Mike Batie - Daily Quote 12/30/2012

"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny."

—Albert Ellis

How empowering it is to realize that our situation and our problems are our own, and they belong to us. When we own our problems and seek to work towards resolving them, instead of blaming others, we can really move forward in our lives and really that is when you become more of an adult. It reminds me of another hidden gem of a quote in The Wizard of Oz, when the Good Witch says, "You had the power all along my dear."

Mike Batie - Review of Les Misérables

Ah, the epic awaited by so many this year. I've read that beast of a novel, and so I feel like I get so much more out of the musical, having the backstory on many characters.

I think it's pretty well understood by most that this is a fantastic movie and there's a reason why the musical has been so successful—it's good. Here were my thoughts on the movie, as far as criticisms go, according to Mike Batie:

1) Russell Crowe was kind of disappointing as Javert. I felt like his singing dialogue parts were rather hard to listen to, they just didn't flow well. I do have to say however, I think he did really well on his solo in "Stars." That rather surprised me, based on the earlier singing in the movie that he did, so I have to give him props there, after some of what I thought was horrid singing dialogue, he was rather a delightful voice in "Stars."

2) Hugh Jackman did well as Jean Val Jean, but I also did kind of feel the same about Jackman as I did of Crowe in the singing dialogues; it was a little harsh on the ears. At a few points I wasn't sure Jackman knew if he were going to sing a line or speak a line and that's what it sounded like. Other than that I think he did well, he doesn't have a bad voice, but I also don't think it's a remarkably good voice either. I really liked the new musical number added to this film version performed by Jackman, "Suddenly." I felt like he was in his element with this number.

Okay, now that my criticisms are out of the way, I must praise the casting for the younger characters, particularly Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks and Eddie Redmayne. Their trio of "A Heart Full of Love" was divine by the final note. Seyfried hits some beautiful high notes in a couple of songs. Barks is perfect with her powerhouse voice in "On My Own," and Redmayne is impressive in "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables," which I've always thought is a difficult song for a man to sing, but Redmayne proves his dynamic voice range well. There's been buzz that Redmayne will likely be nominated for best supporting male actor, and I wouldn't argue that it isn't deserved.

And then of course, Anne Hathaway blows us away with her emotionally charged "I Dreamed A Dream." I really felt the raw emotion of that song, and who couldn't feel something of their own lives in that song, dreams that you've dreamed yourself and life turns out to deal you a different set of cards than you'd hoped for.

All-in-all, Mike Batie would say this is one great musical brought to film.

Mike Batie - Daily Quote 12/29/12

“Those who do not weep, do not see.” 

―Victor Hugo, Les Misérables 

I almost forgot a quote for today, so here it is. Obviously since I saw the film recently and have been re-reading the novel, quotes from Les Misérables have been at the forefront of my mind.

I think of the times where I have been so profoundly moved to tears, whether for good or bad. It is those times when I am most moved to tears that I feel I  have truly seen...that I have seen much deeper into something, whether joy, beauty, tragedy or loss.

I have known a few people who I have never known to weep, or seen them profoundly moved enough (for good or bad) to weep. I wondered how they get along through life without such deep emotions. I often wonder if their lives feel robotic, without emotion enough to be overwhelmed by beauty to tears, or overwhelmed by loss to tears. I wonder if they can truly see the beauty and feel the sting of loss. So when I think of this I think of them, and I wonder, "Do they see?" Perhaps they are prisoners to emotions that they keep bottled inside and do not express.

Until next time, Mike Batie asks that you try to "see" a little more in every aspect of life. And it's okay if it makes you cry.

Mike Batie Reviews "The Hobbit"

Mike Batie here, this is my first blog post. I saw The Hobbit tonight with my parents. It was entertaining. I've never read the book, so I can only judge it as a movie. I was surprised how quickly the nearly 3 hour movie passed by. I credit that to there being a decent amount of action. I had heard from several people that it was painful to sit through, and from some that they had to take naps during the movie to make it through. I thought I would be one of those people, but apparently I wasn't. I can honestly say I was entertained. Best parts of the film were of course Gollum, and a musical number, "Song of the Lonely Mountain." Long story short, I was pleasantly surprised that I did not become bored or restless in this one. The storyline was easy to follow, the characters seemed to have a clear goal and the plot pushed toward that. There was plenty of action and some moments of suspense that kept this movie rolling along.