The King's Speech (2010) - ★★★★½

Director: Tom Hooper
Writer: David Seidler (Screenplay)
Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Jennifer Ehle, Timothy Spall

The King's Speech is a film that had me grinning like an idiot the whole way through. I just loved this movie. LOVED IT! There are many reasons why. First of all, I think the performances are spectacular. Colin Firth sealed himself as one of the all time greatest actors with his royal performance, and Geoffrey Rush added another flawless performance to his already flawless resume. It concerns one of the most interesting times in British history (IMO), which was accompanied by a masterful choice in music and really effective cinematography. If it weren't for the tiny amount of 'schmaltz' or 'cheese' injected into the storyline, I'd call it a perfect film.

Les Misérables (2012) - ★★★★★

Director: Tom Hooper
Writers: William Nicholson (screenplay), Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil (book), Victor Hugo (novel), Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics)
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit

Les Misérables is one of the greatest musicals of all time, and Tom Hooper's screen adaptation has just made it one of the greatest musicals in cinematic history. The acting is among the best I've ever seen. The music is uplifting, depressing, and beautiful. The story is both grand and interesting and the cinematography is fantastic. I've been acquainted with this story and its music for a long time, but I never really visualised the feelings behind the songs until I saw this movie. The actors breathe life and soul into the music, making it one of the best films of 2012.