Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
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Going In Blind: The Wizard Of The Kremlin

John Stark

It is fair to address up front the fact that I didn’t get audio description with my screener, and as a blind film critic, that’s always preferred. Anyone who just looked at my review for Blue Film would note that it doesn’t prevent me from thinking critically about every single film, and certainly, I feel like it didn’t stop me either here. However, from what I can tell, this film will be in theaters with audio description, which makes it a bit more awkward. That being said, Vertical is unreliable in pushing theatrical audio description all the way through, passing … Continue reading Going In Blind: The Wizard Of The Kremlin

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The Small Screen Diaries: 05/14/26

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: The Boys: S5E7 (Amazon) with audio description, American Classic: S1E4 (MGM Plus) with audio description, Stranger Things: Tales From 85: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description,We’ll Be Fine: S1E1 (Disney Plus) with audio description,and The Madison: S1E3 (Paramount) with audio description The Boys- one big death, a few minor deaths. One more episode to go. A big name actor swung in for a surprising cameo, if it hasn’t been spoiled for you yet. You’ll recognize the voice. Some surprising turns for most of the characters headed into the finale as Homelander has achieved God Mode.The audio description is … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 05/14/26

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Going In Blind: Life Hack

John Stark

There’s something inherently fascinating about the screen life genre, even when it doesn’t fully stick the landing. Films like Searching and Unfriended showed how effective the format can be for horror and thrillers, mostly because they weaponize the intimacy of technology. Everything feels immediate when it’s happening through texts, FaceTimes, browser tabs, and frantic typing. They’re also usually low risk films financially, since so much of the production exists on screens instead of elaborate sets, making them ideal playgrounds for experimentation. Last year, Ben McKenzie tried his hand at it with Bloat, which mostly came and went without much attention, … Continue reading Going In Blind: Life Hack

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DTF: St. Louis: Season 1

John Stark

If you don’t know what this is, DTF St Louis is one of those titles that makes you think HBO is getting into the NCIS: City Name or CSI: Wherever, but after sitting through the first season, I think most other cities won’t jump at the chance to be a series expansion should this want to become a new White Lotus for HBO. Boise? Denver? Jacksonville? I have a feeling they won’t be “Down To Film” (and yes, I know what DTF stands for). The series, starring Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, and Richard Jenkins, spends seven episodes trying … Continue reading DTF: St. Louis: Season 1

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Apex

John Stark

Apex is an interesting title for this movie, because if we’re talking about the food chain of cinema, this thing is definitely not sitting at the top. It’s more like a dingo running around acting tough. Dangerous enough, sure. But an actual apex predator? Not quite. Still, I didn’t hate this thing. There’s actually a decent survival thriller buried in here somewhere, especially once the movie stops trying so hard to foreshadow itself. That’s really the biggest issue with Apex. The opening scenes with Charlize Theron and Eric Bana practically tell you exactly where the movie is eventually heading once … Continue reading Apex

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The Small Screen Diaries: 05/13/26

John Stark

Netflix just went nuts yesterday at their upfront. They did announce some new shows, but they also announced some renewals, including an early Season 4 renewal for My Life With The Walter Boys, an expected pickup for the 11th season of Love Is Blind, a 3rd season of Quarterback, a somewhat surprising vote of confidence for Running Point for its 3rd season even after a ratings dip, and a 2nd season of Big Mistakes as Dan Levy also inks a development deal with Netflix. Sadly, they also confirmed that the upcoming fifth season of The Lincoln Lawyer will be its … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 05/13/26

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Going In Blind: Strange Journey: The Rocky Horror Story

John Stark

It is the review you’ve been waiting for. You might even say, you’re shivering with…. Anticipation. Strange Journey, directed by Linus O’Brien, son of Rocky Horror creator Richard o’Brien, is fan service to the max. But, after 50 years of Rocky Horror, what kind of fan service is appropriate? Last year, I reviewed a documentary titled Metallica Saved My Life, which while is about the origins of the rock band, is also about the fans, their stories, and how Metallica became a fundamental part of their lives. In an era where streaming services are dying for content creation, it seems … Continue reading Going In Blind: Strange Journey: The Rocky Horror Story

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Going In Blind: Blue Film

John Stark

I don’t think we will get a more controversial, daring, edgier, wholly original film this year than Blue Film. it is the film seemingly no one wanted, but everyone should have. For the Letterboxed generation seeking A24 vibes and deep diving into the Criterion collection, some of that is meant to make you uncomfortable. It is meant to make you think about something you don’t, or never would have. When people reach out and start rewatching Come and See, because the internet has pushed interest its direction, it isn’t because that film is an easy film to sit through. Quite … Continue reading Going In Blind: Blue Film

