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Post by aazzaabb on Jun 24, 2022 21:07:34 GMT
“It’s not imitation it’s interpretation”
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 24, 2022 21:23:06 GMT
“It’s not imitation it’s interpretation” Very cool! Wish she would have gone into details about jumpsuits
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Post by HIStoric on Jun 25, 2022 7:20:10 GMT
Listened to a few of the new remixes off the film soundtrack last night. I quite like these two! I've never really associated Elvis with anything trippy/psychedelic (if anything, the opposite) so to hear Tame Impala come in and do this remix is pretty cool. Definitely recommend listening to on headphones, hearing Elvis' voice spin around your head is really cool. Likewise, if there is a song to try and give a more trippy edge to, one called 'The Edge of Reality' seems pretty bang on. This remix is cool too. I don't care for gospel music, be it Elvis' or in general, and I'm not particular religious either but this... I like this! It makes me wanna dance!
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 25, 2022 11:35:04 GMT
“It’s not imitation it’s interpretation” I just watched it again! I love the nice footage from the movie of Austin Butler, I really really like a lot
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 25, 2022 12:13:19 GMT
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Post by HIStoric on Jun 26, 2022 7:34:56 GMT
We look forward to a SPOILER FREE review if you see it before us. Although we sort of know the ending but you know what I mean. 🤩 Okay I saw it earlier today. Not too sure what constitutes spoilers when his story is well known, but I've used spoiler tags for some parts in regards to specific angles they take So overall, I liked it. Like many biopics, it does suffer from the cramming too much in 2.5 hours syndrome. It's can get really fast paced at times (especially the first 30-40 minutes?) and I kind of wish they let it breathe a bit more... but there are some scenes where they do. I know Elvis' story but I did wonder what those unfamiliar might miss if not? Might just be me. I don't really get anyone questioning Austin Butler. This man is not only FANTASTIC as Elvis, he can really be the splitting image of him at times. From his looks to his walk to his onstage persona to (especially) his voice, Austin absolutely nails Elvis and I cannot imagine anyone better to play him. Seriously. I enjoyed Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker too, though I’ve seen a lot of people not like it. I will say his accent is a bit thick at times so I did struggle to understand the odd line from him here or there. This next part is probably what I'd consider 'spoilery', in terms of how characters are portrayed and what drives the plot but I mean, if you know Elvis' story it's nothing surprising. Colonel Tom Parker effectively plays the role of the unreliable narrator, claiming he and Elvis were partners and they created their success together. But over the film, he becomes the antagonist as he keeps putting money ahead of Elvis' career and well-being, be it for his forgettable, dime-a-dozen movie releases or how Parker does his best to stop Elvis from touring overseas due to his lack of American citizenship, or how he locks Elvis into an overly long residency in Las Vegas to help squash his gambling debts. There's also the infamous incident where Elvis tries to break up with Parker, but Parker bills him for an insane amount for his services over the years, forcing him to take him back. I'm glad the film shines light on this side of Parker because I don't think it's actually too well known. But it matches up with everything I've read about him. Visually, it's really flashy and I really liked it (though this is to be expected of the director, who directed 2013's The Great Gatsby). I quite liked the sequence where it shows Elvis' films start to falter and lose credibility in the 1960s as Tame Impala's remix of The Edge of Reality plays. Musically, it of course is good. Austin Butler sings the songs from the 1950s (as they were recorded to mono and probably couldn't extract Elvis' voice well enough) and then from 60s, Elvis himself takes over. There's a couple times in the film where his music is briefly remixed with modern day music, which I recall the director saying it was effectively to give current audiences an idea of what the thrill was like for audiences back then. For the most part, I enjoyed the remixes. I can imagine Elvis' fans might be worried at the sound of this but thankfully they don't overstay their welcome either, so I think they get a good balance between relating to younger audience members, but also allowing Elvis' actual music to shine for the most part. Being an 'official' film, there's obviously the worry of over-sanitation of Elvis as a person (looking at you Mr. Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody) but I think they did well. There are some obvious things they leave out - they don't make any mention of Priscilla being 14 when Elvis first meets her (although Elvis does say a line later in the film to the effect of 'we'll be together when you're 40 and I'm 50'), there's no mention of him dying in the bathroom, and 'Fat Elvis' is very much played down visually. However, they're not afraid to show him cheating on Priscilla Presley or his serious addiction with prescription pills either. In line with what I say in the spoiler above...
