The End of Star Trek

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This short film titled “765874 Unification” is a fitting and moving conclusion to the long-running series known as “Star Trek”.

It originally started off in 1966 with three main characters:  Capt. James T. Kirk, First Officer Mr. Spock and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.  [William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley.]  They were the backbone of “Star Trek” and probably why none of the subsequent spinoffs could match them.  The last film with any of the original characters was “Star Trek – Generations”.  That’s where “765874 Unification” begins and ends.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

Kathy O’Dare (1957-2010)

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Kathy O’Dare with co-star Ron Howard from “Happy Days”

We often hear of the stars who made it, but not of the ones who don’t.  In the sad case of Kathy O’Dare, she’s on the nearly-made-it list.  Directors Gary Marshall and Richard Donner predicted she would be a big star.

Kathy’s career peaked in 1974 when she co-starred with Ron Howard on the pilot episode of “Happy Days”.  In Episode 1 titled “Going All the Way”, O’Dare is Mary Lou Mulligan, Richie Cunningham’s first girlfriend.  She was proposed at becoming a series regular.  This idea was dropped in favor of Richie’s friendships with Potsie, Ralph Malph and the Fonz.

After being dumped by ABC, Kathy moved on to guest roles on “The Brady Bunch”, “Kojak” and “Bronk”.  Film credits include “Eat My Dust”, “Texas Detour” and the ironically titled “The Greatest Thing that Almost Happened”.

Her downfall.  In 1975, Kathy O’Dare was raped by two strange men while on vacation in Hawaii.  Soon after, she suffered from a nervous breakdown.  She was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Kathy was still able to finish college with an AA degree.  Unfortunately, her mental illness continued and she spent the rest of her life in and out of mental hospitals and halfway houses.

Kathy O’Dare committed suicide in 2010.

Kathy’s story is told in the biography “Is Everybody Happy? – The Untold Story of Kathy O’Dare” by her brother David D’Orazi.

Is Everybody Happy? The Untold Story of Kathy O'Dare — Flintridge Bookstore

Text © 2024 – ERN

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

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EricReports doesn’t often recommend any new films because there aren’t any worth seeing; however, “Super/Man:  The Christopher Reeve Story” is an exception.  It is a documentary of how the actor most famously known as Superman became another type of hero when combating his paralysis.

Sadly, Brooke Ellison (1978-2024) makes her final appearance in this film.  Reeve would direct “The Brooke Ellison Story” (2004) shortly before his death.

Films are made of moments.  For me, it’s Chris Reeve’s dog who accompanies him in his wheelchair along a narrow path.

Text © 2024 – ERN

Shelley Duvall Dead

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Actress Shelley Duvall has died from complications of diabetes at the age of 75.

Shelley Duvall in “The Shining” (1980)

Young Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall would win “Best Actress” award from the Cannes Film Festival for “3 Women” (1977.)

“3 Women” with Sissy Spacek

As Olive Oyl in “Popeye” (1980) with Robin Williams

Brewster McCloud (1970)

“Annie Hall” (1977)

“Thieves like Us” (1974)

“Nashville” (1975)

Faerie Tale Theatre (1982)

“Rapunzel” (1983)

“Frankenweenie” (1984)

Final Role: “The Forest Hills” (2023)

Rod Steiger

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Back in the 1960’s, Rod Steiger was considered one of the top actors in Hollywood.  He would receive an Academy Award for Best Actor for “In the Heat of the Night” (1967.)  But for me, that wasn’t his best performance.  Steiger would also be nominated for “On the Waterfront” (1954) and “The Pawnbroker” (1965).

When you watch the taxicab scene from “On the Waterfront”, watch Rod Steiger.  He is told by his brother Terry Malloy (Brando) how his own brother sold him out.  The look, the reaction.  He knows every word of it is true and it destroys him.

In “The Pawnbroker”, Steiger is Sol Nazerman, a survivor of the Holocaust.  He is an empty shell of a man.  Others try to reach him, but he’s untouchable.  There are many outstanding scenes.  For me, the best is when he’s asked “Why are your people so good at business?”

Lee Marvin would somehow win the Oscar for “Cat Ballou”, a comedy-western.  Proof positive the Academy is insane.

