![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
just_the_things1. Watch every Academy Award best picture nominee from 2010 to 2015
Life of Pi- I read the book ages ago in a BookCrossing bookring that came my way. I really liked it, especially the end. I thought it was a good examination of human nature and faith. And while I'm not religious, I enjoy movies where characters go through a lot of soul-searching. I was a little wary when i saw the trailer. Though it looked quite beautiful, I clearly remembered some scenes and characters that weren't in the trailer (there isn't a huge cast either, but I CLEARLY remembered an orangutan) and some scenes in the trailer were unfamiliar to me (I didn't remember the meercats on the island). So I went into the movie, wondering what kind of journey it would take me on. I really enjoyed it. When I read the book, I looked at it one way. But during the movie I must admit I was looking at it as a vegetarian. There were some interesting metaphors to be had there, with parallels I had't drawn when I was reading and concentrating on the plot the first time around. The ending was just as powerful, even though I knew it was coming. The actors were amazing all the way through, but especially the big revelation. It was touching and beautiful in its imagery but also in its meanings.
Les Miserables- I haven't read this book. I haven't even seen the musical. I saw the non-musical movie that came out in the 90s and I saw some of the musical numbers minus plot that they showed on PBS years back. But I still didn't have a good idea of the story and certainly no understanding of the underlying themes and subplots. I'm also not the world's biggest Russell Crowe fan, but I'd heard he sang even better than Hugh Jackman, who I do love. So I wasn't sure at all what to expect. I loved it. Every second. What a great, rich film adaptation of a musical. When I learned that they sang live on set instead of to a pre-recorded soundtrack, I was impressed, but it was even more astounding to watch. I watched the movie one night. Then the next night I watched it again with the director's commentary. Then I watched it a third time. And then the next day I bought the full soundtrack because I couldn't get the songs out of my head. "Do You Hear the People Sing" has been my favorite song from the musical since high school and this was such a moving version. It's been almost a week and I am still singing various songs in the shower, when I do dishes, etc. I am hoping this wears off soon as I've had some embarrassing moments singing to myself when washing dishes at the sink in work. Anyway, I loved the movie. Spectacular sets. Amazing acting. Wonderful singing. Beautiful storytelling. I was definitely impressed.
Life of Pi- I read the book ages ago in a BookCrossing bookring that came my way. I really liked it, especially the end. I thought it was a good examination of human nature and faith. And while I'm not religious, I enjoy movies where characters go through a lot of soul-searching. I was a little wary when i saw the trailer. Though it looked quite beautiful, I clearly remembered some scenes and characters that weren't in the trailer (there isn't a huge cast either, but I CLEARLY remembered an orangutan) and some scenes in the trailer were unfamiliar to me (I didn't remember the meercats on the island). So I went into the movie, wondering what kind of journey it would take me on. I really enjoyed it. When I read the book, I looked at it one way. But during the movie I must admit I was looking at it as a vegetarian. There were some interesting metaphors to be had there, with parallels I had't drawn when I was reading and concentrating on the plot the first time around. The ending was just as powerful, even though I knew it was coming. The actors were amazing all the way through, but especially the big revelation. It was touching and beautiful in its imagery but also in its meanings.
Les Miserables- I haven't read this book. I haven't even seen the musical. I saw the non-musical movie that came out in the 90s and I saw some of the musical numbers minus plot that they showed on PBS years back. But I still didn't have a good idea of the story and certainly no understanding of the underlying themes and subplots. I'm also not the world's biggest Russell Crowe fan, but I'd heard he sang even better than Hugh Jackman, who I do love. So I wasn't sure at all what to expect. I loved it. Every second. What a great, rich film adaptation of a musical. When I learned that they sang live on set instead of to a pre-recorded soundtrack, I was impressed, but it was even more astounding to watch. I watched the movie one night. Then the next night I watched it again with the director's commentary. Then I watched it a third time. And then the next day I bought the full soundtrack because I couldn't get the songs out of my head. "Do You Hear the People Sing" has been my favorite song from the musical since high school and this was such a moving version. It's been almost a week and I am still singing various songs in the shower, when I do dishes, etc. I am hoping this wears off soon as I've had some embarrassing moments singing to myself when washing dishes at the sink in work. Anyway, I loved the movie. Spectacular sets. Amazing acting. Wonderful singing. Beautiful storytelling. I was definitely impressed.
