douglasmcbroom Reviews

Mayor of Kingstown: Rag Doll (2024) Season 3, Episode 4

Axis of Evil

[8/10 · 23 June 2024]

The stories and writing are tighter this season. There is much less meandering and navel gazing. The directing is also reflective of the faster pacing with quicker cuts. In this episode, Aalia Brown gets the writing credit and Nina Lopez-Corrado, who also directed the last episode, is directing again.

Another reason this is an excellent episode is that there is no Iris (Emma Laird), however I see the next episode is entitled 'Iris' so this interlude shall pass!

'Bunny' (Tobi Bamtefa) gives 'Mike' (Jeremy Renner) a big assist, whilst 'Kyle' does some excellent police work, but gets a ration for it from trigger-happy 'Robert' (Hamish Allan-Headley).

An unholy alliance has been reached which is sure to dominate the rest of the season!

Rocketman (I) (2019)

La La Land Meets Moulin Rouge!

[5/10 · 22 June 2024]

Damien Chazelle meets Baz Luhrmann, directed by Dexter Fletcher.

I was expecting a bio-pic on Elton John, not a musical. Accordingly, the film did not work for me. However the casting was quite good, lead by Taron Egerton, as Elton. Jamie Bell (Bernie Taupin), Richard Madden (John Reid), and the always terrific Stephen Graham, as Dick James.

Egerton is a competent singer and the film captures the look of the 70's, as well as, Elton's flamboyant costumes and lifestyle. All the Taupin/John hits are there. But it's more of a collection of musical numbers than a cohesive film. So, I think this would have been a better stage production than a film.

Black Bird (2022)

This Black Bird Sings!

[8/10 · 22 June 2024]

I came upon this limited series just this week and finished it in two nights. Apple TV+ finally hit one out of the park!

Created by the excellent novelist/producer Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, The Drop), who also co-wrote the series. Outstanding direction by Michaël Roskam (The Drop), Joe Chapelle and Jim McKay. The series takes its time to unfold this true story, but it never drags.

Then, there is the terrific cast, headed by Taron Egerton, and featuring: Greg Kinnear, Ray Liotta (in one of his last performances), Sepideh Moafi, but, most especially, a stunning, stand-out performance from Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell).

I wish Apple TV+ would make more of these gems!

Presumed Innocent (2024)

Out of Order

[1/10 · 21 June 2024]

Jake Gyllenhall (Rusty Sabich) used to have a promising career, now he's strictly B-list. This series is an adaptation abomination of what was originally a great book by Scott Turow, and a brilliant movie adaptation by Alan Pakula, with a stellar cast headed by Harrison Ford, and featuring: Raul Julia, Greta Scacchi, Brian Dennehy, Bonnie Bedelia and Paul Winfield. This cast, other than Peter Sarsgaard, is strictly economy class on a low-budget airline.

Then, we have to deal with the woke plot and weak writing. If you cannot better an original, then don't remake an original. If a film is a classic, just leave it alone.

Mayor of Kingstown: Barbarians at the Gate (2024) Season 3, Episode 3

The Russians Are Coming!

[8/10 · 17 June 2024]

Jeremy Renner (Mike McClusky) is just razor sharp this season. I suppose a near-death experience focuses the mind and hones the craft!

After an absolutely horrific opening scene, Mike pays a visit to the Russians, but they don't get the message. It requires a follow-up.

Great scene between Renner and long-time character actor Michael Beach (Warden Kareem Moore).

Unfortunately, we have to spend time with the arrogant and repugnant, Iris (Emma Laird) and we have to endure her absurd, self-righteous indignation towards people who are-inexplicably-trying to help her. In addition, the actresses's vocal fry, whispering style of speaking is also grating. Go away, Iris!

Slow Horses (2022– )

Quirky Good

[7/10 · 12 June 2024]

I was late arriving to this very off-beat series (this month!) and it took me a couple of episodes to get the rhythms, but once in, I binge-watched to the end of Season 3.

Gary Oldman (Jackson Lamb) steals every scene he's in and the entire series. If Mick Herron, who wrote the book upon which this series is based, didn't have Oldman in mind, you'd never know it.

Reportedly, showrunner Will Smith did have Jack Lowden in mind to play 'River Cartwright' and too right he was. Lowden is pitch perfect as the very complicated character he inhabits.

Kristin Scott Thomas (Diana Taverner), Samuel West (Peter Judd), and Sophie Okonedo (Ingrid Tearney) play characters we have seen many times before, but they play them very well.

Along for the ride is Jonathan Pryce (David Cartwright) but they don't give him enough to do. I would involve him more.

The final two episodes of Season 3 devolved into French farce and frustrating stupidity and thickness, otherwise, my rating might have been an 8. But I look forward to Season 4, which I read will debut in late Fall.

Mayor of Kingstown: Guts (2024) Season 3, Episode 2

Outstanding Episode

[8/10 · 9 June 2024]

'Mike' (Jeremy Renner) delivers an outstanding opening voice over, beautifully written by Regina Corrado, and immediately after we meet a new character, 'Anna Fletcher' played by the brilliant Paula Malcomson ('Deadwood', 'Ray Donovan').

This episode was taut and gritty and moved like lightening; boding well for this season.

There are multiple plot threads developing and all of them look interesting and rich.

Lane Garrison (Carney), gets a lot of screen time this week and that's a good thing. 'Iris' (Emma Laird), my least-favorite character, gets into a spot of bother and that's alright with me.

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

Stillborn

[5/10 · 8 June 2024]

This is not 'Chariots of Fire,' which Director George Clooney should have watched before making this film. And after that, he should have watched: 'Hoosiers,' 'The Natural,' 'An Officer and a Gentleman,' and 'Seabiscuit.'

This film does not inspire. It does not move you. The romance is boring. It takes an hour and forty minutes to get to Berlin, which, to me should have been a major focus. Instead it's rushed, with a brief, obligatory appearance by A. Hitler.

The screenplay by Mark Smith is a major culprit, but Clooney doesn't build the excitement. The payoff is anticlimactic.

The music, by the very talented Alexandre Desplat, is as flat as everything else. Speaking of which, the acting performances just sort of lay there, as well. Callum Turner looks ridiculous as a blond. The only actor that rises above the water level is Luke Slattery (Bobby Moch).

As the great Hitchcock used to say about films like this: "It's stillborn!"

Mayor of Kingstown: Soldier's Heart (2024) Season 3, Episode 1

He's Baaaack!

[8/10 · 2 June 2024]

Jeremy Renner (Mike McLusky) is back for a new season and that seems like a miracle in and of itself. Renner is an inspiration!

Tobi Bamtefa ('Bunny') is also back and he was clearly on a diet during the hiatus.

Dianne Wiest (Miriam McLusky) is not back and that's a big loss after her character did a complete 180 in Season 2.

Unfortunately, Iris (Emma Laird) is also back. She is a character I cannot stand and I don't understand how a street-smart, savvy guy like Mike does not see that she is totally poisonous.

This season opener sets the stage nicely for the various plot threads that will unfold, and, again unfortunately, it looks like Iris, and all her BS, will be central to the Season 3 story.

Eric (2024)

Glacial

[2/10 · 2 June 2024]

If you suffer from insomnia, I have the cure: watch an episode of this ill-conceived dreck and you'll be out like a light!

Nothing is good about this limited series from creator/writer/producer Abi Morgan. Benedict Cumberbatch is as boring as the come-and-go New York accent he adopts. We've got a couple of 'The Wire' alums: John Dorman and Clarke Peters, but they can't do anything with this thick-as-porridge-but-half-as-tasty-story either.

Then, just in case you didn't think it could get any worse, the story unfolds against a 1980's backdrop. So we gratuitously throw in AIDS. Often, it has a dystopian feel and look to it, as if the creator/writer never saw New York in the '80's.

It's like watching 'Titanic' and the iceberg is the star!

Franklin (2024– )

It's Just OK

[6/10 · 18 May 2024]

This is not the brilliant HBO Series 'John Adams.' It lacks the budget, the cast and the writing. Michael Douglas is as miscast as Ben Franklin as Tom Wilkinson was perfect. I like Eddie Marsan, but he's no Paul Giamatti. Elfin Noah Jupe is horribly miscast as Temple Franklin and looks like a kid playing dress up. He is also at the center of most of the saccharine and unnecessary melodrama.

I am a huge fan of Executive Producer/Director Tim Van Patten (The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire) but historical drama might not be his métier, as quite clearly French is not Michael Douglas's!

The pace of the series slowed to a crawl by the aptly entitled 'Begin By Creeping.'

What this series succeeded beautifully in doing is making me want to rewatch the outstanding 'John Adams!'

The Roast of Tom Brady (2024)

A Disgrace!

[1/10 · 9 May 2024]

Not clever. Not funny. Just profane, obnoxious and trying way-too-hard to be shocking. These people don't know how to roast. I've never thought Kevin Hart was funny in anything-including those commercials. Where were all the people who know how to roast? Well the GOAT, Don Rickles, is dead. But we still have Billy Crystal, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld, Craig Ferguson, Ricky Gervais and Letterman. People who could actually pull off a roast AND be funny!

This show was cringeworthy, it was so bad. Did Affleck destroy what was left of his sorry career?!

I read that Brady's ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, was complaining about the gutter-level of the show. I don't much like her, so I thought she was just being her usual mean-spirited self. Then I watched it and I sided with her 100%!

Garbage!

The Gentlemen (2024)

A Worthy Copy, But Not The Original

[7/10 · 6 May 2024]

First and foremost and quite obviously, this worthy copy of the eponymously-named film does not have the stellar cast of the film and that's a major difference. Theo James does a fine job as the lead. Daniel Ings, as his brother, is a bit over-the-top, but he's supposed to be. I'm not as sold on Kaya Scodelario. Joley Richards is excellent as the dark-horse mother. Vinnie Jones is along for the ride in a different type of role for him. Giancarlo Esposito is playing on familiar ground as a low-key, successful meth dealer. And, it's always good to see Ray Winstone.

The writing is not as tight as the movie. All-in-all this is a shiny cubic zirconia, but not a diamond. But, I look forward to Season 2.

Ripley (2024)

It Simply Does Not Work

[2/10 · 5 May 2024]

A sociopath must be charming. He must be able to ingratiate and insinuate himself into a position to be able to successfully complete the grift or con. I like Andrew Scott very much, but his Thomas Ripley is devoid of charm. Scott plays him like a serial killer on the run from the police. You would not trust him for an instant.

The other major problem I have with this incarnation is there is no need whatsoever to film this in detective-noire style. I thought for sure that when Ripley arrived in Italy, and got off the train, the screen would burst into color. Thus, visually contrasting the life he left behind, with his newly-found paradise. Alas, not to be.

Script wise, direction wise, acting wise, it is as dull as dishwater, and moves at the pace of an Italian bureaucrat!

Sugar (2024– )

Oh No!

[6/10 · 3 May 2024]

Well, it was going so well. Colin Farrell was in fine form. The noir detective genre and writing were both great. Directors Fernando Meirelles and Adam Arkin were excellent. The supporting cast: Amy Ryan, Dennis Boutsikaris, James Cromwell, Anna Gunn, Eric Lange were all top notch. Then, Episode 6: Go Home happened and everything went fatally wrong for me. Now, clearly, we knew they were holding back a major plot point. We knew there was another big shoe yet to fall. But when it was revealed, it turned me right off this series. I audibly said: Oh no!

So, I'm done with this series 6 episodes in!

The New Look (2024– )

Haute Couture

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

I wasn't expecting too much from this series, but it pulled me in from the outset. Creator Todd Kessler demonstrates that he is a creative chameleon as he has moved from the world of 'The Sopranos' to occupied and post-war France; the world at war and and the aftermath; as well as, the intrigue and glamour of French fashion.