After winning an Oscar in 1968, Rod Steiger could pretty much pick and choose any role he wanted.  His next three films:  “No Way to Treat a Lady”, “The Sergeant” and “The Illustrated Man” were chancy, gutsy performances.

In “No Way to Treat a Lady”, Rod plays a psychopathic strangler who kills old ladies that remind him of his mother.  It’s a superb thriller except for the cop-out ending.  Based on a novel by William Goldman.

Rod Steiger as Christopher Gill in “No Way to Treat a Lady”

“The Sergeant” chronicles how Steiger (as Master Sergeant Albert Callan) tries to take over a young man’s life. (John Phillip Law as Pvt. Swanson.)   A closeted homosexual, his character weeps, tries to kiss the object of his affection and then says, “I didn’t do that.”   Critics trashed the movie, but few actors would have the guts to play it back in the 1960’s.

Tagline: “Just one weakness . . . just one.”

“The Illustrated Man” is an anthology held together by the lead character (Steiger as Carl) who tells his story to a young drifter (Robert Drivas as Willie.)  Claire Bloom (then Steiger’s wife) is the mysterious women named Felicia who goes “Back into the future”.    As Carl says, “She went back into her house and took the whole blessed thing with her.”

Ray Bradbury Week: The Illustrated ManThe Illustrated Man (1969)

Carl’s stories are told through his tattoos (“Skin illustrations”, he insists.)  The plot eludes to reincarnation.  The same characters reappear through our life, over and over again.

The Illustrated Man (1969)

“The Illustrated Man” is a flawed, but fascinating film, noteworthy for its score (Jerry Goldsmith) and a dog Carl carries around in a bag.  (Pogo as “Peke”.)

Rod Steiger’s career would take a nosedive with the box-office failure aptly titled “Waterloo” (1970.)  In ’71, he replaced Eli Wallach as Tuco in “Duck, You Sucker”.  (A semi-sequel to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – directed by Sergio Leone.  It flopped.  Like many actors, Rod Steiger suffered from clinical depression.  Being regarded as one of the world’s great actors, then seeing it crumble from a series of bad movies and a divorce from Claire Bloom was a shame.  He would make several comebacks in “The Amityville Horror” (1979) and “The Specialist” (1994.)

Rod Steiger (1925-2002.)  Died from complications from the removal of a gallbladder tumor.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

They All Laughed

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They All Laughed (1981) - Posters — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Director Peter Bogdanovich’s “comedy” has become primarily known as the third and last film Dorothy Stratten appeared in.  1980’s Playmate of the Year was killed by a shotgun blast to the face by her husband/manager Paul Snider, who then killed himself.  Bogdanovich, the survivor of the lover’s triangle was left alone to edit his film.

Backstory.  “They All Laughed” was written for Audrey Hepburn by the director himself and meant to be a throwback to the screwball comedies of yesteryear.

Earlier in 1979, after meeting and falling in love with Miss Stratten, Peter would rewrite the script, making her character central to the two stories happening simultaneously.   (Audrey Hepburn and Ben Gazzara’s roles were shortened to make room for the Dorothy Stratten-John Ritter story.)

PLOT.  Three detectives, (Ben Gazarra as John Russo, John Ritter as Charles Rutledge and Blane Novak as Arthur Brodsky) investigate two seperate cases.  Russo is hired to find out if Audrey Hepburn’s character (Angela Niotes) is having an affair.  Rutledge is investigating Stratten’s character Dolores Martin.

What Works, What Doesn’t

It’s always good to see Audrey Hepburn again.

They All Laughed (1981) - MUBI

Ben Gazzara with Audrey Hepburn

This would be one her last film roles.  It’s too bad she doesn’t have much to do, except play off a morose Ben Gazarra, who was going through a divorce at the time.  [A year earlier, they had their own affair while filming “Bloodline” (1979).]

Bloodline (1979)

Dorothy Stratten has an undeniable screen presence.

Dorothy Stratten

Whether she can act or not is beside the point:   she is playing herself.  Besides stunning good looks, she knew how to move and that is not a little thing.  Graceful, tall, lean and voluptuous, Bogdannovich artfully uses her to her best effect.  It’s unfortunate others used her for their own ends.

