Instant_Palmer Reviews

Bank of Dave (2023)

David v Goliath Feel-Good True Story Brit Style

[8/10 · 19 December 2023]

Engaging and endearing story of the man who chartered the first new bank in Great Britain in over 350 years. Take out greed, the need for Government bail outs, and the stuffy long-time privileged insider aspect of British banks, and add in a local business leader's mission to start a non-profit bank to help his local community economy thrive, and you have a great feel-good story to off-set at least a bit of the negative image for which banks have earned for years.

Never pretends to be something it isn't, just an example of good intentions brought to fruition by some good people. Nice Holiday surprise that maintains a light touch, and avoids manipulative cliche' movie touches too often applied in some films.

👍👍

Unfinished Business (I) (2015)

Engaging Off-Beat Feel Good Comedy

[7/10 · 6 December 2023]

Unfinished Business starts off as an underdog David v. Goliath story, but takes roads less traveled. Along the way, protagonist family back-fill gives more depth to the story, smartly avoiding typical movie cliches. This is where one gets more involved, and things get more interesting with added atypical story diversions.

Humor underlines the entire film, with a few laugh out loud moments one would expect with the three main actors headlined by Vince Vaughn.

The ensemble cast members are exceptional in their subtle characterizations. Unique notable performances abound by the featured and day player actors, each contributing top shelf performances when in frame (one also when not in frame actually but that reference will make sense once you see the film).

Just an aside this is not a film for youngsters to watch. R rated material sprinkled in several scenes and overall this film is targeted towards middle-aged audiences. Refreshing but still provides some lower brow schtick humor moments too.

The unique blend of events and side roads this story takes is one if its endearing qualities. It IS a feel good film too, so enjoy this subtly quirky ride - a business trip to remember of a man balancing his sincere desire to balance career family and starting a new business, while chasing a big "must-win" business deal with his eccentric ad hoc sales team in tow.

Enjoy!

👍

The Holdovers (2023)

Endearing, Intimate, and Poignant. Well-Written with Memorable Performances

[10/10 · 17 November 2023]

This film will be a front-runner in the Oscars. Giamatti, Sessa & Da'Vine Outstanding and should be nominated. Runaway winner as Best Film of 2013 regardless of Oscar outcomes, so do NOT miss this film.

One of Giamatti's finest performances - refreshingly understated - bravo Paul 👏. Deserves Best Actor in Leading Role 🙏.

In addition, Deerfield Academy student Dominic Sessa got this, his first movie role, via on campus auditions - an amazing discovery and performance that is worthy of Oscar attention.

Ensemble cast highly competent, including a spotlight supporting performance by Da'Vine Joy Randolph who is the favorite and most likely of the cast members to win an Oscar.

Period film circa 1970/71 set in the land of New England Prep Schools. Messaging positive and the film safe for adolescents and older. Covers a lot of emotional and psychological territory. Like to see this film come in with at least 4 awards nominations including one for the brilliant Screenplay by David Hemingson.

Highly recommended!

👍👍

Dumb Money (2023)

Entertaining, Witty, Well-Edited Fast-Paced Roller Coaster Ride.

[8/10 · 15 November 2023]

Front-runner for my "2024 Oscar Snub Award".

Adding insult are the number of Barbie Oscar noms.

Entertaining Fact Is Stranger Than Fiction Story. One of best films of the year. Well-written witty dialogue with memorable performances by highly capable actors. 'Dumb Money' is a clever, high energy roller coaster, and very entertaining David vs Wall Street Goliath film.

Anticipate multiple awards nominations including Best Director and Editing (EDIT: Another disappointing year for Academy voters who snubbed this film). The film is so well-paced that it seems too short at 1.75 hours. The ensemble cast delivered uniformly superior performances, especially Paul Dano who has put forth great performances in all his films. Bravo to the entire cast who brought the film in over the finish line with their highly capable acting and comedic skills! 👏👏

The awards season for releasing films is just starting, but this little film should hold up well against expected big competition. Stay tuned - it should be a memorable year in film!

