drmdgray Reviews

Hacks (2021– )

Truly a 69 yo Smart A** Comedian & a Half

[6 June 2021]

I've watched Jean Smart play roles for as long as i can recall. Whenever I noticed she's in a new film or series, I watch. Period. Wouldn't miss her performances.

When I learned this one was coming out on June 4th, 2021, I could hardly wait. With such a bunch of pent up anticipation I could have been setting myself up for a serious disappointment. But, as far as Jean Smart's performances go, that's never happened. So, here we go again! Only this time, better than ever.

Ms. Smart's playing Deborah Vance, a big time success as a comedian in Las Vegas. What a juicy part for her to play! At this fine ripe stage of her acting career, she's earned the credits to be as sharp-witted, borderline arrogating, blatantly brazen and utterly beautiful as all of those qualities can be.

If I had Jean Smart's career already under my belt, I'd have grabbed this part and run away with it head on strong. That's exactly what it seems she's done.

By making her character a rich-witch (with a B instead of a W), whenever Deborah Vance is either in tender or in comical modes, the contrast is so striking it makes her comedy hilarious. I haven't even looked to see who the screenwriter is because it's Smart's delivery, timing and powerful screen presence that makes this show a major success. The ratings are sky high already. Go, Jean Smart, keep on sniping, griping, and making us crack up~

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

Wan's Storytelling About Lorraine & Ed Warrens' True Demonology

[6 June 2021]

The 3rd Conjuring, The Devil Made Me Do It, has historical significance in that this is a storytelling about the 1st time a court defendant used "Demonic Possession" as their reason to plead Not Guilt to a murder charge. As frequent film critique provider, as well as doing film archive research, consulting and clearances, I'm a hard sell to impress.

After a miserable year, due to the pandemic & our lame duck government's failure to respond scientifically (!), the film industry suffered immeasurably. Thus, it was such a relief to view great acting, a terrific story, a well written script, extra fine 1980's music, and as always, the tremendous on screen persona of the great Vera Farmiga.

I wouldn't dare choose which of the 3 Conjuring films is best! This one seems to have quite a bit more demonic action, enough so, looking all the way back to The Exorcist, this film makes it seem mild, in contrast.

This, once again, is a true story from the archives of Lorraine and Ed Warren, demonologists who've been recognized since the mid-to later 20th century by major institutions such as the Vatican. As if typical of a Conjuring film, at the end, the real recordings and real still shots or archive film footage are shown during the cast credits. That makes it easy to see how closely the on screen production follows what the Warrens actually witnessed, experienced and recorded.

While I recognize this type of genre may not be for everyone, I love horror films that are 'spookological' (my own word--a neologism). In contrast to the 1st 2 Conjuring films, the 1st in the US, the 2nd in the UK, this 1 in Connecticut is packed with horrifying scenes that go by in rapid successions. At home, I freeze-framed many a scene in-between the more centralized action so I could study what Lorraine was having a vision of, for instance.

To all those who downplay the horrors, imagine if what was happening to, oh let's say the child, was happening to YOUR child! THAT would be a-okay an average occurrence in your home? I'd challenge anyone who makes such a claim. The scenes I've now watched 4 times are not welcomed to enter into my family, my home, or disrupt our lives!

Maybe there are folks out t/here who'd enjoy becoming demonically possessed. I certainly wouldn't especially not after watching how that worked out through the lives portrayed in this spookological film.

Highly recommended for everyone who needs an extra engrossing experience~

American Gods (2017–2021)

Top Notch Starz Series: Gillian Anderson Steals the Show

[18 July 2017]

The best Starz series I've viewed! Highly recommended for those who think for themselves, rather than being spoon fed untruths.

I've noticed with a good deal of curiosity that there's no mention of Gillian Anderson's episode 8 performance as Judy Garland (1940 "Easter Parade"). As Media to Ostara, on Easter, Anderson's lines are Irving Berlin's, from the song and movie "Easter Parade," (1940). "Never saw you look quite so pretty before;" "I could hardly wait to keep our date on this Easter morning;" "my heart beat fast as I came through the door;" then, as the song goes, (Anderson doesn't go into it) "In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you'll be the grandest fellow at the Easter parade . . . " Why fellow instead of lady? Judy Garland's pulled a gender reversal on Fred Astaire. She's singing the famous song that ends the film to a very retired Fred Astaire, the only film they ever made together! Anderson wears the same dress except Garland's was white, hers is pink; same long pink gloves; identical Easter bonnet; same shade of light auburn hair as Garland's. too.

The guys with no faces in the tuxedos represent Fred Astaire, with top hat and cane ta boot. Thus, Gillian Anderson steals the series by showing her diversity as an actor who easily plays Lucille Ball, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe AND Judy Garland! Anderson delivers some of the most radical lines of the entire script. As Monroe, she's drop-dead gorgeous, as well as a trip delivering those incredulous nuclear lines. A must own Series 1 DVD to be sure. A hot, hot too true for words Starz series erupts in our midsts.

(PS: 91yo Cloris Leachman, with a Russian accent, is such a pro at farce. When she says in episode 2, "Learning is beneath me," I nearly fall off the chair laughing while she's very straight faced)~

American Gods: Come to Jesus (2017) Season 1, Episode 8

Gillian Anderson's: Lucille Ball, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe & Judy Garland

[17 July 2017]

I've noticed with a good deal of curiosity that there's no mention of Gillian Anderson's episode 8 performance as Judy Garland (1940 "Easter Parade"). As Media to Ostara, on Easter, Anderson's lines are Irving Berlin's, from the song and movie "Easter Parade," (1940). "Never saw you look quite so pretty before;" "I could hardly wait to keep our date on this Easter morning;" "my heart beat fast as I came through the door;" then, as the song goes, (Anderson doesn't go into it) "In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you'll be the grandest fellow at the Easter parade . . . "

Why fellow instead of lady? Judy Garland's pulled a gender reversal on Fred Astaire. She's singing the famous song that ends the film to a very retired Fred Astaire, the only film they ever made together!

Anderson wears the same dress except Garland's was white, hers is pink; same long pink gloves; identical Easter bonnet; same shade of light auburn hair as Garland's. too.

The guys with no faces in the tuxedos represent Fred Astaire, with top hat and cane ta boot. Thus, Gillian Anderson steals the series by showing her diversity as an actor who easily plays Lucille Ball, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe AND Judy Garland!

Anderson delivers some of the most radical lines of the entire script. As Monroe, she's drop-dead gorgeous, as well as a trip delivering those incredulous nuclear lines. A must own Series 1 DVD to be sure. A hot, hot too true for words Starz series erupts in our midsts.

(PS: 91yo Cloris Leachman, with a Russian accent, is such a pro at farce. When she says in episode 2, "Learning is beneath me," I nearly fall off the chair laughing while she's very straight faced)~