Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
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10,000 Leagues Under The Sea/ Bowfinger/ A Civil Action/Fight Club Anniversaries

John Stark

One of the quickest ways for me to get to an even point in my reviews is to acknowledge a handful of releases that I’ve seen recently that are celebrating an Anniversary this year. So, first up is the only one in this group that was my first viewing, the 70th Anniversary of Disneys live action adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Starring a few Hollywood legends, notably Kirk Douglas (who has to serenade a seal at one point), this film isn’t that far removed from a film I watched last year, The black hole. Though, those two films … Continue reading 10,000 Leagues Under The Sea/ Bowfinger/ A Civil Action/Fight Club Anniversaries

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Rebel Ridge

John Stark

There are plenty of movies about outsiders visiting a small town and things not working out as expected.It is a pretty safe genre, as a lot of people assume small towns are somehow inherently shady after being gaslit by this trope for years. So, here comes Rebel Ridge, where Aaron Pierre (the new voice of Mufasa) heads to a small town to bail out his brother, only to find corrupt cops that steal his bail money.Along for the ride are Don Johnson as the sheriff, AnnaSophia Robb still looking for Winn Dixie, and James Cromwell playing someone still alive. The … Continue reading Rebel Ridge

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The Small Screen Diaries- 10/05/24

John Stark

TV News: Earlier, Amazon announced that this upcoming season of Bosch Legacy would be its last, and now they’ve also scrapped plans for a spinoff.Totally getting out of the Bosch game at the weirdest time. The franchise is written by Michael Connelly, who also writes The Lincoln Lawyer, and the two franchises recently had a book crossover. Is Amazon dropping Bosch because Netflix wants to use the character? Maybe. There might be some under the table shenanigans going on here. TV Shows Watched: Pachenko: S2E7 (Apple Plus) with audio description, The Legend of Vox Machina: S3E1 (Amazon) with audio description, … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 10/05/24

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The Fabulous Four

John Stark

Hollywood. We need to talk. We have never had more content than we have right now. We have our major theatrical releases, we have indie films, we have streaming movies, we have fantastic limited series, we’ve got big name talent starring in TV shows, and yet we cannot find good films or television projects for women of a certain age. Jane Fonda and lily Tomlin at least had Grace and Frankie for a while, but the bulk of Diane Keaton’s work over the last few years is clinically depressing. One of the best actresses of her generation can’t get out … Continue reading The Fabulous Four

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The Boy and the Heron

John Stark

Without crushing the integrity of my review, and somehow not coming across as a believable fan of Hayao Miyazaki, I should mention that I’m not a completionist. There is at least one Miyazaki movie out there I still have not seen. There are also a few I own on physical media. My favorite headed into this is still Spirited Away, not because I’m a basic bitch, but because it is an excellent work of art. It wasn’t my first Miyazaki experience, but it has been really hard to beat. So, when he announces a new film, when everyone thinks he’s … Continue reading The Boy and the Heron

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The Small Screen Diaries- 10/04/24

John Stark

TV News: Ding Dong, the Shit Is Dead. Netflix has thankfully put That 90’s Show out of its misery. I would have been happy with them also announcing that Season 3 would be only red and Kitty, somehow, because those two were still great after all these years. TV Shows Watched: The Rings of Power: S2E8 (Amazon) with audio description, Dr Odyssey: S1E2 (Hulu) no audio description, Nobody Wants This: S1E9 (Netflix) with audio description, The old Man: S2E5 (Hulu) with audio description, Love Is Blind: S7E2 (Netflix) with audio description, 911: S7E5 (Hulu) with audio description, What’s Next with … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 10/04/24

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Daughters

John Stark

I do like activist style documentaries, the ones with a perspective that there is a cause they are trying to bring to light. Often, these can stumble a bit on their way to the final stage when in the editing bay footage is chosen or not chosen based on the overall central idea that the thing the documentary is about is more important than the film itself. Sometimes, these end up working, because they’ve shown show much footage, it is almost impossible to imagine that there is another side, or anything could be creatively edited. Take ‘The cove’ for example, … Continue reading Daughters

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The Small Screen Diaries- 10/03/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Agatha All Along: S1E4 (Disney Plus) with audio description, Heartstopper: S3E1 (Netflix), Where’s Wanda: S1E2 (Apple plus) with audio description, Nobody Wants This: S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, Creature: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, Grotesquery: S1E3 (Hulu) with audio description, Krapopolis: S2E1 (Hulu) no audio description, The Daily Show: Most Recent (Paramount Plus) no audio description, The golden Girls: S7E? (Hulu) with audio description. Podcasts: Friends From Work (A Marvel podcast) YouTube: None Movies Watched: Divorce (Netflix) with audio description I did have a conversation with a real human in person today about Agatha All Along, and … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 10/03/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 10/02/24