Dumb Money - A must see film... (2023 Oscar Snub Award Winner🤷) 👍👍

Love & Other Drugs (2010)

Ensemble Cast Chemistry in a Daydream Love Story

[8/10 · 2 October 2023]

This film showcases great talent who deliver across the board excellent performances. Perhaps the lead actors are too pretty / handsome, but this film delivers the daydream romance we came to see, despite the ultimate tragic storyline that awaits the characters after the credits roll. Perhaps only a relatively short life lived to its fullest is not so tragic as each good day is magnified in importance and the little things that are often most important don't slip away unnoticed. That might be considered the underlining theme of this little gem, but regardless, if you are in the mood for a modern romance, this might be just the film for you. The film is subtle, portrays reasonably realistic scenarios (if you can buy into the two near physically perfect humans in the lead roles), and delivers the daydream-believer romance most have come to experience in this film. You won't be disappointed if that is what you came to see, as the film keeps things light enough to avoid over the top melodrama, but still sweet enough to satisfy what you came to watch. Underrated film.

No Hard Feelings (2023)

Surprising and Refreshing. Jennifer Lawrence Delivers

[7/10 · 19 July 2023]

Low key quirky Rom-Com/Friendship Coming of Age comedy with heart, and supported by excellent across the board performances. Nice summer sleeper film headlined by Jennifer Lawrence who delivers excellence once again.

Argument for Jennifer to get an award nod - She simply makes any film better by her presence, and her performance delivers. Yes, this film breaks the nudity-clause barrier for Jennifer, with a brief non-sexual scene integrated into the storyline, and takes that off her bucket-list.

Enjoyable, heart-felt, and sweet coming of age film, with a some funny scenes that prompt chuckles.

Highly recommended and one of the better films this summer to see.

👍

Sicario (2015)

Villeneuve's Best Film. Gritty, Stark, In Your Face & Head Thriller

[10/10 · 5 July 2023]

Sicario is a film one never forgets. Brutal horror of a Mexican drug cartel tracked down by a wily and savvy Intel Agency Contractor (Josh Brolin) with an American Cowboy my-way-or-highway playbook, two FBI agents (Emily Blunt and Daniel Kaluuya) about to get a first-hand indoctrination into the front-line multi-agency specialty-team of drug-lord hunters, and a mysterious Mexican subject-matter advisor (Benicio Del Toro) bent on delivering his version of justice and personal revenge set the stage for one Hell of a ride over the border - the brilliant subtlety of the scenes and editing serves only to magnify the plot and action.

Stunning Cinematography highlights the scenic beauty of the country besieged with the contradicting brutality of the Mexican drug trade in the "land of wolves". Eerie moody music and superior sound editing escalates the tension that builds throughout. Genius editing creates a droning non-stop flow of that tension, an essential element to the success of any thriller.

Sicario was compelling evidence in 2015 (one of the best and most competitive years of the new Millennium for film releases with 'Spotlight' and 'Bridge of Spies' also in the same year) that Denis was one of the industry's very best newly emerged Directors - one who was most-likely to put out future films on an epic Hall of Fame level. His 2016 film 'Arrival' was an interesting follow-up to Sicario, taking him into the sci-fi realm with an intelligent screenplay and once again moody cinematography and editing.

However, his 2017 film 'Blade Runner 2049' derailed his momentum with its often too-long droning scenes and lack of effective story-boarding, sending us a confusing message.

The 'Dune' trilogy is now Villeneuve's main focus, and its first episode not clearly indicating whether Sicario was Denis' crowning achievement or a taste of greatness that lay ahead in the remaining Dune entries. Dune 1 was hoped by many sci fi fans to be an all-time sci fi achievement in film, but in many ways disappointed, and was more like an extended trailer for the epic ("sets the stage" as Denis later stated). Dune's catch phrase at the end of Dune "It's only the beginning" may be an indication of much greater things ahead - Let's hope it is that, and not a warning.

