Dogman (2024)- Luc Besson’s delightfully bizarre story plays like a grand modern urban epic. A young boy is abused by his father, left to live with the dogs, and grows up to be a disabled drag queen/tribute artist, who has some deep connection to the family of dogs that seem to be at his beck and call. it is through this unknown connection that he seemingly has no fear, daring to stop the most dangerous in his neighborhood,while he squats in an abandoned school. It is the kind of fever dream people don’t write without some medicinal assistance. Besson, who has made some strong artistic choices in the past, truly outdoes himself here with a film that has left his fans divided. It is nothing if not incredibly interesting, and the lead performance by Caleb Landry Jones is so memorable.It made me see him in a completely different light, as he seems both aware of his inability to control his future, and his lack of fear in proudly living each day as his authentic self. There’s an animated film this year with a similar name, so make sure you make the right rental choice for your family, as both have audio description, and are wildly different films.
Fresh: Final Grade: A-, Audio Description: A-
The Mask-After finding out that I can’t really stand Ace ventura much anymore, I was nervous to revisit another Jim Carey comedy classic. Luckily, this one avoids any topics that really didn’t age well, and really stands as a great tribute to the looniest of animation we had as a kid. it is a cartoon come to life, as the rubber faced Jim Carrey takes over as Stanley Ipkiss, a mild mannered banker, whose life changes when a relic comes into his life, and also when Cameron Diaz enters the picture. this was her breakout role, and she’s as effervescent as you might remember. the mask isn’t my favorite of Carrey’s comedies, and I was surprised how much i enjoyed the slapstick nonsense thirty years later. Make sure to catch it with the audio description that perfectly enhances the zany madcap Jekyll and Hyde esque story.
Fresh: Final Grade: B+, Audio Description: A-
The Body Politic- I did already single this out for a review, due in large part to the filmmaker reaching out to me personally to make sure I got my accessibility needs met. This was on PBS, and might still be available through them with audio description. it is an excellent exploration of a young bright mind rising from the very streets he is now pledging to fix, and making radical change because the status quo simply didn’t work. This was on my list of the Top 10 documentaries of 2024.
Fresh: Final Grade: A, Audio description: B+
Sea Of Love- I thought for sure that this serial killer crime drama with Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin, john Goodman, and Michael Rooker was going to rock my world. As it turned 35 in 2024, and sat on Netflix with audio description, i figured I’d check just one more movie I hadn’t seen yet off my list. I probably could have lived without this. it certainly isn’t Pacino’s best, and really is just a serviceable, if not forgettable erotic thriller from the same period we were into Fatal Attractions and Basic Instincts. The audio description track made me laugh a few times, especially in some of the steamier scenes, like when Barkin is grinding and humping against Pacino, in a way that didn’t sound so much like a sexy scene, as it did a dog humping a couch. None of these actors are bad, and the film is maybe a bit predictable, but I certainly wouldn’t say don’t watch it. I just don’t think this is a cinematic classic, and I’m not pining to watch it again.
Fresh: Final Grade: B-, Audio Description: B+
Hard Truths- I’m dying to get this movie with audio description. Marianne jean-Baptiste was my Best Actress Winner of 2024. Sadly, it is Bleeker Street, so i have random chances to watch it. it currently isn’t with audio description in the Apple Store, but it did have description for theatrical release, but not for my screener. I saw this movie all the way back in November, and released the review later because I was worried about an embargo. hopefully, I’ll be coming back around to this title.
No Grade Due To Lack of Audio Description
Good One- An unsuspecting indie that has a very notable third act moment that really changes the entire tone of the film. it is a debut feature, and India Donaldson did get some mentions for debut feature. There’s such a small cast, it is just a girl going camping with her semi-estranged father, and his friend. It feels like a hybrid of coming-of-age, but then also puts a topic on the table in the third act that becomes the central point of conversation. This is really indie, and came through my FYC materials. I wish this had audio description. I doubt it ever will. if you happen to be a sighted reader, i would recommend this film to you, but as far as a grade, without accessibility, I can’t pin it down.
No Grade Due to Lack Of Audio description