Connect with us

Entertainment

‘Priscilla’ Doesn’t Hide the Cracks in Elvis and Priscilla’s Love Story on October 7, 2023 at 12:07 am Us Weekly

Published

on

A24

Priscilla, which premiered at the New York Film Festival, earns 3.5 stars (out of 4) from Us Weekly movie critic Mara Reinstein.

If Elvis presented the King of Rock ‘n Roll as a razzle-dazzle music icon struggling with his demons, Priscilla plays like the other side of the record. The softer side. And a necessary one.

Adapted from Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me, Priscilla is extra-noteworthy because it’s written and directed by Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette) — an Oscar winner who specializes in depicting women in search of their identities. Her stylistic approach is a 180 degree-contrast from that of Elvis director Baz Luhrmann: Instead of frenetic set pieces in a neon-lit Las Vegas, Coppola gives her audiences warm close-ups of false eyelashes and nail polish bottles and ‘60s-style mod dresses. “Colonel” Tom Parker is only referenced and not seen — whew.

Advertisement

But beyond the candy-coated surface, Priscilla presents a transfixing and tart portrait of marital loneliness set against the backdrop of Elvis’ Graceland estate. And while the heroine at the center is young and wispy-voiced, she’s no fool rushing in.

Related: Everything to Know About Sofia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’ Biopic

Advertisement
Baz Lurhmann’s Oscar-nominated Elvis Presley biopic took the world by storm — but now it’s time for Priscilla Presley to shine.  After Elvis dominated the 2022 awards season, Priscilla — which is written, directed and produced by Sofia Coppola — takes a different approach to Elvis and Priscilla’s love story. Premiering in November, the film […]

Their story is so outlandish, you’d be forgiven for assuming some details are exaggerated. Yes, Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) really was just a pony-tailed 14-year-old living with her parents on a West Germany military base in 1959 when she scored an invitation to a house party hosted by one Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi). The star, on hiatus for Army service, is instantly smitten. So is she. A short conversation leads to another, which leads to date nights with chaste kisses.

Despite the eyebrow-raising 10-year age gap, the film maintains that Elvis enjoyed Priscilla’s company because he was homesick for the U.S. and grieving his recently deceased mother and she listened intently to his troubles. Even as Priscilla gets older, he doesn’t want to sleep with her. (Again, could this be true? Well, Priscilla herself, now 78, serves as an executive producer.)

A24

This unconventional courtship takes a shocking turn as Elvis asks a then-17-year-old Priscilla to live with him at Graceland in Memphis. To some, the arrangement might seem like a glossy fairy tale — but Coppola is meticulous in revealing all the fascinating cracks.

Advertisement

Elvis gives Priscilla pills to fall asleep and more pills to stay awake. He also expects her to finish high school and dress demurely and dye her hair from mousy brown to jet black. If it seems like Priscilla is just an uncomfortable teen playing dress up, that’s because she is! There’s a wild juxtaposition between the scenes in which she handles a gun and then tries to pass a test at school.

Related: Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley’s Relationship Timeline: The Way They Were

Advertisement
She just couldn’t help falling in love with him! Though Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley’s marriage only lasted six years, the pair had a connection unlike any other. “I was never that confident. I mean, here he was — the most sexiest, the most gorgeous human being, truly,” Priscilla recalled of their romance during a […]

As the film progresses, Spaeny’s Priscilla grows from lovestruck teen to a more isolated and frustrated wife and mother. Elvis travels for long periods to film movies and sing in Vegas, but the camera stays planted on an abandoned Priscilla rattling solo in the shag carpet-covered mansion.

With few friends to lean on, her main hobby is reading gossip magazines about his many love affairs. When Elvis is home, his behavior is erratic and controlling and occasionally violent. But forget about any ultra-melodramatic “this is my Oscar clip!” fights or a nail-in-the-coffin revelation, as one might expect from a confined movie chronicling a couple’s rise and fall. Priscilla just decides this chapter — her marriage to Elvis — is over. Underwhelming? Sure. It’s also likely true to life.

