PopaHALLics #80 "Here Come the Kings"
We ponder pop mysteries, such as: What's with Tom Hanks' weird accent as Col. Parker in "Elvis"? Why does Tom Cruise personally thank moviegoers at the start of "Top Gun: Maverick"? (He's king of the box office, with more than $1.1 billion in ticket sales for "Maverick.") We also review streaming options "Loot," "The Old Man," "Candy," and public TV's "Seaside Hotel," with a bunch of Danish actors you've never heard of.
Theaters:
- "Elvis." Austin Butler is electrifying as the King in this highly stylized biopic from Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge," "The Great Gatsby"). That's Hanks under the fat suit and prosthetics as the conniving Colonel.
- "Top Gun: Maverick." Cruise returns as reckless pilot Maverick Mitchell, training young pilots for a dangerous mission in this satisfying sequel to the 1986 film. Miles Teller ("Whiplash"), Jon Hamm, and Jennifer Connolly also star.
Streaming:
- "Loot," Apple TV. In this comedy, Maya Rudolph stars as a billionaire trying to get her life back on track with help from a charitable foundation she funds.
- "The Old Man," FX and Hulu. Decades ago, a CIA agent (Jeff Bridges) went into hiding. Now they're coming for him—which is a big mistake. John Lithgow also stars in this thriller based on the bestselling novel by Thomas Perry.
- "Candy," Hulu. In this limited series based on real events, a 1980s housewife and mother (Jessica Biel) seems to have the perfect life. Then things go very, very wrong.
- "Seaside Hotel," PBS. This gentle feel-good Danish drama with English subtitles follows the staff and guests at a beach hotel by the North Sea in the years between the two world wars.
Music:
- The motion picture soundtrack for Luhrmann's "Elvis" features the real Presley; Butler performing as Presley; and then such modern performers as Eminem, Doja Cat, Kacey Musgrave, and Jack White doing their take on Presley songs. Confused? Try it here.
