Les Miserables Movie Trailer

This has made a lot of people happy. Including me.



First impressions:

I knew Anne Hathaway could sing, and I am not disappointed in her version of "I Dreamed a Dream." I look forward to hearing the entire song. I just hope I'm not disappointed in her portrayal of Fantine.

I like the look of the film. It isn't too dark, but still shows the grittiness of the poverty of the time.

I think Hugh Jackman is going to be a great Jean Valjean.

I'm so excited to see Samantha Barks as Eponine. I'm sad there was only one shot of her in the trailer. But the trailer seemed to be more about Fantine and Jean Valjean than anyone else.

There are so many great things coming at the end of the year. New TV seasons, new TV series, Doctor Who (with a new companion), and Les Miserables.

Matt Smith Carries the Olympic Torch

I was going to title this post, "Doctor Who Carries the Olympic Torch," but Matt Smith carried it. Yes, Matt Smith plays the Doctor, but it was Matt Smith the man, the actor, not Doctor Who who carried the torch on Saturday in Cardiff, Wales.

He ran with the torch early in the morning around Cardiff Bay. He said it was an honor, exclaiming, “I would do it in my underpants - it’s the Olympic torch. I would probably get a bigger crowd for that."

There was a large crowd, even if he wasn't in his undies, and Matt was surprised by the turn out. “I feel immensely privileged," he said. "The torch and the idea of the torch has been around a long time."

It seems that he wasn't given as much direction in carrying the torch as he does in his portrayal of Doctor Who, as he said, “I don’t even know where I am running to. I try and run in a straight line."

What a great experience for Matt. It certainly doesn't hurt to be the Doctor.

New Fall Series: Previews of the Most Promising

Here are trailers for a few new series that look promising (or at least interesting):

Beauty and the Beast - CW



I loved the series from the 80s with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Kristen Kreuk, who played Lana Lang in the CW's Smallville plays Catherine, and Jay Ryan plays Vincent.

Ryan is very good looking, but we'll see what he looks like as the beast, and if he is as good as Ron Perlman was as Vincent. I hope this updated version will be worth watching.

Elementary - CBS



As those of you who read my blog knows, I love the BBC's Sherlock. Elementary also brings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective into a modern setting. However, this series brings the English detective (Jonny Lee Miller) across the pond to Manhattan. And Watson is a woman (Lucy Liu). Aidan Quinn plays Inspector Gregson. I am a big fan of Aidan, so that makes one more reason for me to watch. I am really looking forward to this series.

Interesting sidenote: Benedick Cumberbatch (who plays Holmes in Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller were in a production of Frankenstein last year at the National Theatre in London. The two actors took turns playing the dual roles of Frankenstein and his monster (a tag-team performance that won them the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor). Frankenstein/Monster, Sherlock/Sherlock.

The Arrow - CW



This new series is a spin-off of Smallville. It has a bit of The Count of Monte Cristo vibe, doesn't it? Superheroes are really big right now, so I hope this one is good and that it sticks around. Who knows, it may last as long as Smallville (10 seasons).

As you can tell, there are only three new series that I'm really excited about right now. Sad commentary on the new Fall season.

Awake: Turtles All the Way Down

What a great season finale for Awake! Or, I suppose I should say "series finale." The show ended on that "high note" I was hoping for. I'm even more disappointed now than I was before that the series has been canceled. Curse you NBC.

The season finale felt like an ending, but it also brought up more questions. Which world was the reality and which was the dream? Or were they both a dream? And was the ending the reality? I would love to have seen where the second season would go.

It's too bad that more people didn't watch the series. It was really good, especially Jason Isaacs. I think he should be nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the show, especially for these last two episodes. He is such a great actor.

And I also have to mention Captain Harper's (Laura Innes) scene with Michael in the jail cell when Michael tells her he knows what she did. The way that her cheek starts to twitch made her guilt seem so believable. What a great performance.

It's hard when you get attached to a new series and it isn't renewed. This is the time when you wonder if you should watch any of the new shows in the fall, because if you like them and they're canceled, you'll just be disappointed. But then, one season of a good show is better than seven seasons of a crappy one. Case in point: I wouldn't trade the one season of Firefly for anything. (Not that I could. :-)

I'm just so happy that two of my favorite new shows, Once Upon a Time and Grimm are coming back in the fall. Thanks ABC and NBC (okay, I know I cursed NBC earlier, but Grimm makes up for it).

Observation:

Great shot of Rex and Hannah with the back of Michael's head in the middle.

Quotes:

Efrem: You've seen a penguin before. Don't look at me, look at them.

Dr Evans: Detective, I'm afraid it's just turtles all the way down.

Hannah: Look at this, he lives.

Rex: You okay?
Michael: I'm good. I'm perfect.

Should Doctor Who Light the Olympic Flame?

A petition has been created calling for the Olympic committee to choose David Tennant, the tenth Doctor, to light the Olympic Torch at the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He lit the torch in a 2006 episode of Doctor Who called "Fear Her." The episode is set during the opening of the 2012 Olympics. I'm sure Doctor Who fans would geek out if he is the one to light the flame.

Even if David Tennant isn't chosen to light the flame, Matt Smith, the current Doctor, will carry the torch in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday. Since Doctor Who is such an British icon, it's exciting that at least one Doctor will be able to carry the torch.

Matt Smith, carrying a different kind of torch:

Grammar Gaffe: Lay vs. Lie

The misuse of lay and lie is one of the grammar gaffes that really bugs me. However, I shouldn't get so upset about it, because I don't think many people are really taught the correct usage. So, this is my attempt to educate the masses.

If you don't remember anything else from this post, please remember this: When you go to bed, you LIE down.

Now let's get a little more technical, or grammar geeky.

Lie: something you do to yourself. For example, "I'm going to lie (myself) down."
Lay: something you do to something else. For example, "Lay the book on the table."

The past tense can get a little more complicated.

Past tense of Lie: Lay
For example, "When she got home, she lay down."

Past tense of Lay: Laid
For example, "Our chickens laid six eggs."

I know, crazy, right?

Here are a couple of ways you can remember which is correct.

"People lie, chickens lay [eggs]."
"Let sleeping dogs lie."

Now that you know which word is correct for which situation, if someone says, "I'm going to lay down," you can respond by saying, "people lie."

You Could Sing the Phone Book

Randy Jackson, a judge on American Idol, has a favorite phrase to let a contestant know he thinks they have talent, "You could sing the phone book."

American Idol finally did it. They had someone sing the phone book. Well, actually the top ten sang a number with lyrics based on the contents of the yellow pages.

I have to say, it was hi. larry. us. And it was pretty good. I was channel hopping when I saw it, and I didn't see the beginning of the song, so I don't know who wrote the music or adapted the lyrics, but I'll bet they had a great time writing it.

I wouldn't buy it as a single, but good on American Idol for making fun of itself.