Synopsis: The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Baz Luhrmann, an Australian film director, has a visually stunning aesthetic style that distinguishes him as one of the most captivating filmmakers globally. As an auteur, he is one of my favorites. Luhrmann’s approach is characterized by excess, color, energy, music, and a bombastic tone that can be polarizing. His style is both unmistakable and unparalleled among contemporary filmmakers. Lightning-fast editing and cinematography, complex romantic subplots, and plots that move at a breakneck pace are features of every Luhrmann film. His use of camera, music, and flamboyant characters adds to the uniqueness of his vision.

I especially love his first trilogy titled ‘The Red Curtain Trilogy,’ which explores themes of heartbreak, music, melancholy, and tragedy. Luhrmann’s technique of incorporating theatrical conventions to elevate films to spectacular and dizzying heights is referred to as “red curtain cinema.” This method is evident in the trilogy’s three films: Strictly Ballroom (1993), William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (1996), and Moulin Rouge (2001). Luhrmann’s trademark use of bright colors, fast-paced camera cuts and zooms, and bold costumes are all essential elements of his films. They help to underscore the themes and motifs that Luhrmann considers crucial in each of his works.

Growing up being a film enthusiast living in Melbourne, I instinctively identified Baz Luhrmann as a director worth keeping an eye on. Luhrmann, an Australian film director, producer, writer, and actor, has worked across various mediums, including film, television, opera, theatre, and music. He is known by many as a contemporary auteur due to his distinct style and extensive involvement in the writing, directing, design, and musical aspects of his projects. As the most commercially successful Australian director, four of his films are included in the top ten highest-grossing Australian films worldwide.

As soon as I heard that Baz Luhrmann was directing an ‘Elvis’ biopic, I was thrilled. In early 2020, renowned actor Tom Hanks revealed that he had contracted COVID-19 while filming ‘Elvis’ in Australia, which was one of the first mainstream news stories about the virus that would go on to affect everyone’s lives that year. Despite this setback, filming continued, and Luhrmann’s vision came to fruition when he released ‘Elvis‘ to the world last year.

Like other musical biopics such as 2018’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ and 2019’s ‘Rocketman,’ ‘Elvis‘ was a huge box office hit and went on to gross more than $276 million in theaters.

‘Elvis‘ is a biographical film that centers around the illustrious career of the iconic American singer and actor, Elvis Presley. The movie portrays Presley’s life, from his childhood to his rise to fame as a rock and movie star in the 1950s, all while navigating a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (portrayed in a campy, over-the-top performance by the great Tom Hanks).

Austin Butler delivers a tour de force performance as Elvis Presley in the biographical film. Butler flawlessly transforms into the music legend, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. He expertly captures Presley’s signature swagger, flamboyant stage presence, powerful vocals, and vulnerable, introspective moments.

Butler worked extensively with Luhrmann to perfect Presley’s iconic strut and movements, and underwent rigorous vocal training to master his singing style. The result is a truly impressive and authentic portrayal of one of the most iconic musicians of all time.

Beyond his physical transformation, Butler effectively conveyed the emotional complexity of Presley’s life, delving into his struggles with his manager, drug use, and complicated relationships. He brought a depth and nuance to the character that made him feel like a fully realized human being rather than a mere caricature.

By skillfully navigating Presley’s personal demons, Butler’s performance adds a layer of realism to the portrayal of this beloved cultural icon. It is a testament to his talent as an actor and his dedication to the role.

Overall, Butler’s performance in “Elvis” stands out as one of the best performances of 2022, showcasing his exceptional skill as an actor and his unwavering dedication to the role. He not only expertly captured the spirit of one of the most iconic musicians of all time but also brought new insights and perspectives to his life and legacy.

By bringing Presley to life on the big screen with such authenticity and nuance, Butler’s portrayal will undoubtedly go down in cinematic history as one of the most memorable and impactful performances of our time.

The film delves into the life and music of Elvis Presley, offering a fresh perspective on the music legend through the lens of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film explores the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker over two decades, spanning from Presley’s initial rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, set against the backdrop of America’s evolving cultural landscape and the loss of its innocence.

At the heart of Presley’s journey is one of the most influential and significant people in his life, Priscilla Presley (portrayed by Olivia DeJonge). Through her character, the film offers a unique insight into Presley’s personal life and the effect it had on his career and legacy.

The film’s most compelling storyline explores the tumultuous relationship between Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Parker began managing Presley in the mid-1950s and played a significant role in his rise to fame. However, their relationship was far from a typical business arrangement, and behind the scenes, things were often less than perfect.

Parker, an illegal immigrant who had changed his name and may not have even held a U.S. passport, had a mysterious tendency to reject numerous concert and tour offers for Elvis worldwide. Some speculate that this may have been the reason for his shady background. Furthermore, Parker meddled in Elvis’s personal life, including his marriage, family affairs, and film career, all in the pursuit of profit. Unfortunately, this behavior took a significant toll on Elvis’s mental state and ultimately led to his downfall.