Kessler worked with the extremely versatile actor Ben Mendleson on another show Kessler created, 'Bloodline.' Herein, Mendleson brilliantly captures the creative genius of Christian Dior, but also his softness, self-doubting and self-sabotaging nuances. He also nailed the French accent. The great John Malkovich was not nearly as successful with his accent, but brilliant nonetheless as Lucien Lelong.

Which brings me to a truly vile and evil creature: Coco Chanel. Juliette Binoche is riveting in this role, capturing the ice-cold essence of a woman who collaborated with the Germans and used and sold-out everyone in her orbit. She even attempted to use her German collaborations to try and steal the Chanel business from her Jewish partners!

Very enjoyable!

Manhunt (2024)

History As Fiction

[3/10 · 26 April 2024]

Right at the outset, they botched one of the most famous lines in history when Edwin Stanton, upon Lincoln's death, says: "Now he belongs to the ages." Instead, in this fictional account, Stanton says: "Now he belongs to the Angels." And then it goes downhill from there.

Apple TV clearly has a business plan that involves using British/Irish actors to play American roles in their original series. They work cheaper. They even doubled-up with Anthony Boyle who plays John Wilkes Booth herein, as he was also one of the stars of the disappointing 'Master's Of The Air,' playing an American navigator.

Now, I like Englishman Tobias Menzies, and he was brilliant in 'The Crown' and 'Rome,' but he can't save the awful writing, directing, and egregious historical inaccuracies featured in this series.

Watch Steven Spielberg's brilliant 'Lincoln.' Watch Bill O'Reilly's 'Killing Lincoln.' But skip this dreck!

Masters of the Air (2024)

On The Cheap

[5/10 · 25 April 2024]

The brilliant 'Band of Brothers' was aired by HBO, but Tom Hanks' company, Playtone, signed a long-term development deal with Apple TV in 2022, and so we get this production that was loaded with CGI and unknown British actors playing Americans. Also, one notable American actor, Austin Butler, who has obviously decided that he's going to do an Elvis impression for the rest of his career!

Also unlike 'Band of Brothers' there were no standout performances, just good and competent, to amateurish and bad; especially with the Tuskegee Airman part. The writing wasn't as good, and the direction, by Director Cary Joji Fukunaga, not as tight.

Napoleon (2023)

Mon Dieu!

[4/10 · 22 April 2024]

Ridley Scott has lost the plot!

Who knew that Frenchmen and Frenchwomen, in the late 1700's, spoke with British and American accents. Quel conceit! Obviously, Director Ridley Scott has forgotten how to make entertaining films, as his post-Gladiator efforts have been pretty much unwatchable. Scott blames the viewers-more conceit!

This is not a dramatic film, rather it is a mildly cinematic feature that relies much too heavily on CGI.

David Scarpa's script is an insult to history, drama, and the viewers. Off with his head!

As for Joaquin Phoenix, he is horribly miscast. He is completely at a loss as to how to play Napoleon. He fails miserably to capture the essence of a man of such achievement and historical significance.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Editing...E-D-I-T-I-N-G!

[3/10 · 21 April 2024]

Starting with 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' Director Martin Scorsese has fallen in love with three-hour plus films. It's as if he has fallen in love with every frame he shoots and cannot bear to part with a single scene. Christopher Nolan suffers from the same malady.

Here's an idea: he should have turned the 'The Irishman' and this film, into limited streaming series'. This film isn't slow, it's glacial! It's boring!

As for the acting, this might be the worst film of Leonardo Di Caprio's career. His ludicrous accent is even more pronounced in some scenes. Plus, Leo has caught the De Niro Kabuki Theater facial gestures. He looks like he's gurning in most scenes. As for De Niro, he phones another one in. I don't know what the hell Brendan Frazier is doing. Blink and you might miss John Lithgow. Only Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone rise to the occasion.

However, the soundtrack is excellent, as is the costuming.

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

By Hollywood. For Hollywood.

[2/10 · 18 April 2024]

Only Hollywood could think that this is funny and great and award-worthy. In fact, it's none of the aforementioned. It's tedious. Dull. Pretentious. Unfunny. It must have been a laugh riot in the writers room.

