A very merry Xmas to everyone. Yes I'm back and this time I'm back to stay. The last nine months have been a living hell and I thank everyone for hanging in there with me. I'm now able to write again. There's much to catch up on but for today my return to the internet coincides with witnessing movie history in the making.
My wife and I have just returned from watching Les Miserables at the local cinema. This version takes the musical film genre to new heights.. Russel Crowe (Javert) gets big billing for this one and whilst I have no criticisms of his performance I thought he did what he does best - he played Russell Crowe. The show stoppers however have to be Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) and Anne Hathaway (Fantine). Jackman powered through the movie displaying the full range of his acting talent as well as his singing, but for me, the moment celluloid history was made was when Hathaway sang 'I dreamed a dream' - go see it, crumple in your seat and wallow in tears. For the entire duration of the song the director never once moves the camera from her face and it's no wonder, her face keeps the rhythm while her eyes sing the melody. I have no idea what the record for the longest time spent on one person's face is in a movie - but this has to be a contender, it also has to be a contender for an oscar. It's probably the most powerful piece of cinematography I have ever seen. A marvellous piece of work by Hathaway that left me spellbound.
Over the next few weeks I'll bring you up to date with what's been happening to me including some pretty astounding neuropsychology findings. In the meantime however; it's good to be back and wishing everyone the fullest and safest Xmas and New Year.