For now at least (early July, 2023), Sicario is clearly Denis' best film - a MUST-SEE movie.

NOTE: The realistic and brutal violence of this film and situations are intense, and NOT appropriate for those under 16 (or those easily affected by such).

If one wonders why the USA puts forth so much effort in the War on Drugs on and over our Southern border, this film illuminates the rationale in clear stark light.

👍👍

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Power of Being a Boy Scout

[9/10 · 2 July 2023]

Good guys DO sometimes win... We would like to believe this is true all the time. In the story presented so ably by Spielberg and the Cohen Brothers, and as acted in the Lead by Tom Hanks in this film, we can feel good that Right has might, and good guys can and DO win.

2015 was an amazing year in American cinema - three of the finest films since 2000, 'A Bridge Of Spies', 'Spotlight', and 'Sicario' were released in the same year. Spotlight deserved its position as Best Film of the Year. But Bridge of Spies presented close competition - In terms of the "feel good" aspect, if there were an award for such, Bridge wins. The brilliant, gritty, and moody Sicario might be the best-ever film depicting the War on Drugs on and over our Southern border.

With parameters of Academy Awards now "conditional" upon social justice messaging in 2023, a year like 2015 may be one of the last in the foreseeable future, where films shall be judged solely upon its art excellence by the Academy, something I didn't think ever necessary, as the freedom of speech and free choice has always been innately present in film art - does it really need oversight? Kind of defeats the ideals inherent in art imo.

Regardless, Bridge is fabulous, one of Spielberg's best films, Hanks knocking it over the Berlin Wall and spellbinding acting by Mark Rylance who deserved his Supporting Actor statuette.

HIGHLY recommended viewing!

👍👍

The Breakfast Club (1985)

John Hughes Portrayed Teens With More Depth Than Hollywood At Large

[8/10 · 25 June 2023]

John Hughes' Golden Age - Breakfast Club a solid warm up to his greatest film one year later, "Ferris Bueller..."

Hughes didn't portray teens with the usual shallow Hollywood treatment.

'The Breakfast Club' strikes a chord with a wide audience. It's not Shakespeare, nonetheless, themes of individual search for self realization, self-esteem, pressure of achievement, class stigmas, bullying, peer pressure, authority rebellion, social rebellion, contradictions of adult behavior and teen behavior, fear of being like one's parents, and the general adolescent challenges of growing up all touched upon.

Add in the need for acceptance by parents and peers, random confusion about everything, and mix with impulsive venting exhibited in various forms, and the Breakfast Club is inevitable.

Adolescence is never easy. Sometimes seems no one understands. Everything is magnified 10X, especially angst, trauma and drama.

A lot of territory covered in 92 minutes.

This is a must-see film and along with Ferris and Home Alone...one of Hughes' best films in his Golden Era period of the 1980s.

👍👍

Annie Hall (1977)

Defines Modern Romantic Comedy Genre. #4 Greatest Comedy Film 💯

[10/10 · 13 June 2023]

'Annie Hall' (1977) is the pinnacle of Woody Allen's own style of romantic comedy film-making that he refined starting with 'Play It Again Sam' five years earlier in 1972, picking up pacing and editing style cues from that film's Director Herb Ross, one of his many film making influences that included Ingmar Bergman.

Allen's most popular and endearing film, Annie Hall is a truly iconic 1970s film. At least partly autobiographical, the story integrates Allen's and Keaton's real-life off-screen love relationship (and individual neurosis) into the story. The connection with the audiences of that period was huge - Keaton's character styling even created a wildly popular fashion style "the Annie Hall Look".

Annie Hall is a "must-see" film, and sits on many Top 100 Greatest Films lists for good reason - it is Allen's greatest and most important film, #4 on my "Top 10 Greatest Comedy Films" list (1960-Present).

