. >> i'll start with russell crow. go. >> god. >> russell crow? really? we were doing easy ones. russell crow. >> he's an oscar winner. >> whatever. >> fine. you do it. >> l.a. confidential. >> who is in that? >> nor clue. never heard of it. >> kevin spacey. >> usual suspects. >> gabriel burn. >> the thing with the kid and the -- yeah. steve martin's kid. a simple -- >> so steve? >> should i start now? >> hector alizondo. >> pretty woman. >> there you go. >> richard gere. >> crist american league? >> moving on. i told you the weak link. >> i don't have a lot of time. >> as we discussed, not everyone is into sending out photos of themselves. this is something i can get behind. the vatican released this picture of pope benedict with his first series of tweets. we made it a caption contest where jennifer dropped this gem. how do i find angry birds? can you do better? we want to know. send that to us on facebook.com. we say the real world, tell a friend. the holidays are all about family. up next, the new research on the most important relationship. we are ta

his nemesis is inspector javert, played by russell crowe. >> ♪ look down, look down don't look him in ♪ look down, look down you're here until you die... ♪ >> hugh jackman: any movie musical is like mount everest. i think it's the most difficult form ever to pull off in film. when it works, it's spectacular; when it doesn't, it stinks to high heaven. >> pelley: this film is either going to be a hit or it's going to be a massive bust. >> jackman: yup. >> pelley: why did you take the risk on it? >> jackman: jean valjean is the holy grail for me. it's... i know that it demands everything from me, as a singer, as an actor to pull it off. it's the role of a lifetime. >> pelley: the story, written by victor hugo in 1862, follows valjean's redemption against the backdrop of a failed revolt against the monarchy. >> jackman: ♪ he is young, he's afraid... >> pelley: the film is unique in the way that the actors sang their roles. usually in musicals, they record songs in a sound studio and then lip sync when the camera rolls. but in "les miz," they sang in the moment. >> jackman: ♪ bring him hom

he was the inspiration behind the character played by russell crow. a 1,500 years ago, rome fell to the barbarians, and in tpd's age of the euro zone austerity, the tomb is under threat from what some may say are bar barns of another kind, cost cutting accountants and budget slashes officials. >>> the budget to maintain the sites has been cut by at least 20%. as a result, some sites have have been closed and projects cancelled. now, don't worry, the coliseum will remain open, but some ancien treasures may literally be buried. he worked several years at the tomb and said if funds are not soon found to maintain the site, it will be recovered with dirt. >>> the most logical thing to do is to bury it again, she said, it will be up to our grandchildren to decide whether that will be temporary or permanent. russell crow has joined the fight to keep the site open, telling an italian newspaper italy must be a leader in preserving ancient heritage. an online petition has been started. to raise funds and put pressure on authorities to keep the site open. >> it'

. >> even russell crowe singing? i didn't on purpose because i think he is the weak link in the chain and personally i think that guy should stick to throwing films at people because the russell crowe is not the best singer in this movie but he has a very stern gaze and that is what that character requires. so i'm going to allow russell crowe to be in this film because everyone else is so good. >> thank you so much for joining us on this christmas day. >> merry christmas. we'll be right back. ♪ i don't wanna be right [ record scratch ] what?! it's not bad for you. it just tastes that way. [ female announcer ] honey nut cheerios cereal -- heart-healthy, whole grain oats. you can't go wrong loving it. in that time there've been some good days. and some difficult ones. but, through it all, we've persevered, supporting some of the biggest ideas in modern history. so why should our anniversary matter to you? because for 200 years, we've been helping ideas move from ambition to achievement. and the next great idea could be

