Elle Jay Reviews

The Wicker Man (2006)

So many flavours of wrong...

[1/10 · 5 July 2008]

Saturday night, it's raining outside and my husband is watching this film right now despite my advice, protests and finally walking out of the room. Having been subjected to this travesty on a flight last year there's not a snowball's chance in hell I'm watching it again.

I recently introduced him to the original, which he really enjoyed, but in his naivety has reasoned that an up to date version with a solid cast must be worth watching. He actually thinks a lot of films can be improved with age/experience/Hollywood tinkering.

Poor dear.

He'll learn.

Ghostwatch (1992 TV Movie)

A BBC Masterclass in suspense

[10/10 · 16 March 2006]

There is one key factor in the success of this programme - the casting of Michael Parkinson. He is probably one of the most well liked, respected and trusted personalities on British television. When viewers saw his name on the screen there would have been little doubt that the programme was genuine.

I myself missed the first few minutes and have not yet seen it on DVD so I don't know if there was a disclaimer or anything, but for the first 20 minutes or so I was under the impression that it was real. I vividly remember sitting on the sofa and exchanging nervous glances with my mother as the show progressed.

In all this was an excellent production by the BBC - wish they would continue in this vein.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Hmmm...

[9/10 · 21 July 2003]

I think, after reading through the previous comments on this film, that Mel Brooks' two forrays into comedy in 1974 were deliberately intended to appeal to two completely different audiences. It is true, as so many previous reviewers have stated, that some were disappointed in 'Young Frankenstein', as they had expected another 'Blazing Saddles'. However, it is clear that they are very different films; Blazing Saddles is in-your-face, childlike slapstick, while Young Frankenstein is more reserved, thoughtful and subtle. Both have managed to retain enormous appeal over the last 30 years, and for this reason alone Mr Brooks should be commended. On a personal level, I prefer Young Frankenstein. The use of language is brilliant, and the acting is superb (particularly Marty Feldman's visual comic genius and Gene Hackman's excellent, unexpected cameo) A real credit to Brooks and his team.

Scum (1979)

Brutal but brilliant

[20 September 2002]

Undoubtedly one of the best British films ever made. Occasionally disturbing, regularly shocking, and utterly realistic - overall a damning indictment of the brutality of places like Borstal and the culture within. Should be required viewing for all adolescents...

National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

See if you can guess what I am now...

[12 June 2002]

I watched this film last night, having first seen it when I was around 12. I can honestly say that although I knew every gag and one-liner before it came up, I laughed by backside off. This film is one of the funniest and most original of the genre - today's teen movies and 'Road Trip' style efforts just can't compare. There has never been another comic of John Belushi's talent and abilities, and I doubt there ever will be.

Absolutely (1989–1993)

Stoneybridge! (And various other in-jokes)

[13 March 2002]

Without a doubt, this is the best comedy series Scotland has ever produced. The sketches are spot on (best ones were the corrupt Stoneybridge village council and the little girl who knows everything), although the humour may be lost on anyone who isn't Scottish. Fantastic characters - I loved the guy who hated the English so much that he re-wrote loads of history books and tried in vain to get them published. The songs were unforgettably moronic (Sensible Hair?) and the cast was brilliant. Very few of the cast have went on to bigger and better things, but the series remains a Scottish cult classic.

Clue (1985)

A real hidden gem of a film.

[9/10 · 28 February 2002]

It's very rarely that you find a film like this. Not only does it have an amazingly original premise (based on a board game when they were the real forms of entertainment, or am I getting old?!?) but it boasts a fantastic cast in the likes of Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn and Lesley Anne Warren. The pace is breakneck, there are gags aplenty and the score is totally spot on. What I believe make this film so great is the fact that very few people have actually seen it - there's no hype or pretension about this film whatsoever, it's just a switch-your-brain-off-and-enjoy-it type of film.

Excellent fayre for a Friday night in with a curry and a couple of vodkas.

Warlords of the Deep (1978)

Switch off your brain and enjoy...

[22 February 2002]

This is the first time I've commented on a movie, and it's fairly appropriate to be writing about this one as this was the first movie my dad ever bought for our shiny new video recorder. Well, I must take after my dad in my movie taste, as I though this was (and still is) a very entertaining and enjoyable film. I don't really care if the acting is wooden (what else would you expect from good ol' Doug??), the premise was sound and the special effects were alright for the time. In all, this was generally quite a good film - don't let the snobs put you off it.

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Excellent.

[10/10 · 22 February 2002]

There really isn't any other word for this film. Having seen it when I was very, very young, it scared, thrilled, excited and challenged me in very basic ways. More importantly, it inspired me to read the book (when I was eight) which I completely adore. I was recently over the moon to see the film was being released here in the UK (until now it was only very occasionally shown on TV) and I bought it for myself on DVD. It was still as dark and enchanting as I found it in my youth.

This film is priceless, mainly because it was never finished. It has given the piece character, and I hope it also will be remembered long after Peter Jackson has finished his own wanderings in Middle Earth.