David McK (3372 KP) rated Les Misérables (2012) in Movies
Jan 19, 2022
One of those musicals/films that, while I had head of it and did not the broad strokes of, I had never actually seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Set in post-(Napoleonic)war France, this spans about roughly 20 years or so (i think 17, to be precise) starting in 1815 when ex-con Jean Valjean (Jackman) is released from servitude, breaks parole and reinvents himself but is then endlessly hunted by his former jailor Javert (Crowe), taking it upon himself to raise the daughter of seamstress Fantine (an Oscar-winning Hathaway) - as he believes himself responsible for her demise (which he does play a large part in, as he fired her from her job) Cosette, with the final potion of the film set in the 1830s with Colette now all grown up and falling in love with revolutionary Marius (Redmayne) across the barricades.
So, yes, there's some big names in the cast, including also Helena Bonh-Carter and Dacha Baron-Cohen providing the comic relief (and, somehow, I wasn't in the least bit surprised to see her there).
I'm still waiting for that bloke Les to turn up, though.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Homicide Hérault (Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery #6) in Books
Jan 26, 2023
Hardy Durkin is on a bicycle tour around France with his group. As they are following a delightful path a couple of the group decide to have a little splash in the water so one of the group goes behind a rock to change and ends up getting the fright of her life, 2 skeletons. Hardy contacts his friends who are in the know and discover a lot more!
I have enjoyed this story it is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is a lot of good information which is very interesting to read. I had an issue with one of Bluette's previously and was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to upset her if I didn't like the story or style of writing, but there were no issues at all with that she has done a fantastic job and made it legible and exciting. Well done, Bluette, a fantastic job.
Recommended by me
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
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