>> russell crowe is extremely prepared. you know, robert duvall is, you know, the consummate professional. >> when you wanted to get into show business, was part of the allure of it being famous, if you're honest, when you look back to that time? >> i would have to say -- this is true of a lot of comedians, and i've talked to other comedians and heard them say the same thing. and i defy anyone to deny this. for most of us, it's getting girls to notice us. it really is. and it's still probably on some level. i'm very happily married, two kids. but there is something initially especially in those early days, you notice -- you go through the checklist in your mind of what do i have that might interest a girl. and i didn't have much. i would go through the list. i'm not a good athlete, da, da, da, my skin's not so -- go down the list, the hair's a little silly. the name's weird. then they laugh. when i start joking around, they laugh and they hang around a little bit. so probably that's the initial -- if i'm going to be brutall

this is russell crowe. can you believe we had a crow as a pet? unfortunately due to that he can no longer be released to the wild. we have been bringing russell to the kids in the class rooms and he receives rave reviews. thank you, russell. who knew. on other good news, i want to thank the staff. here is our sumatran female. she is awake while she is probed with gels and other medical advices. in the front we are taking an ultrasound of her uterus because she's just recently been housed with our male. we are hoping to see hopefully young tigers in that uterus. but this is a great process and procedure. she is not under anesthesia. we are one of the few able to do with a tiger while she lay awake. because of those efforts the zoo has been cited in a book that's coming out on zoo animal welfare. chapter 8 is about the san francisco zoo. in particular our rescued grizzlies. this is authored by one of the world-renowned psychologists and experts. he is a consultant, psychologist and professor in residence. we are very honored we made chapter eight. w

hugh jack man, russell crowe and amanda seyfert tell the story of broken dreams and lost love in france is rated pg. >> you kill people and they give you reward. >> jamie foxx gets a license to kill in "django unchained" playing a southern slave freed two years before the civil war released into the custody of a bounty hunter. they go after leonardo dicaprio leonardo dicapr who may own the deed to the wife he lost at a save auction. >> bette midler and bill lu crystal baby-sit the grandkids in "parental guidance." their old school rules don't fly. so the grandparents learn it's the surprises you make not the stand you take that keeps the family together. it is rated pg. >> matt damon tries to tip the balance of power in "promised land." a small town has been hit hard by the economic downturn so it should be easy for him to buy out the poor farmers so his company can drill for gas. "promised land" is rated r. that's the box office preview, raphael seth, nbc news. >> now for another look at the weather, here is meteorologist dil condition drier. where was the jud apatow movie? >> you're s

. >> he was also a vocal smackdown singing for "les mis" with his movie co-star, russell crowe. ♪ >> he does it all, doesn't he? >> he's got some pipes. >> man. i don't know what i find more stunning. that you met hugh jackman, or that richard marx is still performing. >> he's still got it. >>> if you can't bend it like beckham, you might want to try bouncing it a little bit. >> watch this bizarre soccer match in norway. it's called bubble football. and the players are almost completely encased in plastic, except for the legs. >> despite all of the rocking and rolling and bumping around on the field, the team somehow managed to score a few goals, believe it or not. >> it's full-contact. but -- that actually looks fun. can you pop the bubbles like bubble wrap? is that the goal? >> i understand the safety thing. but that looks weird. you go, kids. safety first. >>> for some of you, now, your local news, next. at quicken loans, we'll provide you with myql mobile. this amazingly useful app allows you to take pictures of your mortgage documents using an iphone or android smart phone.

raises an orphan to redeem himself while remaining on the run from a ruthless policeman played by russell crowe. >> become a dog on the run, have i fallen so far and the hour so late. >> reporter: unlike movie musicals of the past, the cast of "les miserables" did not prerecord their songs in a studio. they sang on the set with a live piano they could hear in an ear piece allowing them more freedom with the music. >> it seemed more risks were taken by more people on any parts i've been involved with. >> reporter: the live singing was especially exciting for actress ann hat away. her mother played the same tragic role in the touring company when she was 7 years old. >> i think seeing my mother die really left a big impression on me with the character just knowing how seriously i'd take this part. >> reporter: in her song "i dreamed a dream" there are no cut aways, no wide shots. >> she found a way of telling the story of that

