Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
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My Golden Globe Predictions: Film

John Stark

It was just a few years ago when the Globes scandal hit that they had no membership of color in their voting body, which at the time was below 100. Since then, they lost a televised year, and were bought out. So now they have owners, nd their membership is above 300. With a tripled membership, it’s becoming harder and harder to predict what the Globes of your would have voted for. This year, they leaned more into international, and maybe that’s the future. If it is, they need to catch up on accessibility for international product. So, join me … Continue reading My Golden Globe Predictions: Film

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The Small Screen Diaries- 01/04/24

John Stark

Well, I reached the season finale of Upload (Amazon) finally, and wouldn’t that be insane if this show didn’t get a 4th season? Just. Wow. Also, made it through part three of Far Away Downs (Hulu), which I love the fact it has an Australian narrator. I didn’t see Australia before watching this version, so I’ll be doing this in reverse, but this seems like a really toned down Baz Luhrmann. Usually his movies are big loud and fast, and this doesn’t feel like him at all. I wonder if he stripped his soul away ffor this version, or if … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/04/24

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The Small Screen Diaries: 01/03/24

John Stark

Well, I’m pretty solid on the fact that Justified: City Primeval (Hulu) is not as fun as the original show, and I am trying to catch up on that thing while it doesn’t even have audio description. They’re not really playing up the fish out of water effect Raylon should be having, and leaning into it more. That’s one of the things that makes shows like Tulsa King interesting, and this is missing the mark. Love that this show finally has audio description at least for the revival limited series. Scott Pilgrim Takes off (Netflix) is still proving there’s a … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 01/03/24

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Best Of 2023: Top 20 TV Drama Ensembles

John Stark

There’s really no surprise, except perhaps in ranking. I obviously picked what you thought I’d pick, so the rest of the top 20 might be more interesting. So, here’s a ranked list, of 20 shows, and it includes limited series, and shows I perceive as dramas that others think might be comedies. Remember, for me, Ensemble is depth of bench, not just one or two great performances. Unlike my Comedy Ensemble which had 1 show that did not have audio description, this list is fully audio described, though Billions only currently has audio description for its last two seasons. Winner: … Continue reading Best Of 2023: Top 20 TV Drama Ensembles

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The Small Screen Diaries- 01/02/2024

John Stark

Slowly moving into 2024, I’m getting closer and closer to finishing some series. One of those I’m close on is Fellow Travelers (Paramount Plus with Showtime), the excellent drama starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey as two men inexplicably forever linked through the passage of time. The latest episode I watched dealt with the murder of Harvey Milk, and that someone tried to blame their mental state on Twinkies. The jury actually had to deliberate for more than 5 minutes on that one, which highlights the absurdity of the period. But, Bomer was excellent as it turned out he was … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/02/2024

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Not Really A Review Of The Creator

John Stark

So why am i not really reviewing The Creator? Well, because Hulu be Hulu. The Creator is a rather expensive Fox titles released by Disney that wound up on Hulu a couple weeks ago. On New Year’s Eve, I published my review on my Youtube, and i think it’s important to post it rather quickly here. Even there, it isn’t really a review. I’ve watched a bunch of films this year because I think it’s important to explain what was missing by the choice to deny me reasonable accommodations for my disability by not providing audio description, especially on something … Continue reading Not Really A Review Of The Creator

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Best Of 2023: Ensembles In A Comedy Series

John Stark

Another celebration of the best of 2023. Since shows can’t be trusted to actually stay Limited, I’ve just rolled them into what I either interpret as Comedy or Drama. Kinda like the Globes. All of these shows have audio description except one, and its first season had audio description. This is more than a Top 10, so rather than try to rank a lot of shows that are very close, I just worried about a winner, and a Runner Up. Are you watching these shows? Let me know in the comments. My interpretation of Ensemble is sort of like having … Continue reading Best Of 2023: Ensembles In A Comedy Series

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The Small Screen Diaries: 01/01/24

John Stark

I eluded to a newer format and wanting to change up the Roundup, as I think it’s not working. So, a little bit more in blog/journal form, with some thoughts about small screen projects I enjoyed (or didn’t) the previous day. I know Netflix’s The Crown can’t possibly be 100% accurate, as no based on a true story is. There’s always things added for dramatic purposes, but the episode after Diana’s funeral, which focuses primarily on William really delivers a punch that I think a lot of kids would have felt or said in that same moment. Whether or not … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 01/01/24

