Tag: featured

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Emilia Perez: A Second Look

John Stark

Emilia Perez: A Second Look- 13 Oscar Nominations Was Enough To Trigger English Audio Description! So, I originally made a pretty big fuss about the lack of audio description on the major Oscar contender from netflix. I did sit through the film, with only Spanish available at release, and reviewed the film as it was presented. I addressed the problems with the lack of inclusivity on a film touting nothing but, and how Netflix had previously ignored fellow Spanish-language Oscar nominees like El Conde, Brdo, and Roma, none of which got audio description in their respective years. But, as Timothee … Continue reading Emilia Perez: A Second Look

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Inheritance (2025)

John Stark

Inheritance (2025)- Phoebe Dynevor and Rhys Ifans In A Father/Daughter Twisty Treat Quick Take: releasing today in theaters, Inheritance is the first title from IFC Films to kick off hopefully another year with some gems. Last year, they paired with Shudder on a handful of my favorites, like Oddity and late Night With The Devil, but also were responsible for my favorite film of 2024, Ghostlight. Everyone else can fall all over the year end Oscar bait, but Ghostlight had me at “what light on yonder window breaks”. As with most screeners, I was not passed audio description. I’m fairly … Continue reading Inheritance (2025)

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Fly Me To The Moon

John Stark

Fly Me To The Moon (Apple Plus)- Scarlett Johansson Faked The Moon Landing! Quick Take: I’m one of the few, the proud, the rare people who didn’t hate myself after watching this. It isn’t the best film Apple put out in 2024, but it certainly isn’t the worst. The audio description is also pretty nice, really helping to sell the attempt to make Channing Tatum look more… like he’s intelligent. Scarlett Johansson plays an advertising guru who is recruited by a clandestine government official (Woody Harrelson) to help “sell NASA” so it can keep getting funding, ultimately leading to her … Continue reading Fly Me To The Moon

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The Wild Robot

John Stark

The Wild Robot- Dreamworks Beautiful Spin On What It Means To Be A Parent Quick Take: I’ve been waiting to catch up to this point. This is on my list of films to rewatch when I have free time. I caught this in the middle of my awards screener blitz, and it is the best thing Dreamworks has done since How To Train Your Dragon. Following the story of a robot created to help humans, who finds herself lost in the wild where there are none, the robot (voiced by lupita Nyong’o) has to adapt to her new surroundings. We … Continue reading The Wild Robot

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Quality Check: Back In Action

John Stark

I’m quite backed up in terms of reviews of 2024 titles. I wanted to shake things up a bit, so this is hopefully a first in a series for me. As of me writing this, I have not seen this movie. These thoughts are first impressions and immediate reactions to moments in the audio description track. I’m not sure, at the onset, who made this, who narrated, or who wrote it, so we’re in this cold. Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz star. Diaz hasn’t done a film in years, and you would think Netflix would give her a better slot … Continue reading Quality Check: Back In Action

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The Last Showgirl

John Stark

The Last Showgirl- Pamela Anderson Is Mind Blowing In This Dramatic Turn Quick Take: I’ve had the opportunity to debate this quite a bit since seeing this film, and I prefer to reward talent when i truly believe they are near or at the top of their game. So in a year where Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Soarise Ronan, and others delivered strong performances, none of them were definitively their best. In what is like watching a baby walk for the first time, that can’t be said of Pamela Anderson who was matched perfectly to the right role … Continue reading The Last Showgirl

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Blitz

John Stark

Blitz (Apple Plus)- It Could Have Been So Much Better Quick Take: Steve McQueen is a great director. 12 Years A Slave, Widows, and Mangrove are all excellent.This is not. He made a very mediocre war film that was Apple’s final hope, that Oscar prognosticators had thought might find a groundswell at BAFTA, and it just ended up being one of the lost films of the year. Honestly, I didn’t hate Blitz. The audio description is insufficient, but it isn’t bad. It is just disappointing. Sometimes, it is bad to be disappointing. Like, while I still need to fully review … Continue reading Blitz

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Sing Sing

John Stark

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

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A Real Pain

John Stark

A Real Pain- Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin Are A Perfect Pairing Quick Take: This viewing was without audio description, as I was provided a screener for this title. Jesse Eisenberg wrote, directed, and stars in one of the best films of the year. It is such a simple film, and the second this year with this theme. eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play cousins who are finally getting around to taking a trip to Poland that their recently deceased Grandmother wanted them to take, so they can see where she grew up under Nazi occupation. Eisenberg and Culkin bounce off … Continue reading A Real Pain

