The Shawshank redemption- movie that cable built. Frank Darabont’s often quoted masterpiece benefitted from a persistent stream of cable channel viewings, and a strong word of mouth campaign, that took the Best Picture nominee right to the top of the iMDB Top 250. For years, this has been the representation of possibly the best film of all time by anyone who creates an iMDB account. For me, it is a film that I’ve lost track how many times I’ve actually seen it. I certainly wouldn’t know how many times from start to finish, as this was often a film that caught my attention on a random channel surfing binge. Adapted from a short story by Stephen King, it remains the best adaptation of one of his works, not because it figured out how to channel what is horrifying in the text, but by making it a story of redemption. Andy Dufrane, who is pretty accepted as innocent from the beginning, endures all sorts of prison hell, only to use his smarts to outwit a sadistic warden and earn his freedom in a beautifully inspirational scene (despite the fact that he is still likely covered in feces as the rain washes him clean). Tim Robbin’s and Morgan Freeman are just two of the exceptional ensemble. This celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2024, so I celebrated by buying a digital copy on iTunes that had audio description. this is one of my favorite films, and in the great debate about whether Pulp Fiction should have won Best Picture, I’m always the guy that says it should have been Shawshank. I’m certain everyone has said their peace on this film. Probably every critic or podcaster revisits this. I may very well revisit it again in another five or ten years. that is the thing about being a true desert island film. It never bores you, and engages you in a new and exciting way with each viewing. It feels like reuniting with an old friend on a remote beach in Mexico. It feels like a Shawshank Renewal.
Fresh: Final Grade: A+, Audio Description: A
green border- this was an international entry I had the opportunity to screen, but it isn’t in English and I wish it had dubbing and audio description. I’ve heard others discuss the film, and it feels like the harrowing and horrifying experience I sat through, unable to understand the film. in a day and age where our immigration policy is almost non-existent, and refugees aren’t given a chance to plead their case, it is important to see that same story in other countries. Green Border also strikes parallels of the Nazi regime, and the juxtaposition of how current ethnic cleansings on this planet are being treated by other countries. I have a feeling this is a perfect film, but right now, it is deeply inaccessible.
Final Grade: unwatchable Due To lack Of Audio Description
What Remains- Stellan Skarsdard and Andrea Riseborough anchor this Nordic serial killer drama that is unsettling, but incomplete without audio description. others have drawn David Fincher comparisons, but without the connective tissue that audio description brings, i could never feel the chilling tone of what remains after a killer is caught.
Final Grade: unwatchable Due To Lack of Audio Description
the Aviator- I have a dirty little secret, and it isn’t that I collect my own urine in jars. It is that for whatever reason, no matter when I’ve tackled this film, in theatres, on DVD, with sight, or blind with audio description, I somehow have always dozed off. I’ve never actually stayed awake the whole film, which doesn’t mean this Martin Scorsese film that turned 20 last year isn’t good. it just means it is a long movie that feels long. Scorsese loves his runtimes. And, in this film, he uses it to great effect to explore the life of Howard Hughes, an eccentric millionaire who dabbled in everything from film to aviation. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent in the lead role, but the whole ensemble picks up a lot of slack. I especially love the congressional hearing sequence in the films third act. But, I definitely did take a cat nap during this. It had audio description available, so make sure you check this out with your accessibility needs met. it is a long film that feels it. It is also a very well crafted film. Those two things can be true. You can have too much of a good thing. That is why we don’t eat the entire cake in one sitting by ourselves. Do you? Maybe you do.
Fresh: Final Grade: B+, Audio description: A-
The Apprentice- Another catch up from a screener I received. Sadly, I have not seen this film with audio description. Apple also didn’t get the track, where I rent my films, so I’m hoping this finds a streaming home with audio description so I can properly review a film that made several of my Best of The Year lists. this was on my best Films, Best Actor, and Supporting Actor lists, though it didn’t win any of them. Shockingly, even if you are exhausted by the actual Donald trump, the film about him is so compelling, and balanced in a very specific time period, that is is such an engaging film. Sebastian Stan and especially Jeremy Strong are electric. I hope to be able to talk about the audio description someday.
No Grade Due To Lack Of Audio Description
Separated- I couldn’t find audio description for Errol Morris’s documentary on families being separated on the border, and a scathing look at the failures we have in treating those who cross the border with any semblance of human dignity. It really is quite dialog heavy, with interviews from many who were in the room where it happened, and ended up on my honorable mentions for Best Documentary, due largely to the lack of available audio description. if this kind of awareness and advocacy is up your alley, I would say take the dive even without the audio description. Sometimes, knowledge is power, and occasionally a documentary can offer you such a strong perspective and awareness of subject material, that the benefits of being able to absorb the content in any form makes it worthwhile. Perhaps one day it will stream on a platform you already subscribe to.
No Official Grade Due To Lack Of Audio Description