Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
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The Unforgivable

John Stark

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jon Bernthal Directed By Nora Finkshite Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description?: Yes The Plot: Sandra Bullock plays a woman recently released from prison after serving 20 years, and attempts to rejoin a society that overwhelmingly makes it a seemingly impossible task. The film also explores the victim’s surviving family, and their reaction to her getting released on parole. The film takes these two stories already deeply intertwined, and twists them further. What Works: I know Netflix can’t offer every single one of their exclusive titles an Oscar qualifying run, but … Continue reading The Unforgivable

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The Lost Daughter

John Stark

Starring: Olivia Coleman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Ed Harris, Peter Sarsgaard Directed By: Maggie Gyllenhaal Where I Viewed: Netflix English Audio Description: Yes The Plot: A late 40’s woman (Coleman) is the predominant focus of this story, that jumps through timelines, and explores intimately many details of a persons life, and how they came to be. It tackles everything from motherhood and all that comes with it, and an unhealthy obsession. What Works: Olivia Coleman’s performance. Even though Jessie Buckley does a fine job in the flashbacks, this really a film that lives and dies with Coleman. I can appreciate … Continue reading The Lost Daughter

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2022

John Stark

It’s been a long road trying to navigate considerable life changes. If you had told me a few years ago that I would be where I am in this moment, I probably would have done everything differently. There’s a reason that my most recent movie review is for The Greatest Showman. I have had a struggle relearning how to do things as a blind individual, and also lots of self doubt about if I even should be reviewing movies as a blind film critic. Orobably one of my biggest regrets was never being able to measure up to the quality … Continue reading 2022

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Where I’ve Been

John Stark

So you might have noticed my abrupt exit on January 2nd of this year. As with many unknown factors on the internet, anything could have happened to me. Well, something did. In June 2017, I saw an eye doctor about a vision problem I was having only to find out that I had Glaucoma which was already starting to aggressively destroy my vision. My pressure at the time was 50, and it should never be above 20 ideally. I went through numerous eye drop combinations over the following months, only to have my vision continually get worse. I had to … Continue reading Where I’ve Been

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Best Of 2017: Part Two

John Stark

BEST SEQUEL/SPINOFF: 5) Blade Runner: 2049 It was the sequel that everyone first heard was happening and went “oh no”. Then, when we saw who was set to direct, and star, our hopes were restored. Blade Runner 2049 is a visual masterpiece that had fans debating if it was actually better than the original. That’s a big feat. 4) Wonder Woman Wonder Woman made her DCEU debut in Batman VS Superman, and the internet quickly decided she was the best thing in that film. Cutahead to her film debut, which might have just single handedly saved the entire DCEU. It … Continue reading Best Of 2017: Part Two

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Best Of/Worst Of 2017

John Stark

I’m slowly working my way through my awards, but I wanted to try and post a few a day till I run out of awards. So, here are some silly awards to start with. MOVIE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BETTER AS A TV SERIES: RUNNER UP: What Happened To Monday There’s a quality in this movie that could have been stretched over a short 13 episode season, where we get to know each of the girls a bit more, and the world they live in. As a film, it was OK, but there was a hint of something more beneath … Continue reading Best Of/Worst Of 2017

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Holiday Weekend Box Office Predictions

John Stark

Obviously, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is untouchable. It made 220M last weekend, and is still quite likely to do 120-140M over the Wed-Mon span that I’m trying to predict. There are a bunch of new movies that will slowly chip away at the competition. Some open tomorrow, some on Friday, and some on Christmas Day. 1) Star Wars: The Last Jedi- 130M (Wed-Mon) 2) Jumanji- 55M (Wed-Mon) 3) Pitch Perfect 3- 40M (Fri-Mon) 4) Greatest Showman- 25M (Wed-Mon) 5) Downsizing- 15M (Fri-Mon) 6) Father Figures – 12M (Fri-Mon) 7) Ferdinand- 12M (Wed-Mon) 8) Coco- 10M (Wed-Mon) 9) Wonder- 5M … Continue reading Holiday Weekend Box Office Predictions

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Box Office Predictions: Can ‘The Last Jedi’ Hit 200M?

John Stark

With the total lack of new releases the past two weeks (except for that sad Morgan Freeman/Tommy Lee Jones thing), the box office is wide open for Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi to come in and do some truly amazing work. Of course, when a film is tracking this high, it’s almost impossible to land a perfect dart. I’ve seen everything from 180M to 220M. I do think Ferdinand will open well, and that could take a small chunk away from The Last Jedi. Small though. As far as holdovers go, with all the “awards” announcements, films like … Continue reading Box Office Predictions: Can ‘The Last Jedi’ Hit 200M?

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Oscar Locks: Do Any Exist?

John Stark

As the Oscar race starts to heat up with the announcement of the NYFCC (New York Film Critics Circle) awards today, the question is now raised.. is there such a thing as a lock? Well, yes. In an effort to stir up some controversy, I’ve picked five nominees who I believe are absolute locks for their given categories. 1) Frances McDormand (Three Billboards outside Ebbing, MO) for Best Actress She’s such a well respected actress, and the film itself is very much centere4d in the Oscar race. It’s quite likely this film will see multiple nominations, hopefully for never-nominated Sam … Continue reading Oscar Locks: Do Any Exist?