Elvis - The Movie 2022

[TotallyOz]

I grew up listening to Elvis and my mom loved him. She saw him in concert many times. I still remember the day he died. My mom cried all day, my sister and I was devastated, and the world almost stopped. I am looking so forward to this movie.

 

[PeterRS]

For whatever reason, I not only did not like Elvis - I actively disliked him! Those ghastly movies! There were other US pop stars of the time that I enjoyed - loved The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, Mamas and the Papas, Roy Orbison, Sonny & Cher, Bob Dylan etc.   - but Elvis left me cold! Then the British invasion started with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the host of other Merseyside groups which thereafter took most of my interest.

[tm_nyc]

I was never a fan of Elvis either way back when, but, yes, now I recognize what a huge talent he was.  I do not envy the actor who has the difficult task of playing him.  But the movie is directed by Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge, etc) so it should be extravagant, over-the-top fun.

[msclelovr]

On 5/17/2022 at 10:22 PM, TotallyOz said:

I am looking so forward to this movie.

Me too. I saw Elvis in his prime. It was my first trip to Las Vegas, and Elvis performed in his white leather-catsuit. He was extremely sexy. 
 

(And at the risk of sounding like an old person who remembers the value of a dollar, I recall that dinner in the casino cost $4, but we each had to pay a supplement of $4 as Elvis was performing.)

[Pete1111]

I can imagine those times and the effect he had on women, and some men as well.   

 

I recently saw an Elvis documentary on PBS about a benefit concert he did in Hawaii for the USS Arizona Memorial.

Very well done film.  Gives an idea of the man and his fans.

If you are a PBS member, perhaps you can view the film.   I'm glad I got this taste of Elvis.

That said, I am excited about Austin Butler and Tom Hanks cast together.  I hope I am not disappointed by the new Elvis film.

 

[sterial]

Gonna watch! 

[JKane]

I enjoyed the movie, too long since I've been to a Baz Luhrmann experience.  The way they transition the singing from the actor to Elvis to the final performance is great too.  Hanks is a bit cartoonish but then so was the real-life "colonel".  

[floridarob]

I knew of Elvis and his music, wasn't a follower. When I saw this movie was 2hrs 39 minutes, I thought I would be bored, I wasn't. The actor was so good and the story so interesting, I watched it several days later again with a friend.

I had no plans to see this movie, but i was in NYC visiting a friend. He got a booty call and asked if I could get lost for a couple of hours. The theatre was in walking distance, so I went for a few slices and a movie.....his booty call didn't show up, lol

[Guest]

On 9/12/2022 at 5:37 PM, JKane said:

I enjoyed the movie, too long since I've been to a Baz Luhrmann experience.  The way they transition the singing from the actor to Elvis to the final performance is great too.  Hanks is a bit cartoonish but then so was the real-life "colonel".  

yikes - be careful …any mention of Baz Luhrmann can lead to Moulin Rouge, which triggers some here. 

[TotallyOz]

I truly enjoyed the movie. It was beautifully done. The actor who played Elvis was excellent. I did not get bored in the least. I didn't see as much of Priscilla as I hoped, but still enjoyed it. The stage scenes were excellent and the scenes from Graceland was so realistic and enjoyable. One of my favorite movies of 2022.

[Lucky]

I am watching it on HBO Max. I like it!

[PeterRS]

I was never an Elvis fan but then he never toured outside the US and so there were no concerts I could attend. I am curious if the movie goes into the various shenanigans of his manager, Col. Tom Parker. We know that from his deal with RCA Victor which helped establish Elvis, Parker took an extraordinary commission that borders on the criminal of 50%! He ruled Elvis' life in an almost draconian way and forbade him to give concerts overseas - alleged by some because it might result in his being discovered as an illegal immgrant in the USA. He also sold the rights to Elvis' early recordings to RCA (and we know how valuable the recording rights are to the musicians as long term increasing income) and soon persuaded him to stop giving concerts for several years in preference to a slew of movies that became increasingly third rate as Parker insisted the studios' costs be slashed to the minimum to protect his profits. Thanks to Parker's mismanagement, Elvis did not join ASCAP - the organisation which collects and distributes royalties to musicians. As a result both Elvis and Parker lost out on millions of future income. And then the IRS came calling suing the Elvis Estate for close to $15 million.

in 1980 after his death a judge found that his management of Elvis had been unethical and basically bad. The 50% commission was abnormal with the indiustry average being 15-20%. He was also not a very good manager in looking after himself after Elvis died. Even though he had persuaded Elvis' father at the funeral to sign over all future rights to Elvis recordings, movies and merchandise, Parker ended up virtually bankrupt.

I wonder if Luhrmann's film recreates the real Parker, or glosses over too much of his negative influence. Tom Hanks is a great actor. Somehow I just don't see him conveying the real Parker, especially his darker side. But I'll withhold further comment till I can see the movie.

[floridarob]

1 hour ago, PeterRS said:

I wonder if Luhrmann's film recreates the real Parker, or glosses over too much of his negative influence. Tom Hanks is a great actor. Somehow I just don't see him conveying the real Parker, especially his darker side. But I'll withhold further comment till I can see the movie.

I think it portrayed his as such, as I said, I wasn't an Elvis follower....heard of Col. Parker, but didn't know what a grifter he was. The movie is good...let us know what you think.

[Lucky]

I liked Austin Butler's performance. It must have been very difficult to pull off. Tom Hanks as the phony colonel was an impressive work, but I know so little about this crook that I could not say how accurate Hanks' performance was.

Overall, a very enjoyable movie.