The Poseidon Adventure
Another Oscar nominee I’ve never had the pleasure. It’s a shame too, because the cast is really a strong cast for the time period, and with a special Oscar for visual effects (before there was a full category), I kinda want to know how good this really looks. But, alas. This is on Starz, which of course means it doesn’t have audio description, because searching for audio description or someone who cares about it at Starz is like trying to find El Dorado or Atlantis. A futile and stupid gesture that I keep doing anyway. But, I have seen, and … Continue reading The Poseidon Adventure
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/12/24
Apple better be continuing on with For All Mankind. That season finale was a beast, and did exactly what I thought it would. Because the show takes these leaps forward in time, original cast members have to keep being shaved off because there’s only just so much you can age a person. Just like how last season ended with a few original cast members exiting, it’s highly likely that the way certain characters are written, means the end for them on the show (at least as regulars). However, there was one prominent character whose future was not shown, and that … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/12/24
Sound Of Freedom
Where I Watched it: Amazon English Audio Description?: No Cast: Jim Caveizel, Mira Sorvino, and Bill Camp Written By: Rod Barr Directed By: Alejandro Monteverdi I dreaded the attention a review of this might bring to my YouTube, and that landed without any disruption, so let’s talk about Sound Of Freedom. A couple of things. I’m glad Mira Sorvino is working. Jim Caveizel is not my favorite human being, but he has turned in some terrific performances in his career. I do really love Frequency, and I even thought When The Game Stands Tall used him rather well. i pretty … Continue reading Sound Of Freedom
The Wiz
As you might have noticed with my review of Harriet, I’ve been dipping into the realm of Oscar nominees I had never seen before, since January is the month for Oscar voting, my Best Of 2023 lists, and eventually Oscar nominees. We already had the Golden Globes, we’ve had SAG nominations, DGA nominations, BAFTA shortlists, and today the PGA is supposed to be announced. So, my second title of shame is The Wiz. This is the original version with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, which is surprisingly directed by Sidney Lumet. This classic musical was nominated for four Oscars, despite … Continue reading The Wiz
Earth Mama
Where I Watched It: Paramount Plus (with Showtime) English Audio Description?: Yes Cast: Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, and Bokeem Woodbine. Written and Directed By: Savanah Leaf Two very different stories about impoverished mothers trying to care for their child in seemingly impossible circumstances opened this past year, and A Thousand and One really took up the space in that conversation. But, despite the terrific performance of Tiana Taylor, the ending of that film makes it truly tough to use as a benchmark where it seems it wants to land. However, Earth Mama has a different approach, as no two stories … Continue reading Earth Mama
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/11/24
Starting off my column of the day with bad news. MAX has inexplicably struck again, cancelling Julia after two seasons, thus ending Sarah Lancashire’s terrific performance as the famous chef. I refer to everything I said when they cancelled Our Flag Means Death, reminding you that this is a company that used a completed film as a tax write off. But, sadly, Julia isn’t the only show exiting stage right. ABC has announced this will be the final season of the Good Doctor. After failing to produce a spinoff, it’s time for the ABC drama to go away, I guess. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/11/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/10/23
As promised, I tackled Echo (Disney Plus), but just the first episode. I’m not a huge fan of the binge watch. I like to savor my shows, especially ones with only 5 episodes, and the next Marvel show is quite far off. I thought it was a strong start, but it didn’t break into the top echelon of Marvel shows for me, which really no one has ever topped WandaVision. Some critics have hailed it as what Marvel needs right now, and I say it could ahve been, if they had let Echo stand on her own in the pilot, … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/10/23
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/09/2024
I was totally all ready to watch Echo yesterday morning during my workout period, and it turned out that it didn’t drop until later? Weird. Anyway, I’ll have thoughts on the first episode of that in the next episode. I really want to start by acknowledging the loss of Adan Canto, who fans might know from The Cleaning Lady, but I recognized from Designated Survivor. A rather surprising loss, as he was only 42. Also, I would be remiss in mentioning that MAX, in their continuing wisdom, has decided not to do a third season of Our Flag Means Death. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/09/2024
