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Reviews
The Seven Ages of Elvis (2017)
Indictment of "Colonel" Tom Parker and the music industry in general
Despite seeing other docs and reading several books about Elvis, I actually learned some things from this one. But what I really took away from it is that no matter the background or the talent of an artist, the music industry is likely to chew them up and spit them out. The film makes is abundantly clear that most of Elvis' films and his long term gigs in Vegas were cash grabs that he wasn't happy or creatively fulfilled doing. "Colonel" Tom Parker's behavior when Elvis passed away is indicative of his complete disregard for Elvis as a person and it isn't difficult to see parallels in today's music industry. Though it exploited him, his music will live forever; this doc allows you to get to know him a little better.
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Keeps ya guessing for three solid hours
A bunch of Brits and one American are sent to rescue an Allied general in an isolated castle in Nazi Bavaria...Schloss Adler. It's essential to begin this film at the beginning, as it starts slow and builds throughout its running time into a very tense thriller but it won't make sense without the first few scenes. Great cast and cinematography with several twists and turns. Burton and Eastwood are an unlikely pair but it works out. The final scene is where Burton really shines; he gives an understated performance at all times with a minimum of scenery chewing, Quentin Tarantino definitely watched this a few times and paid tribute with Inglourious Basterds.
Boo! (2018)
Ingenious horror flick will scare you and make you think
"You believe in talking snakes, God, angels...but you don't believe me."
A family finds a "boo" on their front porch...a bag of candy with a goofy poem that seems like a joke. It exhorts the reader to copy it and pass the copy on...or else. The son, Caleb (Jaden Piner), insists it's a real curse, recounting stories of those who defied the instructions and met terrible ends, but the father, James (Rob Zabrecky), a stern and inflexibly religious man who has forbidden celebration of Halloween, brusquely dismisses his son, and burns the poem. Mom Elyse (Jill Marie Jones) tries to placate everyone, while teenaged daughter Morgan (Aurora Perrineau) treats the entire episode as a big joke.
This family is obviously dysfunctional: Caleb draws gory pictures, mutilates stuffed animals and dolls, and scratches out the eyes of comic book characters, while Elyse tranquilizes herself from a well-stocked medicine cabinet, Morgan is hostile to her parent, and James tries to control everyone with his fire and brimstone. On Halloween night, he's working at a bookstore, Elyse decides to go out drinking, and Morgan sneaks out to see her boyfriend Ash, leaving Caleb all alone in the house. And then things start to get weird, with each family member subject to their own terrifying demons.
Crisp direction by Luke Jaden and sharp dialogue by Jaden and Diane Michelle distinguish BOO! The film scares the daylights out of people. It messes with your mind, while the layers of meaning rewarding multiple viewings. Fish imagery is just one set of symbols. Judicious use of sound, both musical and effects, ups the scare factor considerably. Credit where it is due to the composer, Jon Natchez, whose score creates tension from the first notes.
Detroiters will recognize plenty of iconic locales, the famous John King Books being one of them, as the film is set and was made on location, with a mostly local cast and crew. That's part of the fun of BOO!
Moral of the story: if you get a "boo," don't take any chances...just pass it on.