...they put a lot of the blame on Parker, who effectively keeps getting a doctor to feed him all these pills and injections so he can perform an insane schedule. After which, the man is hooked. Oh yeah, you can also tell they have used this film to help deal with some of the 'Elvis stole from black musicians' rhetoric that goes around on social media. Just by showing his upbringing around black people and black musicians, that he kept breaking segregation laws to hang out with them and that he found comfort in their clubs. They also have a scene where someone calls him the King of Rock'n'Roll and he denies that, instead calling Fats Domino the true king. When MLK dies, Elvis is really effected and says that every single thing that man said was true etc etc. The film doesn't shy away from the influence black culture had on him, and hopefully this shows people too that he himself always paid due credit back. But yeah no on the whole, I liked it. I would've preferred it as perhaps a Netflix series so we'd have more time to breathe and I think that was my biggest issue. Austin plays a fantastic Elvis and I think it'll be interesting to see what this does for his image in relation to younger audiences. 7-8/10.
Apparently the Jacksons get a name drop in the movie. Just mentioning that they too perform in Vegas. Yep, near the end.
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Post by aazzaabb on Jun 27, 2022 1:39:48 GMT
We look forward to a SPOILER FREE review if you see it before us. Although we sort of know the ending but you know what I mean. 🤩 Okay I saw it earlier today. Not too sure what constitutes spoilers when his story is well known, but I've used spoiler tags for some parts in regards to specific angles they take So overall, I liked it. Like many biopics, it does suffer from the cramming too much in 2.5 hours syndrome. It's can get really fast paced at times (especially the first 30-40 minutes?) and I kind of wish they let it breathe a bit more... but there are some scenes where they do. I know Elvis' story but I did wonder what those unfamiliar might miss if not? Might just be me. I don't really get anyone questioning Austin Butler. This man is not only FANTASTIC as Elvis, he can really be the splitting image of him at times. From his looks to his walk to his onstage persona to (especially) his voice, Austin absolutely nails Elvis and I cannot imagine anyone better to play him. Seriously. I enjoyed Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker too, though I’ve seen a lot of people not like it. I will say his accent is a bit thick at times so I did struggle to understand the odd line from him here or there. This next part is probably what I'd consider 'spoilery', in terms of how characters are portrayed and what drives the plot but I mean, if you know Elvis' story it's nothing surprising. Colonel Tom Parker effectively plays the role of the unreliable narrator, claiming he and Elvis were partners and they created their success together. But over the film, he becomes the antagonist as he keeps putting money ahead of Elvis' career and well-being, be it for his forgettable, dime-a-dozen movie releases or how Parker does his best to stop Elvis from touring overseas due to his lack of American citizenship, or how he locks Elvis into an overly long residency in Las Vegas to help squash his gambling debts. There's also the infamous incident where Elvis tries to break up with Parker, but Parker bills him for an insane amount for his services over the years, forcing him to take him back. I'm glad the film shines light on this side of Parker because I don't think it's actually too well known. But it matches up with everything I've read about him. Visually, it's really flashy and I really liked it (though this is to be expected of the director, who directed 2013's The Great Gatsby). I quite liked the sequence where it shows Elvis' films start to falter and lose credibility in the 1960s as Tame Impala's remix of The Edge of Reality plays. Musically, it of course is good. Austin Butler sings the songs from the 1950s (as they were recorded to mono and probably couldn't extract Elvis' voice well enough) and then from 60s, Elvis himself takes over. There's a couple times in the film where his music is briefly remixed with modern day music, which I recall the director saying it was effectively to give current audiences an idea of what the thrill was like for audiences back then. For the most part, I enjoyed the remixes. I can imagine Elvis' fans might be worried at the sound of this but thankfully they don't overstay their welcome either, so I think they get a good balance between relating to younger audience members, but also allowing Elvis' actual music to shine for the most part. Being an 'official' film, there's obviously the worry of over-sanitation of Elvis as a person (looking at you Mr. Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody) but I think they did well. There are some obvious things they leave out - they don't make any mention of Priscilla being 14 when Elvis first meets her (although Elvis does say a line later in the film to the effect of 'we'll be together when you're 40 and I'm 50'), there's no mention of him dying in the bathroom, and 'Fat Elvis' is very much played down visually. However, they're not afraid to show him cheating on Priscilla Presley or his serious addiction with prescription pills either. In line with what I say in the spoiler above...