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The Substance

John Stark

The Substance- I’ve Avoided It This Long….But It is Time Blindness is weird. Years ago, when I was sighted, I never could have made it through The Substance. I wasn’t a big gore fan, and this is one of the goriest films I’ve ever seen. But you’d be surprised what I can sit through now. I’ve seen so many films, which has really opened me up even more to the horror genre. Case in point, this year I finally tackled In The Mouth Of Madness. I watched In A Violent Nature. I have films in my top 25 that are … Continue reading The Substance

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Alien: Romulus

John Stark

Alien: Romulus- In Space, No One Can Hear Fede Alvarez Quick Take: I’ve seen all the Alien movies except one. I don’t want you to know which one, but in general, I’m informed. A lot has been said about Fede Alvarez’s take on the franchise, as some find it to be nostalgia bait, with him just retreading steps taken before. There’s actually a lot to dislike here, or pick apart. he has literally used generative AI to bring back Ian Holm for an actual performance, despite his death in 2020. I wonder if ian would have agreed to this. Sure, … Continue reading Alien: Romulus

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Maria

John Stark

Maria (Netflix) Could Angelina Jolie’s Grand Return Land Her An Oscar? Quick Take: When you hear “From the director of Jackie and Spencer”, the takeaway might be that you only remember the performances, and that is fair. Natalie Portman really swung for the accent in Jackie, and some people liked what Kristen Stewart did in Spencer. I’m not one of them. So, Pablo Lorraine is coming into Maria with a 50/50 shot of getting excellence from Angelina Jolie, and supporting her with a strong film. While I might have been mostly receptive to Maria, it seems as though many other … Continue reading Maria

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Conclave

John Stark

Conclave- Is This One Of The Best Of The Year? Just two years ago, a director I was unfamiliar with made my best film of 2022. I see tons of films, every year, but in 2022, nothing quite stuck with me like the harrowing All Quiet On The Western Front remake. Oscar voters agreed, as the movie received a Best Picture nomination, and won is several categories. It stands as one of Netflix’s best audio description tracks, and certainly as an example of why they should continue to embrace more audio description for international content. Cut two years ahead, and … Continue reading Conclave

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The Order

John Stark

The Order- Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Marc Maron Quick Take: To be fair, I did ask if I could have an accessible screener. This movie has an available audio description track that I have not heard, so I’ll likely be reviewing this again at some point. The film was interesting enough that I would check it out, or recommend it if you can get the audio description track. Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Marc Maron, and Jurnee Smollett create a strong ensemble in a film about domestic terrorism. The thing I found the most striking, even without … Continue reading The Order

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Despicable Me 4

John Stark

Despicable Me 4- A Screenplay That Feels Like It Was Written By 10 Minions Quick Take: The fourth outing, and the sixth technically in the franchise at large, Despicable Me 4 has a lot happening. it feels like the script was written and then rewritten almost like a game of “Yes, and” where the next person added another subplot. this movie is so scattered, so disorganized,it makes the third film seem better. I wasn’t a fan of the third, because I didn’t think Steve Carell should have voiced both. It was a missed opportunity to go in a completely different … Continue reading Despicable Me 4

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The Piano Lesson

John Stark

The Piano Lesson (Netflix) Misguided Direction Saved By Stunning Detweiler And Ensemble Quick Take: Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel, is making his feature directorial debut with a challenging August Wilson work. We meet several members of a tight knit family, with Samuel L Jackson serving largely as the de facto patriarch of this clan, and most of the film taking place in his home. Though, he is often just a voyeur as the energy between John David Washington and Danielle Detweiler powers the film, as he is looking to buy some land that has a deep familial connection, and wants … Continue reading The Piano Lesson

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The Outrun

John Stark

The Outrun- Saorise Ronan Makes A Sprint For The Best Actress Race Quick Take: This was provided for my consideration, but without audio description. With Saorise Ronan on the edge of the Oscar conversation, i dove in. This film is basically an addiction drama, with Ronan’s character going through the wringer, and dealing with her parents, as well as a potential love life, and things like rehab. It isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but it is based on a memoir. Ronan is good, but not one of my favorite performances of the year, nor do I think she eclipsed … Continue reading The Outrun

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My Old Ass

John Stark

My Old Ass- If You Could Tell Your Past Self One Thing, What Would It Be? Quick Take: One of the more charming surprises of the year, this film features a simple concept, if you got really high and suddenly could communicate with your future self, what would you learn? Well, in this case, the older version (which depresses me because I’m older than her old ass) is played by Aubrey Plaza, and she just wants her past self to stay away from one guy. She can’t tell her why. But, of course… So, even though you know the trajectory, … Continue reading My Old Ass