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The Punisher: One Last Kill

John Stark

Apparently, watching Frank Castle’s family die over and over is a necessary ingredient in The Punisher formula, much like needing to watch The Wayne’s die, and those pearls hit the ground, or Uncle Ben meet his demise in Spider-Man. We hold these truths to be self evident, all heroes have emotional baggage. Boy, does Frank have baggage. In the opening moments of the MArvel Special Presentation, we can tell Frank Castle is not doing well. And he only has 44 minutes to do better. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, the show leans on that literally by manifesting fake … Continue reading The Punisher: One Last Kill

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The Small Screen Diaries: 05/12/26

John Stark

Disney announced a few dates yesterday. Avatar: Fire and Ash is premiering June 24th on Disney Plus, to see if anyone will still care about it six months after its theatrical release. VisionQuest is coming to Disney Plus in October. Asoka is returning in early 2027. Camp Rock 3 will premiere in August. X-Men 97 is coming back sometime this summer, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man returns in the fall. TV Shows Watched: American Idol: S24E15 (Disney Plus) no audio description, The NIght Agent: S3E7 (Netflix) with audio description, Imperfect Women: S1E6 (Apple) with audio description, The Miniature Wife: S1E1 … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 05/12/26

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Landman: Season 2

John Stark

Taylor Sheridan is running awfully close to oversaturation that has killed Ryan Murphy and Tyler Perry, and as an even hotter take, Dick Wolf. These mega-producers ahve too many irons in the fire, and Sheridan has basically kept Paramount Plus alive single handedly. It is baffling that Paramount let his contract expire, so he could sign with universal. I can’t even fathom what their service would look like without Landman, Tulsa King, Mayor Of Kings Town, Lioness, The Madison, and the multitude of Yellowstone spinoffs. Paramount owes more to Taylor Sheridan right now than they do their own controversial CEO. … Continue reading Landman: Season 2

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Beef: Season 2

John Stark

Arby’s may have the meats, but Netflix has the Beef. The first season helped put director Jake Schrier on the map to direct Thunderbolts, and now the upcoming X-Men reboot for Marvel. Series creator Lee Sung Jin is also working on the upcoming X-Men film, having created Beef following a lengthy career in TV on shows like Its Always Sunny and Undone. The first season of Beef was unexpected, taking a simple bad day interaction, and showing how that moment would irrevocably change lives forever. The evolution of the first season was really putting its leads through the wringer. People … Continue reading Beef: Season 2

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The Small Screen Diaries: 05/11/26

John Stark

Amazon gave a very early renewal to Reacher for a 5th season, with Season 4 set to premiere later this year, but a date has not been set. Also, ABC confirmed the pickup of The Rookie: North, and it plans to air both the new spinoff and The Rookie back-to-back starting at midseason. TV Shows Watched: Lord Of The Flies: S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, The Count Of Monte Cristo: S1E8 (PBS) with audio description, Top Chef: S24E6 (Peacock) with audio description, Will Trent: S4E9 (Disney Plus) with audio description, Marshals: S1E5 (Paramount) with audio description, and LAst Week Tonight: … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 05/11/26

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The Small Screen Diaries: 05/10/26

John Stark

Some news came down the pike yesterday that Marvel confirmed that Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again will have a time jump. How big? One year. You know, how long it is naturally between seasons. They are oddly adapting a Daredevil comic titled The Devil In Cell Block D, where Matt has to deal with being in prison at Rikers, and also having everyone know he’s Daredevil. The problem is, in the comic book, he’s in there with Kingpin, and the show decidedly went in a different direction. So who is coming back? The Defenders. Someone has to fight crime … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 05/10/26

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Going In Blind: The Autumn Summer

John Stark

I certainly admire how Jared Isaac approached directing The Autumn Summer, asking his cast to live in the same house while filming went on, so they could develop a deeper connection that feels like more than actors acting, but a lived in familial experience. If it weren’t for Isaac also getting such length out of the production value of his indie film, I’d be convinced many scenes in this were family and friends just existing in the same space and enjoying the tail end of summer together. He reportedly also encouraged improvisation, or at least actors to respond to each … Continue reading Going In Blind: The Autumn Summer