There is simply no comedy film Director/Screenwriter that does this narrated story telling form better in the comedy genre than Woody Allen. Frank Capra was witty and humorous, but Allen keeps the comedy on equal or greater ground than the drama (tied to complex relationships and personalities, focusing on the protagonist's inner angst).

Allen resides atop the genre he evolved and redefined for 5 decades, influencing film-makers/screen-writers like Judd Apatow, Charlie Kaufman, Wes Andersen, and the Coen Brothers, making Woody Allen one of the most influential and important film makers.

He also established the interstate highway for stand-up comics to make the jump to hyper-space of serious oscar-worthy acting, opening the flood gates for comics like Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Michael Keaton, and many others.

Must See - Highly Recommended

👍👍

Interstellar (2014)

Tedious, Sophomoric, Unrealistic Dialogue...Edit!

[2/10 · 14 April 2023]

Patronizing, Unrealistic Dialogue by so-called "Scientists" is little "science" and much more "fantasy" (with an attempt at being poetic).

Complete lack of self-discipline in editing making the film an hour too long. Every nuance in every frame shot is not critical...Cut/Edit the crap out of this film!

Waste of valuable movie viewing time.

Maybe if a 90 minute version came out, it MIGHT be passable, but plot line and dialogue integrity would still be in question.

Really hard to experience viewing the frequent moments when it's botched so badly - Could've been a contender, but Interstellar fails to deliver the type of epiphany moments done so much better (and in less than 30 minutes) in the 1950s by Rod Serling with his 'Twilight Zone' TV series.

Biggest Space-Fi Sci-Fi fail of all time. 💣

2010 (1984)

One of the Better Space-Fi Sequels - A Must-See After Seeing 2001

[7/10 · 13 April 2023]

Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' still stands as the the best Space-Fi film and one of the Top 100 Greatest Films Ever Made 💯. Peter Hyams' '2010' is not at that level of film art, but the Arthur C. Clarke's story from which this film was adapted is nonetheless a breathtaking sci-fi adventure, and wraps up the big picture and brings clarity to the original story.

Casting and acting are more than adequate, and direction keeps a focus on the logical thinking of scientists in mind throughout, giving scenes a decent level of credibility, letting the story itself create the tension and drama.

Highly recommended to see 2001: A Space Odyssey first ot you will be lost in space.

Greater (2016)

Just Because We Don't See The Point, Doesn't Mean There Isn't One

[8/10 · 11 April 2023]

Faith and trust are powerful fundamentals. #77's faith led to 18 scholarships given each year in his name since Brandon Burlsworth walked on as an over-weight "red shirt" freshman football player, and graduated All-American walking off three years later with a Masters degree from the University of Arkansas and an invite to the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts. Inspirational faith-based true story film well-portrayed by inspired and talented actors make this a worthwhile feel-good underdog story. Take a chance on this little gem, and have the tissue paper handy.

Two thumbs up and a recommendation to view 👍👍

Women Talking (2022)

Astonishing Film - Moving & Poetic. Flawless Ensemble Cast. Best Film of Year 💯

[10/10 · 13 March 2023]

The film that SHOULD have won the Oscar for Best Film. My 3rd Annual Oscar Snub Award goes to 'Women Talking'. This is the first Snub Award given to a film that was actually nominated (Best Film) and Won an Oscar (Adapted Screenplay). But the film is so far above the field, that once again, it begs to be asked "what were Academy voters thinking?" This is the only film in recent memory that I wanted to see twice in the same day. Every sentence of the screenplay is poetry - simply amazing work. Thankful the Academy recognized Polley's inspired and (again) poetic adaption of Miriam Toews' book.

The ensemble cast synergistically propelled each other to greater heights, and the performances are spell binding. Bravo ladies👏.

This film proves why more women should be directing. The film engrains itself in your soul and speaks to one's humanity. Most moving artistically written film in recent memory.

