Tag: Max

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The Truth Vs Alex Jones

John Stark

In the grand tradition of versus movies like last years Lakota Nation vs United States, or more comically lined up entries like Godzilla Vs Kong, Freddy Vs Jason, Ecks Vs Sever, or Joe Vs The Volcano, now we have another battle. Though, much like if Joe were to actually be fighting a real volcano, there is a clear winner here and it isn’t Alex Jones. This MAX documentary with audio description from Zoo Digital.I’m sure that if you are here, you already have an opinion, and you have already made up your mind if this is in your wheel house … Continue reading The Truth Vs Alex Jones

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The Color Purple (2023)

John Stark

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)

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The Small Screen Diaries- 03/16/24

John Stark

Apples Never Fall (Peacock) is just a travesty. Mostly, the show suffers from poor direction and writing, but I can pinpoint some specifics. This show centers around a retired wife (Bening) who goes missing from her family, and former tennis star husband (Sam Neil). Her kids think something is afoot, so they start investigating, and over the course of 7 episodes, we will learn why Apples Never Fall (far from the tree). They introduce a character, Savannah (Georgia Flood), who shows up in the middle of the night supposedly fleeing domestic abuse. Flood delivers one of the worst performances I’ve … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 03/16/24

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The Small Screen Diaries- 02/29/24

John Stark

Actually typing out the 29th of February feels like a mistake, until you convince yourself that yesterday was, in fact, Leap Day. So, how did I spend it? With some disappointing audio description. Of course, that means Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu), which Disney has apparently just decided to throw down the tubes this season for blind people. If ABC wanted to experiment with whaat seems to be AI generated audio description on every level, perhaps start with not your number one show. Just a thought. Over on Will Trent (ABC/Hulu), this show did have audio description, but it really felt lacking … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/29/24

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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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Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

John Stark

This terrific documentary took me by surprise. I thought this was about someone named Nikki Giovanni who was trying to go to Mars. Little did I know, I’m an uneducated buffoon, and Nikki Giovanni is a civil rights fixture, poet, and all around amazing person. I loved watching her story, and I’m glad this is on MAX with audio description from Zoo digital. This was a strong year for documentaries, and even though this isn’t at the tip top of my list, it was placed quite nicely in a place where I actually could vote for it. This film takes … Continue reading Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

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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- 02/12/24

John Stark

Welcome back Jon Stewart, who has returned to The Daily Show once a week through at least the election. Also, Katy Perry is making this her last season of American Idol. Dear Producers, *PLEASE* get an alumni. It is so awkward that two of them have been on The Voice, but not American Idol. It’s time to bring home Kelly, Carrie, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Jordon Sparks, or any of the myriad of female artists whose career has been launched by this show. Honestly, I wish the whole panel was alumni. And with that, I knocked out another episode of My … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 02/12/24

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The Color Purple

John Stark

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

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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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Dicks: The Musical

John Stark

Just in time for its debut on MAX, my belated review of Dicks: The Musical, an A24 film i rented from the Apple Store with audio description from Deluxe, narrated by Julian Smith. Right off the bat, this film is not for you. Yes, you. I don’t even know you, but I’m pretty sure this film isn’t for you. I’m honestly not even sure who this film is for, because it seems to want to be for nobody. The duo behind the film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical ‘Fucking Identical Twins’ have concocted something Trey Parker and Matt Stone would … Continue reading Dicks: The Musical

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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

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An Officer And A Gentleman

John Stark

Love lift me up! Yes, this is part of a series where I’ve been crunching some Oscar films that I hadn’t seen before. I always assumed this was a romantic drama that I’d get around to if I felt like it. The romantic part is the least interesting thing about this film. the most interesting? It has audio description right now on MAX! Also, I had no idea Taylor Hackford (Ray, Ant-Man) directed this. It’s a shame that Richard Gere wasn’t nominated, and when it comes time to revisit this year, I hope I have finally seen enough content to … Continue reading An Officer And A Gentleman

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The Small Screen Diaries- 01/19/24

John Stark

I found out that Apple isn’t moving forward on a third season of Schmigadoon. Honestly, I was shocked they made a second. Very pleasantly surprised, as I love that show, but still surprised. Not shocked by the cancellation, especially after they also ditched The After Party last year. I also wasn’t surprised by who won Celebrity jeopardy (Hulu) this week. That’s the person that I assumed would win the whole thing, so the fact they made the final three doesn’t shock me.I laughed at the audio description. At the very end, when our lovely narrator is filling in that lead … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries- 01/19/24

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The Small Screen Diaries: 01/15/24

John Stark

The Emmys were last night, and Succession predictably did well, while Better Call Saul finished its run with not a single win for anything ever. I’m most excited for Paul Walter Houser who won Supporting Actor in a Limited for Blackbird, which was on Apple Plus in July 2022. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should. He’s fantastic. And now, the shows I actually did watch. My Life With The Walter Boys (Netflix) has some audio description that has grown on me. Of course, four episodes in and I have a bit more of a grasp on this show … Continue reading The Small Screen Diaries: 01/15/24