Tag: Liz Gutman

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 10/30/26

John Stark

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Kicking off the Small Screen Diaries is the acknowledgment that, yes, I am aware Apple is currently pursuing negotiations for a third season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. However, what they’re apparently looking at is essentially a soft reboot, with a new showrunner and a new cast. It seems Apple wants to take the series in a different direction without abandoning its connection to the Godzilla and Kong franchise, which inherently comes with an audience. They just have to figure out how to attract that audience with different characters and a different approach. I kind of agree. I … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 10/30/26

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 10/23/26

John Stark

Kicking off the Small Screen Diaries today is the sad news that Syfy has canceled Revival after just one season. Honestly, I forgot this series hadn’t already been canceled, and just assumed it was. Apparently, the network gave the series a chance to find a larger audience through Netflix, but that streaming run didn’t do enough to save it. So, what was once on the fence is no longer on the fence. Personally, the audio description just wasn’t good enough, and Peacock didn’t do a particularly good job of making sure it was consistently available across every episode. So, I … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 10/23/26

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 10/16/26

John Stark

Kicking off the Small Screen Diaries for today, in a pretty easy first-place finish, is East of Eden, which is on Netflix with audio description from Descriptive Video Works, written by Liz Gutman and narrated by Paul Hoffman. The series has some really wonderful audio description attached to it, but this was also probably my favorite episode in general. I don’t love everything that Cathy ends up doing as a character, but Florence Pugh is so terrific in the role that she makes up for a lot of it. This is very much a series where you’re watching the antagonist … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 10/16/26

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 10/06/26

John Stark

Yesterday, I talked about the renewal of one show and realized that I completely skipped over another renewal, which was Imperfect Women on Apple TV. This surprised me because it really isn’t a show that needs a second season, and it falls right in line with the ongoing trend of making me wonder why we even bother labeling things limited series anymore. It was a limited series, and now it has a second season coming, so it’s not very limited, is it? Apple has ordered a second season of Imperfect Women that will focus on Kerry Washington’s character, Eleanor, continuing … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 10/06/26

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 10/01/2026

John Stark

Kicking off the Small Screen Diaries for the day, I can announce that Amazon is sticking with the totality of the Jack Reacher franchise, with Reacher being renewed for a sixth season while Season 5 is still in production. Its spinoff, Neagley, was also just renewed for a second season. So, at this point, the anchor for Amazon is clearly this franchise, and likely Reacher will go on for however long Alan Ritchson wants it to. He continues to star in projects that are both streaming exclusives as well as theatrically released titles, and until he feels like he’s firmly … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 10/01/2026

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Where Did The Adults Go?

John Stark

I am pleasantly surprised that this little indie film, with actors no one would necessarily consider bankable, yet who are very talented, somehow managed to get an audio description track. I think the selling point here is the fact that disability is actually central to the story, which you would think would initiate the demand for accessibility across the board. Sadly, that’s not true. I would point toward Netflix and its release of Color Book this summer, a film where a disabled youth was at the center of the story, yet the film did not have an audio description track. … Continue reading Where Did The Adults Go?

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Wake Up Dead Man

John Stark

Disclaimer: I’m a blind film critic. If you build it, he will come. In Rian Johnson’s third outing in what is called the Knives Out series (for no other reason than it being the title of the first Benoit Blanc outing), we are asked to have a little faith. or, perhaps it is better to have a lack thereof. Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man may center in a church, but this is no Murder In the Cathedral. If you dress it up with simplicity, it could be seen as a modern day version of that, but woven in Johnson’s narrative … Continue reading Wake Up Dead Man

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Frankenstein (2025)

John Stark

Sometimes the interesting thing about film is watching the growth of an auteur. Depending on when you were born, you might have gotten to see the rise of certain artists honing their craft, but the exciting part is that first film, and feeling like you just witnessed the birth of something. I’d consider myself a big fan of Del toro, who even when he doesn’t top himself as a director, certainly is never boring. he has such a love for film, and for the celebration of monsters, that it really does carry through all the themes. Even his stop-motion animated … Continue reading Frankenstein (2025)

