On Jan. 8 of this year, I was driving home from work and flipping through the local radio stations when I stayed on the oldies station. The DJ mentioned it was Elvis’ birthday and they were playing some of his hit songs. After a couple of songs, it went back to their standard music programs playing some of the biggest hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Elvis’s music was groundbreaking and was in a league of his own. He merged the songs and style that people of all race and gender could enjoy.
He was the king of rock and roll and his music continues to be listened to and appreciated even after decades since he has long since been gone. Although his music still lives on in great appreciation, the movies that starred Elvis isn’t remembered too fondly. A lot of the movies are campy, silly and was not the best written kind. Many were treated like drive-thru films to attract the youth of the day to see the films. Jailhouse Rock is the first Elvis film I ever watched. I have no previous knowledge of many of his films, but I know this launched the song and his stardom to the next degree after it was released. With that being said, is the movie any good or enjoyable? Well, I’ll be reviewing the film based on plot, acting ability and musicality. Does Elvis back up his music talent with acting talent or will he fade in the cold Kentucky rain. Let’s sit back and review Jailhouse Rock.
The story of this film features Elvis as a blue-collar man who ends up in jail when he kills a man with his bare hands while defending a woman from being harassed by some of the local gentlemen. While in jail, his cellmate (a former country singer), would lull the cellmates to sleep with his acoustic guitar. He tries his hand at it and even performs at a local jail variety show. The cellmate tells his to pursue music, so, once he is released, he tries his hand at becoming a musician and singer.
Along the way, he meets a woman who happens to work for a music company and she and his start their own business and become famous. Elvis learns about growing pains, his immature attitude and eventually becomes what the typical Hollywood star is thought about; becoming vain, uninterested and selfish. The film is the rise and slight dip in Elvis’s portrayal of a singer becoming famous, going to Hollywood and becoming self indulgent. The plot is simple and not really the most interesting. Elvis never really struggled in the music business once he was out of jail. He meets a beautiful woman, wows her with his look and some singing prowess and ultimately becomes a heartthrob to many younger woman who fancy his singing and dancing ability. The plot is all about Elvis adjusting to each new obstacle in his life and making as much money as he could, which comes out in the middle of the movie for some reason that is never addressed.
The acting is mediocre but Elvis’s style of acting is “unique.” When he is singing as a bar/burlesque style club, a guy in the audience isn’t paying attention and is laughing when talking to a woman. Elvis sees this, hops off the stage, mock laughs at him, slams the guitar on the table and storms off. When I first saw this, I busted out laughing. It was sudden and out of nowhere and it was something seeing Elvis having a temper tantrum. Granted I thought that, but, throughout the movie, he does that a couple of times and each time comes out of left field and it wasn’t needed.
At a party he was invited to, an older woman asked him a question about music and he said he didn’t know what the hell she was talking about and stormed out of the house. These weird tantrums and sudden bursts of insecurity was very distracting and the main problem was that it wasn’t needed and served no purpose besides Elvis wanting attention to subjects only he knows, which makes his character immature and pretty pretentiously annoying. Although he does have his charm, his character is pretty unlikable and when I see Elvis, I want to like him. I want to root for him but, watching him in this film, and his acting ability, makes me want to just see him get punched (spoilers, that does happen). Another thing about his acting in the film, whether it was all on him or the director, is that when a new woman would catch his attention, he would have creep face on. He wouldn’t look at their eyes, just their body and his mouth would be open and he turns into a mouth breather. It was creepy and just shows the females in the movie that they want Elvis to stare at them like that because when he does that, he wants and desires you. How poetic.
When you talk Elvis, music is a factor. Jailhouse Rock is the hit song that came from the movie and one of his most famous hits. The actual song is played and it is fantastic. It has some rock and roll and rockabilly styling that was entertaining. The rest of the songs, well, they’re boring. They’re country style and slow. They don’t have personality and they sound like songs you sing when you want to serenade someone. Granted this film was made in 1957 and rock and roll was still a new wave of music, I wish some of the songs still had some personality. A good country song isn’t bad for the movie but the main situation is that they played the same songs over and over again. Elvis’s audition tape was sung over 5 times throughout the film and it was not jailhouse rock. His slow songs are good once in a while but after getting amped up with the title song, I wanted to see and hear more and not downplay his oomph and singing personality. The rest of the songs in the movie are forgettable and don’t leave an impression with me.
Overall, this movie isn’t how I want to remember Elvis. Granted, some of his beach movies look campy also, but maybe they will offer more likability out of him. Based on what I saw of this movie, it wasn’t what I was hoping for. Elvis is a immature baby and treats people like dirt except when he pursues his various women just based solely on looks and not because of capability. His character is so unappealing that I wondered what it was that made him so interesting in the film that women would be desiring him. It was the fifties and people often say it was a much more simpler time. I wasn’t alive and my parents were still babies, so, I cannot get a reference from them for how it was. Regardless, the film had some okay moments but, in the overall plot, musicality and acting ability of our star, it was lackluster and monotonous. I will honor Elvis by listening to his music and hearing his soulful voice break through the speakers and get me feeling good or melancholy based on which song I hear from him.
