Elephant Boy (DVD)

Advantages: The last 15 minutes
Disadvantages: The rest of the flim

...!) The emptiness of the boys conveys some of the hopelessness of the situation. But it just wasn't quite enough. The extras on the DVD are pretty poor. There is an interview with Van Sant which offers very little, and a few behind the scene extras. Visually, Elephant offers quite a lot to those interested in cinematography. Unusual scenes, clever camera angles and arty shots. But for the average filmgoer, there is nothing of substance there. The final scenes with the shootings are good, but it's not worth sitting through the hour of footage beforehand, as it adds no depth or emotion to the people we see being killed. Overall I wouldn't buy this film. But if you know someone who has it then maybe it's worth watching on a rainy afternoon.... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant
Disadvantages: ---

...THE ELEPHANT MAN When I read the title of this film, I said…hey lets see a movie about a monster…boy I was wrong. PLOT Dr.Frederic Treves in one of his visits to a freak show discovers a really disturbing entity, completely deformed. Feeling that this creature is in a real pain inside he decides to help him. This entity had a name; it was called "Elephant Man" by his owner in the freak show. As time passes by, Dr Frederic slowly understands that "Elephant Man" hides a lot of human feelings inside, he is not only a man with a real name (Merrick) but he is also an extraordinary human being. In order to help him recover from all the sufferings he was gaining in the freak show, Dr. Frederic tries to fit him in the society. REVIEW David Lynch is taking us on a trip of human nature. Merrick is a monster outside but inside he... Read review

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Advantages: excellant social black/comedy drama
Disadvantages: none

...Boys from the Black stuff, Written by Alan Bleasdale, Directed by Philip Saville This black comedy drama, first hit our screens in the late seventies, I had a few lasting memories of it, so when I saw it for hire from my on line hire company I soon sent for them, three Discs produced by the BBC showing all five episodes. It's a tale of working class people, struggling to make ends meet in the 80's, the days of strikes, and high unemployment. And Margret Thatcher. The main characters, are Dixie Deans (the foreman) Pigeon mad Chrissie Todd, Loggo, if it isn't tied down he'll steal it, George Malone the old man of the gang, and who can forget the crazy Gizza job Yosser Hughes, All make up a gang of tarmac laying rogues from Liverpool. All though they all work for a contractor McKenna, they decide to do a bit of moonlighting... Read review

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