TV ReviewsLeave a comment

Wednesday: season 2

John Stark

Cast: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday, Emma Meyers as Enid, Catherine Zeta Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams, Hunter Doohan as Tyler, Joy Sunday as Bianca, Georgie Farmer as Ajax, Moosa Mostafa as Eugene, Isaac Ordóñez as Pugsley, Gwendolyn Christie as Weems, Christina Ricci as Miss thorn hill, Billie piper as Miss Capri, Evie Templeton as Agnes, Steve Buscemi as principal Dorrit, Owen Painter as Slurp, Heather Matarazzo as Judy, Frances O’Connor as Francois, Joanna Lumley as Grandma Frump, Christopher Lloyd as professor orloff, Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester, thandiewe Newton as Dr. Fairburn, Haley Joel Osment as … Continue reading Wednesday: season 2

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 09/07/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Wednesday: S2E8 (Netflix) with audio description, The Hunting Wives: S1E8 (Netflix) with audio description, NCIS: Tony and Ziva: S1E2 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Have I Got News For you: S3E1 (HBO MAX) no audio description, the Paper: S1E1 (Peacock) with audio description, and Breaking Bad: S2E13 (Netflix) with audio description Wednesday- I’m going to do a full review soon for RT, but I loved the track for this. Lots of fun fighting going on. Loved the nice touch about the color of Enid’s eyes. If I had one specific question, it would be related to Agnes. … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 09/07/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen diaries: 09/06/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Outlander: Blood of My Blood: S1E6 (Starz) no audio description, Wednesday: S2E7 (Netflix) with audio description, Dexter: S6E2 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Foundation: S3E9 (Apple plus) with audio description, All Of Us Are Dead: S1E11 (Netflix) with audio description, Pop Culture Jeopardy: The Show That Never Ends (Amazon) with audio description, Hostage: S1E4 (Netflix) with audio description, and South Park: S27E4 (Paramount Plus) no audio description Outlander: Blood of My Blood- An episode focusing mostly on childbirth, but including a little bit of that touchstone of the Outlander franchise… rape. Just a dash of rape. Wouldn’t … Continue reading The Small Screen diaries: 09/06/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 08/26/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: The institute: S1E7 (MGM Plus) with audio description, Twisted Metal: S1E5 (Peacock) with audio description, Dexter: Resurrection: S1E7 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox: S1E2 (Hulu) with audio description, Long Story Short: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description The institute- You think you know what I’m about to say, but you’re like the guy who has the elephant by the tail. Or whatever that analogy was. The institute did just get a second season renewal at MGM Plus, so expect more mystery. The audio description is… well… fine? I mean, two people got … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 08/26/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 08/22/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Peacemaker: S2E1 (HBo MAX) with audio description, Sausage Party Foodtopia: S2E2 (Amazon) with audio description, Long Story Short: S1E1 (Netflix) with audio description, Dexter: S5E12 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Invasion: S1E? (Apple plus) with audio description, Match Game: S6E6 (Hulu) with audio description, and who wants To Be A Millionaire: S4E6 (Hulu) with audio description Peacemaker- Really excited this is back.I would recommend, based on what I just watched, if you have the time to rewatch or binge season 1, please do. Not only has it been a while, which Chris (John Cena) tries to catch … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 08/22/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 08/09/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Outlander: Blood of My Blood: s1E1 (Starz) no audio description, Wednesday: S2E4 (Netflix) with audio description, Foundation: S3E5 (Apple Plus) with audio description, Washington Black: S1E4 (Hulu) with audio description I also crammed in a Leanne Morgan comedy special on Netflix to get a better idea of her schtick, since her series doesn’t know what to do with her. And, I once again considered revival, but they haven’t added audio description to the next episode, so I’m in a standoff. It’s a standoff that is close to me giving up and throwing up a review on Rotten … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 08/09/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 08/08/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Wednesday: S2E3 (Netflix) with audio description, Twisted Metal: S2E2 (Peacock) with audio description, The Wonderfully weird World Of Gumball: S1E3 (Hulu) with audio description, Leanne: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Dan Da Dan: S1E1 (Netflix) no audio description, South Park: S27E2 (Paramount Plus) no audio description, Match Game: S?E3 (Hulu) with audio description Wednesday- the camp episode was perfect. The only thing missing were some direct references to Addams Family Values. I forgot to mention that Christopher Lloyd made his voice available in the previous episode, and a cameo from either David Krumholtz or Christine Baranski would … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 08/08/25

Awards, EditorialLeave a comment

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

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

nonas

John Stark

Cast: Vince Vaughn as joe, Lorraine Vracco as Roberta, Talia Shire as Teresa, Brenda Vaccaro as Antonella, Tammy Pescatelli as Cousin Tammy, Joe Manganiello as Bruno, Drea de Mateo as Stella, Susan Sarandon as Shia, Linda Cardellini as Olivia, Campbell Scott as Edward, Written By: Liz Maccie Directed By: Stephen Chboski (The perks Of Being A wallflower) Original Score By:Marcelo Zarvos Wonder) Studio: Netflix Release Year: 2025 Rated PG Runtime: 98 minutes Audio Description produced By: International Digital Center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: What is it?: Nominated for an Emmy for Best TV Movie, Nonas is based on … Continue reading nonas

TV ReviewsLeave a comment

Squid Game: Season 3

John Stark

Cast: I would love to be able to add the English Dub cast as that is how I experienced this series. Streaming Service: Netflix Release Year: 2025 Length: 6 episodes Audio Description Produced By: International Digital Center Written By Liz Gutman Narrated By Sri Gordon What Is It?: the thrilling conclusion to the popular South Korean series about a sadistic game where players struggle to survive, in the hopes of being the last one standing and winning a huge cash prize. What Works: This is going to be an odd review. So, why do I like Squid Game? Because it … Continue reading Squid Game: Season 3

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 07/26/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Squid Game: Series Finale (Netflix), Black Mirror: S3E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Adults: S1E8 (Hulu) with audio description, Drag Race All Stars: S10E12 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Untamed: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Match Game: S1E1 (Hulu) with audio description, Pop Culture Jeopardy: S1E27 (Amazon) with audio description Squid Game and Adults will both be getting a full review shortly. Black Mirror- men Against Fire presents itself initially as maybe the future of war, but instead becomes a cautionary tale and extremely troubling look at the future of genocide. the ability to hack into your brain … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 07/26/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: 07/19/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: Squid Game: S3E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Black Mirror: S3E4 (Netflix) with audio description, Disney POV: Five Videos (Disney plus) no audio description, And Just Like That: S3E8 (HBo MAX) with audio description, too Much: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, Dexter: S5E6 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, All Of us Are Dead: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description Squid Game- I love how the words on the wall are spelled out, so if you want to look them up, you can. Episode 5 answered the big question of how many people will be left in competition at the … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 07/19/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: The Weekly Rankings

John Stark

I actually finished a lot of shows this week, which should free up a ton of space and shake up the list next week. Joining the list this week are Dexter Resurrection (Paramount Plus), Building The Band (Netflix), Back To The Frontier (HBo MAX), Foundation (Apple Plus), Sullivan’s Crossing (Netflix), and The Art detectives (Acorn). Also, I took a look at A Different World (Netflix) which has audio description! WINNER: Squid Game (Netflix) with audio description- I’m not quite done with the final season, and I’ve basically lost all the new characters I was rooting for, yet something about this … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: The Weekly Rankings

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

My Mom Jayne

John Stark

Featuring: Jayne Mansfield as Herself, Mariska Hargitay as herself Directed By: Mariska Hargitay Streaming Service: HBO MAX Release Year: 2025 Runtime: 118 minutes Audio Description Provided By: International Digital Center Written By:Liz Gutman Narrated By: Frankie Corzo What Is it?: Mariska Hargitay takes a break from Law and order SVU to direct a documentary about her mother Jayne Mansfield, who died tragically when Mariska was just three years old. What Works: As a film lover, i enjoy movies about Hollywood. I like things that revisit the golden age of cinema that existed long before I was born, and is populated … Continue reading My Mom Jayne

Editorial2 Comments

The Small Screen Diaries: 07/06/25

John Stark

TV Shows Watched: From- S2E7 (MGM Plus) with audio description, Squid Game: S3E3 (Netflix) with audio description, The Bear: S4E9 (Hulu) with audio description, Drag Race All Stars: S10E9 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Invasion: S1E1 (Apple plus) with audio description, We Were Liars: S1E5 (Amazon) with audio description, Such Brave Girls: S1E2 (Hulu) with audio description, The Great North: S5E15 (Hulu) no audio description Best Episode: The Bear, Runner Up: Squid Game Best Audio Description: Squid Game, Runner Up: From Best Performance: Jamie lee Curtis (The Bear), runner Up: Jeremy Alan White (The Bear) Best Moment Of Audio Description: … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 07/06/25

EditorialLeave a comment

The Small Screen Diaries: The Weekly Rankings

John Stark

Once again I’m running down the sixty shows on my broad watchlist. Joining the list this week, which was fairly slow for new shows, are The Sandman (Netflix), All Of Us Are Dead (Netflix), The Office (Peacock), Such Brave Girls (Hulu), Nautilus (AMC Plus), Dexter (Paramount Plus), and Prison Break (Netflix). I wrapped some shows, and anything that would rank outside the top 60 dies. WINNER: Squid Game (Netflix) with audio description- I knew I was going to lose my favorites. After the tragic uprising didn’t work last season, it meant playing out Squid Game till the end. I’m only … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: The Weekly Rankings

Movie Review, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Going In blind: Presence

John Stark

First Person Audio description is so interesting. I loved how Nickel Boys navigated the complexities of the perspective being one of the characters in the film, with other characters interacting with you. Presence, directed by Steven Soderbergh, feels like a departure from his typical fare, and also serves as further exploration of first person audio description. Universal Studios, the theme park element, was built on the idea that you can “ride the movies”. Now, with the right VR headset and a good first person movie, you can live the movies. In Presence, you wouldn’t exactly be alive. What makes Presence … Continue reading Going In blind: Presence

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

The Life List

John Stark

Since the last bucket list film was Blink, a film I was not fond of its messaging, the bar was fairly low going into The Life List for it to exceed expectations. Still, it is a Netflix release, and one that certainly doesn’t seem like it is poised for awards consideration. A lot of this has to do with Sofia Carson’s inability to land theatrical releases, and a seemingly unbreakable bond with Netflix,but Netflix also does this very well. In fact, while I can’t place the name of the film, I feel like there was a Netflix film where a … Continue reading The Life List

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Flow

John Stark

Academy Award Winner Flow has finally landed an audio description track here in the United States, courtesy of WBD. Flow streams on MAX, and while I don’t have direct proof as to who paid for the track, my options appear to be WBD, Sideshow/Janus, or Criterion. While Criterion has released a handful of physical discs with audio description, I don’t believe they have ever bothered to create a track. their service is highly inaccessible and features no audio description. I think WBD, which also landed the streaming debut rights to The Boy And The Heron and Drive My Car, two … Continue reading Flow

Movie Review, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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

Movie Review, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

A Family Affair

John Stark

One of my favorite things about this movie is the audio description. It is another winning combination of Liz Gutman and Jamie Lemcheck, and these two fine women have made it a point to point out Zac Efron’s hotness as much as possible. It isn’t just how Gutman writes the description, mentioning his physique, but how Lemcheck actually sells it. Women and gay men everywhere appreciate it. A script from the male gaze probably would have tried to do a similar thing to Nicole Kidman, but it just doesn’t work for this film. This is a romantic comedy at its … Continue reading A Family Affair

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Hitman

John Stark

Premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film festival, there was some interesting buzz for Hitman. Was it a potential Oscar contender? Who would snap it up in an already tight race? Ultimately, Netflix swooped in, which might have meant a campaign for this year’s Oscars, but that June release date tells me Netflix has other plans. Luckily, the movie stands on its own, and whether it ever wins or is nominated for any major award, this will have fans. It’s the equivalent to last year’s The Killer, which had fans too, even if it really didn’t manifest anything for David … Continue reading Hitman

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Thelma The Unicorn

John Stark

As a member of Film Independent I keep getting invites about a special live read of Napoleon Dynamite. That odd breakout hit was directed by Jared Hess, who has now found his way after all these years to animation with Thelma The Unicorn. Does this make you want to put on some chapstick and vote for Pedro? But first, let’s talk audio description. International Digital center is behind this, with Liz Gutman writing, and Tristan Snyder narrating. I’m excited for this, because I haven’t heard too much from Tristan since The Good Doctor switched audio description companies. Here, he proves … Continue reading Thelma The Unicorn

TVLeave a comment

Snack Shack

John Stark

I am someone who admittedly has a lot of really dumb films in my “desert island” list, or the favorite/comfort films list. I enjoy many teen movies from my day, from bigger hits like She’s All That and Varsity Blues, to even some lesser hits, like Get Over It. but, as I age, I should be aging past teen films, and yet, here comes Snack shack, which surprisingly is really good. the first indication that this is something special is that it is an independent feature that got a theatrical release, instead of being banished to streaming. That means we … Continue reading Snack Shack

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Maestro

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description provided By: international Digital Center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: Jamie Lemcheck Cast: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman, and Maya hawk. Written By: Written By: Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer Directed By: Bradley Cooper The nose. Everyone had an opinion on the nose. Well, good news Mr. Cooper, you’ve landed yourself a blind film critic, and I’m not judging your makeup team here. This is about whether or not Bradley Cooper has anything to say as a filmmaker, and I think he does. Usually, because I don’t get … Continue reading Maestro

TVLeave a comment

The Too Much TV Roundup- 12/24/23

John Stark

I’m writing the next day about what I watched on Christmas Eve, which means you are reading this on Christmas, so Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And for those who don’t celebrate, today is weird because everything is closed… except movie theatres. I guess you gotta go see a movie today. 1) Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix) English Audio Description Provided By International Digital Center Written By liz Gutman Narrated By Sri Gordon Status: Unknown This seems like a no-brainer for a second season, except for the lawsuits Netflix is having to deal with. They gave outlast a second season, and … Continue reading The Too Much TV Roundup- 12/24/23

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Leave The World Behind

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: International Digital Center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By Jabari Gray Cast: Julia Robert’s, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’al, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evan’s, and Kevin Bacon. Written and Directed By: Sam Ismael I went through all the emotions while watching this roller coaster. I remember at the top of my YouTube review, I said this movie gets all the grades. It had me so confused, up and down, weird shit, great shit, experimental takes, great acting, bad acting, cool ideas, unoriginal ideas, and then right at the end… I realized. … Continue reading Leave The World Behind

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

American Symphony

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description provided By: International Digital center Written By Liz Gutman Narrated By: Sri Gordon Documentary Directed By: Matthew Heineman The What really gets me about American Symphony is at what point did someone decide to make the film? Director Matthew Heineman perhaps thought that he had a simple story when he started following musician John Batiste. Perhaps what drew him to the project was the idea of a more contemporary artist taking a shot at doing something with a more classical lean. Little did he know that along this journey, he would also … Continue reading American Symphony

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

May/December

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By International Digital Center Written By Liz Gutman Narrated By Briggan O’Brian Cast: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. Written By: Mark Thomas Directed By: Todd Haynes sometimes when I dive into specific directors, I take what I know of their past work, and I can imagine they very likely are using the same tricks. Wes Anderson is such a consistent example of a clear visual connective tissue running through his films. Even his animated features, like the Fantastic Mr Fox match the style. I could know nothing about the … Continue reading May/December

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Leo

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description?: Yes Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: Jamie Lemcheck Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong, Jo Koy, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Ethan Smigel, Roey Smigel, Jackie Sandler, Heidi Gardner, Robert Smigel, Nick Swardson, Stephanie Szu, and Chris Kattan. Written By: Robert Smigel, Adam Sandler, and Paul Sado. Directed By: Robert Marinetti, David Wachtenhem, and Robert Smigel Tread lightly when expecting something from a Happy Madison production. Admittedly, the reason I still watch Adam sandler’s output is that I hope that every once in a while … Continue reading Leo

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

The Killer

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: International Digital Center Written By Liz Gutman Narrated By: Jamie Lemcheck In some regards, streaming deals have been very good to certain filmmakers. Martin Scorsese, for example, has benefitted a lot from having large budgets for his films The Irishman and Killers Of The Flower Moon, two adult dramas that never would have been handed that much money for a film looking to recoup money at the box office. Then we have David Fincher and his Netflix deal, which led to the underrated Mindhunter, but also the overrated Mank. I … Continue reading The Killer

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Pain Hustlers

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: International Digital Center Written By Liz Gutman Emily Blunt has been deep in the conversation this year for an Oscar nomination for her supporting turn in Oppenheimer. It’s a little telling that no one is trying to make a case for a nomination for her here, as this role has a lot more screen time and is also based on a true story. That’s because Pain Hustlers really isn’t that good. Which is surprising considering director David Yates, who spent quite a bit of time propping up the various Wizarding … Continue reading Pain Hustlers

