Rating: 
Summary: Billy Elliot
Review: well this movie blew me away. i have never been so, i do not know the words to discribe it. it is the best movie i have ever seen. i cannot think of one mybe "the power of one" moved me the same way i give it 12 out of 10 it had everything and i went to see it 5 times. the acting was sensational i have never seen a starbeing able to change his expressions so quickly. the f word was not out of place in other movies is is unnessecary ?? it was a brilliant performance by jamie bell. if he does not receive the oscar for best male the system is rigged. the movie also deserves the oscar for best film. i cannot wait to get it on video. if i never get anthing else in my life i will be so happy when i get it. need i say more the talent of this young man is enerimous and i am sure we will see a lot more of him yours charles
Rating:
Summary: The most refreshing film of the year
Review: Because 2000 has been the worst year in film since I have been alive, I have been skepical about all films released this year. However, "Billy Elliot" is a pleasant surprise. So pleasant, in fact, that I have seen it four times. And in a year this terrible, I predict many an Oscar nomination for this delight; though in a regular year, I think the Academy would be apt to ignore "Billy Elliot". Award predictions aside, I have never in my life become so emotionally involved with an entire set of characters; each one of them is to die for. From opening credits in which Billy is bouncing on his bed, all the way through the closing credits in which Billy gives one valiant and triumphant leap, I found myself engulfed by a myriad of emotions. Happiness, frustration, elation, anticipation, sadness, and more than a few tears; I had to remind myself it was just a movie. Jamie Bell, the amazing young actor who plays Billy Elliot, gives a stellar performance that is beautifully enhanced by the other actors in the cast. Bell's acting, not to mention his dancing, put the skills of any other actor of the year to shame. He may not deserve any top awards for his effort but, WOW--what a stupendous natural talent. Kudos to him for so acutely portraying the importance of self-expression in coping with emoitional pain and living life. On the whole, "Billy Elliot" is well done. The directing is ace, as is the editing. The soundtrack is perfection. And just for the sake of it, the acting is the best ensemble effort of the year. By far. Upon first viewing, "Billy Elliot" established itself as a permanant fixture in my Top Ten Favorite films of all time. Not because it is one of the ten best ever, but because in this year of constant let downs, "Billy Elliot" is my knight in shining armour. It arrived just in time to restore my faith in quality filmmaking. It is everything a movie should be and it is everything most movies are not: original, emotional, wonderfully collaborative and above all entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Billy Elliot = October Sky
Review: Billy Elliot is a sweet movie with wonderful performances but I kept having this nagging feeling that I had just seen this film recently. I know there are just so many formulas and plots for films but these two are just too close in every way. If I had to chose the better film it would be "October Sky."
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT
Review: This movie is a must see for anyone who has a heart and a desire to express themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing British Socialrealistic Comedy
Review: It is always SO refreshing to get the opportunity to watch a British film when you are overfed with all this Hollywood stuff which is basicly always the same. Especially the British humour is a LOT more original (and in fact FUNNY!) than the worn-out Hollywood gags, and the characters in British films seem so incredibly REAL. One genre the Brits are excellent in is socialrealistic films. »Billy Elliot« is another film of this genre. Originally, it was called »Dancer« - but because of the release of »Dancer In The Dark«, the makers changed the title to avoid confusion. And »Billy Elliot« is indeed about... Billy Elliot... who is a dancer. Or who becomes one. It's an 11 year old boy, living in a lower class family without a mother, in a mining town. He's got this enormous natural talent for dancing - but, of course, lads don't dance! But Billy sure does... Even though it's a good film, with a good story and excellent acting, »Billy Elliot« doesn't reach the level of e.g. »The Full Monty«. At times it tends to become too sentimental, an unlucky Hollywood infection, I fear. Still, it's really worth a go!
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Summary: A DANCE FILLED DELIGHT!
