Almost Elvis - Elvis Impersonators and Their Quest for the Crown

Rating:
Summary: Almost Elvis: Elvis Impersonators & Their Quest for Crown
Review: Our family just viewed this video and ended up watching it twice over the weekend. John Paget has created a very entertaining documentary of the lives of Elvis impersonators. He has really humanized them by showing them in thier daily lives and following their careers as they progress. Doug Church was especially endearing to all of us watching. However, we learned so much about many of the others such as Irv Cass and Johnny Thompson. It was also amazing to finally put a face to the name John Stuart. Our family has seen Legends in Concert dozens of times and now we know the genious behind the success of this show thanks to Paget's work. Thankyouverymuch from all of us. This is a fine tribute to those who have worked so hard to keep a dream alive.

Rating:
Summary: Truth is Funnier than Fiction
Review: Seattle's talk radio station The Buzz 100.7 FM called this the best movie ever made in the "Elvis Phenomenon" genre. This journey into the strange but true world of Elvis obsession is hysterical; but it also has insightful analysis into the phenomenon, with running commentary from a professor of Elvis studies (not something you'll find at your local university). Also has powerful performances from impersonators who are so good at doing Elvis its eerie! Especially the guy who wins the world championship Elvis contest at the end. What a triumph!

Rating:
Summary: Almost something.
Review: This is an interesting documentary. We follow three (we see and hear from many more) impersonators trying to get their chance to go to Memphis and become the 1999 Images of Elvis winner. It's strange to see the lengths some of these guys will go to trying to look and sing like E. We get to see impersonators from all over the world, Japan, Belgium; there are black Elvis', women Elvis', and young and old kings. In the deleted scene section we even meet the political correct Elvis. I was very disappointed in the presentation of the disc. It should have been presented in a wide screen format. Some of the information about the people like their names, places, or just general information about an event you can either barely read or you can't even make it out. It was like we were zoomed in to far on the picture. Anyway if you love Elvis Aron Presley or you just want a good chuckle check it out. Then rent Elvis: That's the way it is and check out the real thing.

Rating:
Summary: Almost Elvis - Lots of Fun - Very Interesting
Review: This is one fantastic DVD ,loaded to the max with high energy fun and very enjoy able to watch.My wife and I really had a nice evening watching this sweet gem of a movie.
The main reason I gave this movie a 4 star rating is only because the really Elvis deserves 5 stars.SEveral of the Elvis impersonators where very good.And a few of the others were not....would I dare say as good.....but it was very interesting and fun to see how far someone would go to become Elvis.
And for my money the man who won was the best.
I would like to say though that there is a Gospel singer and guitar player named Greg Williams in Fresno Calif ,at The Open Door Ministries ,who has never competed....but has far more talent than these gentlemen.So I guess you'll never really hear the best.....but the film was fun

Rating:
Summary: Elvis lives!
Review: This movie is absolutely entertaining and a must see for anyone who is interested in the Elvis subculture! You will be surprised to find out who these people are and the love thay have for the King! John Paget captures their aspirations and fears in a sensitive documentary that will have laughing with them not at them! You see the sacrifices they make for the thrill of the stage, you also meet their groupies - the 'sideburn chasers'! Fame has it's rewards!

