Les Miserables (2012, dir. Tom Hooper) ****/****

The film-musical version of Les Miserables is a sprawling epic:  engaging, enthralling, captivating and sensational.  The cast is dynamite and the staging of the musical numbers is extremely well-done.  I loved this film, but I'm also a huge fan of the original musical so perhaps I am a bit biased.  On the other hand, I think anyone will enjoy the movie who isn't familiar with the music and it will win over new fans to the musical version.  Some highlights are "One Day More", "Master of the House", and "At the End of the Day".  But the whole thing is brilliant.  The film is sure to garner multiple Oscar nominations, most notably for Best Picture, Actor (Hugh Jackman), and Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway).  The casting is perfect of all the principle characters.  The period detail is also very beautiful and Tom Hooper does a masterful job of bringing the musical to life on the big screen.