>> it's a hobby popular with celebs like dakota fanning, cameron diaz, julia roberts, and even russell crowely reports, it's catching on with teens, as well. >> i'm here at lion brand yarn studio, where i'll try my hand at a craft that dates back to ancient egypt. let's go inside. it's an explosion of color and an endless supply of inspiration. knitting is where the nimble put their needles and their creativity to the test. what are you working on today? >> today, i'm working on a sweater. >> right now, i'm working on leg warmers. >> a headband. >> knitting's not just for grandma anymore. >> and what i love about you teen knitters so much is your imagination. i'm blown away by some of the projects i see you guys do, and the color combinations are sometimes things that i wouldn't think of, but they're fantastic. >> you have your yarn and you have your needles, and you want to make a slipknot. which you do that by wrapping the yard around your fingers. that's pretty much the most -- one of the simplest parts of passing on. >> korrina's helping me create my first sweater. this is simple, right?

to "les mis," this has some blockbuster powerful names behind it: anne hathaway, hugh jackman, russell crowe> this is going to be a big holiday event, because it is the first time that the stage musical, "les miserables," has been adapted for the screen. it is director tom hooper's first film since he won the oscar for "the king's speech," best picture. i think both hugh jackman and anne hathaway are going to be sort of in play for best actor, best supporting actress nominations. > > wow. > > so i think there is going to be a lot of interest in the movie, and certainly the awards people will definitely be keeping an eye on this one. > > what about "parental guidance?" this one has billy crystal and bette midler. "grandpa tells lots of jokes that you won't get. just laugh." "they're here!" "hello boy! you still single?" [laughter > > that sounds like a hit, potentially. > > potentially. it's a pg-rated comedy. it's a family movie in general. billy crystal hasn't really had a big hit in a long time. it's his first movie in many years actually. so i think it has potential to do decent numbers,

four stop cars russell crowe, anne hathaway hugh jackman and amanda siegfried.hits theaters in the u.s. on christmas day. >> you interviewed someone famous. who did you interview? >> displayed an actor from some of the biggest movies out there the late et project post katrina new orleans and sat down with john to talk about his character on the show. >> he's the kind of guy who unfortunately represents an ugly truth to what happened in regards to katrina and recovery process in new orleans. he sees a gold mine to be had as many did. it is part of the question of where did all of the money go all of the money that went down in new orleans to help rebuild new orles. nelson, he's the kind of guy he's a fun guy. he's the guy you want as a friend. he enjoys the music. he falls in love with new orleans but he is there to make a buck. >> you can catch my entire interview with john seda@foxnews.com. you can check me at twitter. >> it is 40 minutes after the top of the hour. it may be the last christmas you get to shop on-line without paying sales tax for your purchases.

hugh jackman and russell crowe, the two "les mis" stars, making a club appearance at crowe's show. >>s pretty cool. i saw the movie the other night. >> was it amazing? >> it is unbelievable. >> oscar buzz. >> so great. >> looks great. sam? oh, go, go, go. >>> what rare delicacy is novak djokovic reportedly buying up by the pound? >> smoke. >>> we'll find out after the weather from sam champion. >> we're trying to warm folks up. virginia, good morning. how are you? nice to see you. [ cheers ] i love that you guys have started decorating the poinsettia patch. or as josh would say, poinsettia. let me hear from applause. is it poinsettia? applause. or is it poinsettia? no. you're the only one. what's your name? >> jennifer. >> you're the only one that thinks it's poinsettia. you and josh. that's two of you. let's get to the boards. one or two things we want to tell you about. we're going to start with the picture out of boston. a live shot there. look at this. and we have to get rid of the showery and shroud stuff on the eastern seaboard. expect that the temperatures will be a little chil