Rating:
Summary: Best.... Elvis Impersonator.... Movie...Ever
Review: What makes a good Elvis Impersonator? Is it the well tanned face below a black, greasy pompadour? Is it the half-zipped jumpsuit, exposing a sweaty, untamed forest of chest hair? Is it the pelvic thrusting, or the sideburns, or the attention to detail on the custom made rhinestone jacket? We learn that it takes all this and a little more in Almost Elvis, a documentary conceived by Olympia filmmaker John Paget.
Almost Elvis casts its spotlight on the oft ridiculed and frequently misunderstood world of Elvis impersonation. Now numbering over 35,000 today, Elvis impersonators come from every walk of life and region of the country, with growing numbers in Mexico, Belgium and Japan. It was this amazing statistic that first inspired Paget to make this offbeat film.
"I was tired of seeing documentaries on insignificant events like wildlife and wars, and saw that this was a subject that hadn't been investigated and deserved a closer look," Paget commented on his innovative opus. "There has never been a phenomenon in the history of mankind quite like this."
Before shooting began, Paget spent three months doing research and scouring the Internet for impersonators interested in sharing their amazing stories. "I started getting hundreds of emails. People were sending me 8 x10's, and telling me that I had to feature them, claiming to be better than Elvis," said Paget.
From this large list, Paget narrowed the cast down to a few standouts. The film follows the lives of these prominent impersonators as they prepare for competition, share trade secrets and explain how and why they took up the hobby (and in some cases, full time occupation) of emulating the King of Rock. These dedicated men (and women) were once janitors, DJ's, exotic dancers and paperboys, united by the common goal of insuring the memory of Elvis Presley.
While briefly showcasing the colorful cavalcade of the King, most interviews are with the frontrunners of the 1999 Images of Elvis competition held in Memphis each year. The judges have their work cut out for them, as different judges are partial to different facets of Presley's persona. Quentin Flagg is the youngest competing Presley doppelganger; at 17, his youth and waistline enable him to emulate the King at his rise. Another intimidating competitor, with the looks, moves, and even the bulge, is Irv Cass, who has won numerous regional competitions as well as the hearts of lustful older women. A third, controversial but well respected impersonator is Robert Washington. Though African-American, Washington has the sound and energy needed to compete, but has only placed second year after year.
In addition to impersonators, Paget also taps other key participants of this subculture. Interviews with judges, die hard fans, and even the manufacturers of the gaudy replica jumpsuits add another dimension to this world.
The film serves the dual purpose of entertaining as well as educating the audience with facts they didn't know they wanted to know. The spirit of the film is often tongue in cheek; some impersonators are in on the joke while others fail to see the humor in their lifestyle choice.
Even if you're not an Elvis fan, as long you enjoy well made documentaries, Almost Elvis is worth your consideration.

Rating:
Summary: Best.... Elvis Impersonator.... Movie...Ever
Review: What makes a good Elvis Impersonator? Is it the well tanned face below a black, greasy pompadour? Is it the half-zipped jumpsuit, exposing a sweaty, untamed forest of chest hair? Is it the pelvic thrusting, or the sideburns, or the attention to detail on the custom made rhinestone jacket? We learn that it takes all this and a little more in Almost Elvis, a documentary conceived by Olympia filmmaker John Paget.
Almost Elvis casts its spotlight on the oft ridiculed and frequently misunderstood world of Elvis impersonation. Now numbering over 35,000 today, Elvis impersonators come from every walk of life and region of the country, with growing numbers in Mexico, Belgium and Japan. It was this amazing statistic that first inspired Paget to make this offbeat film.
"I was tired of seeing documentaries on insignificant events like wildlife and wars, and saw that this was a subject that hadn't been investigated and deserved a closer look," Paget commented on his innovative opus. "There has never been a phenomenon in the history of mankind quite like this."
Before shooting began, Paget spent three months doing research and scouring the Internet for impersonators interested in sharing their amazing stories. "I started getting hundreds of emails. People were sending me 8 x10's, and telling me that I had to feature them, claiming to be better than Elvis," said Paget.
From this large list, Paget narrowed the cast down to a few standouts. The film follows the lives of these prominent impersonators as they prepare for competition, share trade secrets and explain how and why they took up the hobby (and in some cases, full time occupation) of emulating the King of Rock. These dedicated men (and women) were once janitors, DJ's, exotic dancers and paperboys, united by the common goal of insuring the memory of Elvis Presley.
While briefly showcasing the colorful cavalcade of the King, most interviews are with the frontrunners of the 1999 Images of Elvis competition held in Memphis each year. The judges have their work cut out for them, as different judges are partial to different facets of Presley's persona. Quentin Flagg is the youngest competing Presley doppelganger; at 17, his youth and waistline enable him to emulate the King at his rise. Another intimidating competitor, with the looks, moves, and even the bulge, is Irv Cass, who has won numerous regional competitions as well as the hearts of lustful older women. A third, controversial but well respected impersonator is Robert Washington. Though African-American, Washington has the sound and energy needed to compete, but has only placed second year after year.
In addition to impersonators, Paget also taps other key participants of this subculture. Interviews with judges, die hard fans, and even the manufacturers of the gaudy replica jumpsuits add another dimension to this world.
The film serves the dual purpose of entertaining as well as educating the audience with facts they didn't know they wanted to know. The spirit of the film is often tongue in cheek; some impersonators are in on the joke while others fail to see the humor in their lifestyle choice.
Even if you're not an Elvis fan, as long you enjoy well made documentaries, Almost Elvis is worth your consideration.