John Ritter’s comedic timing is perfect for the film.

with John Ritter

His scenes with Stratten and Coleen Camp (as C & W singer Christy Miller) are the highpoints.  The standout, laugh-out-loud moments are the rolling rink sequence with Dorothy –

and the “touch assist” massage he gets from Coleen Camp.

John Ritter with Coleen Camp

As comedies go, “They All Laugh” is unusually long and complicated.  It may take several viewing for the average viewer to figure it out.

For Dorothy’s fans, it’s a must.  She would never be more gorgeous and like a flower be cut down in her prime.

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Text © 2024 – EricReports

Elvis Suicide (Part IV)

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Elvis ex-wife Priscilla and his half-brother Rick Stanley have either said or implied that Elvis Presley killed himself with a deliberate drug overdose.  Their theory goes that Elvis saved up his medications (known as “attacks”) and then took them all at once.  Is there a hole in this theory?  Possibly.

Elvis and Ginger Alden (1977)

Elvis’s girlfriend Ginger Alden was sleeping in the next room.  Wouldn’t she save him if awakened?  (Except, she didn’t.)

Additionally, I don’t believe Elvis would want to die by a toilet or commit suicide with his daughter Lisa Marie in the house.

The Turning Point – 1976

Col. Tom Parker and Elvis argued over the amount of money he way paying his new backup group named *****.  Parker said they weren’t worth $100,000, only $50,000.  “El” said he would pay them whatever he wanted.  In truth, ***** was being paid extra for supplying the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” cocaine.  Elvis’s bodyguard Red West attacked a member of the group, saying he would break one of his bones for each drug transaction he made in the future.  Soon after, Red was reprimanded by his boss Elvis in front of Sonny West.  After a long discussion, Elvis finally told Red, “I need it, man.  I need it.”

Written by his bodyguards shortly after they were fired.

August 1, 1977.  The scandal book “Elvis – What Happened?” had been released, detailing the years of drug abuse.  The “King” had plans to deny all by writing his own book and by marrying Ginger.  Unfortunately, his appearance in “Elvis in Concert” only proved what the book was saying:  that his life had become a train wreck.

Elvis 1977

In my opinion, the drugs taken on Aug. 15-16 1977, had a culminative effect.  The steady buildup of nearly a dozen drugs (Codeine, Quaaludes) built up in Elvis’s system, causing a fatal reaction.  Did he plan it that way?  I don’t see proof.  Like most addicts, “El” was in denial and thought he had it under control.  It was only a matter of time before it killed him.

Text © 2024 – ERN

The Crow Aftermath

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Haunted Lake View Cemetery Seattle | hubpages

Following Brandon Lee’s sudden death, the filmmakers originally did not want to complete “The Crow”.

Shortly before his death, Brandon Lee would do his last interview contained on home video.

$18 million had already been p0ured into the troubled production.  To the press, it was told the movie would be finished because “Brandon would have wanted it that way.”  In reality, it was done because too much money had been invested.

Completion

Eight days remained on the shooting schedule.  Most of what was missing was Brandon Lee’s portrayal of Eric Draven BEFORE his character was killed.  Fortunately, enough of the backstory was filmed for it to make sense.  Director Alex Proyas would cut this down t0 a series of montages.  The role of Shelly Webster (played by Sofia Shinas) would be reduced.

Consequently, “The Crow” would be mostly about the returned-to-life avenger and not the indie rock star and front-man for the band called “Hangman’s Joke”.

Digital and CGI effects were in their infancy back in 1993.  Nevertheless, through clever editing, rotoscopes, doubling and CGI, what wasn’t filmed with Lee was done with the art of special effects.

The cast and crew had mixed feelings about finishing “The Crow” without Brandon.  A few of the crew quit.  The Lee family decided it was the right thing to do, so the public would get to see him in his star-making role.

The studio that was signed on to distribute it – Paramount – backed out.  The up-and-coming Miramax (headed by Bob and Harvey Weinstein) saw its potential.  “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” said Harvey Weinstein.  “The Crow” would be released on May 13, 1994, reaching #1 at the box office.

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The soundtrack album would achieve similar success.

