Tom Hooper's quasi-operatic mega-musical is loaded with major historical events, weighty themes, tragic deaths and symbolic rebirths, so it's no wonder that the film version of Les Mis gets so exhausting, especially in the static, unspectacular second half.

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DVD & Blu-ray review: Les Misérables (12)

Tom Hooper (158mins)

Daniel Craig arriving for the Royal World Premeire of Skyfall at the Royal Albert Hall, London

Judi Dench and Daniel Craig named nation's favourite James Bond stars

James Bond stars Daniel Craig and Judi Dench have shot their way into the nation's hearts, being named Britain's favourite movie stars of 2012, a poll showed today.

Anne Hathaway's house at risk from housing development

Campaigners are fighting to preserve the cottage where William Shakespeare courted his bride

The celebrity brides who want to be pink ladies

You might not think of Jessica Biel, Gwen Stefani, Jordan and er, Charlotte Brontë as being like-minded souls, but these women – along with actresses Anne Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon – all eschewed traditional white on their wedding days and decided to think pink.

No mercy: Emily Blunt, far right, glares at her rival Anne Hathaway as she usurps her advisory role to Meryl Streep, centre, in 'The Devil Wears Prada'

Be careful if you're beautiful... and at work

Pretty women should find out if their female boss is at peak fertility before asking for a raise

Batman star Christian Bale visits Colorado cinema shooting survivors

Christian Bale, the British star of the Batman films, visited survivors of the Colorado cinema shooting on Tuesday, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Batman actor Christian Bale meets Colorado cinema attack survivors

Batman star Christian Bale has met survivors of the Colorado cinema shooting, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

The Dark Knight Rises (12A)

Glum, dark and brooding, as you'd expect. But this third outing on the Batcycle is serious fun

Nolan speaks of "profound sorrow" after Batman shooting

Batman director Christopher Nolan issued a statement yesterday in response to the multiple shooting in Denver, expressing "profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy." 

Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight Rises

First Night: The Dark Knight Rises (Director: Christopher Nolan)

Batman's back for a spectacular (if spectacularly long) adventure

Civil unrest has never looked so good

Les Misérables: Cheer up, love, at least your outfit looks nice

The trailer for Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), has arrived; and isn't it gorgeous?

There are no details as to who will portray the roles made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the 2013 remake

Keep calm and carry on singing, Hollywood style

As in the 1930s, tough economic times mean more musicals on the cinema screen

Seeded apricot and cranberry muesli bars

Tummy rumbling? Reach for one of Bill Granger’s healthy snacks

We all get peckish between meals, but healthy snacks have become outrageously expensive – unless you make your own, of course. Bill Granger shows how...

DVD: One Day (12)

One Day has one of the most powerful arguments yet for not cycling in London; Boris Johnson would hate it.

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Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
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Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
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Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
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Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
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