Berkreviews Elvis (2022)
Elvis (2022) is everything you could expect from a Baz Lurhmann film and a musical biopic. The movie doesn’t really attempt to showcase Elvis Presley’s shortcomings but rather chooses to highlight his successes and the manipulation by his manager, Colonel James Parker (Tom Hanks). The performances from Hanks and Austin Butler in the titular role are both quite fantastic. I’ve never been a big fan of Elvis’s music, but I found quite a bit of joy in its use in the movie. The Baz Lurhmann of it all really made me enjoy the film earning it the Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy rating.
Berkreviews The Black Phone (2021)
Director Scott Derrickson, and his frequent writing collaborator, C. Robert Cargill, have created a compelling horror film with The Black Phone (2021). It has some major flaws and gaps in the storytelling and lore that the film alludes to, but it often dances around these issues. Fortunately, the performances of Ethan Hawk and the two lead children, Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, managed to make the film far too engaging to not enjoy the ride. While I’ve thought on the elements of the film since its viewing, I’ve come to be more irritated with some of the story decisions. However, I think as a theatrical horror film – and from the often lackluster Blumhouse catalog – this is definitely a win. The Black Phone earns the Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy rating.
Berkreviews Beavis and Butthead do the Universe (2022)
I grew up watching – and often blame the series and my youth for much of my immaturity that still permeates my life – Beavis and Butthead. It was a show that I knew I shouldn’t be watching, but my mom didn’t stop me…so I kept it on. I remember seeing Beavis and Butthead do America in theaters, and I was only a little bit excited when I heard that Paramount+ had a new movie where this time, the teens would be doing the Universe.
Fortunately, directors John Rice and Albert Calleros, and writers Mike Judge, Lewis Morton, Ian Maxtone-Graham, and GuyMaxtone-Graham managed to create quite the sequel (and possible reboot) for a future series with this film. Everything you remember about the two morons will be present in this film, and recycled jokes find new life in an updated setting. I’d long since convinced myself that I only liked Daria from the original Beavis and Butthead series, but I found a renewed appreciation for the friendship that the two boys share. I especially remembered how Beavis has shown a softer side and they explore that a little bit more in this film. Fans of the old series and movie will find a lot of joy in this one, and I think there is enough here to create a new generation of fans…whether for good or bad shall remain to be seen. Beavis and Butthead do the Universe (2022) earns the Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy rating.
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