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Music By John Williams

John Stark

Music By John Williams (Disney Plus)- The GOAT Of Film Score Composition Quick Take: A movie for film lovers, specifically those who really appreciate a great film score. John Williams is the greatest there has ever been. There are plenty of other composers that knock out work all the time that is perfection, and yet, Williams’s reach seems so unattainable. From Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Michael Giacchino, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and even the legendary Ennio Morricone, Williams has created so many iconic themes that how could he not be remembered for the remainder of cinema. This takes a … Continue reading Music By John Williams

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The Order

John Stark

The Order- Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Marc Maron Quick Take: To be fair, I did ask if I could have an accessible screener. This movie has an available audio description track that I have not heard, so I’ll likely be reviewing this again at some point. The film was interesting enough that I would check it out, or recommend it if you can get the audio description track. Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Marc Maron, and Jurnee Smollett create a strong ensemble in a film about domestic terrorism. The thing I found the most striking, even without … Continue reading The Order

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The Small Screen Diaries- 12/27/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Silo: S2E7 (Apple plus) with audio description, What if: S3E6 (Disney Plus) with audio description, laid: S1E44 (Peacock) with audio description, Dexter: Original Sin: S1E3 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Get Millie Black: S1E5? (MAX) with audio description, The Diplomat: S2E4 (Netflix) with audio description, and Matlock: S1E? (Paramount Plus) with audio description Movies Watched: Gladiator 2 (Screener) with audio description, And So it Begins (Screener) no audio description, The Girl in The Pool (Paramount Plus) no audio description Best Episode: Silo- I’m definitely biased, because this is one of my favorite shows on air, but I … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 12/27/24

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American Pie: 25th Anniversary

John Stark

American Pie: 25th Anniversary- The Apple Pie Doesn’t look So Appetizing Anymore Quick Take: we all think we grew up in the best of times. For me, I look at how many films directed clearly at teen audiences we had, theatrically, in my window when I was in high school. technically, I wasn’t old enough to see American Pie in theatrical release without a parent, but that never stopped me before. But in 1999, American Pie was part of a cluster of teen classics, including Varsity Blues, She’s All That, Cruel Intentions, 10 Things I Hate About you, Never Been … Continue reading American Pie: 25th Anniversary

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American Star

John Stark

American Star- Ian McShane Shines In This Indie Drama Quick Take: I noticed Ian McShane was in a new film, but I didn’t bother to prioritize it until I was sent the FYC campaign for him. He sadly hasn’t gained much traction, and I think that has a lot to do with American Star feeling like so many other films of its ilk. An aging assassin is sent to a target, but when the target isn’t home, he starts familiarizing himself with the local area, the people, and the culture, who think he’s just another tourist, or an ex-pat. Of … Continue reading American Star

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The River Wild: 30th Anniversary

John Stark

The River Wild: 30th Anniversary- Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon Hold Up This Survival Thriller Quick Take: 30 years ago, Meryl Streep did her most action packed performance, playing a mom who has to use her particular set of skills to stop criminals and save her family. Later, Netflix made an ill advised remake, but we’re not talking about Bruno today. This is The River Wild, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathair, and john C. Reilly. It is a movie I’ve seen several times, and have loved every single one. I was just starting to … Continue reading The River Wild: 30th Anniversary

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The Small Screen Diaries- 12/26/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Squid Game: S2E1 (Netflix) with audio description, Creature Commandoes: S1E5 (MAX) with audio description, What If: S3E5 (Disney Plus) with audio description, 911: S8E2 (Hulu) with audio description, Pop Culture Jeopardy: S1E2 (Amazon) with audio description, and The Lincoln Lawyer: S3E9 (Netflix) with audio description Movies Watched: Skincare (Apple Store) with audio description, The End (screener) no audio description, Evil Does Not Exist (screener) no audio description, Exhibiting Forgiveness (screener) no audio description Best Episode: Squid Game- Hands down. I was wondering how they would be able to pull off a Season2, since the first seemed like … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 12/26/24

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Twisters

John Stark

Twisters- An Indie Director Brings Americana And Glen Powell To Stir Up This Series Quick Take:I loved the first Twister. I lived in tornado alley, and Twister is always a fun movie until it becomes someone’s reality. the ride at Universal Studios was hot garbage though (ride is a strong word). I’ve seen Twister enough times to qualify it as a desert island movie, except now I can’t find it with audio description, and it is way less fun. But, I did own it on VHS, and later BluRay. Twisters is basically trying to have its cake. It wants to … Continue reading Twisters