Without any reservation, two thumbs up for the MUST-SEE film. Immediately placed on my Top 100 Greatest Films list.💯. No other film this year is on that list.

👍👍

The Whale (2022)

Brendan Will Take Home the Oscar (barring a complete Academy melt-down in sensibility)

[8/10 · 23 February 2023]

Brendan Frasier delivers an All-In performance in 'The Whale'. It's HIGHLY likely to produce an Oscar and deservedly so.

The film is sad, sweet, tragic and thought-provoking, and the screenplay provides enough twists in the plot to keep one engaged throughout.

But let's not be delusional, this is Brendan's film, as he holds the spotlight from beginning to end - his performance is moving and unforgettable, and so OW* that NOT awarding him the Statuette would be one of the all-time worst Oscar-snubs by the Academy.

The only reason I even mention this is the recent history of such snubs over the past two years (Ben Affleck/Tender Bar, and Ralph Fiennes/The Dig). Brendan's nomination brings some comfort that the sensibility of voters has returned this year after a two-year Covid-fever lapse in judgement of not even nominating the aforementioned Actors and films (sorry, I just wanted to take one more shot at the Academy on those two mega-snubs 😉).

If you haven't seen the film, that is understandable as it has only recently became available for non-theatre viewing, and at the purchase price of $20 on Amazon Prime (even the wily Russian film-hacking sites don't yet have a copy...thankfully). Well worth the investment if you can afford it.

Two thumbs-up for The Whale and Brendan Fraser!

👍👍

*Oscar Worthy.

Devotion (II) (2022)

Starts Off With Cliches, But Rewards You to Stay With It

[7/10 · 5 February 2023]

Almost gave up on the film at the beginning with its corny dialogue, but once the movie gets rolling about 40% into film, the dialogue and story gets interesting. First third a 5... the rest an 8. Worthwhile watch.

Battle scenes above average, with fairly realistic CGI and those real vintage fighter planes a treat to watch fly.

I imagine the production had to recruit a lot of pilots capable of handling a Cosair which couldn't have been an easy task. Whomever they signed up were excellent.

Overall a classic neo noir type war film updated somewhat. Corny yes, but felt it was a worthy watch.

One thumb up!

👍

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

Brilliant and Endearing with a Heart for a Compass

[9/10 · 26 January 2023]

Came to the series late, but rewarding and a joy to view. Best comedy in years that connects to one's soul, with a light but deft touch. Season 2 episodes not quite up to the first year, but Season 3 brought back the mojo. Ensemble cast's synergistic rapport makes Ted Lasso work. Connection to all the diverse characters and their individual everyday life challenges is very high.

The show takes a few episodes to get rolling - once it does, the ride is well worth it.

Ted Lasso might just be the best-ever "feel good" series. It thrives on finding a way to remain fresh and never loses its heart or moral compass. It's weird and wonderful, and oh so British, with an American banana split for desert.

Bravo to the Greyhounds!

👍👍

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

A Pointless Bucket of Tedious Sophomoric Visual Metaphors

[5/10 · 30 December 2022]

The onslaught of Visual Metaphors gets old, and one is looking for the film to just get it over with and end. So disappointing - doesn't live up to expectations nor the hype. First half has some engaging moments, but it could have wrapped up scenes without "explaining" what we already knew. I don't need a primer to explain the content and themes of a film thank you very much.

This film could have been so much better, but it fails to rely upon the intricate visuals (so painstakingly laid out), deciding instead we needed "explanation" of the filmmakers' intent. Such a hedge essentially ruined this film - it is awkward and runs about 45 minutes too long because of it. Nice effort visually - my rating is frankly higher than I feel it should be, but the visuals were often witty, so...5.