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Didi

John Stark

Didi- Kids Actually Feel Like Kids In This Winning Indie Featuring Joan Chen While it has been a minute since I’ve viewed Focus Features Sundance acquisition, I’m aware this is being campaigned as a possible Supporting Actress bid for Joan Chen.Knowing that, I expected to be moved by her work, but the film really is just mostly about kids doing shenanigans, with a hint of that specific culture thrown in. Chen plays the Grandmother to our lead, an aspiring artist. The film really does belong to the main kid, and the silly things kids do, but Joan does have some … Continue reading Didi

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Salem’s Lot

John Stark

Salem’s Lot (2024)- A Spooky Season Review A seemingly impossible to adapt Stephen King novel hit MAX quietly. That has to be a good sign. This movie has been in the can for a while, and had a theatrical release briefly scheduled, before drawing the ire of Stephen King by winding up heading straight to streaming. is it really that bad? Well, it certainly is better than last year’s Pet Sematary prequel. It is also a far cry from many of King’s best film adaptations, including Brian DePalma’s Carrie, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption, and the most recent two-parter adaptation … Continue reading Salem’s Lot

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Long Legs

John Stark

Long Legs- A Spooky Season Review An unnecessarily divisive movie. I watched so many critics join in on the artistic backlash of Long Legs, which originally had the vibe of being the scariest movie of the year, only to see the late stage critics writing it off as self indulgent and boring. Is it perfect? No. this is not in my Top 10 of the year either, but I can put each of the little problems in their own bubble and enjoy the totality of what was intended. And when you do that, Long Legs is just shy of brilliant. … Continue reading Long Legs

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

John Stark

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice- The Ghost With The Most Unnecessary Side Characters What was the last great Tim Burton movie? I think that is probably why so many years later, Tim Burton finally jumped on the legacy sequel train and made beetlejuice beetlejuice, which brings back a handful of original players and puts them in the mix with some new faces. Once again, despite the title, Michael Keaton is still not the star of this film. I will concede that he does feel somehow in more of this film than the original, which probably could have expanded even further if this was … Continue reading Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

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Thelma

John Stark

Thelma- Can June Squibb Land A Best Actress Nomination For This Delightful Comedy? One of the reasons I always get into this conversation of accessibility, and the need for an overwhelming prevalence, is that I think Hollywood is under the misconception that blind people live on blind island and only communicate with other blind people. We actually have sighted friends and family members, who often are aware of our accessibility needs, and when they aren’t met, the burden is pushed onto them to fill it. If I watch a TV Show or a movie without audio description, that person feels … Continue reading Thelma

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Will And Harper

John Stark

Will and Harper (Netflix)- A Film That Should Feel More Like It Is About Harper First, a big thank you to anyone who checks out my video, with any likes, comments, and subscribes. I definitely enjoyed Will and Harper, which premiered a few weeks ago on Netflix, and centers on this relationship that Will Ferrell has with his friend, a former Saturday Night Live writer, who now lives authentically as a trans woman. Of course, the dynamic between the two feels like two old friends on a road trip, which is what this is. Will has decided that Harper can … Continue reading Will And Harper

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Wolves

John Stark

Wolves (Apple Plus)- Clooney/Pitt Make This Jon Watts Action Comedy Worth A Theatrical Release Much like another review I just posted, I need to drive more traffic, so I’ve included my original YouTube review. For more in depth thoughts, feel free to check that out. Likes help drive traffic, Subscribers help me get to a point where people stop looking at me like I’m crazy. Ha. Wolves is from jon Watts, the man behind the last three Spider-Man films, and he has teamed with real life friends George Clooney and Brad Pitt for a rather basic story that relies heavily … Continue reading Wolves

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It’s What’s Inside

John Stark

It’s What’s Inside (Netflix)- A Sundance/SXSW Hit With Excellent Audio Description For my own sanity, I have to start including or streamlining the process. Truth is, I could use more subscribers, likes, and views on YouTube, a platform I might one day reach some level of monetization on. So, above is my video review of Its What’s Inside, if you’d like to hear my thoughts. My general thoughts are that the film has an interesting premise, a body swap film that makes a bold choice that forces a tough decision. It feels very light, despite the catalysts in all of … Continue reading It’s What’s Inside

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The Garfield Movie

John Stark

Sony has claimed the rights to this iconic character, and considering the last cinematic effort is not necessarily beloved, you would think that they’d be able to raise that bar. After all, the 20 year old Garfield movie featuring Bill Murray isn’t on anyone’s favorites list. Well, I think this is maybe a reason to revisit our feelings about that original Bill Murray version, because this one seems to have been written by artificial intelligence. Instead of Bill Murray, we now have Chris Pratt, in yet another animated voice performance. He’s not the worst choice for the lazy lasagna loving … Continue reading The Garfield Movie