On July 13, 2025, Indian cinema lost one of its most enduring lights—Kota Srinivasa Rao, a name that has been woven into the very fabric of Telugu cinema and Indian film history for nearly five decades. He was 77.
To speak of Kota garu is to speak of a man who embodied the soul of acting, not merely performance, but lived truth on screen. As a journalist who has spent years documenting the landscape of Indian entertainment, and more importantly, as a lifelong admirer of its emotional and artistic depth, I find it nearly impossible to separate the arc of my love for Telugu cinema from the face, voice, and commanding presence of Kota Srinivasa Rao.
Born on July 10, 1948, in Kankipadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao was the son of freedom fighter and dramatist Kota Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu. The stage called to him early, long before the silver screen embraced him. His transition from theater to cinema in the late 1970s was seamless, natural, and even. His debut in K. Viswanath’s Pranam Khareedu (1978) may have seemed modest at the time, but in hindsight, it was the quiet ignition of a force that would later dominate the craft of acting across genres and generations.
Kota Garu was never a man of one shade. He could play a corrupt politician one moment and a hapless, loving father the next—with equal gravitas and complete immersion. Who could forget his roles in Gaayam, Shiva, Aha Naa Pellanta, Pratighatana, Money, Anaganaga Oka Roju, Leader, and Tagore? These weren’t just performances; they were living case studies in human contradiction and nuance.
In Aa Naluguru, his portrayal of a morally grey newspaper editor offered a sobering mirror to society. In comedies like Hello Brother, his deadpan wit was so precise that it could make audiences erupt with laughter on a single line delivery. Every filmmaker—from K. Viswanath to Ram Gopal Varma, Krishna Vamsi to Sekhar Kammula—sought him out, not just for his craft, but for his wisdom. Watching him act was never passive; it was an education.
Kota Srinivasa Rao did not rely on grand gestures. He mastered silence, pauses, and subtle shifts of the eye or lip. His voice—a deep, gravelly cadence seasoned with satire and command—could either be a thunderclap or a whisper that echoed.
To those of us in the audience, especially those who grew up in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, his voice became part of our lives. We knew it like we knew the changing winds before the monsoon. Even when he wasn’t on screen, you could feel his influence in the rhythm of dialogue and the texture of storytelling.
Despite his towering fame, Kota garu remained rooted. His brief but meaningful stint in politics—elected as MLA from Vijayawada East in 1999—reflected his desire to contribute beyond the screen. But he soon returned to his first love: the cinema.
His accolades are many, including the Padma Shri (2015) and multiple Nandi Awards, but what truly set him apart was how loved and respected he was by peers and audiences alike. For young actors and directors, working with Kota garu was a rite of passage.
Jr NTR once said in an interview, “You don’t act with Kota garu. You surrender. And in doing so, you become better without even realizing it.”
As the film industry and fans across India mourn his passing, one thing becomes clear: Kota Srinivasa Rao was not just part of Indian cinema—he was one of its pillars. He leaves behind a legacy that transcends language and time. He proved, over and over again, that you don’t need to be the lead to lead a scene. That character is not just something you play—it’s something you embody.
For those of us who grew up seeing him on VHS tapes, in dusty cinema halls, on cable TV reruns, and later streaming platforms, Kota garu’s presence was a constant. He was a reminder of what cinema was, and what it could be—pure, affecting, transformative.
As I write this not just as a journalist, but as someone whose very identity has been shaped by Indian films, I say: thank you, Kota garu. For the laughter. For the fear. For the wisdom. For the truth. Your performances were never just “roles.” They were lessons in being human.
In Gaayam, you once delivered the haunting line:
“Nijam cheppadam easy kaadu… adhi cheppataniki guts kavali.”
(“Telling the truth is not easy… It takes courage to speak it.”)
You spoke the truth through every role, and we heard you—loud and clear.
Your absence leaves a void, but your art remains. And in that, you are eternal.
Rest in peace, Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. Your voice may have fallen silent, but your cinema will echo forever.
Events
FX’s Alien: Earth Makes Impact at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 With World Premiere, Epic Hall H Panel, and Immersive Activation
Get ready to scream, San Diego.
FX is going full-throttle at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, transporting fans into the spine-chilling world of Alien: Earth — the brand-new television series from visionary creator Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion), inspired by the legendary sci-fi horror film franchise. Between a can’t-miss world premiere in Hall H and an atmospheric, interactive activation titled “The Wreckage,” this year’s FX slate will leave fans trembling in anticipation ahead of the show’s official premiere on Tuesday, August 12 on FX and Hulu.
