Nathan-43 Reviews

Billy Elliot (2000)

Going to be a 'word of mouth' hit..

[27 July 2000]

I saw this film last night at a small screening, 10 weeks before its UK release, and UIP have taken exactly the right tack in making sure that this film is the hit at the box office that it deserves to be.

It's a lovely, funny, moving film, set in an impoverished (aren't they all?) town in the North of England, in the early eighties. The film centres around a young lads struggle to become a ballet dancer, set against the wider conflict of the Miners strikes. In the same vein as recent hits like East is East, Little Voice and Full Monty (see? doesn't ANYONE have any money north of Watford?), it drags out of you the same gamut of human emotions. What shines through in this film, in addition to the moving script and high standard of acting, is the beauty of the film making. The choreographed scenes where the excellent young actor 'dances' his frustration out against walls and bins and outhouse doors are fantastic. A hit at Cannes, it deserves to replicate this success on it's release in September. Thoroughly recommended.

The Beast of War (1988)

Tight, well paced war movie

[7/10 · 9 June 2000]

When you can get used to the Soviet soldiers having American accents, this is an excellent war movie, with some great camera-work and editing, some nice twists and turns and, and I'm not sure if this was just me, a subtle vein of black comedy. Makes you realise how awesome tanks are.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Easily my favourite film

[10/10 · 5 June 2000]

and I've seen some films. An excellent adapdation of William Goldmans (see also Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) own book, the love for this story seem to shine through everyones performances. It's not the best acting, the special effects are dire, but as far as stories go, it's one of the finest. The book was a cult for 25 years, and this film will be also.

The Moon Warriors (1992)

Best death scene ever..

[7/10 · 1 June 1999]

I remember this being quite a good, mature kick flick, but there is one scene I must have watched 20 times now, undeniably the best death in any movie. A servant reports his failure to his Overlord, whereupon the lord cuts his head off with the string of his bow, flicks it up in the air, shoots an arrow through the head whilst it flies through the air, sending the impaled bonce across a line of torches, setting fire to it. The head embeds itself on a wall, spelling out the Overlords name in fire. At this time the overlord runs across the burning torches, somersaults over to a chessboard, slams a piece down and cries - Checkmate! Has to be seen to be believed.