The combination of Luhrmann’s visually stunning aesthetic and Butler’s exceptional performance elevates this music biopic into a timeless classic that transcends the genre.

A

Synopsis: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

Friendship is an essential part of our lives as humans. We all desire to have meaningful connections with others and create long-lasting relationships. While it is relatively easy to make friends, keeping them can be challenging, especially as we grow older and our lives take different directions. In this film set against the backdrop of 1920’s Ireland, our main protagonist, Pádraic Súilleabháin, must deal with this existential question.

The central theme of the movie prompts introspection about the definition of friendship and the means to maintain it. Colin Farrell delivers an impressive performance as Pádraic Súilleabháin, whose biggest concern is how to preserve his friendship with his longtime friend, Colm Doherty (portrayed with remarkable gravitas by Brendan Gleeson). One morning he visits Colm only to be rejected without any explanation. Pádraic is a kind-hearted individual who finds solace in enjoying a drink with his mate. As the movie unfolds, viewers are compelled to reflect on their own relationships and the significance of maintaining them. One of the critical factors in maintaining friendships is communication. Communication helps to build trust, understanding, and respect between friends. It is essential to regularly check in with friends, listen actively, and respond to their needs. Regular communication ensures that you remain connected and informed about what is happening in each other’s lives. Additionally, it allows you to discuss challenges or conflicts that arise in the friendship, leading to a stronger bond. Colm disregards Pádraic with no explanation which is puzzling to him and makes the audience wonder what is going on too.

Martin McDonagh, the writer and director of the film, delivers a beautiful narrative with his calm and laid-back script. The movie features breathtaking Irish landscapes, with lush mountains and verdant greenery captured in stunning detail. The visual spectacle is a treat to watch and adds to the overall charm of the film.

In addition to exploring Pádraic’s friendship with Colm, the film delves into his relationship with his sister, Siobhán Súilleabháin, portrayed with heart-wrenching emotion by Kerry Condon. Siobhán is a meek, single Irish woman who yearns for a more exciting life. Despite her tough and straightforward demeanor, she deeply cares for her brother and empathizes with his situation. Furthermore, Pádraic and Siobhán take in Dominic Kearney, played brilliantly by Barry Keoghan. Initially introduced as the village fool, Dominic soon becomes a sympathetic friend to Pádraic during his moments of solitude.

As the film nears its conclusion, it takes a dark and introspective turn as Pádraic must come to terms with the loss of his friendship and the impact it has had on their community. Throughout the movie, we receive fragmented information about the Irish Civil War, a frequent topic of conversation among the islanders who hear the distant sound of rifles and canons. At one point, Pádraic admits to not knowing what the war is about, hinting at the film’s ultimate message. In the final scene, McDonagh draws a comparison between the war and Pádraic and Colm’s falling out. Colm tries to reconcile, discussing the war’s end and the cessation of fighting between him and his best friend. However, Pádraic, simmering with anger, cannot move on, and his gaze reveals his thoughts. The scene ends with Mrs. McCormick’s presence, draped in black, symbolizing the end of their friendship.

The film’s final moments, with a Banshee watching them from afar, provides a stark visual reminder of the rift between Pádraic and Colm, and the consequences of their lost friendship. The film leaves us pondering the value of friendship, the cost of losing it, and the tragedy of wars that cause irreparable harm, long after the fighting has stopped.

B+

Synopsis: Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their home.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge admirer of the film director James Cameron. He’s responsible for creating some of the highest-grossing and most beloved movies of all time, including the likes of Titanic (1997), The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). He’s a true visionary in the industry, and his latest offering, Avatar: The Way of Water, is no exception. The film is a stunning follow-up to his 2009 blockbuster Avatar, and it once again showcases Cameron’s signature themes of environmentalism, family, the power and beauty of water, overcoming adversity, technology and its impact on humanity, self-discovery and personal growth. His ability to seamlessly weave these themes into his storytelling is one of the reasons he’s widely regarded as one of the most talented and accomplished directors of his generation.

In 2009, I had the pleasure of watching the original Avatar in 3D Imax, and I was completely mesmerized by its stunning visuals and use of 3D technology. Recently, I watched Avatar: The Way of Water in 3D at a Gold Class cinema, and I was once again captivated by the breathtaking scenery and immersive audio. It’s clear that James Cameron is a master filmmaker with an incredible vision that is truly amazing to behold. Avatar: TWOW takes place ten years after the original film with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington delivers a commanding performance in the role), now the Chief of the Omaticaya Clan, leading a peaceful life with his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana portrays the role with striking beauty and an exotic allure). and their children, including adopted daughter Kiri (73 year old Sigourney Weaver portrays the character with a youthful and playful energy, befitting of a teenager), sons Neteyam (played by Jamie Flatters) and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton delivers a lively and spirited performance, imbuing the role with playful energy), and a human boy named Spider (Jack Champion portrays the character with animalistic qualities, adding depth and nuance to the performance) who was unable to be transported to Earth as an infant. Despite Neytiri’s distrust, the children get along well and enjoy each other’s company, with Spider embracing Na’vi culture over his human heritage. However, their idyllic existence is disrupted when they notice an RDA spaceship, carrying humans who plan to colonize Pandora once again, causing destruction in their wake. One of the new arrivals is Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang’s return to the role is marked by his commanding and brutal performance), now cloned into a Na’vi body and with his memories of his death erased. Despite his inability to recall his defeat at the hands of Jake, he remains determined to eliminate him as part of his vengeful mission.

