The Small Screen Diaries- 07/14/25

TV ShowsWatched: The Institute: S1E1 (MGM Plus) with audio description, The Waterfront: S1E6 (Netflix) with audio description, Euphoria: S1E6 (MAX) with audio description, Building The Band: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description, Kings Of Johburg: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Dexter: S5E5 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, nautilus: S1E2 (AMC Plus) no audio description, and The Guilded Age: S3E4 (HBO MAX) with audio description Best Episode: The Institute, Runner Up: Euphoria Best Audio Description: The Institute, Runner Up: The Waterfront Best performance: Julia Stiles (Dexter), Runner Up: Nathan Lane (The Guilded Age) Best Moment Of Audio Description: Cooking Up some Self … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 07/14/25

Sing Sing

Sing Sing- Is This One Of The Very Best Of The Year? Quick Take: Last year, when critics were bouncing around festivals looking for 2023 Oscar contenders, the Toronto International Film Festival landed a buzzy indie that had everyone saying “just wait for 2024”. Coleman Domingo was already firmly in the race with Rustin, and the hope was this little gem would be given room to breathe by entering 2024 an early frontrunner. Then, A24 bought the film, and scheduled it for a summer release. last year, this helped the little indie Past Lives get noticed, but that ultimately led … Continue reading Sing Sing

The Color Purple (2023)

I actually did a collaborative review the first time, and gave my thoughts on both versions of The Color Purple. At the time, what I had of the remake did not have audio description, and MAX still carries the original without accessibility. However, I did rewatch The Color Purple, when I was later provided audio description, so I wanted to make an official review and grade. No longer will I recognize it as being unwatchable. I adore this remake, and Danielle Brooks is just on fire. I think she’s a tremendous talent, but there’s so much of that on display. … Continue reading The Color Purple (2023)

The Color Purple

You must be adventurous, as I did not specify which version this review would be for. Is this the multi-Oscar nominated 80’s classic directed by Steven Spielberg that helped push forward the acting career of Oprah Winfrey, as well as help Whoopi Goldberg be taken seriously as a dramatic actress? or, is this a review of the 2023 musical adaptation brought to life with songs from the Broadway award winning musical that only managed one Oscar nomination for Danielle Brooks? Why can’t it be both? In fact, this is kind of a review of both films. The Colors Purples, or … Continue reading The Color Purple

Rustin

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: International Digital Center Written By Dakota Green Narrated By Sri Gordon This time last year I was still eternally optimistic about Danielle Detweiler getting an Oscar nomination for her terrific work in Till. It seemed like the support for Till had been stripped down to just her commanding lead performance, but no matter, she delivered a powerhouse performance voters couldn’t turn away from. I forget that just because a black actor or actress delivers a terrific performance doesn’t necessarily mean they will end up on the final list. Flash forward … Continue reading Rustin

Transformers: Rise of The Beasts

Where I Watched It: Paramount Plus English Audio Description?: Yes I just want my readers to know, I’m really not trying to take the absurdity of your Transformers extension too much in mind in my grading. But, when I hear “Maximals” and “Optimus Primal”, lets just say my boundaries are tested. And I’ve watched a lot of bizarre things on paper. There’s a show where a giant talking shake, a giant box of fries, and a giant wad of meat live together and have silly adventures, and that franchise has led to two films. So, I really don’t want to … Continue reading Transformers: Rise of The Beasts

Candyman (2021)

Starring: Yaya Abdul Mateen, Tiana Paris, Coleman Domingo, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Kyle Kamansky, and Vanessa Williams. Directed By: Nia Dacosta Where I Watched It: on Demand English Audio Description Available?: Yes Narration Written By: Christina Stephens and Matthew Christoffersen Narrated By: john Bentley The Plot: Following the trend of reboot/sequels, now lovingly called requels, Candyman takes the lore that has already been established by two theatrical ventures, and some straight to video, about a killer with a hook for a hand, who is also engulfed by bees, who likes to be called The Candyman, and if you look into a mirror … Continue reading Candyman (2021)

Zola, The Humans, and What They Are Like Without Audio Description

To be fair to the original filmmakers, this should not constitute an actual review of either film and whether or not it is good. It just serves as a reminder of why audio description is sometimes paramount, even in English language titles. I attempted to watch both films, because they both were “in the Oscar conversation” this year, with Zola just winning awards at the independent Spirit Awards on Sunday, and The Humans being an adaptation of a Tony award winning play. I’m sure both are good, but I can’t give you that stamp of approval. What I Knew About … Continue reading Zola, The Humans, and What They Are Like Without Audio Description