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Regal Germantown Stadium 14

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Movie Review: Is Les Misérables Oscar-worthy?

Great acting makes you join in their crusade.

The film makers want to ask you, "Will you join in their crusade?"  After much promotion and fanfare, a new musical film interpretation of Les Misérables is opening nationwide.  For you non-"Mis" folk, the story is of Prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean, who breaks parole, is hunted relentlessly by Inspector Javert and encounters various troubled and impoverished characters in post-revolutionary France.  Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, it is beloved by generations of musical theatre fans. The musical version of the movie was a risky undertaking, but now promises a huge pay-off to the studio, cast, and crew, thanks largely to a career topping job by several of the lead actors. The endless marketing about the actors singing live has also …

Friday, November 16, 2012

'Breaking Dawn, Part 2': A Finale for the Fans

Fifth and last in the blockbuster film series debuts, based on novels by Stephenie Meyer. Rated PG-13.

Regal Germantown Stadium 14 is showing"Breaking Dawn Part 2" practically around the clock Friday and Saturday. The film debuted Thursday night to large crowds.  The big finale of the Twilight Saga needs no help from anyone beyond their fans, thank you very much. You need but look to the scores of Twihards who lined up at movie theaters around the world over a week before the premiere.  These fans can rest easy.  Director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Dreamgirls) gives them exactly what they expect. For the rest of the planet, it feels cliched and fangless until a rousing last act climbs so over the top it makes it almost worth the price of admission.   The plot centers on concern that the old guard of vampires in charge, the Volturi, may…

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