Actress Rochelle Davis (Sarah) asked if an hour and a half movie was worth someone’s life.

Rochelle Davis as Sarah in “The Crow”

On the VHS version of “The Crow”, Brandon Lee’s said without equivocation that he would do the same thing as Eric Draven . . . This kind of violence was justified.  It would be cut from the Blu Ray edition.

“The Crow” and its sequels.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

The Crow – The Ultimate Snuff Film

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Brandon Lee - The Crow movie poster - 11x17 Trendy Movie Posters - Picture 1 of 7

On March 30, 1993, actor Brandon Lee was fatally shot on the set of “The Crow”.   After a great deal of controversy, the film was completed with a body double and digital effects.  Upon its 1994 release, it received praise, especially for Lee’s final performance.

Brandon Lee starred in “The Crow” (1994) – his last film.

What Went Wrong?

Over the years, numerous conspiracy theories have developed.  EricReports.com leaves nothing off the table.  Let us deal with the facts of evidence.

MISTAKE #1

A box of live ammo was brought on set to be used as a prop.

While this ammo was removed and placed in a car, crew members were aware of its existence.

MISTAKE #2

Live ammo was used to make homemade blank cartridges.  

For a 2nd unit scene, blanks were needed for a closeup of a gun firing.  The same aforementioned crew members retrieved this live ammunition and made their own blank cartridges by screwing off the tip of the bullet and tapping out the primer (gunpowder.)  Residue of the gunpowder was left over, enough for the tip of the bullet to be ejected into the barrel of the gun when it was fired.  No one was injured yet, but the bullet’s tip was left behind in the barrel.

MISTAKE #3

No gun expert (armorer) was used for the fatal scene.

While “The Crow” used armorers for earlier sequences that contained semi and fully automatic weaponry, none was used for the .44 caliber revolver.  This was done to save money.

MISTAKE #4

A prop-master was used instead of a gun expert.

The prop-master in question was young and inexperienced.  Two weeks would go by before the fatal scene with Brandon Lee.  In that time, the gun had not been checked or cleaned.

MISTAKE #5

Michael Massee, the actor who fired the gun at Brandon Lee, wasn’t told to point it away from Lee.

Michael Massee

Cost-cutting measures, inexperienced crew members, 18-hour work shifts and constant pressure to finish the movie in eight weeks, led to an unsafe set where somebody was bound to get hurt or killed . . . and that’s exactly what happened.

Actress Sofia Shinas, who played Lee’s fiancée Shelley, stated that she had a premonition someone would be hurt during filming.  She just didn’t know who.

Sofia Shinas

THE LAST SCENE

Brandon Lee (as Eric Draven) enters through an apartment doorway holding a bag of groceries.  Inside, his fiancée Shelley (Sofia Shinas) is being attacked by a gang of thugs.  Funboy (Michael Massee) wildly swings his arm in the direction of Lee, firing the .44 Magnum.

The scene continued on until its conclusion.  Those who witnessed it believed Lee was acting when he fell down.  But, a witness said they heard him say “Cut” and make a hand gesture to stop the scene.  Afterwards, he never regained consciousness.  Lee would die on set, then be revived by a medic performing CPR and an emergency tracheotomy.

Rushed to the hospital, Brandon Lee would die on the operating table early the next morning.  The .44 Magnum tip would be found at the base of his spine.  By the time Lee’s mother and sister arrived he was already dead.

Eliza Hutton and Brandon Lee were engaged to be married the following month.

Officially, the last scene was examined by police and then destroyed.  (If that is true.)

The film company Carolco was fined for carelessness.  Lee’s family received an out-of-court settlement.

It was decided to complete the film: “In honor of the memory of Brandon Lee.”

ALTERNATE THEORIES

Before filming, threats were made by anonymous sources not to make this movie.

Brandon Lee had planned to investigate what really caused the death of his father, Bruce Lee, who died in 1973, from an allergic reaction to Equagesic.  Bruce Lee’s last incomplete film “Game of Death” contains a scene where his character is shot on set.

From “Game of Death”

The Beautiful Dark Of Life Lyrics - Atreyu | LyricsminVector All-seeing Eye, Eye in the Sky with Light Ray, Symbol of the Masons, Illuminati ...

