Film: "Country Strong"

/ TITLE: "Country Strong" / GENRÉ: Drama / FORMAT: DVD /

OK, let's have it! This is a romantic drama, the kind of flick you want to see with your girlfriend and not the type of movie I'd usually give a fair try. However, this film comes with a twist in the form of a great country music soundtrack which is perfect if you wish to make your girlfriend discover your own passion for country music. And although a romantic drama, it should be stated that some of the drama in this movie could've been written by the late Townes van Zandt himself.

Anyway, you know a flick is going to be great if it opens with a Merle Haggard cover. OK, Silver wings is not one of my fave tunes by the Hag, but far from his worst and to be honest, I think Merle Haggard is one of those artists that keep on making good tunes.

As I said, it starts with a Hag cover, as played by a young singer-songwriter, "Beau" (played by Garrett Hedlund) in a small honky-tonk. The next setting of the film, we get to see him driving to the rehab, where he works and in which a super-star of country music, Kelly Canter (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) is receiving care. They share their love of music and fall in love with each other too, though there is no sex scenes this far into the movie. He plays a few of his songs to her and she likes the music. She likes it that much that she, after having been written out too early from rehab in order to go on a tour, she convinces her hubby, Jimmy (played surprisingly well by Tim McGraw) that Beau should be the opening act.

At starters, Beau doesn't want to go. He likes playing in his honky-tonks and doesn't crave for fame. Finally he is convinced and it wouldn't be much of a flick if he didn't, would it?

Now for the catch! On the tour, a young, former beauty queen, who wants to start a career in country music, but freezes of stage fright every time she's supposed to go on, is to follow. This girl, Chiles Stanton (played by the beautiful Leighton Meester) has a beef with Beau, but you get the feeling that the feelings Kelly have for Beau are shared by Jimmy for Chiles.

What follows is a sort of A star is born for the early 21st century, only this time it's centered around four individuals and give the flick some time and you'll see how things change emotionally.

This is not just another romantic drama. It has a dark undertone that makes it an intelligent flick. Then, to us fans of country music, it has another dimension to it as well, which I think makes it worth watching. It's almost a comment on the country music scene of today, where Beau is the old fart and jackass and Chiles the typical pop-country starlet with no respect for the roots of the genré. At one stage, Beau is called "the new Townes van Zandt", whereas Chiles ask who Townes van Zandt is. That says something, not just about this movie, but about the country scene of today as it is.

I really liked this flick a lot more than I thought I would and I do not understand why it didn't run on Swedish cinemas.

It's not a masterpiece though and some times it gets a little bit predictable.

But all in all a good film with a good soundtrack. I'll give it 78,3% in rate of satisfaction! See it!

Film: "G.I. Blues"

/ TITLE: "G.I. Blues" / GENRÉ: Drama / FORMAT: DVD /

For starters, this film was made with full cooperation with the US Armed forces and at times it feels like a recruitment film more obvious than the Rihanna flick. Some might have a problem with this and to some extent, I agree with that worrying, cos war is no funny stuff. Still, I respect anyone willing to lay down his life for his friends and family, as the gospel says, no one has bigger love than anyone willing to do so.

The other thing, as this is an Elvis film, is that it's full of music and at times, you feel like watching a Bollywood movie. I don't mind, though, together with Hank Williams sr, Townes van Zandt and to some extent Wille Nelson, Elvis remains one of the best musicians ever and in his genré, he's still the king. No one has ever made better rock & roll than he did. In fact, the reason I bought DVD was not cos of the plot, but cos of the chance to hear him sing.

The plot, then?

Well, Elvis plays a young southern army man stationed in Germany and goes under the name "Tulsa 'Tulse' MacLean" and together with a few mates of his, he plans to start a night club in Oklahoma when he returns back home from European service. Only problem is that they need money to do so and they decide to make a bet.

In Frankfurt am Main, there is a place called Café Europa, where a young and stunning redhead dancer called "Lili" performs. She is sexy as feck, but cold like an iceberg on the inside. No man has ever taken her home. Our heroes raise 300 dollars to bet that Tulse can get lonely with her for a full night. At first, Tulse refuses, but he's talked in to it and after performing a song at Café Europa, he starts to melt Lili's heart and follow her home, but it gets an abrupt end when he discovers she has a room mate.

Anyway, they go on a date the next day and feelings start to arise. I'm sure you can guess what happens later. Tulse gets a bad conscience for seducing a woman he starts to fall in love with and things get complicated.

To be honest, most of the acting isn't that good and to today's audience, I'm sure it stands out as a bit schmalzy. Still, it's a decent flick and it's packed with good music. The funny thing is that according to the film makers, German gals are crazy about US troops, but there is no indecency, no filth and Lili never strips.

As I said, a good flick, not the best Elvis film I've ever seen, but decent. I'll give it 68,4% in rate of satisfaction.

Film: "King Creole"

/TITLE: King Creole / GENRE: Drama / FORMAT: DVD /

There is plenty of bs going on concerning films starring Elvis Presley. They're bad. He can't act. He sings all the time. I haven't seen many Elvis films, but I think the criticism is a bit unfair.

Sure, there's a lot of singing going on, but who sists down to watch an Elvis film without expecting him to sing? And as for his acting, hardly any oscar-winning skills, but he ain't THAT bad either and as for the film's qualities, I think there are some. It's a good story, actually, far better than many modern Hollywood flicks.

The story takes place in New Orleans. Elvis plays a guy called Danny Fisher, who lives with his sister and father, a father who can't seem to keep a job, which means Danny has to work as a bus boy in gents clubs owned by a guy called "Maxi", who owns every club in the red light district cept a place called King Creole.

One morning, Danny saves one of the girls from a beating by a drunk customer and comes too late to the last day in school which means he can't get his diploma. Instead of studying yet another semester, he drops out of school and ends up working with petty criminals led by a geezer called "Shark". They start shoplifting in a warehouse where Danny is the decoy, he goes into the shop singing, while the other lot nick jewlery. In this shop he meets a young girl called Nellie, whom he starts to date.

Through out the film, Danny is torn between the two women, the good christian girl Nellie and the girl he saved from a beating in Maxi's club, "Ronnie".

Anyway, words gets out that Danny can sing and he lands a job at King Creole. He is an instant smash and Maxi wants Danny back to one of his clubs, where he wants him to sing. Meanwhile, Shark has started to work for Maxi and when the two of them plan a robbery involving someone dear to Danny, the stage is set for conflict...

I liked this movie and I would recommend it to all Elvis fans. If for no other reason, then for the fact that it's full of classic Elvis tunes. And, as I said, the acting isn't really that bad and the storyline is good.

All in all, a good movie with good music, it gets a definite 82,7% in rate of satisfaction!