I spy 2013.....

As our family was looking back on 2012 this morning, and recognizing the Lord's mercy throughout it, it dawned on me how much has happened since last January. I'm finding it true, that the older you get, the quicker time flies by. :P Anyhow, here's a summary of my year in pictures. (thanks PicMonkey. And yes, Jo, I was inspired by you. ;)

(January-June)

July-October

November-December

God has truly blessed our family and myself in particular this year, and I look forward to all His plans for me in 2013. :)
Cheers!
Sarah

Les Misérables 2012

Les Miserables.

This is a film I have awaited for an entire year since I first made a close acquaintance cum deep friendship with the music and story of Les Miserables. I liked the project on Facebook and Pinterest. I tried not to watch too many of the t.v. spots and clips so that it wouldn't be spoiled for me.

The grand debut day came and someone thought to check PluggedIn--our usual first choice for Christian-based movie reviews. Now, it's no surprise to me that there would be some questionable characters in the film (i.e. prostitutes), but from what PluggedIn said, it seemed that the filmmakers might have gone a bit far. The good thing about PluggedIn is that they are full disclosure--nothing hidden. The bad thing is just that: nothing hidden. Things you might not notice while watching the film are brought to light and mentioned. I appreciate this--it's been really helpful in making judgments on many films over the years. BUT, I didn't have a good handle on what this meant for Les Miserables. How much of this was what you'd expect from the story of Les Miserables? How much was unnecessary? Was it concentrated in one place or sprinkled throughout? How much of this was just the fact that the reviewer wasn't too keen on the story anyhow? (Something I picked up after the first of three or four read-throughs of the review.) I wasn't certain.

This weekend we went to see Les Miserables in theaters. (So did my friend, Liza, by the way.)

I made the choice after active conversation with myself, my family, my parents, and the group of friends we were going with. I was very familiar with the plot and musical. Enough so to hazard a guess (and hope) that the questionable material would be harbored in one or two of the musical numbers: "Lovely Ladies" and "Master of the House." The former I had already been planning to tune out, as I don't make a habit of watching that song even in the concert version. For those of you who are in the dark, "Lovely Ladies" is the song that the prostitutes down at the wharf sing to Fantine about their trade.
We decided to go, armed with this knowledge and experience with sifting through PluggedIn recommendations. Going in to the movie, I was a little apprehensive. I wanted to be able to review the film for you all, knowing that several of my friends were waiting for my review to choose whether they are going to see it or not. But most of all I wanted to enjoy the film, because the story and music of Les Miserables have entwined themselves deep in my heart, and this was the moment I'd been waiting for.

We got our seats...

I distributed tissues...

 The lights dimmed...

and the first strains of the Chain-Gang songs thrummed through the theater. From the moment I first saw Inspector Javert (Russel Crowe) overseeings the lines of straining, groaning convicts and watched him bark at convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) my heart settled cockly-warm in my chest. It was not going to disappoint. I just knew it. Now, whether I would cry remained to be seen, but I knew all was going to be okay with the film.

OKAY? 

It was amazing. Overwhelming. "Utterly." *said in my very best Dr. Harrison voice*

(Spoilers may follow, so enter at your own risk. I'll try to be careful, but you never know.)

I have never cried as much in any one film as I did in Les Miserables. Every time I thought it couldn't get any better, any intenser, any deeper, Tom Hooper's directing proved me wrong. This film is raw and deep and pithy. It's not for the faint of heart. I left the theater emotionally exhausted, still damp, heart throbbing. If you like movies that don't leave a mark on your heart and don't rip you in two and don't effect you in any way, Les Miserables is not the movie for you.

Anne Hathaway's part as the poor, pitiable Fantine is relatively brief and a good third of it I spent not-looking, as it was the "Lovely Ladies song. (Generally, folks, just get your popcorn now. Fantine goes down to the wharf, and you have about five or six minutes to be gone before hurrying back so your heart can break.) Handy Dandy Cue-Card Time: When you see Fantine go to the wharf, go ahead and close your eyes. Open when she begins singing "I Dreamed a Dream", but not before. Despite the brevity of her screentime, Hathaway brings you in beginning with "At the End of the Day" and stringing you right along till she breaks you with her heart-rending version of "I Dreamed a Dream."

That's where my tears started. I wept as Fantine wept, understanding for the very first time her misery and anguish and shame. Anne Hathaway--former Princess Mia of Princess Diaries fame--has upped the ante for all future roles of Fantine. She was perfect.

