Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
Movie ReviewLeave a comment

The Brick Layer

John Stark

I do like to occasionally remind any potential readers who think life is just peachy as a blind film lover that all is not as it seems. We still have to deal with the overwhelming majority of titles lacking audio description, often even titles that HAVE audio description, but due to incompetence/apathy have not transferred the already created audio description tracks from streaming service to streaming service. That’s why we have a website that shows us what has audio description where, because we live in a world where we can’t just assume that because audio description has been created, that … Continue reading The Brick Layer

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 06/02/24

John Stark

A sad number of audio described shows to talk about today, but I watched a second episode of Geek Girl (Netflix), which saw the fashion industry try to convince her to come and be a model, which she’s in the middle of feeling humiliated over other things, so she’s resistant, and keeps trying to get them to take Nat. Then, they say bring her, and maybe this Geek Girl will end up on the runway after all. the Outlaws (Amazon) is back with audio description, but Season 3 feels totally different. I’m pretty sure we are missing a cast member, … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 06/02/24

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 06/01/24

John Stark

Happy Pride Month! Technically, I acknowledged that officially yesterday with my review of The Birdcage, but my Diaries always reflect what I saw the day before. So, what did I watch? Well, I finished Sugar (Apple Plus), which actually ended a little bit in a way I didn’t like. Not that it was bad, I just felt like we were climbing and building, and the odd lore of the series was rising, and then the end happened, and I’m now less excited for the prospect of more Sugar? Oddly, I think a lot of it had to do with him … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 06/01/24

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Movies With Pride: The Birdcage

John Stark

June 1st begins pride month. I’ve had the opportunity on occasion to discuss films from my perspective as not just a blind film critic, but a gay blind film critic, but it is few and far between. This year, there’s so much hate being pushed around toward the LGBT community, that I just wanted to talk about and merge both of these worlds. So, I’m kicking it off with a movie that means a lot about me. I knew that in doing this, my already small fan base would start turning me off. You might be a reader of my … Continue reading Movies With Pride: The Birdcage

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

John Stark

I definitely felt the trepidation about returning to this franchise, especially after the strength of the Caesar trilogy. Matt Reeves was passing the buck to Wes Ball, who made one good Maze Runner film, and some mediocre sequels, so I wasn’t sure what to think. Honestly, this film isn’t even running on star power here. The biggest featured actor not doing motion capture work is Frea Allen, and Owen Teague is taking the very tall order left behind by Andy Serkis as the main motion capture actor. Caesar is gone, 300 years have passed, and our Apes are in a … Continue reading Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/31/24

John Stark

I got through another episode of Bodkin (Netflix), which really had an interesting twist for Episode 5 as the characters found themselves telling their individual journeys jumping back in time and working forward to a certain point. They all have information coming in,and things that have been put together, but as one character’s life hangs in the balance at the end, is this getting a little too dangerous for the podcasters? I haven’t raved about a this audio description before now, since it is a tough show to follow with this large ensemble cast of really small supporting players to … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/31/24

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Rise, Dawn, and War For The Planet Of The Apes

John Stark

In preparation for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, I rewatched one of my favorite trilogies of all time. I’m elated that all three films have available audio description… somewhere. For me, I bought the trilogy in the Apple Store, to make sure I have all three. I have VlueRays of all three as well. I’ve seen Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes probably 4 times prior to this, Dawn probably twice, and admittedly I think I had only seen War once. Rise of the Planet Of The Apes has audio description provided by Deluxe, written and narrated … Continue reading Rise, Dawn, and War For The Planet Of The Apes

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/30/24

John Stark

Well, yesterday was a really big day guys. Historic, if you will. May 30th, 2024, will forever be remembered in the history books. MAX went ahead and picked up hacks for a fourth season. That’s right, just as the final episode of the season was dropping, they confirmed… MORE Hacks. I mean, is that not the biggest news of the day or what? Did you think I was going to talk about something else? Well, if certain things want to be discussed, then perhaps they should happen on channels that don’t apply to the FCC for audio description waivers so … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/30/24

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/29/24

John Stark

Not only did I finish a show today, but I started one. I finally jumped into the second season of the pretty little Liars (MAX) reboot, which is now called Summer School. the first season of this was hot trash, but in the way you think it is trying to be. Like, when people try to make something campy, instead of waiting for the world to decide it is camp. The season premiere opens up with the killer being maybe on the loose again, some people dying, and the five girls are relegated to summer school while A might be … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/29/24

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Anyone But You

John Stark

I remember when this was out at Christmas, and I felt like I had no idea what this was, then word of mouth caught on. So, there must be something to the pairing of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, two hopefuls for the future A-List. And the fact that this is now on their list of success stories, they will keep getting more film role offers. But, as more and more romantic comedies fad to black on streaming service debuts, was this the one that could save the genre, or is this just another serviceable destination flick? It’s the latter. … Continue reading Anyone But You

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/28/24

John Stark

I’ve been managing to wrap up a show pretty consistently every day for the past couple of days, and this was no exception. I finally finished One Life (Netflix). 14 episodes later and I can at least understand why people get emotional, it’s just that the character left standing is the one I didn’t like. I never related to him, no matter what struggles were thrown his way, because I thought he was such a dis likable person from the beginning. I never felt his redemption, so he’s left alone in the end, and I just don’t care. I’m glad … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/28/24

TVLeave a comment

Snack Shack

John Stark

I am someone who admittedly has a lot of really dumb films in my “desert island” list, or the favorite/comfort films list. I enjoy many teen movies from my day, from bigger hits like She’s All That and Varsity Blues, to even some lesser hits, like Get Over It. but, as I age, I should be aging past teen films, and yet, here comes Snack shack, which surprisingly is really good. the first indication that this is something special is that it is an independent feature that got a theatrical release, instead of being banished to streaming. That means we … Continue reading Snack Shack

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/27/24

John Stark

As we near the end of the Emmy consideration period, I just finished Franklin (Apple Plus), which was a moderately interesting look at a specific period in history, but featured actors who never felt like they were of the time period. It’s one of the least interesting things Apple has put out, and with the limited content as strong as it is, I wouldn’t nominate even Douglas. I also didn’t enjoy the audio description, which didn’t balance enough in the dubbing, so the dubbing was much louder than the original voices, making conversations between two people hard to follow when … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/27/24

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Ordinary Angels

John Stark

When this film first dropped, it seemed like it was just another faith based film. Those always depend on the budget, and often can vary widely in quality. Last year I saw a few faith based films that weren’t terrible. This really isn’t faith based. It just happens to have a guy who attends church, and later in the film a church parking lot is used. Otherwise, this feels less like Miracles From Heaven and more about a redemption story mixed in with a perpetually tragic family drama. American Idol alumni, and current Jack reacher, Alan Ritchson stars as a … Continue reading Ordinary Angels

TVLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries- 05/26/24

John Stark

Kicking off today with some new shows and season premieres. First, I have to say how delighted I was when I found out Trying (Apple Plus) had made it to a fourth season. I love this show, I don’t know anyone who watches it, and I would easily recommend it. It follows along the same lines as another one of my favorite shows, Breeders, but with a much more optimistic and light approach. The season finale does a bit of a time jump,so the kids are a little bit older, and they’re saying goodbye to their grandmother who was introduced … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/26/24