ELVIS — CANNES 2022

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This soup-to-nuts musical biopic about Elvis Presley is a stunner.

Wow!

Sit back and enjoy.

Best if you're watching "Elvis" on a big screen; this is 100% a BIG SCREEN movie.

No holding back.

Tom Hanks delivers the most superb performance of his legendary career as con-man/music agent Colonel Tom Parker.

Hanks delivers the goods in spades. This is the work of a dedicated creator of character.

Tom Hanks is truly an actor's actor.

Likewise, “Elvis” proves to be director/co-screenwriter Baz Luhrmann’s best film by far.

As for the film’s lead actor, Austin Butler is phenomenal in his deeply executed portrayal of Elvis Presley.

Butler’s performance is much more than an impersonation. You feel in touch with the real Elvis Presley through Austin Butler’s dynamic use of acting craft.

Fire, baby.

Talk about range. 

This young man has range to spare.

And yes, that's Butler singing every Elvis song with his own vocal cords and skill.

Insane in the membrane.

Shut the front door, and listen to unadorned perfection.

Let’s just give Austin Butler his Best Actor Oscar now.

Credit goes to co-screenwriters: Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner for authoring a truly masterful script.

Film courses will focus on this movie.

Mandy Walker's cinematography is strictly superb.

On fleek bitches.

 

Elvis Presley’s personal and public story is a cautionary tale connected to the turbulent American decades that witnessed political assassinations, rampant racism, puritanical assaults on freedom, and the best voice that you could possibly imagine, namely that of one Elvis Aaron Presley.

Baz Luhrmann and his truly gifted team of dedicated actors and filmmakers do Elvis Presley’s rich musical legacy proud.  

If you only see one movie from 2022, "Elvis" is the one to choose.

Rated PG. 159 mins.

JANE BY CHARLOTTE — CANNES 2021

   Groupthink doesn't live here, critical thought does.

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Although it vaguely gets around to the mysterious obstacle between mother (Jane Birkin) and daughter (Charlotte Gainsbourg), this lazy documentary is a waste.

This home movie isn't even glorified.

If you don't know who Jane Birkin is, much less have knowledge of her actress daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg, this movie will feel like an insiders only affair.

Boring is as boring does.

There's just nothing here.

Not Rated. 88 mins. 

ZERO STARS

RED ROCKET — CANNES 2021

   Groupthink doesn't live here, critical thought does.

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"Red Rocket" is as good as American Independent Cinema gets.

Fantastic.

Sean Baker, don't you dare go Hollywood.

It's worth repeating, Sean Baker is our modern-day John Cassavetes.

But if Baker ever directs a Marvel movie it will be all over. 

Don't make the same mistake that Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland") made. What a sell out.

"Red Rocket" is an emotionally intense Trump-era satirical drama that lands every punch of betrayal, selfishness, and senseless greed for ego fulfillment.

Simon Rex deals a virtuosic portrayal of an inveterate narcissist porn star taking those near him on a downhill ride to hell.  

Wow.

American narcissism's days are numbered. 

Hallefuckinglujah. 

Rated R. 130 mins.