Advertisement

Related: Elvis Presley’s Family Guide

Elvis Presley left a lasting impression on the world with his contribution to the music industry — and his memory lives on with his family. The King of Rock n’ Roll’s whirlwind romance with Priscilla Presley began in 1959 when he was serving in the military following being drafted amid his rising singing career. The […]

Spaeny and Elordi share an unsettling chemistry. The actor is twice as tall as her, suggesting that he is always physically in control. (It also underlines the characters’ age difference.) While Austin Butler inhibited the star’s swagger in Elvis; Elordi’s version is a sweeter and smoother soul who’s a bit of a stranger to his own wife. This is not a couple sharing intimate secrets and witty repartee. Spaeny, who nimbly plays ages 14 to 24, becomes less wide-eyed and apple-cheeked with each passing moment and yet still loves her guy. It’s a fine line between besotted and starstruck, and she walks it with grace.

From Jackie to Spencer to the recent Maestro, many biopics of late have showcased the woman behind The Man. Priscilla’s strength is that it refuses to present its leading lady as a tormented victim trying to get by. Coppola’s film just asks Elvis fans to examine and empathize with the one person who never wanted him to leave the building — because she needed him home with her.

Priscilla, the centerpiece selection of the New York Film Festival, opens in theaters on November 3.

Advertisement

A24 Priscilla, which premiered at the New York Film Festival, earns 3.5 stars (out of 4) from Us Weekly movie critic Mara Reinstein. If Elvis presented the King of Rock ‘n Roll as a razzle-dazzle music icon struggling with his demons, Priscilla plays like the other side of the record. The softer side. And a 

​   Us Weekly Read More 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

DJ Shinski Brings AfriqueFest To Life

Published

on


AfriqueFest: Pan-African Musical Experience — World Cup Edition is set to take over Noto Houston on Sunday, June 28, bringing together East, South, and West African sounds in one immersive celebration of music, culture, and connection. Presented by Experience Noir and Bolanle Media, the event is designed as a cinematic night for the culture, blending global energy with Houston nightlife in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and deeply rooted in African creativity.

Spotlight on DJ Shinski

At the heart of this year’s experience is DJ Shinski. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and now based in Houston, DJ Shinski has built an international name off high-energy sets that move effortlessly across Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip‑hop, dancehall, reggae, and electronic sounds.

He has also become Africa’s most‑subscribed DJ on YouTube, crossing the 2‑million‑subscriber mark and turning his mixes into a global destination for music lovers.

DJ Shinski’s style is precise but unpredictable: one moment it’s classic Afrobeats, the next it’s East African anthems, then a run of throwback hip‑hop or R&B that still feels fresh. That ability to read a room and connect multiple worlds in a single set is exactly why AfriqueFest is building so much of the night’s energy around him.

At AfriqueFest, DJ Shinski helps drive the Safari Grooves segment, representing East and Central Africa from 4 PM to 6 PM. Expect a journey that moves from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis, and beyond, all filtered through his signature “vibes on vibes” approach behind the decks.

DJ Tunez and the rest of the night

Supporting that energy, DJ Tunez leads the Gold Coast Beats chapter from 8 PM to 10 PM, bringing his own Nigerian‑American Afrobeats pedigree to the stage. Together with the Diamond Rhythms segment (South) and a curated roster of DJs, the night stretches across the continent in three distinct musical chapters, all connected by a single dance floor.

Hosted by @chris_gone_crazy, @kingdrewwskyy, @roselynomaka, and @samsnewleaf, AfriqueFest is positioned as more than a party—it’s a celebration of sound, style, and Pan‑African identity in Houston, with DJ Shinski anchoring the experience from the moment doors open.