...they put a lot of the blame on Parker, who effectively keeps getting a doctor to feed him all these pills and injections so he can perform an insane schedule. After which, the man is hooked. Oh yeah, you can also tell they have used this film to help deal with some of the 'Elvis stole from black musicians' rhetoric that goes around on social media. Just by showing his upbringing around black people and black musicians, that he kept breaking segregation laws to hang out with them and that he found comfort in their clubs. They also have a scene where someone calls him the King of Rock'n'Roll and he denies that, instead calling Fats Domino the true king. When MLK dies, Elvis is really effected and says that every single thing that man said was true etc etc. The film doesn't shy away from the influence black culture had on him, and hopefully this shows people too that he himself always paid due credit back. But yeah no on the whole, I liked it. I would've preferred it as perhaps a Netflix series so we'd have more time to breathe and I think that was my biggest issue. Austin plays a fantastic Elvis and I think it'll be interesting to see what this does for his image in relation to younger audiences. 7-8/10.
Apparently the Jacksons get a name drop in the movie. Just mentioning that they too perform in Vegas. Yep, near the end. Fantastic review! I appreciate it! Elvis was very much steeped in black music and culture. I read Peter Guralnick’s brilliant book “Last Train To Memphis” 6 or 7 years ago and Elvis and one of his first girlfriends used to go to see two gospel choir’s in particular that he adored. Tragedy struck one of those groups -if I’m remembering correctly- and it had a massive effect on Elvis. In fact Whitney’s mum Cissy Houston sang back up for Elvis as part of the Sweet Inspirations. It annoys me no end when social media try to paint Elvis as a thief of black music when his upbringing was centred around going to church and loving gospel and r&b. To the point where it played a massive part in his live shows right to the end. He was seen as a bit of an oddball growing up and quite eccentric to the point where people used to take the piss out of him. I’m wondering if Sun Studios and Sam Phillips make an appearance as Elvis turns 18 and records a 2 track acetate? I’m guessing briefly? Within the opening 40 minute fast paced opening? I’m going to see it tomorrow night and trying to keep my expectations in check which is now difficult. I like what I’ve seen of Austin Butler also and love the fact that he very much wanted this role and impressed the hell out of Baz Luhrmann.
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Post by HIStoric on Jun 27, 2022 1:59:59 GMT
Fantastic review! I appreciate it! Elvis was very much steeped in black music and culture. I read Peter Guralnick’s brilliant book “Last Train To Memphis” 6 or 7 years ago and Elvis and one of his first girlfriends used to go to see two gospel choir’s in particular that he adored. Tragedy struck one of those groups -if I’m remembering correctly- and it had a massive effect on Elvis. In fact Whitney’s mum Cissy Houston sang back up for Elvis as part of the Sweet Inspirations. It annoys me no end when social media try to paint Elvis as a thief of black music when his upbringing was centred around going to church and loving gospel and r&b. To the point where it played a massive part in his live shows right to the end. He was seen as a bit of an oddball growing up and quite eccentric to the point where people used to take the piss out of him. I’m wondering if Sun Studios and Sam Phillips make an appearance as Elvis turns 18 and records a 2 track acetate? I’m guessing briefly? Within the opening 40 minute fast paced opening? I’m going to see it tomorrow night and trying to keep my expectations in check which is now difficult. I like what I’ve seen of Austin Butler also and love the fact that he very much wanted this role and impressed the hell out of Baz Luhrmann. No worries mate. I've honestly been meaning to read his two Elvis books for years!
And totally re:black music/culture. I see a lot of people spurn the same BS 'he stole from black culture' on Twitter, which is then read by other people who then repeat it without knowing any actual details, which is then further repeated again. It's cyclical. A lot of people do not like the fact it took a white man for black music to become more socially accepted in America, but that was an issue with American culture and not Elvis.
And yep, they do feature Sun Studios/Sam Phillips though it is brief.
Hope you enjoy it! I'd rewatch it. Austin Butler is just fantastic, you will not be disappointed with him!
