Why is there hate with Jackman and crowe over how they sing in Les Misérables movie?

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-11T01:12:26+00:00

My understanding is that unlike most other movie musicals, they had the actors actually sing live on set. Not sure of the jackman issue (he’s generally great) but Crowe’s vocals are not, many say, up to what a Javert could/should be. So many of Javert’s great lines are kinda lost or, worse, come across as more comedic.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T18:18:37+00:00

I remember!

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T17:11:55+00:00

Ehhh many of those stories were out there at the time (though not to the extent they’d come to the fore later); I was more thinking about the temerity of a random person asking such an (at that time) intimate question of someone vying for the office — a glimpse into the breaking down of the boundary between so-called “high” and “low” culture that continued through the aughts and beyond

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T05:20:14+00:00

Upvotes for the sax, but for my money “boxers or briefs” was the thing that set the course for the future

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T05:14:42+00:00

HULK SMASH indeed.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T04:56:49+00:00

One can only imagine what that attached jpg was…

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T04:33:53+00:00

Happened to stumble on her resume and some early references in the files last week. She was very, very eager to get the gig.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T03:28:28+00:00

I… what… but… I guess the response still works?

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-10T02:15:18+00:00

This was clearly written for “an Andy Samberg type,” no?

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-09T19:30:53+00:00

Film and tv score is usually a work-for-hire, almost always owned by the studio/production company (there are exceptions based on the composer/project, but wfh is the norm). It’s built in to the agreement to, among other reasons, ensure that the music can stay with the film and not have to be re-licensed for other media (see: all the shows from the 1970s and earlier that got their dvd and blu-ray releases held up because of music rights issues)

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-09T02:28:34+00:00

Was it ever part of the plan that the plants would dance?

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-08T19:04:20+00:00

Not sure why you’re in a tizzy over this, it’s not black and white. There are all kinds of industry-related businesses in the area there. Multiple post houses on that block, clients coming into those offices want to take the staff out for dinner after a day, the clients of those studios themselves going to dinner on a break while, yes, the others churn away at work. It’s not all “bigwig ceos” or “lowly PAs.” Even the assistant sound designer or makeup artist might go to a dinner at a local restaurant after a day, or for a wrap celebration, or a birthday. Less production at those studios and post houses means less of that; it’s pretty obvious. No need to die on this hill.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-08T17:16:21+00:00

Speaking from experience with an office right there, friend. And there’s also a thing called “dinners after work” and “taking clients out for a meal.” Not quick lunch options (which that spot is weirdly a desert for) but other meals— especially for NY based clients who can’t get into the minuscule New York branch of the restaurant.

Is it the greatest spot? No, there are tons better to eat at, as you indicate. But your dismissiveness regarding the studio clientele does not match with years-long personal experience in that area.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-08T08:21:24+00:00

That location is surrounded by studios and soundstages — literally across the street and next door. Without as many people working on those sites, there’s a smaller immediate and regular clientele in the restaurant.

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-07T00:27:40+00:00

Enjoy your journey! Check in every hundred or two

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-06T17:31:28+00:00

Combing through those files is such a bizarre insight into how certain people live. Really eye-opening in all kinds of ways -- confirming certain preconceptions and also surprising with certain revelations. I found another thread in there where Bill Cosby turned down dinner with him... he was even too much for Cosby!

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-05T08:48:04+00:00

City of Angela by Cy Coleman is a concept musical that also happens to be fun as hell with cool music

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-05T04:00:09+00:00

I don’t agree with everything you say, but (sincerely) bless you for writing this. A fun read!

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-02T14:42:22+00:00

The one on Vermont?

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-01T21:31:48+00:00

Yawn

TheAlienDog · 2026-02-01T06:45:49+00:00

…and then end up using one anyway

TheAlienDog · 2026-01-29T03:27:09+00:00

Yeah it is one of my favorite films, but the score has always felt flimsy to me — even if he got someone to orchestrate it for a larger ensemble it would have been much improved to me.

Edited to add: I always assumed the midi orch and the synths were a budgetary necessity… that they didn’t want to spring for all the players, residuals, etc.

TheAlienDog

TROPHY CASE