that is russell crow. zp there is ann hathaway.esn't get supporting actress award, we can start a revolution. >> this is so exorderry. everyone in the audition has been a great leveler for everyone. we're doing something new, driven by an ounce of fear. >> this is a film on a grand scale of a musical loved by many. >> i do hear the people sing f you're a fan you will not be disappointed. the look is impressive. it's what a big movie musical should be. it's holidays so i have to give it a full bucket. i'm don sanchez and we'll see you on the aisle. >> it's great. >> yes. >> this is don's final on the aisle review, retiring after more than 40 years here. >> we'll have a special look back at his career tomorrow evening on abc 7 news at 6:00. -ÑÑ a remarkable career. >> one of the nicest, most talented guys we've worked with. >> speaking of nice and talented larry beil. >>. i wasn't expecting that. yes. >> that is personal. >> thank you. >> the 49ers get set for sea hawks and goldson is lighter in the wallet because of this, used to be

. >> that is hugh jackman and russell crowe in "les miserables." it opens christmas day.ou guys arguing in song. >> very natural. >> real australians do that. >> ♪ i hate you jimmy kimmel. >> i was there and i didn't do that. for a movie like this. you have seen the musical. do you bother to do research for it? >> there is that 1600 page book with which i will get around to reading any minute. i hear it's great. but i actually went to unusually long and deep lengths to make sure i had everything right. this is a famous french tale. isaac faced myself for the last summer by going to france. no, no. wait. i did a road trip right through the wine region and right to the south of france and i had a house for a month in proadvance. day in and day out, french, french, french. >> all write offs right? all tax deductible. that's research for the role. you really did that. >> i really did that. i'm a serious actor. >> jimmy: was anyone convinced you were doing this for the role? >> nobody. but after the third bottle of wine i would sing a lot. but it was embarrassing. i went on th

russell crow. lot of people have been knocking him down in terms of his vocal quality.hink he has such a good sense of the character that i really enjoyed him in the movie. i really liked it. >> it was uncomfortable for me throughout the film. i think he's right about hathaway. i think she's going to win the oscar. although i feel like that performance by itself is amazing. in the context of the film, it's just enough already. you know? but she has a beautiful voice. she gives a heart wrenching performance. for me, two stars. and for him sf >> 3 1/2. i loved it. >> and there you go. >> looks like another movie you both saw, django in chains. >> once again, as we said earlier, it's been controversial. it's really bloody. the thing about it is, if you like quentin tarantino's other movies then you most likely will like this movie. if you are easily offended then you probably won't like this movie. it's almost three hours in length, but it flies by so quickly. i love quentin tarantino's writing ability. the way he writes is just awesome. it sounds like music sometimes. the

thought that hathaway was great and hugh jackman was great, and i thought everybody tried, even poor russell crowe shouldn't have been in that part, in a film drama, he would have been great, but in the singing part, he couldn't pull it off. but have you ever seen actors work harder and be more passionately committed to a movie? >> listen, i want anne hathaway to get that oscar, do you know why? can you imagine having to lose all that weight, to have your hair plucked off, so you looked like a chicken when you sang, and have a camera in tight on your face when you're trying to sing an octave higher than your natural register and pull it off, that's some mighty fine oscar bait.

be up to our grandchildren to decide whether that will be temporary or permanent. >> reporter: russell crowee fight to keep the site open telling an italian newspaper italy must be a leading in preserving ancient heritage. an online petition called save the gladiator's tomb has been started by an american archaeologist to raise funds and put pressure on the authorities to keep the site open. >> this is part of bigger picture, which is italy is a great country. it he lee is a leader in cultural heritage and preservation. they do great work in italy, and their experts go around the world. here's a chance to say with this site we're going to take a stand and defend this cultural heritage. >> if not, the barbarians will see to it that it's covered up once again. ben wedeman, cnn, rome. >>> all right. this is the final print edition of "newsweek." it hits the stands today. the cover reflects of the end of an era and the power of the digital revolution. this is a black and white photo showing the magazine's manhattan office building as part of the new york city skyline. the headline read reads #la

