Elvis

5

QhasiAug 7, 2022

The film style works for the first hour of the film. The second half is for die hard fans. Otherwise you will just feel dragged into a weird interpretation of Elvis's life. I would be shocked if this film got an Oscar buzz.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

Mauro_LanariAug 12, 2022

(Mauro Lanari)
Elvis was "sex, drugs & r'n'r" (Ian Dury 1977). Sex: he **** with a multitude of groupies, the film shows only one; he dated Priscilla since she was 14 and not the double (28) as narrated. Drugs: he was an autonomous itinerant(Mauro Lanari)
Elvis was "sex, drugs & r'n'r" (Ian Dury 1977). Sex: he **** with a multitude of groupies, the film shows only one; he dated Priscilla since she was 14 and not the double (28) as narrated. Drugs: he was an autonomous itinerant pharmacy, the film shows that it was the bad manager who seduced him with a handful of pills or tablets. Rock'n'roll: in his music the white component of country prevails over the black one of blues and gospel, the film transforms him into a paladin of black culture, even a political activist. There is much more truth about him in the brief anecdote of the meeting with Nixon told by Lisa Johnson in 2016 than in these 159 minutes. Luhrmann is the new barker who gets rich by parasiting the fame of his sideshow phenomenon. Canonical objection: does postmodernity not declare that there are no facts but only narratives, storytellings? It is a psychotic thesis that can be useful and advantageous to who knows how many individually, collectively, globally. Luhrmann's style is baroque indeed rococo, pompous, bombastic, excessive, tacky, a dizzying acceleration of Sufi dance with the aim of obtaining the same effect: a drunk daze, a vitalistic Dionysian spirit, Nietzsche's active nihilism. Again the canonical objection: isn't it a simple problem of knowing how to live your time well, precisely the postmodern as a comfort zone? De gustibus.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

PatrikSkJun 25, 2022

I have to say it's a great movie. I liked it more than bohemian rhapsody. The audiovisual side of the film is top notch. Give the same top.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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4

MATMJan 2, 2023

So, I'm pretty sure the only reason "Elvis" exists is because a producer watched "Rocketman" and thought that Baz Lehrman would be perfect to replicate that dreamlike frenzy. Whatever "Elvis" started off as in someone's mind, the end resultSo, I'm pretty sure the only reason "Elvis" exists is because a producer watched "Rocketman" and thought that Baz Lehrman would be perfect to replicate that dreamlike frenzy. Whatever "Elvis" started off as in someone's mind, the end result is a total dumpster fire. It looks like it was shot as a completely traditional music bio-pic, and then had a bunch of zany chyrons plastered on top of it to try to give the impression that creativity was put into this mess. Where "Rocketman" had exquisitely choregraphed music segments, "Elvis" just shows a performer on stage and rapidly scans the camera around the audience to attempt to give the impression of excitement. It would be one thing if the camera was steady and just tried to show a concert ala "Bohemian Rhapsody", but "Elvis" seems like it really wants you to think there is some elevated concept happening on top of the action, but all that is happening is that the camera is panning around quickly, with no notable choreography. If you want a by the numbers music bio-pic, "Bohemian Rhapsody" will meet your needs better, but for the far superior dream-like experience, stick with "Rocketman".… Expand

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4

DoxdivaJun 25, 2022

Unfortunately, we thought the movie was choppy.. too many flashbacks and way too long... Tom Hanks was super annoying..
Butler gave an excellent performance..more of Elvis’s music would have done the movie justice.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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4

