The King – a new documentary about Elvis (sort of? I mean, not really, but kind of) – is a weird movie, a huge movie. Ambitious and gigantic. Hard to explain. It’s the kind of movie you talk to. You agree with one thought, disagree with one another, argue with the implications, accept others … nothing else quite like it.
A lot of people are really disliking this movie right now. And probably many Elvis fans will dislike it. Because of the inclusion of people who hate Elvis. But I think it just adds to the impact. The man has been dead 40 years and we’re still arguing about him.
Who is the musician (?) in your side photos? I keep thinking I know who it is, but cannot for the life of me come up with the answer.
Alex Chilton! First of The Box Tops, then of Big Star. :) A Memphis boy, of course.
YES!!!
That poster, with Elvis bestriding the highway …
“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.”
(I haven’t read Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar since I was 14, but this line – and image – has always stuck in my mind.)
hahahaha That quote really is so Elvis – or at least it’s the Elvis in this completely gigantic film. “The Searcher” (on HBO) I prefer – since it was interested in exploring the man and his influences – but this …
He doth bestride the narrow world. All roads lead to him, for good or ill!!