it stars anne hathaway, russell crowe. based on a classic novel, it's a trip back in time to paris in the years after the french revolution. fresh off his oscar win action director tom cooper has the actors do their own singing in live takes and not dubbed over later. now entertainment insider jennice fuenes join us with our review. thank you for joining us. >> happy holidays. >> happy holidays. >> i feel like the timing couldn't be worse for this movie, could it? >> a lot of sad things have happened it month, especially december 14, the horrible massacre, but this movie was slated to open this time of year. a lot of violence. this is clearly an imagined western fairy tale about slave revenge with a star studded cost. >> but the l.a. premiere was already canceled because of newtown. >> it's a very violence movie -- violent movie. this is a western that pushes the envelope which is what tarantino is known to do. christopher waltz plays dr. king schultz. it's interesting. the development of this role because while -- [ inaud

man who served 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread looking for redemption pursued by russell crowe then there is anne hathaway. if she doesn't get the supporting actress award then we can start our own revolutio revolution. banks who did the show on the london stage and ed the ideal who were in san francisco. >> the cost was so extraordinary everyone had been put through that pace in the audition and great level for everyone that we were all doing something new. we were all driven by an ounce of fear. >>reporter: this is a film on grade scale of musical loved by many. directed by tom who did the king speech. >> i do hear the people sing. if you are a fan of the stage musical you will not be disappointed. performance bold and the look is impressive. it's what a big movie musical shuchbility it is the holiday so i have to give les mis a full bucket. i'm don sanchez 7 news and we'll see you on the aisle. >>> pretty amazing experience. by the way, that is don's final on the aisle review sorry to tell you. he's retiring tomorrow after more than 40 years here on abc 7. special look back

all the dialogue is in song, which turned out to be quite demanding for the actors, including russell crowewe talked with two of the female leads about singing the scenes live as the camera rolls. >> it's one of the greatest things i've seen this year. i cried like a baby. it was wonderful. i have to ask, did you actually time the tear drop? how do you do that? >> i think what's hardest if you do a scene where you have to start up in one place and go to a dark, a darker and emotional place in the middle of the scene, it's easier if you can get yourself into an emotional state, start the scene, and go and carry that through. it's harder -- there's no planning to it. >> when that keen scene's over, it's one shot, 3 1/2 minutes, one shot, very close-up on your face. when that scene cuts and you walk offset, what do you do? do you go watch a comedy? how do you get back to your normal self? >> i didn't. i didn't. i still had many weeks to go before i was done with the job, so there wasn't a return to my normal self. and even when i finished the film, it didn't, like, i didn't snap back to me rig

jackson and 'les miserables' the revolutionary tale is starring hugh jackman, russell crowe and anne hathaway... and aparental guidance' is a rated pg...with billy crystal and bette midler. kron 4. the biggest parties and spectacular fireworks. will all be on kron 4's new year's live show. gary radnich and i will be hosting. kron 4's - new year's live. starts at 11-30 on new years eve. . ♪ because we know how much you do to make the holidays just right. from ornaments to ottomans, memories are made with ikea. here's stanley roberts who found people behaving badly. >> you are correct, these are bad, people being very bad. >> these are what is left of what was it planted is just a couple of years ago. there was a 7, north pole pine. actually, there were three trees. nor falk your faul theft >> they completely twisted the trunk until it broke off. but it was not just any norfolk pine this was planted in memory of their son that dies of cancer that ...christmas tree was taken. >> how many christmas trees you bought for people? >> probably at least 1000. >> and as you can see this woman i

russell crowe, boxing drama. it's about james j. braddock. nickname the cinderella man but no one had ever written that column before. the boxing hall of fame didn't have it. the runyan estate didn't have it. we found it in the new york public library. it's the first time that column has ever been anthology jised. >> it's like you're living history. >> history written in present tense. it's a love letter to classic american journalism. great american art form, the newspaper column. >> great book. "piers morgan tonight" is next. i was saving big on car insurance. with snapshot, i knew what i could save before i switched to progressive. the better i drive, the more i save. i wish our company had something this cool. you're not filming this, are you? aw! camera shy. snapshot from progressive. test-drive snapshot before you switch. visit progressive.com today. i have a cold, and i took nyquil, but i'm still "stubbed" up. [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't unstuff your nose. what? [ male announcer ] it doesn't have a decongestant. no way.

