Cheap Almost Elvis - Elvis Impersonators and Their Quest for the Crown (DVD) Price

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It's like a time-warp back to the early '70s when you hear the comments of the fans and impersonators. Some of the impersonators are so serious and sincere, it's kind of cute (until you hear the crazy justifications for leaving job, wife, and family for Elvis!) Then you see how obsessed and lost in hero worship some of these Jumpsuits are. An incredibly hilarious satire of America's heartland and good ol' family values.

Best.... Elvis Impersonator.... Movie...Ever
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.

Almost Elvis - Lots of Fun - Very Interesting
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