Overall, I had to force myself to see entire film, and it was painful. I feel cheated out of "what could have been." Perhaps one Director would have made a difference. Don't know. Won't ever know. It's a self-indulgent mess. 💣

Mad Men: The Doorway, Part 1 (2013) Season 6, Episode 1

Angst driven Season 6 is the Apex of the Mad Men Series

[10/10 · 25 December 2022]

Season 6 starts off in beautiful Hawaii, but by the time the final episode of the season wraps, major changes have occurred in the Firm and every character. Such major changes in Don Draper's Universe means across the board angst on Mad Men, and some of the most interesting writing in the series seven-year run.

Tumultuous story lines based on conflict among the partners and staff (and their respective families, friends and lovers) permeates every episode. It's non-stop and tension builds in every episode.

Season 6 sets up the final season, but as always in Mad Men, the journey is a most interesting one. This is the Apex season in the Mad Men epic. Buckle-up and hold on.

The Martian (2015)

Best Space Science Fiction Movie - A Ridley Scott Masterpiece 💯

[10/10 · 13 December 2022]

Thank God Ridley Scott held the reigns on this project!

The result is there simply no better science fiction movie out there and that includes "2001..."

As usual, Scott paces 'The Martian' into the Goldilocks zone, keeping the pace brisk but not too fast.

Great film for tweeners and older kids with a Science is cool (for women and men) messaging without throwing it in your face.

The ensemble cast (headed by Jessica Chastain) delivers, and Damon is allowed to place his stamp on the lead role which requires largely carrying scenes by himself, with Scott interspersing efforts by his space and Earth teams keeping things moving and the audience informed at every step.

Sci-fi based on real science is rare in film. Another Ridley Scott masterpiece - He is simply one of the all-time greatest film directors, and The Martian one of his best. A must-see Top 100 All-Time Greatest Film.

👍👍

The Hunter (IV) (2011)

Dardy Little Film - Excellent On All Levels.

[8/10 · 13 November 2022]

Cool discovery 10 years after its original release in 2012.

Dafoe puts forth yet another amazing performance, and sits atop of my list of deserving actors without an Oscar.

The story is one of decisions and consequences, and avoids the cliche' "Hollywood" ending, bringing a life can be brutal and tragic theme to the film, salvaged by innate human kindness and an underlying responsibility for doing the right thing.

Seems longer than its 102 minutes and the film's pace is slow, but it keeps one's attention as each scene is well executed.

Interesting spin on the corporate conspiracy intrigue film and 🤙🤙.

The Sound of 007 (2022)

Nobody Does It Better

[8/10 · 8 October 2022]

John Barry wrote the most iconic music score in film history. Film and music have had an important integration that predates "talkies" when the only sound that came out were the musical scores played to fill the silence. Music sets the tone of films and amplifies the emotion of the scene, and has done so forever in movies. Try watching a film where the music score is eliminated and the difference is often startling.

No score is more identifiable than that composed and orchestrated by John Barry, who penned the immediately identifiable James Bond 007 theme. All one has to hear are the first handful of bass string electric guitar notes played to recognize it's the James Bond 007 movie theme. No other song is more connected to film.

'The Sound of 007" is the story behind how it all happened, and the amazing journey of artists and other composers, songs and performances involved over 60 YEARS!

Truly a worthwhile film to see, this is by a wide margin the best documentary on the subject, and a must-see for everyone interested in film and music arts.

👍👍

Blonde (2022)

Norma Jean Tragically Searching For Daddy & Hiding From Spector of Her Mother's Mental Illness

[8/10 · 29 September 2022]

Ana de Armas surely earns an Oscar nomination for her leading role in 'Blonde', delivering a spotlight performance of Marylin Monroe as we have never seen so deeply portrayed before in film. Exploited and abused by virtually everyone in her life, Marilyn's life rapidly erodes after aborting and losing all her pregnancies, being drugged into a stupor by doctors (such being ordered by directors and producers to complete films and keep her from career-interrupting motherhood), and essentially robbed of her self-identity, Norma Jean replaced by film's most infamously manufactured and manipulated sex fantasy kitten Marylin Monroe.

