Coal Miner's Daughter DVD

Advantages: True Story, very gripping
Disadvantages: Requires a box of tissues.

...A little while back I bought a box set of DVDs' containing twelve true stories. 'A place for Annie' is the first in the set. Mine was part of a collection but you can buy it as a single DVD from top places such as Amazon and Tesco for around £6 - £7. However the cheapest I have seen is £5.49 with free P&P from dotcomdvd. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The film was originally made for TV as a film drama in 1994, but has since been released on DVD. The films two main stars are Sissy Spacek (Carrie, Coal miners' daughter) and Mary Louise Parker (Fried Green Tomatoes). Both are probably better known for parts in TV series than big major blockbusters, although Sissy has been in a few films in the last year and is cast for one in production. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The film opens in the hospital where Susan (Sissy Spacek) works as a paediatric nurse. Her shift starts... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A wealth of British talent
Disadvantages: Although not a true story, sadly such things did happen

...Released not long before the Full Monty, but never with the same hype, this uncoloured look at life in a Yorkshire mining town during the pit closures is a superb black commedy and gritty drama. There are too many talented British stars to mention all of them, many of whom under-rated in their professions. Stephen Tompkinson, Melanie Hill, Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, and Ewan McGreggor are just a few. This is a look at life through the eye's of the miners who were affected and their families. The back ground story is of the pit band, who's members can not see a future for it once the pit closures have gone through. The band leader is Pete Postlethwaite, who lives and breathes for the music, and as a retired miner who's taken in too much coal dust over the years, he doesn't have much else to live for. This is an endearing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great British film and performers.
Disadvantages: Not impressed by special features.

...Billy Elliott is a great British film, boasting a cast of impressive actors/actresses from the country. They include; the brilliant Julie Walters, the young Jamie Bell and Jamie Draven (who is now more recognised in British sitcoms). Released in 2000, the story tells of a young boy from the North of England during the coal miner's strikes, who becomes torn between what his family want and his love of dance when he accidentally comes across a ballet lesson due to missing his boxing lesson. The ballet teacher; Mrs Wilkinson (Walters) sees potential and encourages Billy to really think about developing further by applying to the Royal Ballet School. However, the secret ballet lessons do not go down well with his macho father and brother who are both coal miners going through a difficult time. Scared of the assumption between ballet... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good for all esp oldies and kiddies,
Disadvantages: Gets the oldies going.... u know in my days it was different blar blar blar BORING!

...Billy Elliot, claimed to be the best British film in decades and received several awards. Its young star Jamie Bell has appeared on a succession of chat shows so I decided to buy it. The life of a coal miners son in grim Northern England is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class after his boxing lessons. Joining the class, but keeping it a secret from his widowed father and overbearing brother, 11 year old Billy (Jamie bell) shows a raw talent that dancing instructor, Mrs wilkson (Julie Walters) immediately recognises. She encourages him to audition for the Royal Ballet school, but Billy is torn between his responsibility to his family and his overwhelming desire to dance. Julie Walters, Gary Lewis and newcomer Jamie Bell deliver outstanding performances in this uplifting and inspiring story. It can certainly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful