By Douglas Gruehl
I started at age 5 with a HUGE hating of the movie Fantasia and from then on went on to critique everything I saw - I was always wondering what the hype was about Gone WithThe Wind and Wizard of Oz and especially Citizen Kane. Was enthralled with Saratoga, It Happened One Night, and Sunset Boulevard. And here I am now!
42 articles published
Killers of the Flower Moon? More like Killers of the Hours
OMG could Martin Scorcese get himself an editor? And I am asking politely. Three hours and 26 minutes to tell this primary story of greed, corruption and betrayal is, IMHO, 30-45 minutes too long. True, there are numerous subplots, but really Martin? Your viewing audience is not dense. Once you have established a fact, let’s […]
RUSTIN shines a spotlight on our prejudices
Director George C. Wolfe brings “Rustin” to life with grace and ease as he tackles what for all should be a harsh reminder of the cruelty and prejudice rampant during the advent of the civil rights movement. This could not have been accomplished without the brilliant casting of Colman Domingo as the title character, Bayard […]
Maestro – So Not A Symphony!
You have to give Bradley Cooper kudos for attempting to tell the story of the iconic legend Leonard Berstein and for directing himself, but, alas this film is not a symphony and barely equates to a concerto. At times Bradley brilliantly channels the legend without falling into the oft performance miring genre of parody but […]
Anatomy of a Fall or Was It Colonel Mustard in the Snowbank?
Is Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” a courtroom thriller, a dramatic psychological study, or both, or simply a “true-crime whodunit” with all the twists and turns inherent in that genre? With the backdrop of Sandra Hüller’s all-consuming and brilliant portrayal of the main character Sandra, it is close to impossible to decide. She brings […]
American Fiction? No. 5 Star American Fact!
Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction interpretation of Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure” is a brilliant study of how to deftly bring a storyline to life with a subtle and even-handed approach. He masterfully develops this story of inherent hypocrisy within the publishing arena while balancing a myriad of subplots and characters. Jeffrey Wright absolutely shines as the […]
Ferrari – Director Michael Mann is back!
Michael Mann’s latest endeavor, Ferrari, is a wonderful homage to the late racing and car industry giant. Through his deft handling of what was an extraordinarily messy (or should I say dysfunctional?) private life, Mann delivers a compelling biographical sports drama focused on the man, not the car or the racing. For those going in expecting a […]
Poor Things or how I survived a Salvador Dali LSD trip!
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would leave a movie theatre thinking I had just taken an LSD trip or been a player in a Salvador Dali nightmare. Poor Things was certainly that and a lot more. NO, this is NOT a negative as I certainly give this film a more […]
Boys in the Boat is Chariots of Fire on the water!
George Clooney’s direction of Daniel James Brown’s novel, Boys in the Boat delivers an impassioned view of the journey leading to the quest for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The film focuses on the yeoman service of the University of Washinton’s men’s rowing team ably portrayed by a vast number of actors who […]
Napoleon by Ridley Scott Barely Pierces the Surface
Dear Ridley Scott: your latest endeavor is visually brilliant but sorely lacks any depth in character or historical development or accuracy (yes, I know, literary license and all that rot.). Your film trolls through the life of a seminal historical figure as though it were playing hop-scotch – jumping from one event to another barely […]
Candy Cane Lane – Please Make Up Your Mind!
The new Eddie Murphy vehicle is at best, caught somewhere between a movie for kids (so NOT) and a weak attempt at a humorous adult-focused film (lots of subtle societal references/attempts at humor that no one under the age of 21 would get). That being said, it is a step up from all the saccharine […]
The Holdovers – 5 Star Charm
Alexander Payne’s latest movie, The Holdovers, redefines the concept of charm as this film radiates charm and warms your heart without becoming saccharine. Set in a 1970s New England prep school winter break the movie takes you on a fascinating journey of its main and supporting characters’ lives of self-indulgence and self-awakening and ultimately self-awareness. […]
Addiction is Even Darker From the Addict’s Side
I gave you my 2-cents about painkillers a few weeks ago. So, during the last dull days of Summer, what better than to discover a hidden gem from 2021? And this is exactly what HULU’s Dopesick is. While Painkiller focused on the scumbag Dr. Richard Sackler, this once pivots 180 degrees and looks at the […]
