Happy Campers: A Second Look
Occasions like this are why I choose to continue to review films that don’t have audio description, with the hopes of having a discussion about accessibility that has some kind of positive effect. When it came to Happy Campers, which I reviewed last week, I was sent a screener of Amy Nicholson’s documentary ahead of its debut across video-on-demand platforms. That review led to my discovery that the film did have a recorded audio description track that had been used in previous screenings, as Amy takes accessibility seriously. She personally spent time making sure that the audio description by ThreePlay … Continue reading Happy Campers: A Second Look
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/13/24
TV Shows Watched: The Old Man: S2E1 (Hulu) with audio description, How To Die Alone: S1E1 and S1E2 (Hulu) with audio description, Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy: S1E1 (Disney Plus) with audio description, 911: S6E15 and S6E16 (Hulu) with audio description, Futurama: S5E4 (Hulu) no audio description, King Of The Hill: S1E4 (Hulu) no audio description, and ACloser Look Primetime Special (On Demand) No Audio Description. Podcasts: Matter Of Opinion (Politics), Americacast (politics), The Rings Of Power Aftershow (Recap) YouTube: Chris Stuckmann (Review: speak no Evil), Jeremy Jahns (Review: Speak No Evil), The Awards Contender (Review: The Brutalist), Fish … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/13/24
The instigators
This has been a weird year for Apple Studios. It follows after they tried to make some box office headway last year with their major Oscar releases Killers Of The Flower Moon and Napoleon to middling results. Then, Argylle flopped, I’m not sure Fancy Dance had much more than a qualifying run, and The Instigators basically got the same treatment, though isn’t an awards contender. Doug Liman is reteaming with Matt Damon after kicking off the Jason Bourne franchise with him 22 years ago, and it also marks his second directorial effort after Amazon’s road House remake. The Instigators also … Continue reading The instigators
Ghostlight
My pull quote: “before the Oscar onslaught, Ghostlight might be the best film of 2024, and certainly is the best you haven’t seen.” This little indie that should was just a random choice for me because it was in the Apple Store, and it had audio description. Never doubt the power of audio description, because the word on this film has been rather soft. I discovered, and fell in love with Ghostlight, which proves to be a thoughtful examination of art and tragedy, juxtaposing the grief of a family against the Shakesperian depth of Romeo and Juliet. in theatre, a … Continue reading Ghostlight
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/12/24
TV Shows Watched: The Rings of Power: S2E5 (Amazon) with audio description, Kite Man: Hell Yeah! S1E10 (MAX) with audio description, and The Daily Show (Tuesday’s Episode) (Paramount Plus) no audio description. As of when I looked, Seth’s Closer Look special wasn’t on Peacock, though I’ll be checking again today. And, Fight Night still doesn’t have audio description. lol. Podcasts: The Dark Room- Alex and lee dropped a new episode y’all should check out. Ross Minor is the guest, and they talk all about accessibility in video games. As a former gamer who had all these friends I lost contact … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/12/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/11/24
TV Shows Watched: Women in Blue: S1E8 (Apple Plus), Solar opposites: S5E5 (Hulu) Podcasts: A bunch of different ones all offering their thoughts on the debate. YouTube: none Movies: Bride Of Chucky (Netflix) with audio description I was kind of not really focused on making sure I had something substantial to write about, as I was trying to hear a myriad of different people talking about the debate. I’ve already mentioned this before, in the episode where they tackled the Honeymoon, but Solar Opposites is one of my favorite shows on right now, and I would say if I’m doing … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/11/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/10/24
TV Shows Watched: Solar Opposites: S5E4 (Hulu) with audio description, The Great North: S4E18 (Hulu) no audio description, The Ark: S2E7 (Peacock) with audio description, English Teacher: S1E3 (Hulu) with audio description, Only Murders In the building: S4E3 (Hulu) with audio description, The Daily Show: Monday’s Episode (Paramount Plus) no audio description, and the Presidential Debate (ABC) I honestly didn’t think to check if there was audio description. Podcasts: Pod Save America (Politics), Consider This (an Interview with the retiring head chef at the White House) YouTube: None Movies Watched: Childs Play 3 (Netflix) with audio description Since I’m writing … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/10/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/09/24
TV Shows Watched: Bel Air: S3E10 (Peacock) with audio description, The Great North: S4E17 (Hulu) no audio description, and Universal Basic Guys (Hulu) no audio description Podcasts: Smartless (Interview: Ted Danson) YouTube: None Movies Watched: I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (Netflix) with audio description Kind of a low impact day. It’s a great opportunity to mention that Universal Basic Guys is pretty unfunny, and clearly didn’t start with its pilot episode. They had an episode that featured the guys adopting an old chimp from a Tiger king type zoo, and the chimp rips one of their faces off, which feels … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/09/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/08/24
TV News: Never have the stakes been higher for a new Fall drama, or the pressure on a network to not cancel a series. Talk about throwing down the gauntlet. Kathy bates recently did an interview (I believe for the New York Times) promoting her upcoming remake of Matlock, and she’s boldly stated this is her final performance. When Matlock is done, she’s done. So, the only way to keep Kathy bates acting is to keep renewing Matlock? I think that’s a good enough reason. but if this is a one and done, and we never see Bates again, I … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/08/24
The bike Riders
I always find the work of Jeff Nichols to be engaging in its cinematic form even if I’m not completely enamored with his offerings. the bike Riders is one of those films that seemed good on paper, and then I ended up with a film that matched the worthiness of a viewing, but not necessarily the praise that would elicit multiple viewings, or encourage others. the movie is also a bit of a tough sell, audio description wise, since the movie takes place in a certain time period, where the aesthetic takes over, and actors are likely finding subtle ways … Continue reading The bike Riders
The Arrival (2024)
I don’t mind diving into the world of independent film. As a member of film independent, and as someone who sat through many a student film in college, I know there is a wide range of film out there, and we really only glimpse the lucky few to be prominently featured. Here comes The Arrival, which lacks recognizable talent, a major distributor, and some typical basic filmmaking expectations. budget does not hold a film back. Movies like Paranormal Activity and Skinamarink were made on shoe string budgets with unknown cast, and proved to be creatively sufficient in their own right. … Continue reading The Arrival (2024)
Treasure
Normally, when you think of a road trip comedy, you don’t think of a 90’s set film where Americans retrace their generational footsteps through Poland. Certainly, you don’t expect it to carry the weight of an older father showing his daughter, almost with unfettered pride,the land he grew up in before being forcibly removed during World War II. Certainly, you don’t expect this to turn into a film about death camps. But, Treasure, almost as vague as its title can be, is a journey best taken on a whim, with little known, and the expectations broadly expanded to allow yourself … Continue reading Treasure
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/07/24
TV News: MGM Plus cancelled Beacon 23 and The White King, two shows I wasn’t really aware existed. That’s probably why they got the axe. TV Shows Watched: The Perfect Couple: S1E6 (Netflix), Daryl Dixon: S1E6 (Netflix) with audio description, and Pachenko: S2E3 (Apple Plus) with audio description. Sadly, Fight Night was still missing audio description. Podcasts: The Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast (Dragon Con Wrap Up) YouTube: Adam Does Movies (Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Deep Focus Lens (Movies You love Everyone Else Hates), and Fish Jelly Review (Review: The Front Room). Movies: Tucker and Dale Vs Evil (Amazon) with TTS, Gary … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/07/24
The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24
TV News: Amazon has decided to close the door on Bosch: Legacy, with the upcoming season pegged as its last. Also, FOX has confirmed that this upcoming 5th Season of 911 Lone Star will be its last. TV Shows Watched: Bel Air: S3E8 (Peacock), The Perfect Couple: S1E3, S1E4, and S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, 911: S6E13 and S6E14 (Hulu),. Fight Night was still without audio description as of yesterday. Podcasts: Unspooled (Armageddon), Film Threat (The Acolyte’s Cancellation), Pod Save America (Politics), The Damage Report (Politics), and Countdown With Keith Olbermann (News/Politics). YouTube: Oscar Expert (Breaking Down Venice/Telluride Debuts Movies: … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 09/06/24
Happy Campers
I think one of the things that I miss about being sighted is the true ability to watch any movie. I never had to consider whether or not the movie had audio description before. If I wanted to watch something, regardless of release year, streaming service, cable channel, physical media, or whether the movie was a major release or an independent film festival title, I had brazen access to all of it. Despite being a billion dollar industry, Hollywood just isn’t that interested in courting and cultivating blind cinephiles. Despite that, there are blind cinephiles. As a blind film critic, … Continue reading Happy Campers
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