To prevent the RDA from exploiting Pandora once again, Jake takes charge and leads a strategic guerrilla operation to weaken the RDA’s supply lines. During one of the operations, Lo’ak disobeys Neteyam and tries to assist Jake in battle, resulting in him getting wounded. Jake rescues and disciplines him to prevent him from endangering himself by being reckless. Later that night, while tending to Lo’ak’s wounds, Neytiri reminds Jake to not be too hard on their son, to which Jake expresses his concern for the safety of their children. Meanwhile, Quaritch initiates a search mission to kill Jake in retaliation for the attacks on their supply lines.

One day, Jake’s children, along with Spider, venture deeper into the rainforest. Unbeknownst to them, Quaritch and his team are in the area, exploring the site where Quaritch discovers his human remains. An observant Lo’ak notices their presence and quickly informs Jake. A skirmish ensues, and Quaritch’s squad captures Jake’s children. Although Jake and Neytiri manage to free most of them, Spider is taken by Quaritch, who recognizes him as his son. On the ship, the RDA attempts to extract information about Jake from Spider, who refuses to cooperate. In a change of strategy, Quaritch addresses Spider as his son and offers to explain more about the Na’vi in exchange for his freedom. Although uncooperative and unaware of Quaritch’s actual mission, Spider teaches him about Na’vi culture, and Quaritch is even able to successfully tame an Ikran flying creature as his vehicle.

To protect themselves from the danger posed by Spider’s knowledge of their whereabouts and to prevent another catastrophe, Jake persuades a hesitant Neytiri and his family to exile themselves from the Omaticaya Clan and seek refuge in Metkayina, a coral reef island inhabited by a clan that has adapted to Pandora’s aquatic environment. Jake passes on his role as chief to his successor and departs with his family to Metkayina. Upon arrival, they are met by Tonowari (Cliff Curtis delivers a performance that is both compassionate and commanding), the clan chief, and his initially skeptical wife Ronal (Kate Winslet delivers a standout performance in the role, seamlessly disappearing into the character’s ethnicity while bringing a brilliant level of nuance and depth to the portrayal). Jake explains their predicament, and they are granted permission to stay and provided with shelter. Although some of the tribesmen ridicule Jake and his children for their human heritage, the family assimilates into the reef people’s way of life and earns their respect. Kiri is captivated by the aquatic life of Metkayina and establishes a spiritual connection with the sea and its inhabitants, while Lo’ak becomes friends with Tsireya (played with stunning beauty and captivating gaze by Bailey Bass), the daughter of Tonowari and Ronal.

As Lo’ak adjusts to life in his new environment, he becomes embroiled in a conflict with Tsireya’s brother, Aonung, who makes a crude joke about Lo’ak and Kiri’s mixed human lineage. Jake scolds Lo’ak for his behavior and encourages him to apologize to Aonung and his friends. However, Aonung and his companions trick Lo’ak into venturing into the territory of a dangerous sea predator, the akula, and leave him stranded as revenge. The akula attacks Lo’ak, but he is saved and befriended by Payakan, a tulkun, a cetacean species revered as spiritual family by the Metkayina. Lo’ak communicates with Payakan through signing and removes an old harpoon head from the beast’s fin. Upon his return to Metkayina, Chief Tonowari discovers Aonung’s deceit and insists that he apologize to Lo’ak, but Lo’ak takes the blame himself and earns Aonung’s friendship. He also learns that Payakan is an outcast among his kind.

The film is visually stunning, and I highly recommend watching it in IMAX 3D or Gold Class 3D if possible. Cameron transports you to another world and immerses you in the beauty of Pandora. Each frame is a masterpiece, from the vibrant Pandoran forest to the breathtaking water world of Awa’atlu, the Metkayina Clan’s village off the coast of the Eastern Sea. The film’s stunning creatures and landscapes are portrayed with Cameron’s eye for majesty, making it difficult to look away. While the film’s characters and dialogue can be clumsy at times, which is typical of a James Cameron film, the film’s action and beauty make up for it. In my opinion, this film surpasses the original and opens up new possibilities for the world of Pandora, making it a potential science-fiction fantasy franchise on par with Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. I’m excited to see what comes next.

A+