You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a buck each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and justifying why I own the films...
#23 - Billy Elliot
Why did I buy it?
I bought this film twice actually. The single-disc on its first release - and the special edition later on. I watched it at the cinema at the tender age of 17 and simply adored it. As lame as it is, there was a point during University whereby I sold off a bunch of older copies of DVD's only to purchase them for a very small amount as special editions. It didn't take long before I realised how truly crap some 'second' discs are. If I'm honest, this 'special edition' only has a couple of 10-minute featurettes on the musical - hardly a worthwhile swap.
I bought this film twice actually. The single-disc on its first release - and the special edition later on. I watched it at the cinema at the tender age of 17 and simply adored it. As lame as it is, there was a point during University whereby I sold off a bunch of older copies of DVD's only to purchase them for a very small amount as special editions. It didn't take long before I realised how truly crap some 'second' discs are. If I'm honest, this 'special edition' only has a couple of 10-minute featurettes on the musical - hardly a worthwhile swap.
Why do I still own it?
I have the intention of writing a post comparing the film with the musical - I hope to do the same with Sister Act, The Lion King and Chicago. But, alas, this is the first post I write regarding the film and it is still in the collection because it is incredible. The soundtrack features The Jam and lots of T-Rex whilst the film presents outstanding performances from Julie Walters, Jamie Bell and that dude from Byker Grove in a minor role as the piano-player ("if you want my opinion, I think you look like a right wanker"). Stephen Daldry (The Hours, The Reader) directs and the writing of Lee Hall (currently writing the film-adaptation of War Horse) pefectly balances the frustrations and anger of the miners strikes during the eighties with a coming-of-age tale as young Billy ("Go-o-o-o Billy!") realises he is a flawless dancer.
Every time I watch the film, as the film ends and the Swan Lake ballet picks up pace, gathering momentum, only to freeze as the now-older Billy balances perfectly in the air mid-performance. It brings emotion to my face every time.
I have the intention of writing a post comparing the film with the musical - I hope to do the same with Sister Act, The Lion King and Chicago. But, alas, this is the first post I write regarding the film and it is still in the collection because it is incredible. The soundtrack features The Jam and lots of T-Rex whilst the film presents outstanding performances from Julie Walters, Jamie Bell and that dude from Byker Grove in a minor role as the piano-player ("if you want my opinion, I think you look like a right wanker"). Stephen Daldry (The Hours, The Reader) directs and the writing of Lee Hall (currently writing the film-adaptation of War Horse) pefectly balances the frustrations and anger of the miners strikes during the eighties with a coming-of-age tale as young Billy ("Go-o-o-o Billy!") realises he is a flawless dancer.
Every time I watch the film, as the film ends and the Swan Lake ballet picks up pace, gathering momentum, only to freeze as the now-older Billy balances perfectly in the air mid-performance. It brings emotion to my face every time.
Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com