Review: Myself, being a male, knows I have been touched by a film when I walk out of the theatre wanting to become a ballet dancer! It may sound ridiculous, but it is true! Jamie Bell is destined to stardom. The acting was superb, but the story was extremely predictable. That's not necessarily a negative thing, though. I will be very happy if Mr. Bell is nominated for an Oscar, but the film will most likely be over-looked because of it's lightheartedness. The dancing is great and the music is very enjoyable. All in all, a fantastic lil' gem, especially for the holiday season!
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Summary: Magic in the everyday world, seen through a child's courage
Review: Jamie Bell's performance as Billy Elliot is pure magic. As the coal miners son who wants to dance, who discovers ballet, and has to overcome the prejudices of his father and brother, both embittered and disillusioned by the violence of the coal miners strike in the UK in the early 80's, this will go down as one of the great performances, in one of the great films, on the theme of the little guy triumphing over adversity to live his dream. There were tears in my eyes almost from the opening, as we are transported on this journey of hope and courage in the face of adversity told from the perspective of a little boy. I think that The Sixth Sense proved that there is nothing like a child's perspective, a child's anguish, to grab the consciousness of an audience, and take them on a journey to deal with big issues. But whilst The Sixth Sense was great, this is MUCH BETTER!!!! It's more real. It tells the story of the extraordinary within a world and life of great simplicity... and there is the magic! You don't need stunts when life itself is so amazing, the greatest mystery. Jamie Bell will be nominated for the Oscar... whether he wins it I can't say... but this performance is a gift to us all.
Rating:
Summary: Billy Elliot
Review: ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!! This movie is the greatest film of all time. It was just beautiful. Jamie Bell's performance was outstanding. You fall in love with this little boy as he takes you into his life. The amount of emotion involved in this film is immense and you are brought along with the characters in ways so many films fail to produce. The premise seems superficial at first glance, but as the movie carries along the substance comes pouring out. I can not say enough about the beauty in this film and the quality of it's direction. It deserves oscar nominations all around!!!!!
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Summary: SENTIMENTAL DELIGHT
Review: If you love intimate, moving character films like Cinema Paradiso, you will love love love Billy Elliot. A small, rousing British film with cleverly written characters, this movie is both sentimental and expertly crafted. The performances, particularly from Julie Walters as the dance instructor, and that winsome, melancholy but excpetionally gifted boy as Billy, will truly steal your heart. The simple premise is instantly grabbing -- an artistic boy, only 11, is unfortunately the most forgotten element in a fractured, sad little family, which includes a pre-Alzheimer's grandmother, an angry older brother and a defeated, sad and tense father. While Dad and bro are on strike, money is tight - the year is 1984 at the height of British strike/tensions. Billy is sent to boxing lessons, where, by happenstance, he discovers a true vent for his budding creativity -- and especially his joy in dancing. Filled with infectiously appealing pop and light-classical music, this film is part Rocky, part Hollywood musical, part Flashdance and part Cinema Paradiso. The chance that these disparate, unlikely approaches might actually add up to something compelling are unlikely, but you must experience this movie to understand how exciting, moving and intensely gratifying it can be. Painted in bold, creative colors and shot with a springy exuberance, Billy Elliot is terrific.
Rating:
Summary: White Men Can Dance
Review: A beautiful social commentary on dance, masculinity, and poverty. There are several great moments of dance that incorporate ballet, jazz, and traditional Irish elements. The film explores life of a young boy, struggling with soceity's mandate on being male. The film touches on the issues of three kids: a young heterosexual female growing up in a two parent household pretending to hold it together, a young homosexual struggling to understand his feelings, and an asexual Billy Elliot coming to terms with his love of dance. The film also touches on transcending class. As they show the final shots of the townspeople who we get to know, you get a very strong sense of where the experience of this film leaves them. Very powerful. Great use of atmosphere, identical to The Full Monty (a must-see if you loved this film). Watch this film with friends or family, and discuss it afterwards.
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