[updated] Elvis Movie, seen 7 times

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

New Elvis Presley movie is badass. Going to theater, for my 4th time. The movie is exhausting, fast paced. 2 and half hours. Who cares, wish it was 8 hours long. Maybe Director Baz should make a sequel or focus on one-time period of the king of Rock 'n Roll's life.

Too much attention given to Tom Hanks portrayal (betrayal) of Colonel Tom Parker. We get the idea, he was a good promoter and a good thief taking 50% cut. What a joke, 50%. Movie should have been more about Elvis, then repeating the entire Colonel crap. Well, Elvis, you screwed up. Surrounded by Memphis Mafia leaches because you had to have full-time friends at your constant side. Considering your wealth today would be 1 Billion dollars, might have been nice to invest some cash into IBM stock back then.

Coolest things about Elvis:

1) Sang Gospel, grew up Pentecostal
2) Sang Country, Blues, Rock, Hillbilly, Ballads, and dang near Opera. Unreal voice that evolved.
3) Hair/Clothes
4) Did his own music, created sweet band with the black sisters
5) Given away 200 Cadillacs
6) Goto Graceland, see all the cancelled checks for all the money given to Charities.
7) Served in Army. [Moderated. Stop. It.]
8) Hard worker. Say what you want, the dude practice his trade daily and did 1800 live concerts. Killed him, not good.
9) Met with POTUS Richard Nixon unannounced w/ an agenda and got weapons thru Secret Service.
10) Dance skills, especially the knee shimmy kick
11) Pearl Harbor donation concert
12) Sense of humor.
13) No canned music. Live is live.

Dumbest things:
a) Dude, you could sing the songs, but couldn't live them
b) Get a real diet
c) Easy on the drugs. Guess it's necessary to get amp'ed up for endless concerts.
d) Don't get married. Should have gone with Ann Margaret.
e) Movies are sketchy. Should have just made music videos instead; get some real roles.
f) Played too many Vegas concerts, forced you to live like a freak in hotel. I can't take that place more than 4 days.
g) Get the bums outta Graceland. Joe Esposito was the worse influence.
h) Dump some money in Stock Market, get a real budget
i) More rock songs. Somebody clipped your balls after the Army

Top songs:
1) It's Now or Never
2) Don't Be Cruel
3) Marie's the Name
4) Suspicious Minds
5) Without Love
6) Without Him
7) Baby I Don't Care
8) I Need You Love Tonight
9) Any Way You Want Me
10) Wearing that Love on Look

-American Legend

[Fred98]

Elvis had 2 good songs, many poor movies and a terrible diet.

His time was over before my time came along.

Once he got rich he didn't know how to handle it.
.

[jhyden]

I like Elvis b/c of his Christmas and Gospel music - Best wishes to all~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-j_9OflkWc

[Rebel Yell]

Elvis had 2 good songs

The rest of the world rightfully disagrees with you.

[bairdlander2]

Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant shit to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Motherfuck him and John Wayne
'Cause I'm Black and I'm proud
I'm ready and hyped plus I'm amped
Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps
Sample a look back you look and find
Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check

[Edmon]

Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant shit to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Motherfuck him and John Wayne
'Cause I'm Black and I'm proud
I'm ready and hyped plus I'm amped
Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps
Sample a look back you look and find
Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check

I realize this is a quote from "Fight the Power" a song by Public Enemy...

Just quoting it without any real context, especially this bit, could so easily set off an argument. I hope that wasn't your intent.

Lets keep things friendly here, please.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Watch "Elvis and The Black Community", dude was far from racist, actually complete opposite. Watch many black's testimony on the issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd1pXw1DmsA

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Back to the movie review. The movie is BETTER the 2nd time. The first time, is exhausting. The ending is depressing to watch a man self-destruct into drugs. But going in multiple times, I go for the music. Take it for what is is: a time & space in American History (culture). The beginning of rock 'n roll music. The genesis of a new era.

What is awesome about Elvis music, is the evolution of his voice and style. The 50's hip shaker squeaky voice, to Army, to fine tune ballads, movie songs, then the leather suit rough voice of comeback special to dang near opera in the end. The man could sing. I believe his catalog of songs will survive the test of time.

Looking forward when the race card stops being dealt, but it won't. People use the past as an excuse to be a victim, a bum. Get a job, make a buck and you won't be such a crank.

Smile & be well.
-Legend

[zasgard]

Looking forward when the race card stops being dealt, but it won't. People use the past as an excuse to be a victim, a bum. Get a job, make a buck and you won't be such a crank.

Smile & be well.
-Legend

You can't be serious, right?

$100 says you're an older white guy?

