I actually turn 40 years old at the end of the month. That time when you flip the first number seems far more likely to cause a rush of nostalgia, or some might call a mid-life crisis, so I’m living mine out by taking to my YouTube channel (YouTube.com/macthemovieguy) and reviewing some of my favorite films of all time. Comfort films. Films I find rewatchable over and over. I’m not saying these films needed Oscars, or that they are cinematic masterpieces, but to me… they kind of are. It’s possible that on my initial review of these films I might not have given them an A grade. But there’s a certain something about them that makes me want to do this. So, here are the first ten. To my surprise, one did not have audio description, when I felt there is no excuse for it not to.

Kindergarten Cop (Netflix)

Who is your daddy and what does he do? I know Netflix is a bit on Arnold overload right now, but for me, seeing him in this Ivan Reitman comedy where he tries wrangling a bunch of tiny kids just has so many quotable moments. ‘It’s not a tumor!”. The audio description is really pretty good, even focusing on the attractiveness of leads Schwartzenegger and penelope Ann Miller.

Armageddon (MAX)

oh man, this is 90’s action cheese.While The Rock might be technically the best thing Michael Bay has made, this is certainly the best use of his grand scale need to destroy things.and having Steven Tyler’s cheesy but somehow awesome I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing blasting during the film just makes it feel more like some crazy action video. That ending… between Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. It gives me life. While i think the audio description has a difficult time fully putting us on the surface of that asteroid, it does actually do a pretty decent job otherwise. Sometimes, when michael Bay is doing his kitchen sink style of directing, it is a bit hard to really grasp his style into a narration, but I found the audio description was serviceable.

Lost In Translation (Amazon)

I wasn’t quite ready to have good audio description on an Amazon title, but I got it. The audio description here really does focus quite a bit on the outfits and facial expressions of the lead characters. you won’t feel as immersed in the foreign atmosphere, but you will be able to participate in Sofia Coppola’s character study. This movie is why Everytime she releases something, people are hopeful about its Oscar chances, and even though Hollywood is having a moment with Bill Murray and his storied bad behavior, it’s still OK to say he’s great in this, as are his co-stars, Scarlett Johansson, Anna Faris, and Giovanni Ribisi.

Treasure Planet (Disney Plus)

I knew that a Disney animation, non-Pixar, would have to make my list. So of the ones I truly love, i picked the one no one else would touch. I don’t love every Disney film, but by far, of the ones I do, this is probably the least popular (behind Brother Bear). The song “I’m Not Here” really comes at the right moment for a montage, and Long John Silver actually is somewhat likable here. The audio description is really above kids heads, and feels too adult. It doesn’t capture any of the cute or goofy wonder brought about by characters like Morph that are there as the quirky sidekick to our Disney hero. It was fine for me, as I’m an adult who has seen this a dozen times, but I think a kid might miss out on the Disney magic.

Gladiator (paramount Plus)

Why this is getting a sequel baffles me, but Ridley Scott really did nail this one with terrific performances not just from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, but also the late Richard Harris and Oliver reed, not to mention Derek Jacobi and Djimon hounsou. I’ve loved this sweeping epic since it captivated audiences and Oscar voters, and the audio description did not disappoint. It’s brutal when it needs to be, and soft in the right pockets. My one suggestion would be to immerse us more in the incredible set design, and truly make us feel like all roads lead to Rome.

how To Train your Dragon (Netflix)

Dreamworks had to land an animation on here, and truthfully the entire trilogy qualifies, but the original being the oldest means its also the one I’ve seen the most. While I felt the audio description did a good job of giving us a design for Toothless, some of the other dragons were lacking. Especially the final boss, whose size really isn’t given justice. Size relativity means taking something that has no basis in reality and giving us a point of reference we know to compare it against. I know that dragon was bigger than the boats, but I’m not sure anyone else would have picked up on that based on this audio description.

Jurassic Park (Peacock)

The one without audio description. Universal exists because Steven Spielberg took them on a journey 65 million years in the making and spared no expense. With all the money this franchise has made, and the fact it is celebrating its 30th Anniversary at the same time makes it so baffling that Peacock can’t be bothered to put audio description on a title that has been put back in theatres and shown on Thanksgiving repeatedly over the years. The film is what I usually answer as “What is my favorite film?” When someone pushes me for just one, and I don’t want to argue. No one argues. It’s like The Godfather or Empire Strikes Back. it might be a little cliche, but most people expect it.

Shaun Of The Dead (Amazon)

God, this film had robodescription. I hate that. The sound mixing was awful. The film is one of my favorites, and came along at the same time as Dawn Of The Dead which both really pushed me into zombie films. Plus, now I love Edgar Wright as a director, and I’m obsessed when Simon Pegg and nick Frost team up. Speaking of… when will that be again?

Edge Of Tomorrow (MAX)

I believe the most current title to trend into my all time favorites, i expected nothing from this boring title, and got a really cool Tom cruise sci-fi action time bender. It’s also under two hours, so it flies by. Doug Liman’s best film, unless you’re still a massive fan of Swingers. The audio description could have described the supporting cast a bit better, and the aliens, but the action sequences are well described. I think only one member of Cruise’s team got description, and they had spiky hair. Also, RIP Bill Paxton.

Mean Girls (Netflix)

If you think about it, Gretchen kinda made fetch happen. that’s because for the last 20 years people have been quoting this notoriously quotable film. This shouldn’t be a surprise that it made the cut. The audio description is well done, with the narrator even sounding youthful to match the film. I have some thoughts, but there’s so much dialogue, there wasn’t extra room that went unused. It’s a best case scenario description. Just remember, on Wednesdays we wear pink!

So I’m 1/4th of the way to my goal. Of course, these are not in a particular order. i chose what was out there, because I wanted others to be able to watch what I love without having to pirate or call their library. Plus, i was really intending for everything to have audio description. Seriously, peacock, no audio description on Jurassic Park? It’s a universal title. you own that film. What gives? 30 years wasn’t enough time for you to make audio description for one of the biggest titles of all time?