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Ed Wood: 30th Anniversary

John Stark

Ed Wood: 30th Anniversary- Tim Burton’s Classic Look At A Maligned Filmmaker Quick Take: While not my favorite Tim Burton film, I do really enjoy the energy he brings to this tale of the maligned director of Plan 9 From Outer Space. There’s something about Burton and his style that oddly compliments one of the most notorious directors of all time, and he managed to get a strong cast together as well. Johnny Depp is good, Sarah Jessica Parker is fun, Patricia Arquette does fine, but it is the MArtin Landau performance as Bella Lugosi everyone remembers. That is because … Continue reading Ed Wood: 30th Anniversary

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The Small Screen Diaries- 12/25/24

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Skeleton Crew: S1E5 (Disney Plus) with audio description, What If: S3E4 (Disney plus) with audio description, Laid: S1E3 (Peacock) with audio description, La Macquena: S1E4 (Hulu) with audio description, Landman: S1E2 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Virgin River: S6E1 (Netflix), Are you Smarter Than A Celebrity: S1E? (Amazon) with audio description, and A Man On the Inside: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description. Movie Watched: Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney plus) Since yesterday was Christmas, technically, I’ll extend the holiday spirit, and there’s no bad here, again. Just a nice present full of good. Best Episode: Laid … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 12/25/24

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The People’s Joker

John Stark

The People’s Joker- This Joker Certainly Is Wild Quick Take: I’ve seen this on demand, and I was provided a screener. To my knowledge, this has no audio description. It feels very low budget, directed and starring Vera Drew, and this is one of a handful of films that lack audio description that I’m debating about whether or not to include them in my top 25 of 2024. Drew is clearly a bright new voice as a director, and this comically semi autobiographical look at how Vera came to be is a bold and daring shot that ropes in Gotham … Continue reading The People’s Joker

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Martha

John Stark

Martha (Netflix)- Martha Stewart Clears The Air… And You Can Too In Your Own Home! Quick Take: I normally am trepidations when subjects are involved in their own biopics or documentaries, because often they show you what they want to show you. Martha Stewart is someone who has spent a lot of time in the public eye, and a lot of it isn’t flattering. One of the reasons I bothered to give this the praise, is I think Martha really did open up about some unflattering or personal details, and the director also holds her accountable. There are moments where … Continue reading Martha

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The Small Screen Diaries- 12/24/24

John Stark

It is Christmas. According to Alexa, Chanukah also starts today. So, Seasons Greetings across the board. TV Shows Watched: What We Do In The Shadows: Series Finale (Hulu) with audio description, What If: S3E3 (Disney plus) with audio description, No Good Deed- S1E7 and S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, Pop Culture Jeopardy: S1E1 (Amazon) with the legal definition of audio description, and Elzabeth: S2E? (Paramount Plus) with audio description Movies Watched: Out of My Mind (Disney plus) with audio description and The Six Triple Eight (Netflix) In the spirit of Christmas, a celebration only section today. Yay for free passes! … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 12/24/24

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Shark Tale: 20th Anniversary

John Stark

Shark Tale: 20th Anniversary- Will Smith, Jack Black, Robert DeNiro, Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie Quick Take: I’m always surprised this didn’t become a franchise. After all, there are two Nut Job movies. Gnomeo and Juliet got a sequel. The Boss Baby had a sequel. How this movie managed to evade becoming a franchise likely has to do with the expense and popularity of the voice cast. Will Smith, jack Black, Renee Zellweger, Robert DeNiro, Angelina Jolie, and Martin Scorsese. do you realize that out of the entire main voice cast I just listed, only one of them is not an … Continue reading Shark Tale: 20th Anniversary

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Despicable Me 4

John Stark

Despicable Me 4- A Screenplay That Feels Like It Was Written By 10 Minions Quick Take: The fourth outing, and the sixth technically in the franchise at large, Despicable Me 4 has a lot happening. it feels like the script was written and then rewritten almost like a game of “Yes, and” where the next person added another subplot. this movie is so scattered, so disorganized,it makes the third film seem better. I wasn’t a fan of the third, because I didn’t think Steve Carell should have voiced both. It was a missed opportunity to go in a completely different … Continue reading Despicable Me 4