Category: Movie Review

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The Fall Guy

John Stark

Part of me thinks this film is probably a blast to look at. And the only reason I know that, is because the audio description fought so hard here to cover all its bases. Kudos to whoever made this, because David Leitch did not make this easy. The Fall Guy is about a stuntman, directed by a former stunt coordinator who has since become known for his elaborate action sequences, but also has Ryan Gosling as the lead guy giving all these internal thoughts as fourth wall breaking narration to the audience. Somehow, with the high amount of action, excellent … Continue reading The Fall Guy

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Find me Falling

John Stark

I had a dream this summer. I frequently operate in a deficit in terms of when I post a review to my YouTube, and when I post to the site. I really wanted to close the gap, and once my school year starts again, my students are going to take up a lot of time. So, over the next two days, we are rapid firing reviews. Let’s go! Find Me falling is a Netflix movie of the week starring Harry Connick Jr as an aging rockstar who moves to the Greek isles to a nice coastal home, only to find … Continue reading Find me Falling

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Gran Turismo: A Second Look

John Stark

Much like I did this summer by watching The Royal hotel a second time, and clearing that film of its initial Unwatchable grade, I noticed Netflix uploaded the audio description to Gran Turismo at some point. Mind you, I reviewed that film about a month after it had been on the service, so the delay is still unacceptable for Sony and Netflix. However, Neill Blomkamp and the cast and crew are taken off the Unwatchable list. The first time through, I could tell there was a hint of a film here that I would enjoy if it just had audio … Continue reading Gran Turismo: A Second Look

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Skywalkers: A Love Story

John Stark

One of the more dangerous documentaries this year, but so immensely fascinating at the same time. Of course, the easy comparison to Skywalkers: A love Story is man On Wire, except I felt this renegade filmmaking style. getting the opportunity to explore artists on the fringe, who what they are doing is dangerous, and technically illegal. It sent me back to Exit Through The Gift Shop, which is one of my favorite documentaries of all time. This bold crew follows two extreme climbers, who seek to get to the highest of heights. they aren’t interested in Everest, but they would … Continue reading Skywalkers: A Love Story

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The Teachers Lounge

John Stark

I almost don’t want to do this. We get so few international films described each year that I really don’t want to bite the hand that feeds. But, I also want the industry to keep making audio description for international titles, so i have to talk about it, but I can’t actually lie and say this is good audio description. it is a conundrum. Luckily, this is a terrific film, and you should see it anyway. It’s always amazing to get that experience of perspective from another country, and another culture. how do things there work? What is their day … Continue reading The Teachers Lounge

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Deadpool And Wolverine

John Stark

Rumors of Marvel Studios’ demise has been greatly exaggerated. They certainly have swung and missed big in the past few years, but it has always annoyed me that we keep skipping over the hits that work, like Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3. And Black Panther Wakanda Forever. The latter of the two was hoping to repeat the success of the first Panther feature landing in the Best Picture category, and came really close with a PGA nomination. It is now known for being the first Marvel title to gain an Oscar nomination. However, if you talk to any angry … Continue reading Deadpool And Wolverine

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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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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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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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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