Author: John Stark

Blogger. EIC of macthemovieguy.com. Contributor to mjsbigblog.com and houseofgeekery.com. Previously featured on starpulse.com.
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Wicked Little Letters

John Stark

I’m realizing this stream of reviews of non-audio described content is quite depressing. This British dark comedy landed on Netflix where they didn’t think to acquire audio description for a film with Oscar Winner Olivia Coleman and Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley. I’m fairly certain this thing probably has a UK Audio Description Track, since it probably had a decent UK release. It’s just about whether or not you care. It is a period piece with a sizable ensemble. I had a hard time following it. beyond Coleman and Buckley, the only other vocally standout actress to me was Alicia Weir, … Continue reading Wicked Little Letters

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Summer Camp

John Stark

I’ve been on a roll here with films lacking audio description. The funny thing is, that this is one of those examples when I watched something with someone else, who know i needed audio description, and then felt obligated to fill me in as much as possible with random factoids along the way. these experiences are always less fun, which i can tell, even though they don’t admit it, and I can tell they didn’t like the movie either. So, what could have been a productive experience was once again a wash. Here is what I have to say to … Continue reading Summer Camp

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/30/24

John Stark

TV News: Shocking news. Like, just across the board. First, there’s news that Netflix is developing a revival sequel series to One Tree Hill with two of the original cast members. For a show that started off as two brothers that lived in a small town and both had basketball dreams, and ended without either of them being series regulars, it should come as no surprise that the sequel series once again looks nothing like the original show. Then, Netflix, once again in their infinite wisdom, decided to cancel Dead boy Detectives. As a result, I will stop watching Netflix … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/30/24

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You Gotta Believe

John Stark

This is now in theatres, fresh for Labor Day weekend. I got the opportunity to have an advance screener copy, but my midweek was just nuts. So, basically it looks like I saw this on opening day, but I got my screener a few days ago. In many ways, I’m an oddly ideal critic for this. No, it does not have audio description. But, I do live in the Central Florida area, specifically orlando, and the hype has been real as Lake Mary won the Little Leage World Series this year. it is a town just a hop, skip, and … Continue reading You Gotta Believe

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Food Inc 2

John Stark

i wasn’t paying attention to Hulu’s release schedule, and I rented this when Apple had it as a bargain bin rental days before it dropped on Hulu. neither offer audio description. Generally, when there is a sequel to a documentary, it means we screwed up, and the problem still exists. You never see a sequel to a documentary that is all good vibes and a celebration of all the hard work we did to finally change that thing the first film warned us about. So, great, our food is still janky. except instead of getting horrifying footage, this one leans … Continue reading Food Inc 2

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/29/30

John Stark

TV News: Zach Braff is out there apparently starting rumors about a Scrubs revival. Also, people are being optimistic about this Ted Lasso thing. So, three cast members had their options extended, but it is important to note that the American cast, like Jason sudekis and Juno Temple initially did not have theirs picked up, and their options expired. What has changed? Part of me wonders if they are planning to do this without Sudekis, and have finally figured out how to make that work. TV Shows Watched: The Rings of Power: S2E1 (Amazon) with audio description, Kite Man Hell … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/29/30

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/28/24

John Stark

TV News: Hey. remember just last week when Evil had a Series Finale? Well, now Stephen King wants a 5th Season, and some other people are joining his push. I don’t think this show gets revived, but what a hell of a public figure to have pushing your content. I wish he’d be like “Hey, this blind film critic over here. Check this dude out.” I think I’m trying to manifest a Stephen King shoutout. TV Shows Watched: Sonny: S1E9 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Women in Blue: S1E6 (Apple plus) with audio description, The Ark: S2E5 (Peacock) with audio … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/28/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/27/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Solar opposites: S5E3 (Hulu) with audio description, City of God: The Fight Rages On: S1E1 (MAX) with audio description, and Only Murders in The Building: S4E1 (Hulu) with audio description. Podcasts: Political with Gavin Newsome (Interview with Flava Flav) (Side Note: You Know What I’m Saying?), Tosh Show (Interview: His Adorable Son), Here’s The Thing With Alec Baldwin (Interview: Rory Kennedy), and Pod Save America (Politics) YouTube: None Movies: None Today, in hilarious choices in audio description, we’re going to dive head first into yet another international show, City of God: The Fight Rages on, which is … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/27/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/26/24