Jean Valjean, as portrayed by Hugh Jackman, was wonderful. A couple times I thought the songs were a little out of his range and prevented proper "belting," but the soul and life he threw into the part far outweighed any faint flaws in his voice. All in all, I thought he fit the part and the part fit him very very well. His relationship with young Cosette was one of the things that most delighted me about the film. It was precious, I tell you.

I am partial to Russell Crowe as an actor, so I give him grace for the fact that he's an actor, not a singer, and his part was a little high for him. I admit I was was worried about "Stars", but he did well, dear chap, and though he couldn't belt it, he inspired enough cold passion and hardness into his portrayal that you give him a nod as a decent fellow who did his part dutifully. 

And really, what more would you want from Javert? He is all rote. All black and white and nothing else. He's not a fanatic. He's a legalist.

The Thenardiers.

Great glory above. What to  say about them? You hated them. Absolutely horrid. And yet Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter played their parts fabulously. Handy Dandy Cue-Card Time:  Again, as a recommendation, I would just listen to this song rather than watch it. When Cosette leaves the inn to get water, look away. You can return to enjoying the film after "Master of the House" is finished. That's what I did, and I didn't miss anything. This couple deserves the name of villain, and I honestly think I'll never see the Red Queen the same way again when I watch Alice in Wonderland.  *Shudder.* I hate this couple. And that isn't too strong a term. Believe me.

Eponine! Samantha Barks as Eponine was just what I could have hoped it to be. 

She's always been my favorite stage Eponine so when I heard she was going to be in the film as well, I couldn't wait to see her. "On my Own" was great, of course, but my favorite was "A Little Fall of Rain." The way she and Eddie Redmayne sang it was so novel and yet fitting and beautiful that I didn't even cry...I just sat there listening and loving.

Eddie Redmayne as Marius was a person who surprised me. I have long preened myself on being a Marius-downer. I don't like his character in the book.

 But Eddie Redmayne's portrayal endeared him to me quickly, and caused me to weep unashamedly as a baby during "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables." He's such a boy. There is one particular moment in the film after the barricade has dropped and it's all over and finished that had me shaking and crying. I won't tell you where, but you'll know. It involves all that valiant company and Javert and little Gavroche.

Dear Gavroche.

Daniel Huttleston's portrayal of this little Paris garmin stole the show in his very fleeting moments. His saucy "Little People" song and the sad fate that befalls him totally made me cry. (AGAIN!)

There were so many other characters I loved.

 Enjolras (Aaron Tveit) was amazing, though not Red-Vest-Of-Power-Ramin-Karimloo. He was a believable, passionate, desperate patriot and played his part well. He is also in possession of a very nice pair of lungs so he didn't disappoint in his "Red and Black" song. That made me get chills.

 I loved Grantaire (George Blagden). Seriously, he ended up one of my favorite side-characters. The barricade was impressive. And not in the way you'd think.

Cosette as played by Amanda Seyfried was very sweet and pure looking. I had a little issue inside over Cosette, as I happened to flip through a magazine at the grocery store that claimed to be interviewing her about her part in Les Miz which instead turned out to be a publicity opportunity for her new and HORRIBLE movie. So there. I couldn't believe her in the role of Cosette knowing that. But you know, her voice was very girlish and piping, she looked the part, and she acted sweetly so I think we can forgive her in the interest of the rest of you.

I won't even tell you about the ending because I am desperate not to spoil this for you, if I spoil anything else. I'm just saying, there was not a single person not crying in that theater.

Les Miserables. A film that so clearly portrays the depravity of humanity, the struggle to redeem ourselves, "I am reaching but I fall and the stars are black and cold..." the realization that we cannot win salvation--that is a gift--, the price and value of love, "To love another person is to see the face of God,"and the overwhelming knowledge of Jesus' grace. These themes are so strongly, strongly, strongly developed in the movie that I would like to personally thank Tom Hooper for keeping them so crystal clear. Ah. I am about to cry again thinking about it.

Les Miserables is a heavy movie. It's emotionally involved, it's gritty, and it's ugly in parts. But it is a good movie--I could even argue a great movie. One I think we could all stand to watch and learn from. I would not recommend it for young viewers, but keeping in mind my handy-dandy cue-cards, I say go for it. ;) You won't regret your choice.

Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
who are climbing to the light.

For the wretched of the earththere is a flame that never dies.Even the darkest night will endand the sun will rise.

They will live again in freedomin the garden of the Lord.They will walk behind the ploughshare;they will put away the sword.The chain will be brokenand all men will have their reward.