Onlyclassicvg1Aug 12, 2022

It may not be slavishly devoted to the facts (this isn't your typical birth-to-deather), but as with Todd Haynes's glam fantasia Velvet Goldmine, the movie achieves something trickier and more valuable, mining shocking intimacy from sweepingIt may not be slavishly devoted to the facts (this isn't your typical birth-to-deather), but as with Todd Haynes's glam fantasia Velvet Goldmine, the movie achieves something trickier and more valuable, mining shocking intimacy from sweeping cultural changes.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

vickykoiAug 7, 2022

This movie was just bad, not a true biopic in any way. I've never been much of an Elvis fan, but to anyone wanting to learn more about the guy this movie was not very informative. The whole movie was centered around his manager. It neverThis movie was just bad, not a true biopic in any way. I've never been much of an Elvis fan, but to anyone wanting to learn more about the guy this movie was not very informative. The whole movie was centered around his manager. It never showed elvis's moms passing, which had a huge effect on his mental health and career… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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3

MaxPayneIsGodAug 16, 2022

One for the "boomers"
Some interesting tid bits, you may or may not already know.
Focuses too much on Hanks' over the top performance. The cinematography, editing and over all direction is stomach churning. Its too long and have since learntOne for the "boomers"
Some interesting tid bits, you may or may not already know.
Focuses too much on Hanks' over the top performance.
The cinematography, editing and over all direction is stomach churning.
Its too long and have since learnt a lot of it is completely fabricated.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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3

TBallMar 13, 2023

All I can say is WTF? As one reviewer noted, this is more about the director than Elvis.

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3

FaxthtaxSep 4, 2022

Austin Butler did a great job portraying Elvis.
But its ruined with mixing in modern r'n'b electronic music garbage with old 50´s rock n roll. What was that about?
Luhrman was the wrong choice for this one. Tons of montage and kitchy momentsAustin Butler did a great job portraying Elvis.
But its ruined with mixing in modern r'n'b electronic music garbage with old 50´s rock n roll. What was that about?
Luhrman was the wrong choice for this one. Tons of montage and kitchy moments overflushed with backdrop music and trippy segments.
It could have been great. But 20 min. in i just wanted to puke in a bucket because of million things going on at the screen at once.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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3

lessacebolaMar 2, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Um filme feito para romantizar a apropriação cultural feita pelo Elvis. Além de ocultar todas as críticas que comunidade negra fez a ele, o colocam como o bonzinho da história, o que não é verdade.… Expand

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3

HeywoodyJul 16, 2022

Biopics are as derivative as any genre these days. Especially because they all tend to be full of nonsense and lies. So weird. Anyways, he had huge hits that were written by anyone but him, and lots of statutory rapes of 14 year old girls.Biopics are as derivative as any genre these days. Especially because they all tend to be full of nonsense and lies. So weird. Anyways, he had huge hits that were written by anyone but him, and lots of statutory rapes of 14 year old girls. But, hey, it was the times...right?… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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3

mschell225Mar 5, 2023

What a chaotic mess. I struggle it find any clear narrative In this collection of 5 minute vignettes. The colonel as the lead is, well a choice. Good job Aaron Butler, I guess. You look and sounded like Elvis. Never understood why that isWhat a chaotic mess. I struggle it find any clear narrative In this collection of 5 minute vignettes. The colonel as the lead is, well a choice. Good job Aaron Butler, I guess. You look and sounded like Elvis. Never understood why that is impressive for people.… Expand