[Zovs]

I never got into Elvis, he was an old foggie, I was into the Stones, then Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Van Halen and Metallica.

Now its all Joe Satriani, Jon Scofield or Jeff Beck.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

You can't be serious, right?

$100 says you're an older white guy?

“I'm as real as a donut.” ---Tex, before getting born again into Elvis

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

I never got into Elvis, he was an old foggie, I was into the Stones, then Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Van Halen and Metallica.

Now its all Joe Satriani, Jon Scofield or Jeff Beck.

Sound is in the ears of the beholder. Never cared for the hard rock (aka devil music of the 70s). Elvis Gospel please. Each their own.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Set my personal record, saw this flick 7 times Austin Butler will win an Oscar.

Also saw Butler 3 times in "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood", another stellar movie.

[Edmon]

Looking forward when the race card stops being dealt, but it won't. People use the past as an excuse to be a victim, a bum. Get a job, make a buck and you won't be such a crank.

Smile & be well.
-Legend

I'm looking forward to the day you stop writing obvious flame bait.

So, as a final reminder: Personal attacks and insults, of any type, are not allowed. That includes whatever sub-sets of people you think your targeting with this message, which could easily be seen as racist in it's own right.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

@Eddie --- if you see the context, I was defending Elvis against a racist attack from whoever Public Enemy is. You brought up old news from July and had already commented. I'm certainly not attacking anyone talking about an awesome flick. Look at the entire thread, vultures came to me. I'm listing favorite songs, etc. Saying "People" is an all inclusive word, quit reading (imagining) something that isn't there. This a General Forum, Elvis should not be a controversial subject. What are we allowed to post? Wanna talk about Patton's and Rommel's shoe size? I have no agenda. I'm suddenly a loser, what changed over time?

Elvis was not a racist.

Now, to keep this on subject. The movie is good. In 1950's, Elvis was attacked for playing black music and his hip shaking. That's nearly 70 years ago. Now, if I'd attack Elvis, I'd give the liberty about chasing after Priscilla. Once again, different era. He did marry her. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I have no reason to attack Elvis very generous charitable man. Love Elvis, I'm defending him. This isn't about me. But what do I know, maybe he's a closet hater (but I do not believe that, look at his friends and back up vocals, listen to the video 1st hand witnesses which I already posted.)

Like Elvis song, "Walk Mile In My Shoes" live intro:

There's a guy who said one time -
He said -

You never stood in that man's shoes
Or saw things through his eyes
Or stood and watched with helpless hands
While the heart inside you dies
So help your brother along the way
No matter where he starts
For the same God that made you made him too
These men with broken hearts

Classic from The International in Las Vegas, from Elvis, love this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-NgDbK9N6g

[Edmon]

Stop bringing up religion and race,

It's not hard and you've been told before.

I'm sure there is plenty to talk about, without bringing up topics which are banned on this forum.

[SuluSea]

It's some vile language in this thread, I'm a big boy and can handle it but some younger folks (and their parents) may not appreciate it.

On topic, My wife is seriously looking forward to the Elvis movie as she's a fan but I'm more of a distant type fan meaning while I understand he had a great voice I'd rather listen to something else.

I do enjoy his movies like Blue Hawaii is my favorite of his but like others like Girls, Girls, Girls, Jailhouse Rock and Fun in Acapulco. I remember a much simpler time in the 70's where silence wasn't violence and actual violence was the local station would play Elvis movies all night long on Labor Day, my sister and I would stay up most of the night and watch them.

My favorite Song would be Suspicious Minds and own and enjoy his Gospel 2 CD set which is great IMO.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Welcome to Graceland, SuluSea.

Ranking Elvis movies that I can watch, fully, w/o fast forward to songs:

1) Viva Las Vegas
2) G.I. Blues
3) Fun in Acapulco
4) Jailhouse Rock
5) Blue Hawaii (first half, where nearly all singing)
6) Easy Come Easy Go
7) Spinout
8) Girls Girls Girls
9) Happened At World's Fair
10) Girl Happy

[wodin]

I never got into Elvis, he was an old foggie, I was into the Stones, then Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Van Halen and Metallica.

Now its all Joe Satriani, Jon Scofield or Jeff Beck.

WOW how can you listen to the amazing Zeppelin, the Stones and to a lesser degree Sabbath and then listen to Maiden, Halen and Metallica?

I can recommend you some amazing albums from around 67 to 72 so that you can drop the sub standard later stuff you've been listening too:) Oh and it's unlikely you've heard my recommendations before.

[Zovs]

I may or may not have heard of them.

I also like Yes, Rush, Frank Zappa and Mozart.