Elephant DVD

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

...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 ... Read review

Advantages: thought provoking ending, hopeless reality of events
Disadvantages: poor acting, too many clichés and stereotypes, fragmented structure

I rented Elephant on the strength of a friend's recommendation to me, my appreciation of Gus Van Sant's work and my desire to watch something different. This was certainly what I got with Elephant, a film whose story is loosely based on the Columbine High School shootings. Elephant is not an ordinary film, and indeed the tagline suggests the same - "An ordinary high school day. Except that it's not." The film begins slowly, like the gathering calm ...
...as they go about the first half of their day. Throughout this first half of the film we are introduced to typical teen stereotypes. We have the over-snappy photographer, the geeky girl who works as a library assistant, the tall black basketball player, the popular guy and the popular girls. Then there are the two killers who, not surprisingly, like guns and violence. This is conveyed to us by shots of them playing violent video games, looking at ... Read review

Advantages: distinctive film making, thoughtful approach to the subject
Disadvantages: a few stereotypical explanations for 'why kids go bad'

"Elephant" is a film loosely based on the Columbine American school shootings. As soon as you know this, plot wise you know the whole film. For this reason I can see why people might be disappointed in this Palm d'Or winner but I loved it. For me it's not about the story but the way a film's style can affect and move the audience. One of the critisms I've heard against this film is the lack of characterisation. How can you sympathise with characters ...
...this is exactly where the film stands out for me. In a voyeristic style we are introduced to several students as they go about an ordinary day of high school. 'Introduced' is the key word here as our snapshots into their day only ever leave us with clues as to who they are as characters. There's John whose father's a drunk, Eli studying photography, a bookish girl, a couple facing a pregnancy scare and three gossiping girlfriends. All are seemingly ... Read review

Advantages: Though provoking, artsy, good cast
Disadvantages: short, empty, peculiar

I cannot remember where I first heard about this film, or what attracted me to it, but I remember thinking that I really wanted to see it. When I did get around to buying the DVD and watching it, I was not disappointed. The film starts with a long credit sequence, with the view just showing some telephone wires and fast moving clouds behind. I'm not sure if this has an imagery significance, but it means straight away you know it's going to be a fairly ...
...bad thing I will leave up to you to decide. This film shows very different pupils at an american high school going about a normal day, and shows how they bump into each other and their lives collide throughout that day (until you realise you are seeing the same section of time over and over from different people's perspectives you can be mistaken thinking that the same thing is happening over and over). I'm sure you know that this film is about ... Read review

Advantages: Mesmerising camera work and visuals
Disadvantages: There is one scene which is a terrible cliche.

This film really engages you. Most of the film is shot on steadycam which follows various carismatic students around a generic highschool. This shows a highschool masaccre without dramatising it at all and shows how emotionless the killers are about the whole thing, which makes it very realistic and relatable. The whole film is absolutely visually beautiful. There is a gay scene that is completely unnecessary which is dissapointing because other ...
...Some people i know found it slow, there are some long shots just of people walking through corridors. However i think this is a wonderful aspect of the film, you are put in the shoes of the students so when they are killed it means something to you. Also all the actors are real highschool kids and there was no script for the film, which could have been a disaster, but it actually adds a lot to the realism and they are all completely believeable. ... Read review

Advantages: mixed emotions? makes you feel involved. great actors and costumes. Remarakble storyline
Disadvantages: has to end. black and white

...The Elephant Man is an absoulutely fantastic movie and will have you gripped to your seat at some point, laughing at some point and crying at some points. It is very appelaing to every audience and is a must-see in my opinion and it just makes you realise how lucky you are and I think everyone can relate to John Merrick (The Elephant Man). Anthony Hopkins stars in the movie at a young age and is The Elephant Man's doctor and plays a very good role in the movie. Also you get to see what it was like in the olden days with freak shows and live circus acts which is very interesting and a major contrast to now. The plot in the story starts with a scary timid man who is scared to be seen so wears a mask and he comes into a hospital with a little hope that they could help him and this is what Dr Reeves does and you really get to know... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

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

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sensitive direction, superb performances
Disadvantages: For once I'm stumped!

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful