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 Small Screen Diaries- 09/08/24

John Stark

TV News: Never have the stakes been higher for a new Fall drama, or the pressure on a network to not cancel a series. Talk about throwing down the gauntlet. Kathy bates recently did an interview (I believe for the New York Times) promoting her upcoming remake of Matlock, and she’s boldly stated this is her final performance. When Matlock is done, she’s done. So, the only way to keep Kathy bates acting is to keep renewing Matlock? I think that’s a good enough reason. but if this is a one and done, and we never see Bates again, I … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/08/24

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The bike Riders

John Stark

I always find the work of Jeff Nichols to be engaging in its cinematic form even if I’m not completely enamored with his offerings. the bike Riders is one of those films that seemed good on paper, and then I ended up with a film that matched the worthiness of a viewing, but not necessarily the praise that would elicit multiple viewings, or encourage others. the movie is also a bit of a tough sell, audio description wise, since the movie takes place in a certain time period, where the aesthetic takes over, and actors are likely finding subtle ways … Continue reading The bike Riders

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The Arrival (2024)

John Stark

I don’t mind diving into the world of independent film. As a member of film independent, and as someone who sat through many a student film in college, I know there is a wide range of film out there, and we really only glimpse the lucky few to be prominently featured. Here comes The Arrival, which lacks recognizable talent, a major distributor, and some typical basic filmmaking expectations. budget does not hold a film back. Movies like Paranormal Activity and Skinamarink were made on shoe string budgets with unknown cast, and proved to be creatively sufficient in their own right. … Continue reading The Arrival (2024)

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Treasure

John Stark

Normally, when you think of a road trip comedy, you don’t think of a 90’s set film where Americans retrace their generational footsteps through Poland. Certainly, you don’t expect it to carry the weight of an older father showing his daughter, almost with unfettered pride,the land he grew up in before being forcibly removed during World War II. Certainly, you don’t expect this to turn into a film about death camps. But, Treasure, almost as vague as its title can be, is a journey best taken on a whim, with little known, and the expectations broadly expanded to allow yourself … Continue reading Treasure

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/07/24

John Stark

TV News: MGM Plus cancelled Beacon 23 and The White King, two shows I wasn’t really aware existed. That’s probably why they got the axe. TV Shows Watched: The Perfect Couple: S1E6 (Netflix), Daryl Dixon: S1E6 (Netflix) with audio description, and Pachenko: S2E3 (Apple Plus) with audio description. Sadly, Fight Night was still missing audio description. Podcasts: The Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast (Dragon Con Wrap Up) YouTube: Adam Does Movies (Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Deep Focus Lens (Movies You love Everyone Else Hates), and Fish Jelly Review (Review: The Front Room). Movies: Tucker and Dale Vs Evil (Amazon) with TTS, Gary … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/07/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24

John Stark

TV News: Amazon has decided to close the door on Bosch: Legacy, with the upcoming season pegged as its last. Also, FOX has confirmed that this upcoming 5th Season of 911 Lone Star will be its last. TV Shows Watched: Bel Air: S3E8 (Peacock), The Perfect Couple: S1E3, S1E4, and S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, 911: S6E13 and S6E14 (Hulu),. Fight Night was still without audio description as of yesterday. Podcasts: Unspooled (Armageddon), Film Threat (The Acolyte’s Cancellation), Pod Save America (Politics), The Damage Report (Politics), and Countdown With Keith Olbermann (News/Politics). YouTube: Oscar Expert (Breaking Down Venice/Telluride Debuts Movies: … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24

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Happy Campers

John Stark

I think one of the things that I miss about being sighted is the true ability to watch any movie. I never had to consider whether or not the movie had audio description before. If I wanted to watch something, regardless of release year, streaming service, cable channel, physical media, or whether the movie was a major release or an independent film festival title, I had brazen access to all of it. Despite being a billion dollar industry, Hollywood just isn’t that interested in courting and cultivating blind cinephiles. Despite that, there are blind cinephiles. As a blind film critic, … Continue reading Happy Campers