The Illuminati is an upper echelon that secretly controls government and business with ties to Satanism.  (Blood sacrifice.)  Often times, their crime is hidden in plain sight.  How much more obvious can it be made to kill your victim on camera, on film, with everybody watching?

Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee – Like father, like son

Family Curse.  Because Bruce Lee taught the martial arts to non-Asians, the Chinese triad placed a curse on the Lee family.  Bruce Lee would die under mysterious circumstances at the age of 32.  Son Brandon would die of a gunshot wound – age 28.

CONCLUSION

Since then, “The Crow” has continued to make money with sequels, a TV series and on home video.  A 4K release is coming this year.

Brandon Lee comments in the “Extras” section of “The Crow”.  “We do not know when we will die.  How many times will we experience a certain event – an event that helped shape our lives?”

Those who were on set said Brandon was having the time of his life before he died and believed “The Crow” would be a new beginning for him.  In a way, it was.

Durge 1988 - YouTube

Text © 2024 – EricReports

Oscar Predictions

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Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer stands in front of the ignited "Gadget" nuclear bomb.

Best Picture – Oppenheimer

Best Actor  – Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer

Best Actress – Emma Stone – Poor Things

Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey, Jr. – Oppenheimer

Best Supporting Actress – Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers

Best Director -Chris Nolan – Oppenheimer

Best Song from “Barbie” – “What was I made for?” (Sung by Billie Elish)

Oscars – Past & Present

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Oscar The Oscars GIF - Oscar The Oscars Oscar Winner - Discover & Share GIFs

In recent years, the Academy Awards (nicknamed “Oscars”) have become increasingly irrelevant.  New rules of “woke-ism” have been created to ensure that the “right” films win.  Who is the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences to tell me a movie is better because it agrees with their ideology?

In the past, the show was more watchable, had more “movie stars” and seemed more important.  There have also been some good choices.  Examples, below…

Sandy Dennis for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966)

Peter Finch for “Network” (1976)

Timothy Hutton for “Ordinary People” (1980)

George C. Scott for “Patton” (1970)

Charlton Heston for “Ben-Hur” (1959)

Cliff Robertson for “Charly” (1968)

Liza Minnelli for Cabaret (1972)

Eileen Heckart for “Butterflies are Free” (1973)

Poor Choices and those who should have won…

1965’s Oscar winner for Best Actor: Lee Marvin for “Cat Ballou”

Probably the best example of Oscar’s hugest blunders would be in 1965.  Lee Marvin won that year for “Cat Ballou”, a “comedy” western.   For me, it should have been either Rod Steiger for “The Pawnbroker” or Richard Burton for “The Spy Who Came In from the Cold”.

Rod Steiger for “The Pawnbroker”

Richard Burton for “The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

Goldie Hawn won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for “Cactus Flower” (1969)

The better choice that year was Catherine Burns for “Last Summer” (1969)

Glenda Jackson won “Best Actress” twice  for “Women in Love” (1970) and “A Touch of Class” (1973)

Carrie Snodgress should’ve won for “Diary of a Mad Housewife” (1970)

Ellen Burstyn should have won for “The Exorcist” (1973)

Paul Scofield in

Paul Scofield won Best Actor for “A Man for All Seasons” (1966)

Richard Burton should have won for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966)

Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor for “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979)

Peter Sellers should’ve won for “Being There: (1979)

Diane Keaton won for a Best Actress Oscar for “Annie Hall” when she should have won for….

“Looking for Mr. Goodbar” (1977)

Cloris Leachman won Best Supporting Actress for “The Last Picture Show” (1971)

The better choice: Ann-Margret for “Carnal Knowledge” (1971) or…

Barbara Harris for “Who is Harry Kellerman and why is he saying those terrible things about me?” (1971)

Jack Lemmon won Best Actor for “Save the Tiger” in 1973.

Marlon Brando should have won for “Last Tango in Paris” (1973)

Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor (again) for “Rain Man” (1988)

The Oscar should’ve gone to Jeremy Irons for “Dead Ringers” (1988)

What about those performances that weren’t even nominated?

Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall for “The Shining” (1980)

Dustin Hoffman and Susan George for “Straw Dogs” (1971)

Malcolm McDowell for “A Clockwork Orange” (1971)

Mia Farrow for “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)

Genevieve Bujold | Geneviève bujold, Classic film stars, Old movie stars

Genevieve Bujold for “Obsession” (1976)

John Wayne for “The Shootist” (1976)

2024 prediction:  the big winner for this year’s Oscars will be “Oppenheimer” (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor.)

Hilarious Cartoon Shows HARD TRUTH About Evolution of Oscars

Text © 2024 – EricReports

2023 – A Sucky Year

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Israeli Leader Vows to Intensify Gaza Attacks on Hamas - The New York Times

 

In Pictures: Palestinian solidarity rallies around the world | Israel-Palestine conflict News ...

Lead story of the year:  October 7.  “Palestinian” savages invade Israel, killing 1400+.  The progressive left go insane and side with Hamas.

Hawaii volcano: Man hit by lava in first serious Kilauea injury - BBC News

Hawaii burns – Government sleeps.

The IRS May Reschedule the Death of the US Dollar - Humans Are Free

Economy goes six feet under.

Matthew Perry Seen Relaxing In Jacuzzi In Last Insta Post Before Death

Matthew Perry found drowned in his hot tub.

Lisa Marie Presley Gets Dramatic With Cape Dress at Golden Globes 2023 – Footwear News

Lisa Marie Presley dies from a colon obstruction.

Cartoon Offers Hilarious and Never Before Seen Insider's Tour of Joe Biden's Brain

Biden’s continual mental decline.

How To Watch 'Sound Of Freedom' (2023) Free Online Streaming Here's Where

“Sound of Freedom” surprise summer hit offends the left who, I guess, support sex trafficking.

Donald Trump speaks with IOC chief to voice support for 2024 Los Angeles bid

Trump leads polls to win in 2024, despite being indicted.

Hunter Biden's Flirty Text Messages With Chinese-American Assistant Leaked

Hunter Biden text implicated fake Pres. Biden in bribery.

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch, Hollywood’s last sex symbol, dies.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

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Many are aware of and most of you have heard of this movie.  Elvis teams up with Ann-Margret, reigniting his stagnating film career.  The two of them would have an affair that nearly ended his engagement with teen-queen Priscilla Beaulieu.

“Viva Las Vegas” is part of the big four including Jailhouse Rock, King Creole and Blue Hawaii, the biggest of the thirty-one motion pictures (not including the two documentaries) Elvis made.

The AFTERMATH of VIVA LAS VEGAS – What Went Wrong?

Col. Tom Parker wasn’t happy about sex-pot Ann-Margret stealing the spotlight from “his boy”.  From here on, Elvis would be teamed with unknowns, has-beens, B-movie and TV actors.

Additionally, Parker thought the movie cost too much money.   Following this, budgets would be cut.  The movie that followed, “Kissin’ Cousins” was shot in a few weeks and looks like an episode of “Hee-Haw”.

https://youtu.be/3cj8vKae4Wk

Ann-Margret hinted in an interview that marriage with the King was a possibility.  This set Elvis off.  He believed a man decides when and if a marriage takes place.  Also, Elvis thought marriage to another celebrity would end in divorce, not realizing that his future blushing bride would soon want to be a celebrity on her own.

“Viva Las Vegas” was a big hit.  It also marked the end of what could have been.

Movie Review: Viva Las Vegas — The Sports Chief

Text © 2023 – EricReports

 

Priscilla (2023)

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“Priscilla” is based on “Elvis and Me”, Priscilla Presley’s version of her life with Elvis.  

Q.  WOULD LISA MARIE PRESLEY HAVE APPROVED OF “PRISCILLA”?   SHE WOULD READ THE SCREENPLAY FIVE MONTHS BEFORE HER DEATH.  HER COMMENT TO DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER SOFIA COPPOLA IN THE CAPTION BELOW.

A. “MY FATHER COMES OFF AS A PREDATOR AND MANIPULATIVE.  I READ THIS AND SEE YOUR SHOCKING VENGEFUL AND CONTEMPTUOUS PERSPECTIVE AND I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY.”

