Les Miserables

Tonight I have been to see Les Miserables.

A ground-breaking film adaptation of the global hit stage musical, with an all-star cast singing their parts live. After serving a long prison sentence for a petty crime, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) becomes a noble force for good. But he reckons without Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), the policeman who pursues him obsessively for breaking his parole. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of French revolutionary history, Victor Hugo's classic 1862 novel has been adapted for stage and screen many times. But no version is better loved than the stage musical, which continues to break records in its 27th year. In bringing this powerful story of broken dreams and unrequited love to the screen, 'The King's Speech' director Tom Hooper decided to have the performers sing live rather than miming to a recording. The result is a spectacular musical epic of extraordinary immediacy. Its superlative cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

The Impossible

Tonight I have been to see The Impossible.

Ewan McGregor stars in an astonishingly realistic disaster movie recreating the 2004 Asian tsunami. British couple Henry (Ewan McGregor) and Maria (Naomi Watts) are enjoying the Christmas holiday of a lifetime in the luxury Thai resort of Khao Lak with their three young sons. On 26 December 2004, the family are relaxing in the pool area when they hear an ominous rumble in the distance. Before they have a chance to react, the entire resort is engulfed in a giant wave as the tsunami strikes. Battered by an intense rush of turbid water, Henry and Maria are separated. In a landscape of utter devastation, they struggle desperately to find and re-unite their family. Based on an incredible true story, 'The Impossible' is a breathtaking, edge-of-seat thriller with a powerful emotional core. It's Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona and screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez's follow-up to their haunting ghost story 'The Orphanage'.

Life Of Pi

Last night I went to see Life Of Pi.

A visually stunning, magical journey of adventure involving a young castaway and a Bengal tiger! Piscine Molitor Patel (Suraj Sharma), known to everyone as Pi, was raised in Pondicherry, India, during the 1970s. His rich and unusual upbringing took place in a zoo owned by his father (Adil Hussain), who taught him that animals do not think like humans. Now India is undergoing a dramatic upheaval, so the Patels decide to emigrate to Canada with 17-year-old Pi and some of their beasts. But a terrible storm causes their ship to sink and Pi is cast adrift aboard a raft with his mortal enemy: a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker! Yann Martel's novel was a massive critical and commercial hit, selling more than seven million copies and winning the 2001 Man Booker Prize. Now this much-loved spiritual fable of survival has been brought vividly to the screen by visionary director Ang Lee, who gave us 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'Brokeback Mountain'

Pitch Perfect

Tonight I have been to see Pitch Perfect.

A brilliant young female cast power this sparkling campus singing contest comedy! On her arrival at Barden University, Beca (Anna Kendrick) is not keen to become part of any of the usual cliques. But when she's overheard singing in the shower, she's forcibly recruited by pushy Aubrey (Anna Camp) to join the University's all-girl a cappella group. They're a mismatched bunch with just one thing in common: their voices blend in perfect harmony. But Beca soon spots their problem. The group's repertoire is deeply conservative. Only by taking a risk with some bold and adventurous new mash-ups will they stand a chance of triumphing in the big upcoming contest. From Jason Moore, director of Broadway sensation 'Avenue Q', this hilarious foot-tapper brings together an amazing ensemble of talented young actresses. Joining Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks and Brittany Snow is Rebel Wilson, who made her breakthrough with a scene-stealing performance in 'Bridesmaids'.