John Stark

TV News: Friendly reminder that Only Murders In The Building Season 4 premieres today (Tuesday). but, on the news side, I think this might have happened a while back, but I just learned of it, and never got a chance to post on it. So, Amazon has cancelled American Rust after rescuing it. This is actually disappointing on two levels, as the show gained audio description thanks to Amazon, but also the second season is stronger than the first, IMO, allowing for a creative expansion of sorts. But, I kind of thought saving the show the first time was weird. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/26/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/25/24

John Stark

TV News: So, i heard that Disney plus is close to ordering a second season of Miss Marvel. But, aside from that rumor, I wanted to dive in a bit more on the Ted Lasso fourth season. Part of the reason this appears to have traction is that the options on several cast members were picked up, but not Jason Sudekis. I don’t know if his contract works differently as the star, or if he always had an exit strategy planned. There was a rumor while the show was having its final season that we might see Ted Lasso continue … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/25/24

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Ezra

John Stark

It’s an honor and a privilege to discuss Ezra. Not really uniquely as a blind film critic, or LGBTQ film critic, but just because this film resonated with me on such a profound level. It’s just being tossed away as some random summer film that won’t get any attention from critics, and I think I probably am over indexing here on the sliding scale of critic, but with some 130+ and counting films from 2024, Ezra is very much one of my favorite. I think it is one of the best of the year, and the only question with that … Continue reading Ezra

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/24/24

John Stark

In TV News… Rumors are that Apple is considering giving Ted lasso a surprise 4th season. Why? It really felt like that show had an ending, and it definitely would feel odd to see Jason Sudekis back. I have a feeling that’s a very unnecessary season that will drag down the legacy of the sitcom. TV Shows Watched: Bel Air: S3E4 (Peacock) with audio description, Pachenko: S2E1 (Apple plus) with audio description, Bad Monkey: S1E3 (Apple Plus) with audio description, That 90’s Show: S3E3 and D3E4 (Netflix) with audio description, 911: S6E9 (Hulu) with audio description, and The Traitors: UK- … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/24/24

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Knox Goes Away

John Stark

In the tradition of all the other times someone went somewhere, like “Ernest Goes To Camp”, “Madea Goes To Jail”, and “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle”, Michael Keaton plays Knox, who is going… away. Oh god. This movie is nothing like any of those other films. It’s another dementia thriller. Didn’t I just review one of these literally yesterday? And, as to not break the trend, MAX has chosen not to provide audio description for this title as well. It’s that true alliance between Disney and WBD beneath the surface that explains how they are combining into some … Continue reading Knox Goes Away

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/23/24

John Stark

TV News: Not much. Netflix floated an ad into my stream that reminded me that Season 2 of Monster (the one where it was the Jeffrey Dahmer story) is coming, and it is now called Monsters, and focuses on Eric and Lyle Menéndez. At least not cannibals whose victims families are strongly opposing the series. TV Shows Watched: Before I list, I fully acknowledge that I watched more TV here than I did collectively Monday-Thursday. That’s how insane my week was. The Lady In The lake: S1E7 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Women In Blue: S1E5 (Apple Plus) with audio … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/23/24

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Sleeping Dogs

John Stark

Somewhere in between playing an exorcist… twice… Russell Crowe thought this Memento-esque crime drama was something he needed to check off his bucket list. This is, of course, Academy Award Winner Russell Crowe, and I guess he hasn’t switch his phone bill to one of the hot button cheap alternatives, so he’s gotta pay the bills. Theatrical has gotten weird, as a medium, as films that look like they would go theatrical end up being really good fodder for these mystery movie nights these major chains host. I know Liam Neeson has had more than a few of his recent … Continue reading Sleeping Dogs