“Do the Right Thing” pizzeria

from Mountain Democrat, Friday, July 1, 2022

World record holder?

HH 1/2 PG-13, 2 hours 39 minutes biography, Drama, Music Opens in theaters today

About 20 years ago a friend of mine at school wanted to show me Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge!” I’ve mentioned here previously that, even growing up in the theater, I’ve never really been taken by musicals. I was interested in her though, so I acquiesced to her request. After two hours of sensory overload she asked me what I thought. My response was immediate and to the point: “I think I need to watch it again. Right now.” It was huge, bombastic, joyful and glorious. It wasn’t a surprise it was nominated for best picture and I would place it among the best films of the 2000s. I loved it. More than 20 years later Mr. Luhrmann returns with another music-focused film, this time a biopic of “The King” himself.

“Elvis,” which follows the rock ‘n’ roll legend from his childhood in Tupelo, Miss., to his rise to stardom starting in Memphis, Tenn., and his conquering of Las Vegas, Nev., is a good movie — not a great one. I felt the performance of Austin Butler (“Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” “Yoga Hosers”) was exceptional. Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker, not so much. It’s not that Mr. Hanks doesn’t give it his all and deliver a solid performance (when does he not?), it’s just that Mr. Butler completely inhabits the role in the tradition of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles or Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash. It takes a special performance to become lost in such an iconic character. Hanks doesn’t make the performance his own as much as Butler does and, frankly, Hanks’ accent and make-up prosthetics do him little favors and they become a bit of a distraction. Col. Parker was indeed from the Netherlands and immigrated to America when he was 20, but his accent never sounded like portrayed, particularly in public or during interviews.

My other main gripe about the movie is its convenient way of leaving out important details about the rock ‘n’ roll legend. Not only do we never get the age of Priscilla when Elvis meets and falls in love with her, but she’s cast and the film is written in a manner that almost seems like she was in college. This was far from the truth. That, combined with questions the film asks about Col. Parker’s background and history that are never answered, leaves me scratching my head about what writers Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner were attempting to uncover with such a big mystery that they deemed not important enough to reveal.

Director Luhrmann is known for his quick cutting and fast-paced montages. They are on steroids here, going from one cluster of visual cues and transitions to the next, rarely taking the time to play a full song from beginning to end, instead using the melody method to dive in and out of Presley’s catalog with attention deficitlike subtlety. Sensory overload can be exhilarating but also exhausting in an almost threehour film.

Leading up to release I recall Baz Luhrman talking about a four-and-a-half hour cut of “Elvis.” I racked my brain wondering if there was anything Mr. Luhrman could tell in such a “Lawrence of Arabia”-length cut of the movie that he couldn’t tell in two-and-a-half. After watching the film, I am more apt to want to see that longer cut, as the entire runtime felt like something was missing.

The film is entertaining but seems a bit hollow in the emotional heft of Mr. Presley and his struggles, particularly later in life. Whereas the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” did a deep dive into Mr. Cash’s excessive infidelity and drug use, never shying away from his demons, “Elvis” seems to skim the surface of these similar issues. They don’t ignore them — they are present — but they seem to be pulled back just enough to make our hero seem as relatable and blameless to some of the bad decisions and darker sides of his life and career. Maybe because Graceland and Lisa Marie and Presley’s former wife, Priscilla, have made strong endorsements for the movie. It is a marketable product that is directly correlated to the money his estate makes, after all. Can’t go too far down that dark rabbit hole!

All in all, “Elvis” is a good (and often entertaining)

Joshua b. Porter

Democrat correspondent

movie. While it may seem a bit more surface-level than say, “Walk the Line,” the performance of Austin Butler and the songs that will have you tapping your foot the whole time are worth the price of admission alone. As always, the music is still the highlight.

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/ director/producer. His most recent project, the feature film “No Evidence OF Man,” is an official selection of the Madrid International Film Festival where it has been nominated for four awards. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat. net.

Miraflores Continued from B2

Brunch & Bubbles reservations are required for the 10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m. brunch. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery.com.

The first Pairings Lunches of the season, July 9 & 10, are also served on the vineyard terrace on Saturdays and Sundays with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Pairings 2022 combines a chef’s creativity with the beautifully crafted Miraflores wines. Diners will be able to talk to the chef du jour about the wine and food experience.

Chef Robb Venditti is preparing an Italian themed four-course meal. The first course is a gold beet carpaccio with strawberries, arugula, pistachio and golden balsamic paired with 2021 Miraflores Estate Barbera Rosé. Next is porcini arancini of spicy marinara, fresh herbs and Parmesan paired with 2017 Miraflores Estate Mourvèdre. Fettucine Bolognese with summer squash and peppers paired with 2019 Miraflores Estate Barbera is served next. The dessert is Robb’s tiramisu paired with NV Miraflores Angelica.

Focusing on local and seasonal freshness, with a new American approach to the classics of France, Italy, the Southwest and more, Venditti draws upon experience as both head and sous chef from renowned eateries such as Café Bernardo, Mulvaney’s B&L, Formoli’s Bistro and Pangaea Bier Café, as well as assisting with charitable events and education on food literacy and sustainability.

Again reservations are needed. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery.com. Miraflores Winery is located at 2120 Four Springs Trail in the Pleasant Valley area.