Tag: Amazon

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The Boys In The Boat

John Stark

This was a late stage potential Oscar spoiler. Amazon posting a George Clooney directed film over the Christmas frame felt so much like what they tried to do with The Tender bar. While Ben Affleck did get a little traction for his supporting turn in that film, these Boys rowed on a path to nowhere. perhaps, because, we’ve seen an inspirational sports drama about almost everything already. So, a film about the underdogs at the historic Berlin Olympics who got there by rowing crew, perhaps wasn’t the Oscar bait we thought it might be. Based on the best-selling novel of … Continue reading The Boys In The Boat

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Road House (2024)

John Stark

I won’t bother you with my scattered thoughts on the original Road House. I found the film, watched it again, but it didn’t have audio description. I remember watching the original when I was maybe 10-12 year old, and it was a cable edit. So, no sex, trimmed down graphic violence, and weird substitutions for cursing. Then, some 30-ish years later I watched the original again, without audio description as a refresher. it is an action film, so it wasn’t very helpful, but it triggered some memories.I kinda just really remembered how badass Patrick Swayze made it look as a … Continue reading Road House (2024)

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Frida (2024)

John Stark

Amazon has quietly released a documentary about Frida Kahlo that is uniquely animated to represent her style, and is told through her Owen voice and/or words. The draw here would be, well, the drawings. The animation bringing to life this story, and doing so in a way inspired by one of the most recognizable artists of all time. However, as a blind film critic, it was really just a documentary. Without the ability to wow me with the visual intentionality, how did the audio description help Frida? Well, the audio description done here by the Media Access Group has quite … Continue reading Frida (2024)

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Ricky Stanicky

John Stark

Peter Farrelly returns to his comedy roots with this Amazon original that is sure to leave you feeling like this was, in fact, a movie that you just watched. There will be no doubt, you just sat through a film, and not anything else. A funny film though? Well, comedy is often subjective. Lots of people are really into Tom Green. I’m not. But, for those people, they think he’s funny. Someone out there will find this hilarious. The plot centers around a group of kids who get into trouble, and make up a fake friend who is to blame … Continue reading Ricky Stanicky

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Upgraded

John Stark

There are fleeting moments in the audio description where I feel like the description is strong. There are moments where I feel like it isn’t making the best choices. And, there are long moments where it seems like there is no audio description. Upgraded is in many ways a film you’ve already seen. A young woman looking to move up in her field must deal with her difficult boss while working on a huge life changing opportunity and juggling this cute new guy she just met. That is this film in a nutshell. They just change some things around, throw … Continue reading Upgraded

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Role Play

John Stark

I do enjoy a Kaley Cuoco project from time to time. Not Meet Cute, but there are some other things like The flight Attendant that I enjoyed. This Amazon movie isn’t quite as fun as it should be, but it does have some solid audio description. Kaley plays Emma, who has a loving husband (David Oyelowo), and the idyllic family lifestyle complete with kids. But, her family has no idea she’s actually an assassin. When she and her husband discuss spicing things up with a little role play, he never imagined that he might get sucked into this world of … Continue reading Role Play

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The Small Screen Diaries- 03/19/24

John Stark

Not surprising at all, but CBS will continue to air its Australian import, NCIS: Sydney for its second season, despite already having two NCIS shows, and currently in development on two more. Fun fact, this entire franchise only exists thanks to a series being rescued from cancellation. Possibly the smartest “save our show” ever has turned out to be CBS picking up JAG after it was cancelled at NBC after one season. Without that, they wouldn’t have had the long and successful run of the original show, nor would they have NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS Hawaii, … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 03/19/24

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The Other Zoey

John Stark

This wonder is available to prime subscribers right now. Don’t rush. It’s just for romcom addicts. It does not have audio description, but is so surface level that I have to grade it, because calling this film “unwatchable” is insulting your intelligence. Would I have preferred to watch this with audio description? Absolutely. Am I going to tell you I couldn’t follow this? No. Zoey is an outsider. She likes books. She isn’t dating anyone. In walks in the hottest guy in school to her bookstore, because those still exist, and he leaves without taking his credit card. So, he … Continue reading The Other Zoey

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The Small Screen Diaries- 02/16/24

John Stark

I’m now only one episode away from learning which of the three contestants I don’t care about wins Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix). Of course, I could just look it up, since this was decided a while ago, but I don’t binge shows. I like my cliffhangers. I’m glad Ashley didn’t make the final 3, since she couldn’t see the irony in someone not following with a selfless group act. But, I’m also not sure I want Maya to win. I’m not sure I want any of these three to win, because this show has been more interested in getting … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/16/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 02/15/24

John Stark

Did you feel like you got hit on the head yesterday? That’s because Paramount Global has axed streamer Noggin, which launched as a cable channel in 199, before developing its own paid service in 2015. Nine years later, Paramount Global is on fire, and they need to cut costs. A lot of the basic core programs of Noggin are available on Paramount Plus anyway, so I’m sure this is just a redundancy they felt was needed. I was more surprised that 800 people worked for Noggin. Just to balance themselves out, they also cancelled Evil. So, something on either end … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/15/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 02/13/24

John Stark

Happy Valentine’s Day! For this Valentine’s I got you some TV News to start your day. Apple has renewed Invasion for a 3rd season, while Netflix has picked up Survival Of The Thickest for a second season. The latter of the two took way too long, and must have come down to a budgeting wire. I am shockingly still with Boy Swallows The Universe (Netflix), which is actually better once you get past the pilot. Still, it’s a very odd show, but the 4th episode continues with the boys trying to adapt to living with their estranged alcoholic father, wanting … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/13/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 02/04/24

John Stark

the way my week works, is that I typically try and introduce new shows on Sunday to my rotation, and then Monday starts going through another episode of each show I’ve decided to continue with. So, this Sunday, my watching of Sexy Beast (Paramount Plus) was so disjointed and interrupted, I decided I’d just use its “second” episode that would happen later this week to rewatch the pilot coherently. but, technically I tried. While I do really enjoy the Jonathan Glazer film on which the series is adapted, it’s been years since I’ve seen the film. At least twenty, but … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/04/24

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American Fiction

John Stark

Rarely is a debut film so exceptionally biting in its attempt to drive home a point, but Court Jefferson’s American Fiction is that pleasant surprise. As a white male film critic, even though my main purpose is to come at this perspective as a blind film critic, i always look at certain films and wonder if what i have to say is valid, or even what criticisms I could offer. Honestly, I have none. So, this time, I have nothing to worry about. My only criticism at all is just in how the film is received, as I wasn’t quite … Continue reading American Fiction

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the Small Screen Diaries- 02/02/24

John Stark

Today, I finally found out how Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix) ended, and I’m not sure what a second season would look like. The adventure is always in getting Scott and Ramona together, so unless they keep telling alternate versions of that story, they’d likely be together in another season. So I fully support the creators intent of this being a limited series. Has Been Hotel (Amazon) crossed into trust building. The songs are silly. This is still a show I like but don’t love, though I give it props for being unlike anything else on the market, and also … Continue reading the Small Screen Diaries- 02/02/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 01/20/24

John Stark

Lawmen (Paramount Plus) gave me the second to last (or penultimate) episode as Bass faced his own demons and decided he needed to face Mr. Sundown. I love the audio description on this series. Absolute excellence. There’s a scene where Bass keeps fever dreaming other things that cuts with reality which I thought was done rather well. Also managed another episode of Reacher (Amazon) which had the team get closer to the truth, until the truth decides not to leave any tracks. And on a short news day, also watched an episode of Young Sheldon (MAX) which has audio description. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/20/24