Executive Producer of Priscilla is Elvis’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley

Writer/director Sofia Coppola

REVIEW.  (CONTAINS SPOILERS)  The first third of Priscilla is the part that works.  Director/screenwriter Sofia Coppola captures the time, the place and the characters.  She has the eye and is keen on detail.

1959.  Elvis, soon after the death of his mother, meets Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany while in the Army.  The wound left open by his mother’s passing leaves him open and vulnerable.  He sees in Priscilla (believe it or not), a new mother figure – someone he can cast all his pain and sorrow.

Cailee Spaeny Receives Golden Globe Nomination for Best Dramatic ...

Actress Cailey Spaeny as Priscilla is the film.  Jacob Elordi has the look of Elvis and is able to carry it off in the beginning.  But, this is Priscilla’s story and is Elvis is forced to take a back seat.  There is very little of him singing.  What we have here is a more personal story.

Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla

In 1961, Elvis talks Priscilla’s parents into her letting her come live with him in Graceland.  This will be her new home until their separation in 1972.

Priscilla begins to falter by making Elvis too downbeat and gloomy.  Yes, that was a side to him.  Why is he always like that?  Those who knew him called him fun-loving, always laughing, someone who played practical jokes.  Elordi’s Elvis should have been a mortician.

Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley

Priscilla’s “Elvis” studies philosophy and refuses to have sex with her.  All of this is true.  Elvis was old fashioned at heart and wants his bride to remain a virgin and so she did until their marriage in 1967.  Nine months to the day after, Lisa Marie is born.

Here we come to the final third, where the relationship begins to fray.  It should be made clear – both cheated on each other.  But Priscilla focuses on Elvis’s infidelity.

Following Lisa Marie’s birth, Elvis expected Priscilla to be a stay-at-home mom while he went on tour.  That was not the life she wanted.  Peculiarly, Elvis imparts another rule – that he doesn’t like having sex with a woman who has had children.  Where does that leave Priscilla?

The film barely touches on her affair with Mike Stone, her karate instructor.  This affair began in 1970.  Elvis remained ignorant of it until one of his bodyguards told him after their separation.

December 1971.  Priscilla tells Elvis she doesn’t love him anymore.  And it is over.

Dolly’s Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” ends the film:  a song submitted to Elvis back in 1975.  It would fall through because Dolly wouldn’t give up the copyright to Col. Tom Parker.

The film’s strongest points are the direction (Sofia Coppola is a favorite of mine) and the cinematography by Phillippe Le Sourd.  It has that glossy sheen.  There are many beautiful camera shots.

Weaker points:  Elvis isn’t always portrayed in a good light.  His fans may not like this film.  Feminists will argue that – in the end – his wife was right to leave him.  Others will argue that Elvis gave her everything and that she betrayed him.

It would have been interesting to show that final year – 1977.  Elvis and Priscilla still maintained a relationship.  The last thing he said (not in the movie) was that they’d reunite in another place and in another time.

Text © 2023 – EricReports

Who was Mr. Delicious?

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Mr. Delicious was the spokesman for “Rak” Restaurants, a food chain that resembled Arby’s and Wendy’s.   Contrary to popular belief, the Mr. Delicious ads had nothing to do with the demise of “Rak”.   “Rak” was acquired by “Hardee’s”, which planned to convert them, but through various attempted acquisitions  (even Wendy’s), “Rax” filed for bankruptcy.  There are still a half-a-dozen “Rax” restaurants left, mostly in Ohio.

Illuminati Sacrifice – Matthew Perry

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Matthew Perry’s sudden and unexplained drowning in a hot tub has raised questions among his fans, although the MSM-Illuminati has chalked it up to just another celebrity who died.

What doesn’t add up?

Police immediately declare “no foul play”.  When a millionaire dies (alone?) in his hot tub for no good reason, there is reason to investigate.  Perry conveniently sent his assistant away for a few hours leaving a window of opportunity open for murder.  At first, Perry is declared “unresponsive”.  “No drugs involved.”  Now, prescription drugs were found.

On “Friends”, there has been dialog found:  the first is the character of Monica calling Chandler (Perry), “a drowning moron.”

Another, where Chandler (Perry) said, “Am I the first to die?”

Text © 2023 – ERN