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 27, 2022 10:25:27 GMT
Fantastic review! I appreciate it! Elvis was very much steeped in black music and culture. I read Peter Guralnick’s brilliant book “Last Train To Memphis” 6 or 7 years ago and Elvis and one of his first girlfriends used to go to see two gospel choir’s in particular that he adored. Tragedy struck one of those groups -if I’m remembering correctly- and it had a massive effect on Elvis. In fact Whitney’s mum Cissy Houston sang back up for Elvis as part of the Sweet Inspirations. It annoys me no end when social media try to paint Elvis as a thief of black music when his upbringing was centred around going to church and loving gospel and r&b. To the point where it played a massive part in his live shows right to the end. He was seen as a bit of an oddball growing up and quite eccentric to the point where people used to take the piss out of him. I’m wondering if Sun Studios and Sam Phillips make an appearance as Elvis turns 18 and records a 2 track acetate? I’m guessing briefly? Within the opening 40 minute fast paced opening? I’m going to see it tomorrow night and trying to keep my expectations in check which is now difficult. I like what I’ve seen of Austin Butler also and love the fact that he very much wanted this role and impressed the hell out of Baz Luhrmann. Austin Butler is just fantastic, you will not be disappointed with him!
He is! I haven't even seen the movie yet, and I already love him (from the trailers and clips I've seen)
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 27, 2022 11:08:44 GMT
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jun 30, 2022 19:21:50 GMT
so i saw it. What an awesome movie. I absolutely love Austin butler. He is so amazing
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Post by aazzaabb on Jun 30, 2022 23:26:16 GMT
Fantastic review! I appreciate it! Elvis was very much steeped in black music and culture. I read Peter Guralnick’s brilliant book “Last Train To Memphis” 6 or 7 years ago and Elvis and one of his first girlfriends used to go to see two gospel choir’s in particular that he adored. Tragedy struck one of those groups -if I’m remembering correctly- and it had a massive effect on Elvis. In fact Whitney’s mum Cissy Houston sang back up for Elvis as part of the Sweet Inspirations. It annoys me no end when social media try to paint Elvis as a thief of black music when his upbringing was centred around going to church and loving gospel and r&b. To the point where it played a massive part in his live shows right to the end. He was seen as a bit of an oddball growing up and quite eccentric to the point where people used to take the piss out of him. I’m wondering if Sun Studios and Sam Phillips make an appearance as Elvis turns 18 and records a 2 track acetate? I’m guessing briefly? Within the opening 40 minute fast paced opening? I’m going to see it tomorrow night and trying to keep my expectations in check which is now difficult. I like what I’ve seen of Austin Butler also and love the fact that he very much wanted this role and impressed the hell out of Baz Luhrmann. No worries mate. I've honestly been meaning to read his two Elvis books for years!
And totally re:black music/culture. I see a lot of people spurn the same BS 'he stole from black culture' on Twitter, which is then read by other people who then repeat it without knowing any actual details, which is then further repeated again. It's cyclical. A lot of people do not like the fact it took a white man for black music to become more socially accepted in America, but that was an issue with American culture and not Elvis.
And yep, they do feature Sun Studios/Sam Phillips though it is brief.
Hope you enjoy it! I'd rewatch it. Austin Butler is just fantastic, you will not be disappointed with him!
Agree with you. Saw the film Monday. Loved it and thought he was great as Elvis. The entire thing was a big ball of glamour and colour which looked amazing but really comes at you fast in parts. A lot of his life is glossed over and his relationship with Priscilla doesn’t get a lot of time but I guess it’s because they chose to focus more on Elvis the rockstar and performer more. It’s not perfect but I enjoyed it an awful lot and would also go again because I’m sure there’s things I missed. Would love a directors cut with the Blu-ray release.
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Post by aazzaabb on Jun 30, 2022 23:27:58 GMT
so i saw it. What an awesome movie. I absolutely love Austin butler. He is so amazing Same! 😎
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Post by Michaels Lover on Jul 1, 2022 3:17:48 GMT
Yeah, there was a lot of things that I feel were rushed and inaccurate. But that's how it is with movies, it's hard to get everything right
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Post by HIStoric on Jul 1, 2022 4:05:53 GMT
Yeah, there was a lot of things that I feel were rushed and inaccurate. But that's how it is with movies, it's hard to get everything right That's why I wish it was a limited series
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