Tag: Dakota Johnson

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2025: The Best Of The Year So far: August Edition

John Stark

I haven’t seen everything, but as of my last count, I’m at 217 films. It’s slowing a bit as I try to back catalog my reviews onto Rotten Tomatoes, but here’s how I see the year so far. Top 25 Films So Far: #1- deaf President Now #2- Tornado #3- The Parenting #4- Lavender Men #5- My Dead Friend Zoey #6- Sinners #7- The Assessment #8- She Rides Shotgun #9- The Amateur #10- the Ruse #11- Thunderbolts #12- Ballerina #13- Materialists #14- Magazine dreams #15- K-Pop Demon Hunters #16- Bonus Track #17- The Luckiest Man In America #18- Bridget Jones … Continue reading 2025: The Best Of The Year So far: August Edition

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Daddio

John Stark

Films like this often fall under the radar in terms of “exceptional audio description”. It seems like we look at the complex, and think about how much is being thrown at the screen and how amazingly it all was seemingly translated to us through the power of audio description. But, what we don’t often recognize is the simplicity, and what a solid audio description team can do with that. What do you have to describe when your film has two characters, and they rarely change location, position, and certainly never clothing. How do you manage this around a script that … Continue reading Daddio

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Movies With pride: Am I OK?

John Stark

On the last day of Pride Month, I’m closing it out with a review of a 2022 Sundance hit that is just now landing on MAX. Starring Madame Webb herself, Am I OK is the directorial debut of Tig & Stephanie. There are so many directing duos out there, from the Coens, The Wachowskis, and The Daniels to this married couple, I feel like they need a name to combine them, but Stephanie didn’t take Tig’s last name. But, I’ve seen this couple represented before on screen, and they are freaking adorable together, so I was really excited to see … Continue reading Movies With pride: Am I OK?

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Madame Webb

John Stark

the internet certainly has an opinion on this film. It’s like a grand offense that occurred, the cinematic equivalent of slapping someone’s mother. But is it really? If you want to comb back through, you’ll see that I didn’t quite buy the doom and gloom of Morbius, if for no other reason than it was the most normal performance Jared Leto has ever given. But, Madame Webb also has moments where it clearly could have been at least a decent film. So, let’s break down the hate, and see if it’s warranted. but first, the audio description. Laura post and … Continue reading Madame Webb

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Persuasion

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Available?: Yes Narration Written By: Carrie Kennedy (?) Narrated By: Marsha Bartenelli (?) Things I know to be true. Typically, British romantic period pieces are not my jam. They fall into the section of films that walking in the door I’m not seemingly inclined to enjoy. If it’s great, then i will. I’m not saying I’ve never enjoyed a single damn thing in this arena. I watch Bridgerton just fine. But most of the stuff that ends up on Masterpiece bores the shit out of me. So, that’s one perspective coming from … Continue reading Persuasion

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Cha Cha Real Smooth

John Stark

Starring: Cooper Raif, Dakota johnson, Leslie Mann, Vanessa Burghardt, Evan Asante, Brad Garret, and Raul Castillo. Directed By: Cooper Raif Where I watched it: Apple Plus English Audio Description Available?: Yes Description Provided By Pixel Logic Media Narrated By Tansy Alexander The Plot: Andrew (Raif) is 22, living at home in his little brother’s room, in his stepdad’s house, with no real plans for the future except to save up enough money to chase down his high school girlfriend that is studying abroad. But, when his mom (Mann) has him accompany his brother (Asante) to a bar mitzvah, Andrew realizes … Continue reading Cha Cha Real Smooth

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The Lost Daughter

John Stark

Starring: Olivia Coleman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Ed Harris, Peter Sarsgaard Directed By: Maggie Gyllenhaal Where I Viewed: Netflix English Audio Description: Yes The Plot: A late 40’s woman (Coleman) is the predominant focus of this story, that jumps through timelines, and explores intimately many details of a persons life, and how they came to be. It tackles everything from motherhood and all that comes with it, and an unhealthy obsession. What Works: Olivia Coleman’s performance. Even though Jessie Buckley does a fine job in the flashbacks, this really a film that lives and dies with Coleman. I can appreciate … Continue reading The Lost Daughter