the Small Screen Diaries- 05/20/24
I’ll start off just with a cursory acknowledgement that I finished American Idol (Hulu). As SNl has started to use audio description, my greatest hope is that for its 23rd season, American Idol finally figures out what audio description is. Their biggest competition, The Voice, is audio described. I’d like to have some basic knowledge of what these singers look like, and maybe what they are wearing. Jack Blocker was wearing a shirt everyone was talking about, and I had no point of reference. I’d say American Idol hates blind people, but I know they don’t, as they have cast … Continue reading the Small Screen Diaries- 05/20/24
Migration
Illumination has struck again, much like the flock of geese struck that airplane Sully was flying. Migration is one of those animated films that follows the formula set by other films like it, but it isn’t sure where to make good choices. The end result is like playing Duck Hunt and missing all your shots. I skipped the theatrical release and waited for Peacock. I’m proud of that choice. Kumamoto Nanjiani plays the patriarch of a little duck family, with a wife (Elizabeth Banks), an uncle (Danny Devito) and two ducklings. He’s always been afraid his whole life of leaving … Continue reading Migration
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/20/24
I’m so excited to have outer Range (Amazon) back. I’m pretty sure this is Roy Samuelson doing the narration. Amazon tried to push me into episode 2, but I don’t want to rush it. It took two years to get to season two, so it will probably take another two for the next. But I also know I can’t screw around, and Amazon expects me to watch this fast enough so they are encouraged to renew it. But, if you haven’t yet checked out this show that is like if Yellowstone was being written by Chris Carter or Jonathan nolan, … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/20/24
The Beekeeper
There are different types of movies in the world. there’s the kind that attracts critics and film snobs, and they debate the merits of a lot of films no one will ever watch again. too many of those people don’t understand the appeal of something like The Beekeeper, which is one of the dumbest movies I’ve seen in terms of plot, but it was also oddly a blast to watch. Jason Statham clearly wanted his own John Wick style franchise, and David Ayer was happy to oblige. The upside is that this movie has audio description by Jedidiah Barton and … Continue reading The Beekeeper
Freud’s Last Session
This wound up on Netflix, after previously having a VOD run. I didn’t see audio description for this when i wanted to rent it, and Netflix didn’t pick up a track for it. However, I’m a fan of Anthony Hopkins, and I really thought this film would be just a long conversation between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. It’s not. You actually need the audio description. While the movie does imagine what a conversation would be like between Freud (played by Anthony Hopkins) and Lewis (played by Matthew Goode), as they debate faith and the human condition at the onset … Continue reading Freud’s Last Session
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/18/24
BREAKING NEWS. Last night, while trying to get back to sleep, I had Saturday Night Live (NBC) on, and the damn thing had audio description. I kid you not. I’m planning on also checking out Peacock to see if this is getting ported to the Cock the day after, but it aired live, with live audio description. I didn’t even realize how helpful it was until the opening credits, and I realized there were cast members I had no idea what they looked like. Also, the Scooby Doo sketch was clearly filled with visual humor references, and that whole thing … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/18/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/17/24
I’ve been reading about this woman claiming to be Martha from Baby Reindeer (Netflix) and all the press she’s getting, and I’m just wondering why she would want to confirm that she is Martha? The series says they changed things for dramatic purposes, her name isn’t Martha, so why out herself? It certainly is an interesting show, but I don’t get the internet’s need to find Martha. Fallout (Amazon) inched closer to the season finale for me, as I knocked out episode 7, which seems to have positioned every major character up against the finality of their season long arc. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/17/24
The Greatest Hits
Last year, the Sundance hit Ry Lane was pushed to a straight to Hulu release in the spring, and this year, another perfectly fine indie has been relegated to the same release window. The Greatest Hits is an interesting look at memories, time, and love, all against the backdrop of music. If it wasn’t for the time traveling aspects, this would be a Gen Z version of high Fidelity. Exploring the profound connection between music and memory, The Greatest Hits is centered on a young woman (Lucy Boynton), who is still processing the loss of her boyfriend, and has to … Continue reading The Greatest Hits
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/16/24
Gird your loins. Bridgerton (Netflix) has returned, and penelope and Colin are taking center stage. I already am hopeful more for Season 3, since I enjoyed 2 more than 1, and Antony and Kate are still around (though clearly not the leads). After Penelope has a less than desirable interaction at the start of the season, Lady Whistledown drops a scathing report on not just the Colin, but the Queen, who hasn’t chosen her diamond for this year yet. I love the audio description here, though most of the characters are returning, so you are already supposed to know a … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/16/24
The Mummy (25th Anniversary)
So one of the cool things happening with the lack of releases is that we are getting more and more anniversary rereleases, like Brendan Fraser’s underrated The mummy. This Stephen Sommers flick is something I already own on DVD, but without audio description. The rerelease allowed me to experience the audio description, and encouraged me to explore the sequells, also with audio description. Fraser’s first foray is one of those random moviegoing experiences I still remember. I was actually out of town and my mom dropped me off at the movie theatre, knowing I would be good to go. I … Continue reading The Mummy (25th Anniversary)
Mending The Line
This is exactly the kind of film I would pass over normally. I’ve never heard of it, it randomly pops up on Netflix, and it lacks audio description. but dammit,it has Brian Cox. I’m on a mission to complete his filmography, and he’s constantly popping up in things like this, and the recent Little Wing. So, I watched it. The film centers around a soldier who was injured in active duty and has been trying to rehab so he can get back out there and join the fight. he keeps getting rejected, and recommended for more rehabilitation, so he winds … Continue reading Mending The Line
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/15/24
Kicked off the day the best way with Dead boy Detectives (Netflix), which is quickly becoming an attachment of mine. After watching Lockwood and Co go nowhere, if Netflix cancels this show, I’ll never be able to trust them in this genre again. This episode, which saw the boys investigate why two frat boys got murdered, also saw more screentime for Jenny, as she found out her secret admirer, and we learned a bit more about the witch and her evil plans. This show has some really good audio description, and even made a point to bring up the fact … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/15/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/14/24
A weird diary day. I swear I watched more TV than this, but some of it didn’t have AD. Like, I finally advanced to the second episode of the second season of Extraordinary, a show that absolutely had audio description created, but Hulu for some reason enjoys paying for things they aren’t using. I don’t understand it. it still doesn’t have audio description attached, even though it exists. This is such an odd phenomenon. It would be like being in a building and wanting to use the accessible bathroom, and finding out that there is one… but no one can … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/14/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 05/13/24
Netflix’s Ripley (Netflix) is continuing to drag out. Seriously, I hope fans of the novel feel like this is a faithful adaptation, because the movie did the same story in a fraction of the time, and was better than this. Though, I do appreciate that Dakota Fanning starts to have more to do toward the end of the series. I’m still catching up on 911 (Hulu) which I’m so happy now has audio description at least as far back as Season 5. I’m still playing catch up, but if I focus on it, I should be ready in time for … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 05/13/24
Argyle
Matthew was experienced in the field. He had been kicking around an idea for quite sometime, and was looking for a buyer. This wasn’t his usual ask, this was an investment. An idea to change all future ideas. He needed a buyer, and one with deep pockets. luckily enough, he knew just the mark. They never saw it coming. When Matthew exited the meeting, he had carte Blanche. He had hoped for maybe a solid 75, maybe 100 million, but they blew that out of the water with double his expectations. Confused, Matthew started to wonder how he would use … Continue reading Argyle
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