and the prison guard say guy called-- played by russell crowe who when he releases him said you are one is freedom, parole as a dangerous man means you will be under the watch of the law forever-- forever. and we watch this extraordinary journey that jean valjean goes where this man has lost all kind of hope in humanity, and has building brutallized by the system, tries to survive and he steals some some silver from a bishop who is kind to him. and an amazingly the bisho bishop-- rather than putting him in it, says to the police oh, you know, this silver i gave it to him. and hugh's character has this extraordinary epiphany, a moment of spiritual conversion, a moment, a discovery of faith and basically commits himself to being, you know, a compassionate agent in the world and to changing the way he relates in the world. and completely reinvents himself. and we jump through time to discover this reinvention. >> rose: and who are you. >> i play, well, my character winds up being jean valjean's soul mirror. i play fontine a factory worker in his factory. at that time. he reinvented himsel

russell crowe, boxing drama. it's about james j. braddock. well, runyan gave him the nickname the cinderella man but no one had ever written that column before. the boxing hall of fame didn't have it. the runyan estate didn't have it. we found it in the new york public library. it's the first time that column has appeared. >> it's like you're living history. >> history written in present tense. it's a love letter to classic american journalism. great american art form, the newspaper column. >> great book. "ac 360" starts now. >>> we begin tonight as anderson always does, keeping them honest. not taking sides or playing favorites, you can get that other places. we're interested in the facts. they do exist and our goal is to bring them to you so tonight, a keeping them honest investigation about a city that is among the nation's deadliest. chicago, illinois. this week alone, six people have been killed there, including a 15-year-old girl who was just standing in her backyard with her friends. those deaths bring the total number of murders there

have been hard for them to keep their composeier as they went flat or sharp or in the case of russell croweorter: but i admire crowes-- all of their-- gumption the movie would be a monster hit and many will weep at the plight of hugh jack man's jean valjean as he labors to shake crowe's unshakable lawman javert while forced to sing an octave too high. >> reporter: strength to journey on -- ♪ >> reporter: meanwhile an emaciated anne hathaway. >> reporter: ♪ so different from the this hell i'm living -- ♪ >> reporter: performs the unforgettable "i dream add dream" in one take, in closeup, looking like a plucked chicken and earns every award that will surely be hurled at her skinny head. "revolution is also in the air in quentin tarantino's western "djago" unchanged in which freed slave jamie foxx and a bounty hunter take out slave holders. carnage is rarely so morally uncomplicated, which is enough reason to stay away. >> if you please, sir, there's a jack reacher here to see you. >> reporter: jack reacher features more rapeous killings and an opening sniper massacre that's the wrong scene at

russell crowe has a bit of a rough time. >> very quickly before you go what's going to win best picturee christmas coarol from 1939. >> bad santa. >> what a shocker. >> what a shock. thank you both. merry christmas, guys. >>> watching his grandson wasn't a big stretch. >>> there's way that we talk to our kids. for instance, where you would say no, we would say consider the consequences. or where you would say don't, we would say, maybe you should try this. see, that way the child feels that he has value, he has worth, he's heard. >> that's a way. >> that's one way to do it. bill kr crystal and marisa tomei play a father and daughter with completely unrelated parenting styles. a few weeks ago they spoke with charlie and gayle which was, as they say, inspired by actual events. >> the best thing about this movie is where the idea came from. >> yes, that's true. i'm a grand father of three and two thirds. we had the girls all alone. >> was it hard? >> let's just put it this way. yes. >> you and your wife of 43 years. >> yes. and on the seventh day i rested. came in and said i've got an idea