Paralleling Judy Garlands tragic life surrounded by manipulative and exploitive people; Marylin only made it to age 36 (Judy 47).

The surreal and ethereal nightmarish atmosphere of the final portion of film created by Dominik and Cinematographer Chayse Irvin mimics the final years of Marylin's life when drugs and alcohol blurred reality and soon took her life away forever.

The first truly Oscar worthy film of the year, Ana de Armas earns my vote for nomination as Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Andrew Dominik deserves the nod for Director, and Irvin has perhaps the best shot to take home a statuette for his hauntingly beautiful photography.

Whether they hold up thru the heart of Oscar season is too soon to say, but the Oscar games are now officially open, and Blonde is the leading the way.

Idiocracy (2006)

The Title Appropriately Describes This Unwatchable Mike Judge Production

[1/10 · 15 September 2022]

An idiotic embarrassment for everyone involved. THE worst Mike Judge creation, devoid of any wit and humor, makes this an unbearable mess to watch.

It looks as though it was scripted on the fly each day, with the writers painting themselves into a corner by the end of the day.

Judge likely just gave up early in production, and rushed it to completion in order to get it over with.

By far the worst film for the lead and featured actors, and the low point for Mike Judge.

How it ever got released is a mystery. It would have been better to have taken all the film outside and burned it, taking the loss and never releasing it.

UNWATCHABLE.

👎👎

Elvis (2022)

Elvis may have left the building, but Austin Butler is here to stay...

[8/10 · 17 August 2022]

'Elvis' jumps right into the story of Elvis Presley and his long time manager "Colonel Tom Parker," albeit doing so is a bit disjointed at first. It quickly settles in however, and uniquely tells the story of Elvis and Parker, building momentum and engagement throughout the rest of the film, peaking at the end. So many biopic films throw as much as possible upfront and slide through the remainder of the film. Elvis grabs you and just won't let go. Bravo! 👏.

Austin Butler puts it all on the line in the film with detailed meticulous research and preparation, and then immerses himself into the character, so much so that it is often hard to distinguish there is an actor performing despite only being "somewhat similar" in appearance to Elvis. Butler pulled it off doing a great job in acting and stage performances, even singing 'Baby, Let's Play House' in the film.

The rest of the songs entail excellent lip- syncing by Butler, which was a good decision imo, but Butler connected emotionally in his way to Elvis, giving us a glimpse of what might have been.

Moreover, Butler performed well enough overall to be counted as one of the greatest Elvis impersonators if one wants to take it to that level. It never looks like an impersonation - Butler found a way to just BE Elvis and connect the audience to him. THAT is what is most impressive.

The buy-in of Butler as Elvis occurs early-on in the film, and soon enough, one is engaged in seemingly watching Elvis as he might have really been - Not a deep dive into Elvis' emotions or thinking - just a glimpse at his career moves and affinity for his Memphis blues roots.

Stay with the film til credits roll because the final scene is Oscar worthy alone. That is Austin Butler lip-syncing 'Unchained Melody' in full make-up, prosthetics, and weight adding body suit. His Elvis smiling snarl made it hard to distinguish him from EP in that scene, which was truly the best ever take of Elvis by an actor or impersonator. Those WERE Elvis' vocals though - his final live performance before he truly left the building.

Tom Hanks did an admirable job as well, but this is Austin Butler's film no matter how much time Hanks gets in the film (which is a lot).

'Elvis' is a must-see film and will be surprised if multiple Award nominations aren't in store. Right now, it's a best film of the year, but the Holiday season and last minute entries for consideration usually bring the bulk of potential Oscar films. That being said, I cannot imagine anyone besting Austin Butler for an Oscar. His "nomination" at least is as close to a lock as it gets, and deserves recognition.

Like Elvis' rapid emergence, Butler's career will likely explode with great opportunities after this A+ performance.

Elvis may have left the building, but Austin Butler is here to stay for the foreseeable future.