Tag: movies

My review of the Elvis movie “Epic”

by Pam Harris, "blind" writer

Meet Derek Culver, a Hernando, Mississippi resident who works as a barber in Germantown, Tennessee, and in his spare time does “gigs” as an Elvis Tribute Artist. He sings songs by other entertainers as well–so funny when he sings Willie nelson–but you can tell he is an Elvis fan, even though he was born several years after Elvis passed away.

He had seen the new release Epic, and told me he thought it was great, so great, in fact, he was taking his mother to see it the next day.

So, when my husband learned the movie was going to be at our local theater starting this past Thursday, we knew we had to see it. After all, I am a self-proclaimed Elvis expert who loved him as a singer and entertainer but never wanted to have him as a boyfriend–good grief, he was born 21 years before I was. I just wanted him to be my big brother or at least be in his circle. I think what my childish mind really wanted was to be in his movies as one of those kids he sang to.

Let’s forget about my reasons for liking Elvis while growing up because there is no clear answer, and let’s talk about my impression of the movie that we saw last night.

Baz Luhrmann directed the movie Elvis starring Austin Butler, and while researching, he learned that MGM has archival footage of Elvis in concert in Las Vegas (That’s the Way It Is) and touring the U.S. (Elvis on Tour). He created a movie using a combination of seen-before and never-seen-before footage that was remastered and put together in the typical Luhrmann style.

The result? A movie that is not a documentary, not a biopic, not a concert–well, maybe elements of all three.

Using recorded interviews with Elvis that spanned his first to final years in show business, the viewer hears Elvis telling his own story and sharing his thoughts about his life and career. Scenes and interviews of rehearsals, on-stage performances, home movies, and TV appearances are woven into a story that reveals the lesser-known Elvis, the Elvis who never turned down a fan asking for an autograph, the Elvis determined to give the ticket-buying audience the best show possible, the Elvis who was not too busy or too famous to pay attention to children.

I saw footage I had never seen before, such as Elvis seated on stage in Vegas and playing a guitar while singing various hits, and a couple of songs were new to me. The 100-minute film flew by, and yes, I will have to buy it someday for my personal collection.

I think people who dislike Elvis would not enjoy the movie, just like I wouldn’t be interested in a documentary or biopic about many entertainers, but for Elvis fans and fanatics, it’s a must-see. People who like Elvis okay would enjoy it. They might even come out of the theater as true fans.

Derek told me the movie made him sad because he wished he could have seen him in concert.

Well, I did. May 7, 1975, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. And guess what? “My” concert is on YouTube in its entirety. They recorded the May 6 and May 7 performances to make an album, but the entire May 7 concert, audio only, can be listened to on YouTube. Just search for Elvis Concert May 7, 1975, in Murfreesboro, and you’ll know you have the correct concert when, after the opening song, he tells an audience member she has her child too close to the speakers. I remember when that happened. He had security relocate her and her little one.

And when you hear those screaming fans in the audience…no, I didn’t scream. I left that up to all the ladies with the teased, hair-sprayed hair that wouldn’t move in a hurricane.

I just sat there and enjoyed. I hope you do, too.

Some viewing suggestions for you gals over 50

by Pam Harris, "blind" writer

Snow is on the way in our part of the world, and if you’re looking for something new to fill the hours, maybe you’ll like one or more of my suggestions.

YouTube has several channels I subscribe to, and I’ve broken them down by category.

If you like artsy stuff, try Andrea-Nelson-Art for watercolor creations that are easy to do and fun to watch her create.

If you have concerns about flying or interest in learning about behind-the-scenes of a pilot’s life, check out CaptainSteeeve. That’s right, 3 e’s in a row. You’ll understand when you hear him sign off!

If you love dogs and haven’t yet discovered Teddy, search for aguyandagolden, all one word and lower case. The Teddy videos make me smile!

The next two suggestions are if you need hope in dealing with adversity or a wake-up call to realize how blessed your life is. I suggest Joni’s channel. Those of you near my age may remember Joni (pronounced Johnny) and the book she wrote about becoming a quadriplegic due to diving into a shallow lake and breaking her neck. If you remember the cover, it depicted a brown-haired girl holding a paintbrush in her mouth. Now she has a channel called JoniandFriendsVideo — well, maybe JoniandFriendsVideos–in which she talks about her condition but also shares her Christian faith and how it helps get her through. Her husband of 42 years joins her occasionally.

A woman who is a quad-amputee due to bacterial meningitis when she was 19 has a channel in which she demonstrates how she manages with prosthetics for hands and legs/feet. She drives and works as an occupational therapist. Find her by searching for glamputee-14V. She is amazing!

If you enjoy Bible study and are a fan of “The Chosen,” you might like three seasons of Drive-Thru History on Prime Video. They are free. The seasons are: The Gospels, Acts to Revelation, and To the Ends of the Earth. The host is very interesting as are the sites he visits. I’ll never travel to the Holy Lands, so this is the next-best thing.

If you are “of a certain age,” I recommend these shows: “Elsbeth” (I stream on Paramount Plus but it airs on Thursday nights on CBS); “Matlock,” the one with Kathy Bates on CBS and streaming on Paramount Plus; the movie “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” which used to be on Netflix but not sure if it’s still there–look for it; the movie “A Dog’s Purpose” if you like dogs (it has a good ending, not a “Marley and Me” ending); and “A Man on the Inside” on Netflix (he is spying on a nursing home).

Let me know if you try any of these and like them. If you don’t, that’s okay. We’re all different, and I’m definitely different. I’m the weirdo who doesn’t love desserts and definitely does not love chocolate!