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Master Gardner

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Hulu English Audio Description?: No Cast: Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quintessa Swindell, and Esai Morales Written and Directed By: Paul Schrader I’d love to have more thoughts about this film, but sadly, there’s no audio description. It’s a new dawn, and a new day, and I’m feeling spicy. Yes, I sat all the way through the film. I’ve also sat through Paul Schrader films before, and he’s very much a director that does things through symbolism. His films doen’t just translate through written word. For example, First Reformed plays a lot with religious symbolism as the … Continue reading Master Gardner

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The Expendables 4

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Digital Copy English Audio Description provided By: Deluxe Narrated By: Laura Post Cast: Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, and Curtis “50 Cent’ Jackson The dreaded 4th entry that bombed at the box office, and has been appearing on several “Worst of” lists. Just wait for the Razzies.Good news for these long in the tooth action stars. I can’t see how bad the visual effects are and if the fight choreography sucks. So, I’m all about the story, the characters, and… even that stuff wasn’t that good. However, … Continue reading The Expendables 4

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Best Of 2023: Top 10 Animated Series

John Stark

I’m making a greater focus on audio description and the importance of it in 2024. every title on this list has audio description at least in some part. So, for my first in a long list to come of celebrations of the best work of 2023, here is the list, with titles and where you can watch them. Honorable Mentions: Anamaniacs (Hulu), Young love (MAX), Scott Pilgrim takes off (Netflix), and invincible (Amazon) 10- Strange Planet (Apple Plus) 9- Fired On Mars (MAX) 8- South Park (Comedy/Paramount Plus) *only Paramount Plus content has AD 7) Solar Opposites (Hulu) 6) The … Continue reading Best Of 2023: Top 10 Animated Series

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The Too Much TV Roundup- It’s A New Dawn

John Stark

The roundup has shifted in format several times, and it becomes whatever it needs to be. Late last year, I stopped ranking shows episodically, and started ranking them by the order I watched them. but still that somehow feels like an odd way to talk about TV, since it is just what I’m watching, which is a mix of older titles, and streaming titles that I don’t binge watch. Hopefully, this evolution of the Roundup, which will feel a little less roundup-ish will put a little more focus on things it needs to focus on. So, for the final day … Continue reading The Too Much TV Roundup- It’s A New Dawn

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The Expendables 1-3

John Stark

Where I watched Them: Digital Copies English Audio Description for The Expendables: Directors Cut: No English Audio Description For The Expendables 2 and 3 provided by Deluxe. Expendables 2 Narration by Travis Expendables 3 Narration By: Ron Snow Main Series Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews. Additional Cast: Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Harrison Ford, Jean Claude Van Damme, chuck Norris, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Charisma Carpenter, and Kelsey Grammer. Directors: Sylvester Stallone, Simon west, and Patrick Hughes In preparation for obviously the best film … Continue reading The Expendables 1-3

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The Too Much TV Roundup- 12/30/23

John Stark

It’s New Years Eve! What are your plans to send 2023 packing? You know, I still remember where I was when 1999 became 2000? I I didn’t even need to be in Times Square, and I can’t remember most other Eve’s, as I now enjoy going to bed before midnight, but that one will always be in my memory because of when it was, and I didn’t do anything except watch the ball drop on TV as a teen. 1) Lawmen (Paramount Plus) English Audio Description By The Media Access Group Narrated By: Andrew Thatcher Status: Limited? Bass picks up … Continue reading The Too Much TV Roundup- 12/30/23

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Salt burn

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Amazon English Audio Description Provided By: Deluxe Written By Edwin Wells Directed By: Matthew Vickers Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi,Rosamund Pike, Richard E Grant, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver, and Carey Mulligan Written and Directed By: Emerald Fennell It’s the salacious film of the year. Scandalous. Divisive. Is it a pretentious work, or has writer/director Emerald Fennell once again struck gold after her debut with Promising Young Woman? In what can only be an homage to the aspirations of youth in the novels like Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Fennell has chosen her whip smart protagonist to … Continue reading Salt burn