Metro Pulse Online: Movies, Past &Amp; Future

Armed only with his mysterious mental connection to the feral minds of studio executives, the Movie Guru reveals just how good or bad this week's new releases will be:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13)
The third installment follows Frodo and the other Smurfs as they push farther into McDonaldland to destroy the ring of Pokémon. H.R. Pufnstuf travels to Sesame Street with Sigmund the Sea Monster and Disco Stu to rescue the ancient city from Puff the Magic Dragon's grasp. Or something like that. (Brothers Mario and Luigi co-star.)
Prediction: Saddam gets captured and there's a new Lord of the Rings movie? It really is Christmas! OK, so what I say has no bearing. You're going to see this movie. You've probably already watched the trailer a dozen times online, you dork. Read our full take in next week's issue.

Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13)
Set in 1953, Smile is the story of art history professor Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), who takes a job at a conservative female college where the gals spend more time scouting for husbands than studying. Katherine wants her students to strive for independence, but her unconventional thinking gets her into trouble with the administration.
Prediction: Oh! My! God! Julia always looks super great. Part Dead Poets Society, part Steel Magnolias, Smile is holiday popcorn with an extra squirt of estrogen.

Santa with Sideburns

If Elvis Presley was the King of Rock 'n' Roll, he was certainly a benevolent monarch. During the period of the performer's greatest fame, Presley gave away cars, motorcycles, jewelry, horses, mink coats—anything he deemed worthy of bestowing upon his friends, family and even strangers. Elvis particularly liked Cadillacs, which, back in the '50s, '60s and '70s, were status cars, just as they are today, but not so much associated then with rich retirees. That spirit of giving is the subject of the documentary 200 Cadillacs, due to be released on DVD and CD in January.

The film, conceived by Rex Fowler and directed by Dan Griffin, is equal parts music video, Elvis photo montage and interviews with people who knew the star and received expensive gifts from him. Interviewees include Presley's original bandmate DJ Fontana, long-time live-in girlfriend Linda Thompson, hairdresser Larry Geller, karate instructor Kang Rhee, personal nurse Marian Cocke and others who were touched by Elvis' generosity.

Thirty years later, these folks aren't driving their baby blue and sleek black Caddies, but they still glow with a sense of reverence and gratitude. Their stories are intriguing glimpses into the personality of a star who came from such humble beginnings to be worshipped by the free world. As they tell it, Elvis gave for the sheer joy of seeing people's reactions, sharing their joy and surprise. He wouldn't take gifts back or accept refusals. Myrna Smith, who toured with Elvis as a member of the Sweet Inspirations, tells of refusing to accept a gigantic opal ring; the next night, Elvis threw it into the audience.

The music video elements of 200 Cadillacs are somewhat distracting from the documentary. The songs—recorded by artists as varied as The Cucumbers, Syd Straw and Tom Dean—are about Elvis and Cadillacs. As a soundtrack, they work to break up the interview segments, but as a stand-alone CD, it's strictly novelty material.

Eager to know more about the King's rise to fame and his tragic end? The 1981 documentary This Is Elvis mixes extensive archival footage with actors portraying the characters in some scenes. The result is definitely not Ken Burns-quality, but the details are titillating and a must for any Elvis fan.

—Paige M. Travis