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 X-Men Franchise: A Second Look

John Stark

Earlier this year, we had X-Men 97, and I knew Deadpool and Wolverine was soon to be upon us. So, in some capacity, I rewatched every single film in this series. It would be nice, now that Disney and Marvel stand on the shoulders of something Bryan Singer started years ago, if they would just describe the entire series. Sadly, that isn’t the case. What had audio description, and what didn’t? What would my grades be? Check out this rundown, and a mini marathon. X-Men (Disney Plus) No Audio Description the original film is offered on Disney plus, and I … Continue reading The X-Men Franchise: A Second Look

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/08/24

John Stark

TV News: Steve Martin will not be playing Tim Walz on SNL next season. I didn’t know this was a thing we were thinking about. i can also confirm, without asking them, that thousands of other actors and comedians won’t be either. I guess now I know who Tim Walz looks like. TV Shows: Time Bandits: S1E5 and S1E6 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Women In Blue: S1E3 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Sonny: S1E6 (Apple plus) with audio description, The Golden Girls: S7E? (Hulu) with audio description, and The Daily Show: Tuesday Night’s Edition (Paramount Plus) no audio description. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/08/24

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Arcadian

John Stark

Nicolas Cage claims he’s close to retirement, so as his career supposedly winds down, I would really like him to go out on a high note. that means no more random shit like The old Way and The retirement Plan. So, the question here is Arcadian worthy of being one of Nicolas Cage’s final films? Well, that depends on how you look at it. He isn’t really the star of the film.That’s not meant to be a spoiler, it’s just how the movie is really structured. We are in a dystopian future where a lot of humans are now dead, … Continue reading Arcadian

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My Spy/My Spy 2: Eternal City

John Stark

Hollywood loves to pair people who we generally assume shouldn’t be around children with kids. This has been true for Hulk Hogan (Mr Nanny, Suburban Commando), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Kindergarten Cop), Vin Diesel (The Pacifier), and even comedians like Eddie Murphy (Daddy Day Care), Jack Black (School Of Rock), and Adam Sandler (Big Daddy). So, it isn’t that surprising that a franchise exists for Dave Bautista where his sidekick is a child. After all, if Burt Reynolds could make Cop and a Half, Bautista should be able to crank out some product for Amazon. Technically, I’ve already seen My Spy before, … Continue reading My Spy/My Spy 2: Eternal City

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/07/24

John Stark

In the TV/Movie rumor mill, I’ve heard from some of the more conservative film critics that are claiming Marvel has been quietly pushing out all employees with ‘agendas”, because they realize their films are too woke. Basically. I think that’s silly nonsense. But, if a bunch of previously announced projects never come to fruition, then I guess we shall see. As a side note, I hate that we now have conservative film critics, like film criticism needs a left and right wing, rather than just being opinion based. What I always loved, was finding critics whose thoughts on movies resonated … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/07/24

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Twister

John Stark

Sometimes I feel bad for casual readers. They get really excited that I’m reviewing the 1996 disaster hit Twister, and then they get this. I hate to break it to you, but this is not really a review. As a blind film critic, I’m constantly challenging companies to provide more accessibility, especially where it makes sense. As companies continue to increase their prices, rather unwarranted since they really aren’t delivering more expensive content, the question I have is will it result in more accessibility? what are you going to do for me when I already pay more for a service … Continue reading Twister

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Midnight Cowboy: 55th Anniversary

John Stark

It has been 55 years since the groundbreaking release of Midnight Cowboy, the X-rated Best Picture film directed by John Schlesinger, and starring the Oscar nominated Jon voight and Dustin Hoffman. Of course, since then, the X rating was officially retired as an MPAA rating, as it became associated with porn more than a trip to the cinema. the rating NC-17 was thought to be a more appropriate rating, but has since stigmatized certain movies, and prevented most from ever truly achieving wide release. but, back in 1969, the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences saw fit to name … Continue reading Midnight Cowboy: 55th Anniversary

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Those About To Die: Season 1

John Stark

This is where I come in like a wrecking ball. I’ve seen and heard the negative feedback on Peacock’s latest sword and sandals epic, but I have to say, I enjoyed the hell out of it. In a world of police procedurals, reboots, spinoffs, revivals, and clear copycat shows, there truly isn’t anything like this on air. You could try and point to something like House Of The Dragon, which has no real world application, or all the way back to Rome, which would just suggest there can only ever be one show about something, but right now, Roland Emmerich … Continue reading Those About To Die: Season 1

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/05/24

John Stark

TV News? I mentioned that HBO aired a little teaser for The Last Of us, but they also aired a snippet of footage to remind you that there is another Game of Thrones series in the works. likely, we will see that one premiere before we see the third season of House Of The Dragon. I’d peg that for a late 2025 debut, maybe as early as a year from now. TV Shows Watched: House Of The Dragon: S2E8 (MAX) with audio description, Batman: Cpaed Crusader: S1E9 (Amazon) with audio description, Fantasmass: S1E5 (MAX) with audio description, Unstable: S2E2 (Netflix) … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/05/24

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The Neon Highway

John Stark

I like Beau Bridges as an actor, which is likely how I found myself watching a film where he is the big name draw, and it has no audio description. Beau Bridges may have had a few films he starred in back in the day, but it has been a long time since he toplined a movie. The Neon Highway isn’t even his movie, he just hijacks it. The Neon Highway starts off with two brothers looking to make it big in country music. They have a great song, and a label is interested. But, when the brothers find out … Continue reading The Neon Highway

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Faye

John Stark

A documentary that allows Faye Dunaway to tell her own story in her own words. Often with this type of documentary, we get surface level, and the director is only comfortable going as far as the subject matter is willing to let them. I’m always pleasantly surprised when someone reveals anything about them that is less than perfect, and Faye Dunaway does that. She also gets to comment on a few of her most enduring performances, like Network and Bonnie And Clyde, and why she can’t stand wire hangers. A handful of commentators, including her son, help bring perspective, but … Continue reading Faye

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The Royal Hotel- A Second Look

John Stark

Rather than update my old review, I wanted to make a point that I came back around to The Royal Hotel after Hulu addded audio description. Originally, they dropped this film a few months back, and it did not have audio description. since then, Neon has become a little more aware of their content heading to Hulu, and rectified the lack of accessibility. So, it is no longer “unwatchable”.\ It very much is a wild experience watching a film I’ve never visually seen without audio description, and now doing it again. there were so many things I was unable to … Continue reading The Royal Hotel- A Second Look

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Angels In The Outfield: 30th Anniversary

John Stark

Despite what many believed, Disney Plus did not launch with every Disney movie ever made. Fans of movies like Air Bud and Angels in The Outfield found out they had to wait. Well, i waited. So, where’s the audio description? Disney is usually pretty good about making sure their own films, especially Disney theatrically branded content, has audio description. Some pretty random titles have it, and they can’t claim they didn’t know the debut of a 30 year old movie was coming. So, am i supposed to pray for accessibility? Is this some sort of meta lesson? Will Christopher Lloyd … Continue reading Angels In The Outfield: 30th Anniversary

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The Small Screen Diaries- 08/04/24

John Stark

In TV News, HBo used last nights house of The Dragon season finale to tease The last Of Us Season 2 with some available footage. It’s a slow news day. TV Shows Watched: A Good Girls Guide To Murder: EPS 5 and 6 (Netfli) with audio description, Batman: Caped Crusader: S1E7 and S1E8 (Amazon) With Audio Description, and Interview With A Vampiree: S2E3 (AMC Plus) No Audio Description. I have featured all three before, and I don’t have a featured show today. Interview With A Vampire desperately needs audio description. As a member of a few critics groups, I’m trying … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 08/04/24

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Civil War

John Stark

When I learned Alex garland was taking this bold topic on as a high profile A24 release, my interest was super high. I was initially worried how the film would be received. Politically, we are a mess right now, and heading into the films release, I was hesitant to sit in a theatre for this. But, reviews were mixed, and then I became even less likely. Now, at home, I can enjoy civil War, or I could, if it was good. Alex Garland managed to take on a hot button topic that has nothing to say. On one hand, there … Continue reading Civil War