Review: Les Miserables (2012)

The latest musical movie masterpiece arrived last week. A brand new version of the classic French novel Les Miserables hit theaters on December 25.

This version was different from most musicals in that the performers sang on stage, instead of being rerecorded in studio, afterwards. Some have complained about it, but it brought a realism to it that now seems lacking in other musicals.

For those not familiar with the tale, it is set in 19th century France and while has several main characters it definitely focuses on Jean Valjean. He is released from prison, in 1815, but breaks his parole in order to create a new life for himself. Inspector Javert, who had released him, takes a personal vendetta against Valjean, which climaxes during the June Rebellion of 1832.

In this latest version, Hugh Jackman gives as great portrayal as Jean Valjean. Russel Crowe seemed a bit week in the rold of Javert. Anne Hathaway is already hearing Oscar talk for her brilliant playing of Fantine. But for me it was Samantha Barks who really stood out as Eponine.

The movie also starred Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Daniel Huttlestone, Colm Wilkinson, and Isabella Allen.

2012 Declared Most Expensive Year For Gasoline

AAA has confirmed that 2012 was the most expensive year, for gas, ever.

During 2012 the national average was $3.60 a gallon, beating out 2011 which had an average of $3.51.

Two hundred and forty-eight days of 2012 set new daily records, including one hundred and thirty-four consecutive days.

April 5 and 6 showed the highest average, with both of them at $3.94.

Hawaii had the highest average, at $4.31 a gallon, and South Carolina had the lowest with $3.35.

Deadly Explosions End 2012 in Iraq

Multiple bombs exploded throughout Iraq on Monday.

Twenty-three people were killed and eighty-seven were injured in the various explosions as well as shootings.

Attacks have only increased as tensions rise between the Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds.

No one claimed responsibility for any of the bombings.

The attacks were aimed at Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis, including government officials, police, and civilians.

Protests follow the attacks, raising fears that unrest could open the doors for Al Qaeda to make larger footholds in the country.

Nine Killed in Oregon Bus Crash

An Oregon bus crash has left nine people dead and twenty-six more injured, Sunday afternoon.

It happened on I-84 about ten miles out of Pendleton, Oregon.

The bus slipped on ice, went through a guard rail, and down an embankment.

Each of the passengers were having to be rescued by specially trained emergency workers trained in rope rescue.

They are then being airlifted to the nearest hospital, via three helicopters.

Investigators are working to confirm that weather was responsible.

Officials have not yet released any information about which company the bus belonged to, where it was from, or heading.

Secretary Clinton Hospitalized With Blod Clot

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was sent to the hospital with a blood clot, on Sunday.

Doctors believe that the clot began when she suffered a concussion, a few weeks ago.

The clot was noticed during a follow up visit.

She is being treated at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, with anti-coagulants.

 Clinton will stay there for forty-eight hours as doctors observe how well the medication works.

2 Killed in Attack on Coptic Church in Misrata

Woman praying at the Misrata Coptic church earlier in 2012

An explosion hit the Misrata Coptic Church, in Libya, on Sunday.

Two people were killed and another two injured in the blast.

All four were Egyptian citizens, who were preparing the church for the New Years Eve mass.

After the explosion, Egypt's ambassador visited the church, and urged Libyan security forces to protect the building.

No one has claimed responsibility, for the explosion, which is under investigation.

Misrata is the third largest city in Libya.

Brazilian Robbers Take 9 Hostages After Failed Heist

Nine Brazilians have been taken as hostages, by a gang of bank robbers who are fleeing from police.

Around 02:00 local time, the gang hit a jewelry factory in Cotipora.

Quick reacting police arrived at the factory, and a shootout began.

Two officers were wounded and three robbers killed, during the shootout.

One of the dead robbers was Elisandro Falcao, the leader of the gang and most wanted man in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The rest of the gang made off into the forest, with their hostages.

Over two hundred local and federal police are now searching for them, in the surrounding areas.

Governor Tarso Genro said that the, "top priority is to make sure we rescue the hostages alive".

Falcao's gang had become infamous for using explosives to rob banks, shops, and other businesses, in the region.

Comet ISON Could Put on Show For Earth

Comet McNaught in 2007 over Chile

Comet ISON is set to go right past the sun, in late 2013.

Scientists believe that it's trajectory should put it close enough to give Earth quite a show.

While they say it doesn't pose any threat to Earth, it could be very visible for us.

According to astronomers, if it gets close enough to the sun to "create a tail of ice particles" it will be "brighter than even the full moon".

In 2007, Comet McNaught was quite visible over Chile, and others have been throughout the years, with the most notable being a 1680 sighting which was visible even during the day.

19 Shiite Pilgrims Killed in Pakistan

At least nineteen Shiite pilgrims were killed, on Sunday, in the Mastung district of Baluchistan Province, of Pakistan.

Another twenty-five were injured when a bomb blew up next to one of their three buses, Sunday morning.

The explosion destroyed the one bus and damaged the other two.

Wounded pilgrims were taken to the hospital in Quetta, the provincial capital.

The pilgrims had been making their way to Zahedan, Iran, after gathering in Quetta.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two Wounded in Attack on Iraq's Deputy PM

Two people were wounded after a mob attacked Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, on Sunday.

Saleh al-Mutlak had been speaking at a rally, in Ramadi, when protesters appeared.

At first they just threw words, but that turned into water bottles, rocks, and shoes.

Mutlak's security then tried to get him out, but the protesters attacked, broke through the guards, and attacked the deputy.

Federal police then shot "into the air" to disperse the mob, wounding two people.