John Stark

TV News: Ryan Murphy, who I literally forgot created the 911 franchise, has announced plans for another spinoff for the flagship series on ABC. Currently, Murphy has on air, that I’m aware of: 911, 911 lone Star, American Sports Story, monsters, Grotesquery, and Dr. Odyssey. Does he have enough shows? Has he taken over TV yet? TV Shows Watched: Where’s Wanda: S1E1 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Last Days Of The Space Race: S1E1 (Hulu) no audio description, Murder In A Small Town: S1E2 (Hulu) no audio description, American Sports Story: S1E5? (Hulu) with audio description, Nobody Wants This: S1E7 … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 10/02/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 10/1/24

John Stark

News: RIP John Amos, maybe best known for Good Times, but I’m such a fan of The West Wing that I’ll always remember what he brought to that show as well. TV Shows Watched: English Teacher: S1E6 (Hulu) with audio description, Solar Opposites: S5E9 (Hulu) with audio description, Brilliant Minds: S1E2 (Peacock) with audio description, Nobody Wants this: S1E6 (Netflix) with audio description, 911 Lone Star: S5E2 (Hulu) no audio description, Mr McMahon: S1E6 (Netflix) with audio description, What’s next with Bill Gates: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description. Podcasts: Anderson Cooper 360 (News/Politics), Pod Save America (News/Podcasts), Film Threat (Review: … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 10/1/24

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The Small Screen diaries- 09/30/24

John Stark

TV News: Just a lot of death. Apparently famous people don’t die in threes, but in clusters. Just in the last few days we lost Dame Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey, Harry Potter), John Astin (Beverly hills Cop), Kris Kristofferson (A Star Is Born), Dikembe Mutumbo (NBA Superstar, and commercial star), and Gavin Creel (a prolific Broadway talent). That’s not a rule of three. Rest in peace to all. TV Shows Watched: The Penguin: S1E2 (MAX) with audio description, The Summit: S1E1 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Creature: S1E1 (Netflix) with audio description, Nobody Wants This: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, … Continue reading The Small Screen diaries- 09/30/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/29/24

John Stark

TV News- Well, I guess Kerry Washington won’t be meeting her estranged mother anymore on her Hulu comedy UnPrisoned, which has been cancelled after two seasons. It’s a shame, because her co-star, Delroy Lindo, was excellent. I was always rooting for him for a surprise Emmy nomination, just like I wanted him recognized for his excellent work on Da Five Bloods. He goes under the radar far too often. TV Shows Watched: The Ark: S2E10 (Peacock) with audio description, Daryl Dixon: S2E1 (AMC Plus) No audio description, Mr McMahon- S1E3 and S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, Nobody Wants This- S1E4 … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/29/24

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Incoming

John Stark

And people say comedy is dead. Well, they haven’t seen Netflix’s latest teen comedy about some high school freshmen looking to par-tay. The hyphenated version is absolutely necessary by the way. In this latest high school romp, three pretty average dudes (because, we don’t really do nerds and geeks anymore), find themselves in the middle of a total rager. Not really, but, a 2024 version of a rager. It’s like if Project X had a version that was Pg-13. There’s nothing here you haven’t really seen before. Crude jokes, usual teen behavior, but all representative of this current Gen Alpha … Continue reading Incoming

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/28/24

John Stark

TV News: SyFy/USA have cancelled Chucky after 3 seasons. I’m a little surprised, based on the cliffhanger, but also that final season was a bit off the rails if we are being honest. Creatively, it needed a reboot anyway, and new writers. It was getting so bonkers that I wouldn’t be surprised if Season 4 was in space. TV Shows Watched: Pachenko: S2E6 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Mr McMahon: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, Nobody Wants This: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, Penelope: S1E6, S1E7, and S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, Everybody Still Hates Chris: S1E1 (Comedy) no audio … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/28/24

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Early Oscar predictions: September 2024- Best Picture Rankings

John Stark

With most of the relevant festivals behind us, and most of the movies having been seen, it was pretty easy to start figuring out this list. So, here’s my current rankings of what is in play, and why, plus why I have them ranked where they are. 2) Emilia Perez (Netflix) the big Netflix title this year. They don’t really have another winner. Netflix has yet to win a Best Picture trophy, but for a Mexican musical tht is also the International Oscar submission for France, and has a really good shot at getting first time Oscar nominations for Zoe … Continue reading Early Oscar predictions: September 2024- Best Picture Rankings