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/08/24
I managed to finally finish Fellow Travelers (Paramount Plus with Showtime), and man that was a fantastic show. Matt Bomer and Jonathan bailey gave fantastic performances, and I really enjoyed and appreciated the audio description. This was Golden Globe nominated, so make sure to check this out. Also, My Life With The Walter Boys (Netflix) is low key working on me. The audio description is below average, but not that far below. It’s one of those things that I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that it could be better, but there are a billion characters in this show, so … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/08/24
The Small Screen Diaries: 01/07/24
First. So, I do have a job, and I work today. So I did not stay up for the entirety of the Globes, but I told the universe that I would go to bed when the first category I got wrong happened. If the universe wanted me to be awake, they had their shot. I went to bed when Ali Wong won for Beef. The narration was fun. It’s live, and trying to describe what these stars are wearing is so hard. As a former sighted person, I can’t even imagine trying to convince an audience that Bork is wearing … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 01/07/24
Oscar Season: Harriet
Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio description?: Yes Cast: Cynthia erivo, Leslie Odom Jr, Janelle Monae, and Joe Alwyn. Directed By: Cassy Lemons Nominations: Best Actress and Best original song It’s Oscar season, and I’m living my shame out in the open by tackling films I’ve never seen before, but managed Oscar nominations. I’m trying to spread the love across streamers, and prioritize audio description (where applicable). Netflix luckily hosts this right now, and I was glad to finally get to see it. you know, this original song is a banger. Still. And, Cynthia erivo earns her nomination. however, … Continue reading Oscar Season: Harriet
How To Blow Up A Pipeline
Where I Watched it: Hulu English Audio Description?: No Cast: Ariela Barer, Kristine Froseth, Lucas Gage, Forest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, and Irene Bedard. Director: Daniel Goldhaber Once again, an interesting film makes its streaming debut on Hulu, and it lacks audio description. I was intrigued by this after hearing several people speak positively of this ecoterrorist indie, and I figured I’d check it out. Those of us who like to explore film actually like to watch things that don’t just have superheroes or giant freaking robots in them. Independent film is where a lot of great directors got their start. … Continue reading How To Blow Up A Pipeline
Best Of 2023: Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
It’s time for another award! Who ended up with Besst Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for 2023? Below, is a list of names that i whittled down from a much much longer list. Some names will be missing, because I had to draw some kind of arbitrary line, and this is already far more recognitions than you might expect. Previous announced winners in other categories: Favorite Film Critic (who isn’t me): Adam Does Movies (on YouTube) Best Streaming Service of 2023 (for blind and visually impaired users): Apple plus Best Animated Series: Archer (FX/hulu) Best Comedy Ensemble: The marvelous … Continue reading Best Of 2023: Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
The Holdovers
Where I Watched it: Peacock English Audio Description?: Yes Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’vine Joy Randolph, and Carrie Preston. Written By: David Hemingson Directed By Alexander Payne What would be fun would be to start each year, try and find some grand master list of all the projected titles for the year, and predict my top 10. if I had done that, I would have predicted The Holdovers. It feels like something that was made for me. Not that films like this don’t disappoint me, or that I’ve been let down before, but ever since i heard about The … Continue reading The Holdovers
The Small Screen Diaries- 01/06/24
The creative arts Emmys were last night, and some really interesting choices were made. Did your show win any of the below the line awards? Was your favorite guest actor or actress awarded a trophy? Also, the National Society of Film Critics (an aspirational group for me) named Past Lives as the film of the year, but my favorite pick of theirs was giving an honorable Mention to Rachel macadams for Are You There God, It’s me Margaret? I did think it was weird that Zone of Interest was the Best Picture honorable mention, won director, and was recognized as … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/06/24
MacTheMovieguy.com 