👽 Enter the Wreckage: FX’s Alien: Earth Immersive Experience
Located on the Hilton Bayfront Lawn, “The Wreckage” lets fans step foot inside the ominous remains of the USCSS Maginot, a ship torn from deep space and crash-landed on Earth. This thrilling, two-part activation features daytime exploration and an after-dark survival horror mission dubbed Code Red — a terrifying twist perfect for the brave.
🔥 Highlights Include:
Alien: Earth: Code Red – A nighttime horror maze experience you won’t forget
Interactive Prodigy Corp Drop Site – Sign up as an FX Insider and unlock VR exclusives and giveaways
Exclusive Merch & Collabs – Enjoy in-world beverages from Chain, the cult-favorite pop-cuisine creators
Podcast Studio – Live interviews with talent, influencers, and creatives all weekend long
🗓️ Activation Dates & Times:
Date Daytime Hours Code Red Hours
Thu, July 24 11am–4pm 4:30pm–8pm
Fri, July 25 10am–4pm 4:30pm–10pm
Sat, July 26 10am–4pm 4:30pm–10pm
Sun, July 27 11am–3pm —
📍 Location: Hilton Bayfront Lawn, 1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Admission is free. Ages 18+. Press can skip the line by RSVPing to madison.welsh@civic-us.com
🎬 Hall H World Premiere: Alien Lands at Comic-Con
The hype doesn’t end on the lawn. On Friday, July 25 from 1:25pm–2:50pm, FX takes over Hall H for the world premiere of Alien: Earth, screening the pilot episode before its global release.
Fans in Hall H will be the first on Earth to witness the terrifying new story, starring Sydney Chandler as a young woman who must lead a squad of soldiers through a world where extraterrestrial nightmares have arrived — and they’re not alone.
Following the screening, creator Noah Hawley, executive producer David W. Zucker, and the cast will participate in a Q&A, diving deep into the making of this bold, horrifying new chapter in the Alien universe.
🧬 About Alien: Earth
When a derelict alien spacecraft crash-lands on Earth, a dark and deadly mystery begins to unravel. As humanity faces the planet’s greatest threat yet, survival may rest in the hands of those least expected. Packed with dread, awe, and action, Alien: Earth builds on decades of cinematic legacy while exploring timely themes and fresh characters.
The series premieres August 12 on FX, and will stream on Hulu (and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers). Internationally, it will stream on Disney+.
🌌 Stay Connected:
🌐 Visit FXSDCC.com for updates and schedules
📱 Sign up to become an FX Insider: fx.tv/alien-earth-insider
📸 Follow @FXNetworks on socials for behind-the-scenes exclusives
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Hulu, the go-to streaming destination for adult animation, is back at San Diego Comic-Con 2025! This year, they are bringing Arlen, Texas, from the iconic King of the Hill franchise to life right outside the Convention Center. Guests will step inside Hank Hill’s Backyard for a big ole cookout, complete with BBQ bites served up throughout the day, classic lawn games, themed photo ops, and a cold can of Alamo (water) to beat the heat.
Located next to the Convention Center on the Bayfront’s Parking Lot (Fifth Ave Landing – Lot A1) – 600 Convention Way, San Diego, CA 92101 – Hank Hill’s Backyard will allow fans to experience what life is like in Arlen, Texas. Starting July 24 at 11:30 am – 7 pm, July 25-26 from 9:30 am-7 pm daily, and July 27 from 9:30 am–5 pm, Hank Hill’s Backyard will transport fans into the world of Arlen, where they can interact with legendary moments from the show.
The Life and Times of Kota Srinivasa Rao: A Pillar of Indian Cinema Bids Farewell
FX’s Alien: Earth Makes Impact at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 With World Premiere, Epic Hall H Panel, and Immersive Activation
Hank Hill’s Backyard Takes Over SDCC 2025 – Propane and All
Comic-Con® International Welcomes George Lucas,Guillermo del Toro, and Doug Chiang for a Conversation Moderated by Queen Latifah
Dan Aykroyd + Blues Brothers Graphic Novel Creative Team Appearing At San Diego Comic Con For Panel On Thursday, July 24
Why Reboots (Sometimes) Don’t Work
Anime Review: The Beginning After the End
Top 5 Romantic Movie Couples Who Are Not So Rommantic
Rana Naidu (Netflix) – Complete Series Review
Crunchyroll Launches First-Ever Two-Day Anime Music Festival at San Diego Comic-Con 2025
WonderCon 2025: A Faith Full Dickens Tale & The King of Kings Animated Movie
WonderCon 2025: Fade to Black Interviews
Comic-Con 2024: Arthur C Clarke’s Venus Prime TV series
Comic-Con 2024: Max Collins’s TRUE NOIR
Comic-Con 2024: Will Wight’s Cradle
