Film reviews

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Review

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When there is a film to be made where the music shines and memories are spellbinding, director Baz Luhrmann does it right. After directing Elvis in 2022, he takes on another film in that same vein, only this time it contains archived footage of the real Elvis Presley. It is filled with moments of conversations, concerts, and the deep personality of the Elvis the world knows. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is surreal in its purpose, like a time-machine of moving and musical memories. With the IMAX experience, the gritty aspects of fame feel both circular and angular—the musical moments radiate out loud in the context tomake one feel present.

Audiences can immerse themselves in this film. Especially those who grew up with Elvis. The archived footage moves in a chronological mode jumping frequently from interviews to concerts. This felt like Moulin Rouge but with real footage, as the spellbinding aspects are on the same level in both films. Luhrmann knows how to transition from heartache and shining. Vividly emotional, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is a journey through time that keeps rocking with the very well-done concert footage.

There is a sense of appreciation that keeps moving through Luhrmann’s direction, especially in the frequent moments where the facial expression of Elvis is captured. Even though the audience will find themselves jamming a lot with the film, they will also see the realization that money and fame do not always buy happiness. The appreciative form of an artist is how real the experience feels. It is unstoppable.

The archived images of the tours in Las Vegas are where I felt the sparks of magnificence in the visions Luhrmann brings forth. There is a certain magic in all of his projects. Much of which had me thinking back to Elvis and Moulin Rouge. He weaves elements of hidden sadness with the attention of impacting the world with the charms of music and showmanship. Like Moulin Rouge, EPiC: Elvis Presley creates a vision of connections while hiding the sorrow below the fame—a humanistic value that speaks to many from the mind of Luhrman.

This is documentary- driven, and at times feels slow, but that is what the film is about. Appreciating Elvis Presley is what EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is all about, because much of the footage has never been seen.  The era of when the footage was recorded gives it a time machine feeling that felt more immersive to me in IMAX. I felt like I was transported to a world of concerts I never got to experience. It takes us back toan era where it was all about ticket stands and phone lines to acquire concert seats. The days before the internet shine with thrills in Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert.

Despite the sad moments, the concert does not stop going. Luhrmann continuously pushes on with the true shots of the concerts—every moment matters.  EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert continues to relive the importance of one man that changed the world with not only his music, but his persona alone. Deep down the shots and continuity with fame and the concerts is what makes Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert an unstoppable force of a vivid musical sensation. I was hooked, and the IMAX technology continued to blow my mind in its and hour-and-a-half running time.

This is one that I feel must be seen on the big screen, and IMAX if available. To experience a film of this nature, it should definitely be seen in a way to feel as real as it can possibly be. Without that, the presence will not shine as big as it should in order to be fully appreciated.  An overall unforgettableexperience.   Four out of four stars for Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert.

 

Film reviews

How to Make a Killing Review

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Glen Powell is starting to create a brand for himself no matter what type of character he plays. He can be bold and positive, or an egotistical businessman. He can also play someone who looks innocent while maintaining a professional, laid-back attitude. In How to Make a Killing, his nice guy vibes hide a secret. Eventually, a con-artist setup of moving parts topples the center of Powell’s personality in How to Make a Killing. While predictable at times, the story drives home the point that karma can come back with vengeance.

Written and directed by John Patton Ford. I was mesmerized by the criminality and creativity when he directed Emily the Criminal. How to Make a Killing loops in the same type of scenario, but the background is based on the theme of getting what one deserves. Emily the Criminal is different in that there is someone who does bad deeds due to a variety of legal errors. This time Ford focuses the choices on a personal matter. The film is structured, but also wicked.

Powell plays Beckett Redfellow who was abandoned at birth by his extremely rich family. With the idea his family has had privilege thrown into their laps because of nepotism, Beckett fights back. Not by actual violence, but staged scenarios which cause fatalities. His main targets are his cousins Noah Redfellow (Zach Woods), Taylor Redfellow (Raff Law), and Pastor Steven J. Redfellow (Topher Grace). From Beckett’s vantage point, he believes the family dynasty should belong to him. This makes him create ways to eliminate family members. The more he eliminates, the higher the chances are of the inheritance falling into his lap.

The film is classy with how the setups and narration flow. Powell tells the story in his performance because the film is staged where he is in prison for his actions. I will not share much, but I will say the film felt insightful due to his sharing of the details about the events leading up to the beginning of the film. Beckett may have some luck, but the power of his family may be more dangerous than he expects. It is revealed that his grandfather Whitelaw Redfellow (Ed Harris) is the reason behind the dismissal of Beckett’s childhood.

Ford knows how to highlight first-world problems and how they bring out a person’s true colors. On the inside Beckett is lonely, but on the outside, he experiences jealousy and entitlement. Hisemotions lead him to strange incidences. These make the film joyful, but also sinister with class. Ford is the master at illustrating fulfillment based on shady deeds. He always posesthe question of whether something can be mastered without getting caught. I saw this in Emily the Criminal on a more serious level and again in How to Make a Killing on a lighter, yet horrid way. 

To clarify, the other parties in the mix who pose a risk are Ruth (Jessica Henwick), Beckett’s girlfriend. She is oblivious to the shady wealth, but then his full colors start to appear. There is Julia Steinway (Margaret Qualley), an old friend of Beckett. Can Beckett’s charming personality gain him more attention? Or is there a sign that allows others to put the puzzle of his deeds-for-wealth schemes together? Overall, the film is somewhat predictable but executed with sinister laughs that revolve around an undeserved inheritance. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for How to Make a Killing.

 

Film reviews

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Review

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Matt Johnson is not afraid to bring his creative visions to lifeand bring realism to the table. He brought his audience on a visually real adventure with BlackBerry in 2023. He was successful at showcasing the stress and suspense of actual events. Some of Johnson’s writing is sketchy and all over the place, but he is a master at tying his characters and their quotes together in a way that brings misdirection to the highest level. His new film, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, is like a lengthy sketch comedy show, but with the right number of jokes and continuity which works.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie has seven individuals with writing credits, but the two main writers are also the stars themselves. Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol are what makes the film a treasure. It is a mockumentary that has a lot of dazzling features. Matt and Jay are a duo that combine for a masterclass in comedy that will bring laughs around the world. Think about Back to the Future with writing that feels scribbled, because the comedy moves in a direction that makes even scribbled elements brilliant.

The setting is Toronto, Canada. The friends have a time machineand plan to perform at a venue called The Rivoli. They repeatedly think of acts or stunts to attract an audience that will allow their dream to come true. The dynamics between Matt and Jay make Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie so irresistible. The Canadian adventures lead to successful 3-ring circus thanks to the creative genius of Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol.

One of their plans is to do a high dive into a dome. Their idea has risks, but building a fanbase is most important. Their dreams hit plateaus in their time machine that blow audiences out of the water. The duo ends up in the year 2008. The two friends/collaborators bring in innovative aspects that areexhilarating and keep audiences laughing from head to toe. The Rivoli is their calling but ending up in different time zones back in the future leads to the most meaning.

The film is quirky and resilient because the gags are endless. The time machine leads to many moments of trial and error that offer new and exciting situations throughout Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. The saying, “If you build it, they will come,” does not come around easily in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Without the two-man sketch components this movie would not be nearly so wonderful.  The film loops in so many moments from 2008 which is brought me so much joy during this comedy. At times, it felt like a twisted Back to the Future. I will not spoil it, but Johnson knows realism, and how to make it purposeful, serious, and yet hysterical. There are stereotypes, movie references, hidden jokes—and they all work in a structured context with syrupy entertainment. Four out of four stars for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.

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