Seen alone or with a friend, knowing the story or completely new to it, as a moviegoer or — as I did — with Broadway purists, Les Mis is good.
Russell Crowe, as Javert, is the weakest part of the performance. And he was reasonably acceptable.
The best part was this: Colm Wilkinson, the original Jean Valjean, plays the Bishop of Digne. It is a great part, and so obvious and well done, and everything is in good hands throughout.
This is pretty incredible, too:
Typically, the soundtrack for a movie musical is recorded several months in advance and the actors mime to playback during filming. However, on this film, every single song was recorded live on set to capture the spontaneity of the performances.
Saw that this evening. Beforehand I got a shave. The professional kind. The someone-else-has-sharp-implements-aimed-at-your-face kind.
This was a unique Christmas gift my father-in-law and I received. He made the appointment, we went down to the salon this morning and saw this sign:
I knew about this association of barbers and blood letting, but this was a good time to be reminded. Especially so soon after my fall haircut experience where my local barber almost took off my ear. It clearly got to him. He got me out of his chair quickly, without finishing the haircut, which was why I had a great feathered look for a few days as my hair got to a certain length.
Alas, there would be no hair cutting today, just face shaving. And this is how they do it, as my father-in-law went first, I could watch with detached cool from the sofa in front of SportsCenter.
Getting a professional shave (my first) as a Christmas gift. The door says “The experience brings you back.” So will “No nicked veins.” Heh.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
The first step in this pro shave (I’m next) is to recline 180 degrees, cover and place under harsh light. The client looks mostly dead.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
There is skin moisturizing, a towel over the eyes and then the lather. Don’t Fear the Reaper is playing in the salon. I’m not kidding.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
There seems to be some moving of the nose as the razor comes near. That’s promising.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
Now comes more lather. Blue Oyster Cult is off the air, replaced by Phil Collins who can’t feel a thing from his head down to his toes.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
Now the post-shave balm. The towel over the eyes never came off, which I believe is the international signal for “GET ME OUTTA HERE.”
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
Now the client is mummified under a stack of warm towels. A man’s face is extremely sensitive, despite all those westerns you’ve seen …
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
I think this part is the face massage. I’m guessing that by now you are either asleep or wondering why you don’t do this everyday.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
And now the face gets powdered. Didn’t see that coming.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
And the finished product … that is one good looking face. Which means I’m next.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
My father-in-law reports: “That was amazing … I’ll definitely do that again.”
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
My shave is complete. Didn’t get nicked, better than I can say of my own efforts. If you haven’t had a full service shave you should.
— kennysmith (@kennysmith) December 28, 2012
She only missed one spot. Also better than I do.
Have you had a professional shave? The next time you have a big event coming up you should consider it.