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3

NeedFictionFeb 9, 2023

Going to have to go against the tide on this one and not recommend it under a couple of assumptions. First, if you want a true biopic along the lines of Lincoln, or even Steve Jobs (the film), then this is not for you. If you want a trueGoing to have to go against the tide on this one and not recommend it under a couple of assumptions. First, if you want a true biopic along the lines of Lincoln, or even Steve Jobs (the film), then this is not for you. If you want a true representation in a kind of docu-drama style, this isn't really for you either. If you are interested in Elvis as a backdrop for the subject matter, and don't mind something more about presenting art than representing facts, this might be something you like better than me. With that said, I would like to touch on the performances just a bit. The actors can only do things with the material they are given, so I'm not just being a critic without considering that aspect. Let's do it the other way around from what most reviews are doing. Austin Butler. I think he must have been chosen based on his similar facial features, and I know even in bad reviews here, reviewers will write the he "did a good job." I have to disagree about him in this part. Again, a lot of this goes to the choices of the director, but if you search for videos there are some side-by-side comparisons with the real Elvis. Butler honestly seems like an Elvis impersonator at times. Butler is okay, but not stellar. Part of the problem is the choice of makeup for the actors by the director. Looking at the real Elvis, it really sticks out badly that Butler is wearing lipstick and deep blue eye shadow during scenes like when he sings 'Suspicious Minds.' Elvis was a manly man. He wasn't going out and chopping wood everyday, but still he was just a good looking singer, who was very much a womanizing and talented man. If he ever had stage makeup on during performances, it must have been neutral for the cameras, because he never looked like he was wearing deep blue eyeshadow and lipstick (during his movies is not the point here, all actors wear makeup, but not deep eyeshadow, though). Again, it is an artistic choice, however the problem is it can take you out of the story it is so over the top at times. This really is a disservice to Austin Butler, because this somewhat feminizes his entire performance, almost like with one small step he could be Elvis in Drag. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Don't get me wrong, this isn't about trans issues, or any of that. It is just that this seems to be billed as an authentic representation, and it really isn't. For Tom Hanks, again, I know these are likely choices of the director, but the fat makeup suit, dialogue, and shot choices just don't work. It is way over the top, and at times I found myself laughing. For example, in one scene Parker (Tom Hanks) is talking to some friends at a outdoor park and he brings up he is searching for new talent. He is told "Everyone is listening to this guy," as that person plays an Elvis record. Hanks mumbles that they won't take black men on tour, and the guy says, "he's white." There is a quick super zoom into Hanks' fake fat face (which is very apparent it isn't real), and suddenly he is echoing, "he's white...white....white...." and they fast show you person after person listening to Elvis on car radios- not in other locations, but literally right there around Parker at this outdoor carnival. Every single driver is now listening to the same song, the entire crowd of people at this park, are all hypnotized staring at their radio. Artistic choice to emphasize discrimination is great, but I can name several black performers from this era including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, and many others. So of course there was discrimination, and blacks endured separate dressing rooms, bathrooms, and other terrible treatment. But to choose this as a vehicle to emphasize it and that moment was just a lost opportunity. Elvis loved music, and he loved other musicians- any musicians. He was also deeply committed to equal treatment of all people, and wrote songs about the declining culture and rising poverty of the black community. Focusing on Elvis' push for more civil rights would have been a better use of this message. Otherwise, Hanks does an okay job, but not Oscar worthy. There are some good set pieces, and the costumes for Elvis especially are stunning in that they match real life very closely. If you don't mind a more artistic license with one of the most famous singers of the 20th Century as the backdrop, then you might like this better than me. If you want something that comes closer to a docu-drama, look up Kurt Russell as Elvis in a 1979 television movie. It has the lower budget quality of "tv movies" from that time, however, Russell kills it as Elvis. When you see his portrayal versus Butler in dark eyeshadow, you might change your mind about how good this version is in representing "based on a true story" to the audience. I wanted to rate it higher- just couldn't! Hope you enjoy it even if I didn't.… Expand

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1

katezoeSep 4, 2022

Cartoonish at best...wasted $19.99 on Amazon Prime. Baz Luhrmannd directs another chaotic hot mess.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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1

AutumncOct 4, 2022

Awful. Just made me laugh and had no real substance. The style of this movie and the acting and the way it jumped all over the place…it was like nothing I’d seen before…in a bad way. Seemed like it just enforced my belief that Elvis was aAwful. Just made me laugh and had no real substance. The style of this movie and the acting and the way it jumped all over the place…it was like nothing I’d seen before…in a bad way. Seemed like it just enforced my belief that Elvis was a complete joke. I had hoped it would change my opinion and teach me who Elvis really was, but it did not.… Expand

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0

ZackasaurJun 26, 2022

Truly terrible in every sense. Should never have been made. Don't give this your time, and certainly don't give it your money.

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Elvis

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