What better way to beat the post-Christmas blues than by drawing in the curtains to settle down and watch a Blu-ray? This weekend sees the theatrical release of Les Misérables, so we’ve taken a look at some of the best performances by the cast to warm up before the film is released.
Mamma Mia!
Amanda Seyfreid, who plays’ Cosette in Les Misérables, dazzles in Mamma Mia! – the ABBA themed musical set on an idyllic Greek island. Seyfreid stars as soon to be wed Sophie, the daughter of single mother Donna (Meryl Street). Unbeknownst to her mother, Sophie has invited three suitors from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise (Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Colin Firth) each of whom has potential to be her biological father. Featuring classic ABBA songs such as Dancing Queen, S.O.S. and Take a Chance on Me, Mamma Mia!, the Blu-ray bonus materials include features on the various musical numbers, a making of documentary and a look at the training of the stars for their musical performances.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
As the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold and Burton’s take on Sweeney Todd certainly delivers. In the dirty Victorian streets of London, a man wrongly sent to jail and separated from his family returns to life as a barber in an effort to tempt the man who destroyed his life into his clutches. Here we get a taste of Bonham-Carter, who will appear in Les Mis as the wicked Madame Thénardier. A range of special features include interviews with Burton and Carter, a look at the musical aspects of the film including its adaptation from Broadway as well as prosthetics, special effects and set design. Viewers are also treated to a hilarious look at the original press conference for the film’s launch which showcases the main cast members (including Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall) taking questions on all aspects of the film’s production.
Alice in Wonderland
A stunning re-imagining of the classic Lewis Carol tale, Burton’s vibrant imagination turns this family favourite into one of the best looking Blu-ray 3Ds on the market. Telling the story of 19-year-old Alice who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, Burton reunites her with characters including the terrifying Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and the kindly White Queen (Hathaway). Ahead of the release of Les Mis, viewers get a chance to preview Bonham-Carter and Hathaway working together (and in opposition) as the Red and White Queen respectively. Awarded 4.5 stars by Blu-ray.com for its outstanding picture quality and 5 stars for its 5.1 surround sound audio, this Double Play pack also includes a 2D BD for those who’ve yet to purchase a player with a third dimension. Special features certainly impress too, including individual character profiles, a look at scoring and animating topsy turvy Wonderland as well as a peek at the props and stunts alongside interviews with cast and crew.