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Heart Of Stone

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description provided By: International Digital center Written By Liz gutman Narrated By: Annaleigh I actually don’t get excited for big budget Netflix action films anymore. Too frequently, thre’s something about them that’s missing. They are very shiny, but I think if it was released theatrically, they wouldn’t be making a lot of money. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy Netflix films. I do from time to time, it’s just a film like this has me more with trepidation going in than most titles would. The world has long wanted a female Bond … Continue reading Heart Of Stone

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

They Cloned Tyrone

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix English Audio Description provided By: International Digital Center Written by: Liz gutman Narrated By Sri Gordon Every once in a while, netflix has an exclusive title worth watching. I know this had the unfortunate timing of dropping the same weekend of Barbenheimer but this is one of those rare Netflix films that makes your subscription worth it. If your monthly rate is that of a ticket price, Netflix just validated July. I will not say it is perfect, but for people who claim Hollywood isn’t making anything original anymore, They Cloned Tyrone feels like it … Continue reading They Cloned Tyrone

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

You People

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description provided By: international Digital Center Written By: Liz gutman Narrated By: Savannah Calder Some have erroneously tried to call this a remake of Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? No. It’s just a culture clash film, featuring a talented cast, from a writer/director who doesn’t shy away from social commentary. Yes, this is Kenya barris’s directorial debut. He’s had his producing and writing hits with TV shows like Black-ish and films like Girls Trip, but he’s never sat in the chair for a feature. The last thing he touched, #BlackAF was pretty awful. … Continue reading You People

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Descendant

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Provided by: International Digital center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: Sri Gordon I can’t tell you how many of the over 250 films I’ve seen and reviewed this year I knew next to nothing about. Often, I just get the little blurb that the streamer provides, and that’s probably the most problematic part of this film for me. I felt like it wasn’t what it was supposed to be, but I’m not sure that the filmmakers have any control over that. Descendant was marketed with the hook being about this slave … Continue reading Descendant

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Lady Chatterly’s Lover

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By International Digital Center Written By Liz Gutman I have not read the book, so I don’t know how close to the book this actually is. My gut instinct says any film reduced to slightly over two hours of film has had some content cut, and perhaps a better adaptation would have caused me to enjoy this frivolous effort. but as it stands, this is basically if Fifty Shades of Grey and Bridgerton had a baby. It’s not Liz’s fault, it’s something I’ve been dealing with for a while, but there … Continue reading Lady Chatterly’s Lover

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Slumberland

John Stark

Where i Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: international Digial Center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: Jeannie Lemcheck I had no idea what this was. I knew hit had Jason momoa, and that was it. then, as the film started to unfold, I heard Nemo as the main girl’s name, and I figured this was some kind of Nemo in Slumberland adaptation. Also, it became clear that this fantasy film is meant for families, and is really pretty safe. There are a few nightmare suggestions in here, so maybe not like 5 and under, but I think … Continue reading Slumberland

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

The Good Nurse

John Stark

Where I Watched it: Netflix English Audio Description Provided By: international Digital Center Written by: Betty Capone Narrated By: Liz gutman Always a pleasure to see gutman as the narrator. most of the time she’s a writer, but here she delivers the audio description. I gotta say, maybe it’s my expectations of what this could be, or that other projects like Dr Death have ruined this experience for me, but i wasn’t crazy about The Good nurse. I mean, by the end of the film, you’re told the gravitas of what this guy did, but I never actually felt the … Continue reading The Good Nurse

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Wendell and Wild

John Stark

Where I Watched It: Netflix Audio Description provided by: International Digital Center Written By: Liz gutman Narrated By: Sri Gordon I know most critics just hop in and do their thing, but I’m not them. I have to admit, there are moments even with terrific audio description, that i still find things where I get more depressed than excited or elated, because my inability to visually see something, or participate in the way I would have been able to a few years ago is now totally different becomes apparent in something. Here, I’m aware Wendell and Wild is a Henry … Continue reading Wendell and Wild

Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Luckiest Girl Alive

John Stark

Where i Watched it: Netflix Audio Description provided By: International Digital Center Written By: Liz Gutman Narrated By: Amanda Bhutan i didn’t even realize there was a book for this, or that it was some kind of best seller. i just assumed, based on the title, and Mila Kunis, that this was the obligatory “send a girl to Europe” movie that Netflix has regurgitated several times this year. I was wrong. That ends up being a limited series instead for the month of October starring Zoe Saldana. Apparently, they’re sending girls to Europ in all forms now. Instead, this is … Continue reading Luckiest Girl Alive