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: The Rings Of Power: S2E4 (Amazon) with audio description), Kaos- S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, Kite Man: Hell Yeah! S1E9 (MAX) with audio description, The Perfect Couple: S1E1 and S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, and Veep: S5E5 (MAX) with audio description. Podcasts: You Are Good (Review: Finding Nemo), Anderson Cooper 360 (The Shooting in Georgia), Lewis blacks RantCast (A Greatest Hits episode), and The bright Side (An interview with a UK disability advocate). YouTube: Adam Does movies (Reaction to the Minecraft Trailer) and Adam Conover (America Hates college Students) Movies: Happy Campers- No Audio Description My little … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/04/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Sunny: S1E10 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Women In Blue (Apple Plus) with audio description, Khaos: S1E7 (Netflix) with audio description, Daryl Dixon: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, and Name That Tune: Most Recent Episode (Hulu) no audio description. Podcasts: American Fever Dream (Politics), Post Reports (Why Disabled People Are Legally Paid Less), and You Made It Weird With Pete Holmes (Interview: Natasha Leggaro) YouTube: Chris Stuckmann (Review: beetlejuice Beetlejuice) Movies: Childs Play 2 (Netflix) with audio description I’ve been holding off on discussing Khaos, because I’ve been trying to find and formulate the reasons I feel … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/04/25

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/03/24

John Stark

TV News: It’s that time when FOX/Disney is looking at whether or not to renew The Simpsons and Family Guy, which both typically get a multi-year deal. This year is different, as the talk now includes “should one, or both, become streaming exclusives?” The Simpsons has long been an exclusive for Disney plus, and Family Guy for Hulu (after a long and fruitful run on Netflix). These two shows could very well leave the television landscape for a streaming one, if that is the more viable place for them. What would that mean for the rest of Animation Domination? That’s … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/03/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/02/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Bel Air: S3E8 (Peacock) with audio description, Wyatt Earp and the cowboy War: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, the Great North: S4E16 (Hulu) no audio description, Daryl Fixon: S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, and Khaos: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description. Podcasts: The NPR politics Podcast (politics), The Interview (with Jenna Ortega), and The Excerpt (Beatlemania) YouTube: FishJelly Review (Review: Slingshot) and I definintely watched another one… but it escapes me now. Movies: Daughters (Netflix) with audio description, Open Water (MAX) with audio description, Sleepy Hollow (Amazon/MGM Plus) with audio description. Khaos gets another break. Yesterday, I actually … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/02/24

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Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Story

John Stark

I think Paramount got confused when the third SpongeBob movie opened in the middle of the pandemic and did really poor at the box office. That is the only reason I can think of to explain how this new SpongeBob film is premiering on Netflix. Yes, it does center around our aquatic squirrel, but she does basically go on the adventure with Mr SquarePants, so, she’s essentially swapping in for Patrick. In preparation for this, I rewatched all thre SpongeBob movies leading up to this, because they all have audio description. When we get to the fourth film, it is … Continue reading Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Story

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The Small Screen Diaries- 09/01/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Terminator: Zero- S1E7 and S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, Khaos: S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War: S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, Daryl Dixon: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description, Interview With A vampire: S2E6 (AMC Plus) no audio description, and Emily In Paris: S4E3 (Netflix) with audio description. Podcasts: Blank Check (The Elephant Man), The Al Franken Podcast (Interview: Martin Short), The John Campia Show (Worst Movies of The Year So Far) YouTube: The Awards Contender (Early Oscar Predictions), Jeremy Jahns (Review: The crow), Fish Jelly Review (Review: Blink Twice) Movies: A Civil … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/01/24

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The Rebel Moon: Directors Cuts

John Stark

Reality check. The existence of Snyder cuts for films no one asked for is everything wrong with cinema today. The fact that fans lobbied for Zack Snyder to go back and finish Justice league, which led to not just additional reshoots, but the actual addition of actors, is the most ridiculous thing. He got to marinate on all the critical feedback, sit there and stare at what joss Whedon gave to the world, and then go back and do some massive near 4 hour version of Justice League that never was going to see the light of day, even in … Continue reading The Rebel Moon: Directors Cuts

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/31/24

John Stark

TV News: I’m always surprised when a show that I ddin’t really get, and I also didn’t know anyone was watching suddenly earns a second season, but if I know a bunch of people who watch he show, it is just cancelled. Like, i actually knew real people who loved Dead Boy Detectives, plus the show was nominated for some Dorian awards. But, I’ve never heard anyone talk to me about Based On A True Story, and that apparently has a second season coming this fall. TV Shows Watched: the Rings Of Power: S2E3 (Amazon) with audio description, Pachenko: S2E2 … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/31/24