The music is great: best part of the entire series. The cast is very interesting. The writing is horrendously bad. The directing is network sitcom caliber. The characters are very annoying.

The nudity, sex and f-bombs are gratuitous and condescending.

Ignore the hype. Disregard the awards. Do not believe the positive reviews: both critical and viewers. This series is a hot mess. Avoid. Don't snog. Don't marry.

The Beekeeper (2024)

No Honey In This Hive

[2/10 · 24 March 2024]

This film started out so smart, with a brilliant depiction of how internet scammers operate. It also had a great moment between Phylicia Rashad and Jason Statham. Then, it was all downhill from there. Director David Ayer and writer Kurt Wimmer, unleashed a bevy of outlandishly stereotypical characters and found lousy actors to play them. I hope never again to see Emmy Raver-Lampman, with her ridiculous 1970's Pam Grier Blaxploitation fright wig. Ditto for the dull-as-dishwater Josh Hutcherson. Jeremy Irons must have badly needed a payday!

This might be the dumbest film Jason Statham has ever made. God help us all if there is a sequel!

Godfather of Harlem (2019– )

Good, Not Great

[7/10 · 4 February 2024]

'Godfather of Harlem' is a compelling story for two seasons, but then begins to lose its focus in Season Three. Forrest Whitaker is fantastic, as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson, as is Vincent D'Onofrio, as Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante. When the story focuses on these two characters, as it does in Seasons 1 & 2, the story is compelling.

But, in Season 3, we lose D'Onofrio, and that's a huge loss. We also lose the excellent Nigel Thatch, as Malcom X, who is replaced by actor Jason Alan Carvell, who is merely adequate. We also lose Rafi Gavron (Ernie Nunzi) and that is a big loss.

The two biggest problems, with the series though, are Stella Gigante (Lucy Fry), and the music. Stella didn't exist, and most of the music didn't either. Having a fictional character feature so prominently, in the Season 3 storyline, is problematic. As for the music, there were great songs in the late 50's and early 60's, and we get some of this music, but mostly as background. When the music plays an impact in a scene, we get rap and hip-hop that wasn't even created until years later. It's jarringly inappropriate and unnecessary. This is clearly the fault of Swizz Beatz!

The Holdovers (2023)

A solid, entertaining Holiday Film

[8/10 · 28 January 2024]

I know the excellent Director, Alexander Payne, (Nebraska, The Descendants, Election, Sideways, and About Schmidt) does not want his film characterized as a "Holiday Classic," but: 'It's A Wonderful Life,' Home Alone,' and 'Love Actually' are not terrible company to keep!

This is a heartwarming, entertaining, and well-acted film that takes place over the Christmas-New Years break at a boys boarding school in Massachusetts, in 1971. The brilliantly-versatile Paul Giamatti is terrific, as is newcomer Dominic Sessa. Da'Vine Joey Randolph also portrays a character with depth of layers.

This film is multi-nominated for the Oscars, including: Best Picture, Best Actor (Giamatti), Best Supporting Actress (Joy), Original Screenplay (David Hemingson). I guess the film directed itself, as Payne is not nominated.

This film is gaining steam at the right time and might overtake the favorite-the overly-long and boring 'Oppenheimer.' Giamatti also has an upset shot over Cillian Murphy.

Saltburn (2023)

Surprisingly Teriffic

[9/10 · 28 January 2024]

I put off watching this film because I didn't think it would appeal to me, according to the blurbs. Boy was I wrong! This is a fantastic film that has been egregiously overlooked by the Oscars in favor of the overly-long and boring 'Oppenheimer;' the incredibly pretentious and bad 'Maestro;' and the absurd' Barbie.'

This film deserved Best Picture, Director (Emerald Fennell), Original Screenplay (Emerald Fennell), Best Actor (Barry Keoghan), and Best Supporting Actor (Jacob Elordi) nominations.

Emerald Fennell has written and directed one of the most original and surprising films in many years. It's a crime that Oscar couldn't see that!