pleading. We took off in different directions, mom and I out the front door, and my other half out the back door. Still we couldn't see him and heard no other meowing. Finally, Tony started looking at the crawl space under the house and thought maybe he's under the house. We put a can of wet food out in the crawl space and waited. Tony went out to look and there he was! Skinny and scared but there, alive. He's made a full recovery and gained the weight back he's lost. My life went back to feeling normal and I was looking forward to December.

Well then of course there's been the last few weeks. I started a new job in the second week of December and that pulled my focus to get acclimated and be successful. Tony had to work a few Saturdays and we just weren't getting out to movies like we had planned. Christmas came and went and still no new movies were seen. We were watching our holiday favorites: A Christmas Story, The Muppet Christmas Carol, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf, The Ref, Fred Clause, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas. On a continuous loop they went through the DVD player.

So now it is the third day of the new year, 2013. Tony and I have plans to once again see a new movie every week. We are going to try for Lincoln this Saturday, I've got my fingers crossed everything falls into place. And hopefully nothing gets in the way, of course I did get bit today on my little pinkie toe, but that probably won't keep me from limping to the movie theater.

Here's to 2013!

Sinister

I should not be allowed to go to a movie theater and see a scary movie. But I love to see them, just maybe I should watch at home, where I can have the lights on, and a remote control that allows me to mute the movie at anytime. Alas, there are times I manage to get to the movies to see a horror flick and watch a lot of the movie through my fingers and this movie made me do just that.

It starts off simple, an author writing a true crime story about a murder where four people were hung in their backyard. The unseemly thing is that he chose to live in the house where the people lived. So he likes to get into his work, I don't blame anyone for getting that deep into it, good for him. Of course he does what every male does and fails to tell his wife why he picked that house. And before some of this, scary stuff happens in the house. I won't tell you about the box of home movies but they are not typical home movies.

One of my favorite parts is when the author contacts a folklore professor at the local college. The reason it is my favorite is because the professor is played by none other than one of my favorite actors, Vincent D'Onofrio (Vincent D'Onofrio). I enjoyed his parts even though they were small. And he looks good like a mountain man, beard and all.

Simply put, I probably should have waited for this to hit Netflix so I could watch it in the safety of my home. Instead I braved a dark movie theater that added to the scariness of the film. And I will continue to spend my money to see scary movies that I watch through my fingers at the theater.

If you want to read more about the film check out this link to the IMDB page Sinister.

Argo

I went to the movies today for the first time in a long time. I can't remember the last movie I saw but it was way earlier in the year. I've decided that I'm going to try and see a movie a week because I love movies and miss going to the theater.

Today I saw the movie Argo. This is a movie based on real events that happened even though some of the movie was changed to add dramatic emphasis. Real events, events that were put into motion the year before I was born and concluded on the exact day that I turned a year old.

The movie is set mostly in Iran with some action happening in the United States. It begins by describing what has occurred so far and gets the viewer up to speed on where we begin. It was scary to watch a group of unhappy people storm the embassy in Iran. The fear was intense as the people tried to burn and shred all of their documents. Then there were the six up front that had to make a life or death decision in a mere matter of minutes.

Those six chose to take a chance and flee because they were close to the street. They had all of the Iranians waiting for visas go first to avoid capture or death at the hands of the insurgents. Then they left and ended up at the house of the Canadian ambassador. There they stayed for what I'm sure were over 80 days of fear.

Back in the U.S. a man in the C.I.A. is planning a way to extract them and get them out alive. The plan is to create a fake movie and get them out as part of the crew.

I don't want to spoil anything if you plan on seeing it at some point, which I recommend. But to think this event occurred in my lifetime, granted before I had a real good sense of memory. Something that has had a long lasting effect with our relationship with Iran. I know that history is written by the victors and that there is another side to the story.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some Oscar nominations for this film. I'm thinking maybe actor and film, but I'm sure there might be more.

Here is a link to the film on IMDB in case you are interested. Argo

So for now, the plan is to see a movie once a week, fingers crossed that it can happen. I have to pick the next movie so I better get started to see what is out and what peaks my interest.

The Process Starts

On January 6, I went and met with my surgeon about Lap-Band surgery.  And while he did say that bypass was a better option for someone with my BMI I'm still going to get the LB.  I figure since I have to wait six months (insurance requirement) that I can lose some weight to begin with thus lowering my BMI.  Right now it is just a little over 50.  So that appointment went well.

Tomorrow, I have my psych evaluation.  This is the step that always worried me, but not anymore.  I know what I need to do to get myself better.  And I'm not totally crazy so that works too.

Everyone I have told is supportive and that is going to make this super easy to reach my goals.  So some of my goals are: to sit comfortably in an airplane seat, sit comfortably at baseball stadiums, fit into more age appropriate clothes, be overall more comfortable with me.

Major Decision

Today is the last Sunday of 2009 and as some people already know, I have decided to take a major step next year. 

I saw my primary care physician a week ago Monday and found out that I have gained nine additional pounds bringing me to a total weight of 300 pounds to close out the year.  I haven't been at a healthy weight for years now.  I have tried all things to lose weight with no success. 

In January, I see for the third time a bariatric surgeon.  I have decided to get lap-band surgery.  In January I also turn 30 so I need to do something to try and save myself.  I want to have kids and this is my last option.  

I plan on keeping a journal of my journey, the good, the bad, and the struggle.  I hope you will read it, and if you too are struggling with what to do, perhaps we can join forces and support each other.