Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Well, I finally saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and thought it was a mess.
Glad they did not show Sharon Tate’s murder. The period look was off in beginning. Terrible I was there and know. He handled the Mansion family well, but the beginning was slow, choppy, scotch-taped together. Brad Pitt made it and Leonardo was a close second. But the portrayal of the Manson family was riveting.. Your scene should have been longer to have meaning. The good news was you were not there that night. And LIVED.

I thought Tarantino portrayed Sharon unkindly and like a bimbo. Was she really that dumb and self-involved? And Roman was dismissed and treated disparagingly. I had the privilege of knowing him and he has great charm and a very rich character who was abused by a faulty justice system.If I were Roman I would have blocked film. Public figure rights make it hard. Tell me Sharon was not that empty-headed and star struck. Al Pacino was excellent as usual in a small part as was Bruce Dern. It’s obvious Tarantino used his weight to get celebrities though he had an inferior production company and script. Editing was asleep at the wheel. Scenes went on so long that once they made their points it was as though a sledgehammer was the editor. This definitely was not Oscar material except for PItt. Booo to Tarantino.

Rocketman

Review:  Rocketman.
Heart, Elton John has heart. Always had it but didn't know it which is theme of Rocketman. Slow beginning. A set up to a brilliant journey of self-awareness. An old fashioned musical clothed in a tribute to the rock n roll legend. Oh my, what trip. I almost tuned out in beginning but so glad I stayed with it. The music is perfectly injected to tell Elton's story in lyrics written oddly enough by Bernie Taupin but the rhythm is pure Elton John. 1975 he began his drug and alcohol-fueled life and today is sober 28 years A miracle. His body and mind had had enough of bad values and hedonistic living. The lacing of the lyrics tells of Elton's pain and triumphs. His parents are minefields of abuse and handled with care by the screenwriter but it is clear that Elton was never given love by either one. Only a grandmother. And she did matter.
Elton got sober in 1990, I became sober in 1980. I remember when he entered the program and watched his growth with joy. I had dated rock n roll stars in my alcoholic bottom and like Elton had had enough meaningless sex. The kind devoid of love. His transforming is filled with a serenity one would never think a rock n roll star would value. Don't miss this one And do not walk out on a boring beginning. It's only a set up to a life led with pain, pathos, and understanding of the meaning of forgiveness.