Brought to you by Bolanle Media & Experience Noir

Brought to you by Bolanle Media and Experience Noir, this World Cup edition of AfriqueFest is crafted as a night where global DJs, storytellers, and music lovers collide and create a shared cultural memory. With DJ Shinski front and center—and DJ Tunez helping close the night—guests can expect a show that reflects both the future of African nightlife and the power of the diaspora to create unforgettable live moments.

Advertisement

If you want to experience DJ Shinski live at AfriqueFest, now is the time to lock in your spot. Purchase your tickets now at AfriqueFest.com and get ready for a night of music, movement, and culture at Noto Houston.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Entertainment

STREAMING PREMIERE · JUNE 13, 2026

Published

on

Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel

A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.

It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.

A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs

Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.

The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.

Advertisement

Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.

The Women Behind the Show

Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:

  • Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
  • Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
  • Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)

“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star

Already a Festival Favorite

The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:

  • 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
  • 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
  • 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
  • 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
  • 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
  • ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
  • 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez

Where and When to Watch

Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.

Click Here To Get Tickets

Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:

For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.


About Christin Jezak

Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.

About The Roku Channel

Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.

About Encompass Digital Media

Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.

Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

What Filmmakers Should Actually Steal From Euphoria

Published

on

Most of the talk about Euphoria asks one question: was it realistic? That’s the wrong question if you make films. The better one is simpler. How did Sam Levinson get an audience to feel addiction from the inside? And what did it cost him to end the show the way he did?

Strip away the noise and Euphoria is a clinic in three choices: point of view, style, and the ending. Here’s what’s worth taking — and what isn’t.

1. Put the Camera Inside the Character

Most shows about drugs watch from across the room. Euphoria doesn’t. When Rue is high, the camera is high too. Walls breathe. Floors tilt. Time skips. You’re not watching her — you’re stuck inside her head.

That’s the lesson: point of view is a decision you make with the camera and the cut, not a mood you add later in color. Levinson builds it into the lens, the blocking, and the edit.

So before you shoot a scene through a character’s eyes, ask one thing on set: whose eyes is this lens standing in for? Then make every cut respect that.

2. Your Style Has to Mean Something

The glitter. The slow push-ins. The impossible club lighting. Euphoria‘s look got copied everywhere. That’s the trap.

Advertisement

The style worked because it carried weight. The beauty wasn’t decoration — it was the lie addiction tells you, the reason the next high looks worth it. The camera made self-destruction gorgeous on purpose.

The copies missed that. A thousand music videos took the look and left the meaning behind, and you can feel how hollow they are. So here’s the test: if your signature style could be swapped onto any other project and still “work,” it’s not a style. It’s a filter. Every choice should have a reason behind it.

3. The Ending Tells the Audience What It All Meant

When Euphoria ended for good in Season 3, Levinson killed Rue — an accidental, fentanyl-laced overdose. He called it “the honest ending,” saying he wanted to tell a true story about addiction and grief in a time when one mistake can be the last one. Reportedly, that wasn’t the original plan; the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, changed the script.

Forget whether you agree with the choice. Study how it works. An ending is the last instruction you give your audience about how to read everything before it.

By ending on consequence instead of recovery, Levinson reframed seven years of beautiful chaos as a story about cost — not a celebration of it.

It’s also the show’s most debatable move, and that’s worth noticing too. A show that spent years making pain look beautiful had to fight to make that pain land as loss. Did it earn the ending, or enjoy the wreckage too long to stick it? Smart filmmakers will disagree — and that argument is exactly what a good ending is supposed to start.

Advertisement

What Not to Take

The neon grief is the most copied part. It’s also the least useful. Take the surface — the colors, the slow-mo, the trauma-as-texture — and you get the costume without the body.

The real craft is underneath. Commit your camera to a real point of view. Make every stylistic choice earn its place. Treat your ending as the point of the whole thing. Do that, and your work won’t look like Euphoria. It’ll do what Euphoria did.


This piece touches on addiction and substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Continue Reading

Trending