Will you join in our crusade?Who will be strong and stand with me?Somewhere beyond the barricadeis there a world you long to see?Do you hear the people sing?Say, do you hear the distant drums?It is the future that they bringwhen tomorrow comes!

Tidings of comfort and joy!

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father

A blessed Angel came;

And unto certain Shepherds

Brought tidings of the same:

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by Name.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem

Where our dear Saviour lay,

They found Him in a manger,

Where oxen feed on hay;

His Mother Mary kneeling down,

Unto the Lord did pray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

In which Sarah gives her readers a double dose of the holiday spirit.

December's blown by so fast for our family, as I'm sure it has for some of you as well. 

The thing is, Rach and I can't get it in our little noggins that Christmas Day is only 6 days away!!!!

**mind blown**

Really. I guess we're getting old or something. 

Either way, we realized this little corner of blogosphere has been sadly lacking in boughs of holly.

So it's my job to deck it out. 

beautiful lights at Christmas Town in Busch Gardens at the beginning of the month. We're actually planning on going back on Friday!

We haven't done as much holiday baking as I'd hoped to (pinterest inspires me, okay?) but we did manage to do gingerbread men, and tonight we'll be making/decorating our traditional Christmas sugar cookies. :)

And despite our foggy brains, the house has been in a wonderful array of lights, sparkle, greenery, and looks like Christmas. :) 

the boys room all lit up

Yesterday I donned my red cowl-neck sweater and a black belt, feeling very Santa Clausy, and headed out with the girls to do *all* of our shopping in Greenbriar. :) Though we weren't half as liberal, we all felt like Eloise when she shops in NYC. :)

I have to say, I was very proud of ourselves. We left with no presents bought, or even planned and each of us came back with gifts for about 16 people! It was quite a fun excursion, and good sister time as well. :)

Levi has been so sweet to watch this Christmas. :D He's in love with the lights, candy canes, sparkle, stars, Santa Claus, and The Twelve Days of Christmas! It's so adorable to see him get excited, and sparks the same childish joy in me. 

I've been checking off my Christmas movies-to-watch list, and right now, the only ones left are Frosty, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Christmas Carol, and The Nativity. If we have extra margin, I'm hoping to watch the cartoon Grinch, the Christmas Story, and White Christmas. :)

Oh! Before I forget----The other night a friend showed me one of the funniest videos Rhett and Link have done so far, and seeing that it's Christmasy, I'll share it here.

Haha! That makes me laugh every time I see it. :) Oh, and if you're up for it, they did an awesome Christmas special, but it's much longer, so here's the link: 

Well, I'm really counting on that boosting all of our Holiday spirits! 

And to close, a sweet little boy decorating the tree......

The Silver-Screen: a year in old movies

I was just thinking recently how many old movies we've watched since Daniel & Abigail started courting. Should we multiply the number we've watched this past year by how many years we predict they'll have the rest of their lives together? Hmmm? I think we'd run out of old movies. :D All that to say, I love love love the movies I've seen, and the actors I've seen in them! Here is an exhaustive list of the old films I've seen this year, and my favorite part about them! :) (It is entirely appropriate and absolutely NOT a coincidence that I am watching Roman Holiday right now!)

My Favorite Wife:

Best part of this film?

Cary Grant's shaving-scene:

Nick: "I need to shave."

Bianca: "But you're skin's as soft as a baby's!"

Nick: "No, no! I feel like a hairy ape!"

Holiday Inn:

Best part of this film?

Fred Astaire's dance-numbers! :)

{Most especially his "Firecracker dance"}

Roman Holiday

Best part about this film?

AHEM

Gregory Peck

AHEM

Christmas in Connecticut

Best part about this film?

Dennis Morgan giving the baby a bath. <3 So sweet. Probably my absolute favorite part of the whole movie. :) I love guys that love babies.

Arsenic and Old Lace

Best part about this film?

Priscilla Lane. 

Because she's just too darn cute.

Sabrina

Best part about this movie?

Audrey Hepburn, of course! Sabrina's letters home were hilarious too.

Charade

Best part about this movie?

The absolutely breathtaking suspense in parts. *shudder* It really was a grand murder-mystery and combined Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, which was a load and a half of fun!

How to Steal a Million

Best part about this movie?

Not sure yet! I haven't finished it! Haha! I plan to tonight, though. As of right now, I'm thinking Peter O'Toole is a good choice for favorite-thing. ;)

What old films do you enjoy?