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Oddity

John Stark

I always say Shudder is missing out by not attempting to make their streaming service accessible, and the fact that their theatrical titles are tied to IFC, where they end up getting audio description makes it all the more frustrating that the service itself, which now has Oddity, will run it without the track they paid for. Bizarre. But perhaps not as bizarre as this film. When this film first hit the blind market, I remember seeing a specific reaction from someone in the community who was turned off because of the feature in this film that the central blind … Continue reading Oddity

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A Quiet Place: Day One

John Stark

This entire franchise has been out of my vision reach. The first movie was released in April 2018, and I was already having eye surgery by that point. I remember being interested in this concept, but I’ve experienced the entire thing with comments from friends or audio description shaping the experience. I remember after the first movie came out, I was in a conversation with a friend who said they looked like vaginas. Of course, I only have the audio description to compare it with, or other opinions, but you can imagine what my mind is thinking every time I … Continue reading A Quiet Place: Day One

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The Deliverance

John Stark

What lee Daniels did in Precious is truly nothing short of a miracle. In one film, he got one of the most remarkable and memorable performances out of a stand-up comedienne whose prior work suggested she had none of that range. Monique’s work in precious is astounding, for anyone who has had to sit through something like her cinematic masterpiece Phat Girlz. That is the director I’m always looking for,and why I follow him into something like The Butler. To be fair, he got good performances in that as well, but from actors far less surprising. Fast forward to 2024, … Continue reading The Deliverance

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The Watchers

John Stark

If I was the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, I’m not sure I would want to tread in the same waters. I feel like the bar is so high, that even if you are able to out direct your father’s most incompetent directing for films like The Last Airbender and After Earth, you would still have a hard time beating his older works like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, or Signs, or even the more recent Split. Yet, that’s what we have here. We have someone trying to father in the closest footsteps possible. Dakota Fanning plays a young woman who … Continue reading The Watchers

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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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His Three Daughters

John Stark

This is one of Netflix’s lower priority Oscar contenders. You can tell, because the release date for this is shit. Plus, they have the already anointed Emilia Perez, which is considered by basically everyone to be a lock for nominations, as well as Maria (with potential nominee Angelina Jolie), and The Piano lesson (with likely nominee Danielle Detweiler). Their strongest contender here is the biggest reason to see the film, and instead of running all of the daughters in supporting, they ran natasha Lyonne in lead. Dammit. This is just a depressing film from start to finish. It feels like … Continue reading His Three Daughters

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Babes

John Stark

When I think about what the funniest comedy of the year is, if I set apart Deadpool and wolverine for not technically being just a comedy, then Babes has the shot at being the best comedy of the year. There’s really no doubt in the how r why. Director Pamela Adlon had so much to say in her FX series Better Things that the idea that she would step behind the camera and have even more to say, seems like a no-brainer. Still, she has to rely on Ilana Glazer and Michelle Bhutto to do the heavy lifting. Luckily these … Continue reading Babes

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Uglies

John Stark

What a God awful idea for a film. Following in the money grabbing young adult trend that was the era of Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, someone wrote a film about a future where everyone gets to have plastic surgery at 16 to make them perfect. Then, their problems are solved. Everyone under 16 is a child. Oh, sorry, I read that wrong. Everyone under 16 is one of the “Uglies”. You know, a regular person just living their life? Joey King is in this for some reason, despite being 25 years old. It’s almost like mcg made … Continue reading Uglies

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Kinds Of Kindness

John Stark

I don’t know how many other critics consider themselves a work in progress, but I’m always trying to absorb stuff about film from everywhere. More recently, podcasts, and when i hear this title, it makes me wonder what the team at You Are Good would say about a film that suggest it might be about emotions and feelings, and is kind of adjacent to that, because we are always feeling or emoting, but the title isn’t the nail on the head you assume it is. Then again, was Poor Things? The Lobster? Do you even care what yorgos titles his … Continue reading Kinds Of Kindness

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Shirley

John Stark

Regina King as Shirley Chisholm seemed like a no brainer in terms of Oscar bait. However, Netflix’s Shirley had these rumored poor test screenings, which is likely why it exited the 2023 Oscar race, and wound up in early 2024. That’s a shame, because while not totally breaking new ground, Shirley did mostly deliver as promised. King actually delivers a powerhouse performance as Shirley Chisholm. Shirley is a captivating look at the politician’s 1972 presidential campaign. Shirley leans into the challenges presented by being the first black female Presidential candidate in a race dominated by white men. There’s a shot … Continue reading Shirley