ashley: can you imagine russell crowe? thank you very much. >> all right, guys.ey: holiday travel rush is on. how is the massive storm affecting flights across the country? we are live from chicago o'hare coming up next. tracy: the dow jones down 140 points. here are your nasdaq winners and losers. we will be right back ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] they are a glowing example of what it means to be the best. and at this special time of year, they shine even brighter. come to the winter event and get the mercedes-benz you've always wished for, now for an exceptional price. [ santa ] ho, ho, ho, ho! [ me announcer ] lease a 2013 glk350 for $399 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. tracy: if all you ever wanted for christmas was snow, plenty of people across the midwest already got their wish. a storm slamming the midwest. thousands of flights canceled. mike tobin is out chicago o'hare with the latest. >> i will tell you why. we dodged a bullet in terms of the big ripple effect that o'hare has. let's look at the big board. the flights there on time. you have to thin

russell crowe has a bit of a rough time. >> very quickly before you go what's going to win best pictureock. thank you both. merry christmas, guys. >>> watching his grandson wasn't a big stretch. we'll hear from billy did you get chips for the party? nope. cheese plate? cheese plate...nope. i made something better. ♪ ♪ you used the oven? boom ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] pillsbury crescents. let the making begin. [ female announcer ] why settle for plain bread? here's a better idea. pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits in just 15 minutes the light delicate layers add a layer of warmth to your next dinner. pillsbury grands biscuits let the making begin. >>> there's way that we talk to our kids. for instance where you would say no we would say consider the consequences. or where you would say don't, we would say, maybe you should try this. see, that way the child feels that he has value, he has worth, he's heard. >> that's a way. >> that's one way to do it. bill kr crystal and marisa tomei play a father and daughter with completely unrelated parenting styles. a few weeks ago they spoke with c

it star ss ann hathaway and russell crowe. ♪ ♪ do not forget my name ♪ ♪ do not forget me ♪ 2-4-6-0-1re "les mis" had a 13-year run. >> we're sitting in the imperial theater where "les mis" ran for 13 years? >> yes, indeed. it was a very, very happy time. >> you love this theater. >> i do. >> why. >> it's ghot a great atmosphere. it's not too big but you've about got great stage. you've got the best. it's a wonderful rapport between the actors and the audience. >> how does it feel to have opened it as a play and now as a movie? internally is there a difference? >> yes and no. the thing is the play which we reinvented from the french because originally it was put on as sort of a spectacle in france. i didn't see that. and i met the man whose inspiration it was. and we decided to turn it back into the musical we know. so when tom hooper said he wanted to direct the film he actually sent us to work to redo it. so for us it was going back in time in a way to reinvent it because we didn't want to just film the musical. we didn't thank was going to work. what we wanted to do is take all the

"les mis" starring anne hathaway, hugh jackman, and russell crowe, had a strong opening. a better-than-expected $17 million. ticket sales are up about 6% compared to last year. can't wait to see that one. >>> finally, if your christmas dessert just wasn't enough, well look what just rolled in. this, my friends, is the creation of a belgian chocolate company. the world's longest vintage chocolate steam train. did i mention it's chocolate. 110 feet of it. solid, nothing hollow. >> all that chocolate? >> it's all chocolate. not hollow. i don't know. it looks like it's mixed. >> is this the world's longest solid chocolate train? >> yes. 110 feet of it. >> is there a record? has there been a long-standing record? >> you know what? we'll answer that on "gma live!" how about that? >> way to go, paula. >> very nice. very nice. >>> upping the ante for rachel smith. >> yeah. >> how are you, rachel? >> good morning, guys. happy belated christmas to you. to follow-up your statement, sam, we have big news coming from jessica simpson. >> oh. >> we do, indeed. the singer, actress, and m