“Again”: Troubling Take on a Tragic Wake-Audio Review from John Smistad
For my Audio Review of “Again” on the TMB YouTube channel please watch below:
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TMB’s Top 10 Films of 2015: John Smistad Edition
In no particular order, though these are my top two. Some had US DVD release debuts in 2015. 1) Goodnight Mommy It is a conspicuously uneasy vibe established practically right from the start of the ultra-unsettling Austrian psychological thriller “Goodnight Mommy”. And then from there all the way up to … [Read More]
First-Time Filmmaker fetes “WHAT HAPPENED AT 625 RIVER RD”
Two young women take a trip to New York. Or do they? Something happened at 625 River Road. Whatever it was remains a disturbing mystery. Promising Debut The horror thriller “What Happened at 625 River Rd” is the first feature film from veteran music video and commercial director Devon Jovi … [Read More]
“Ariel: Back to Buenos Aries” (2023): What is Family?
“Ariel: Back to Buenos Aries” is a captivating story of a brother and sister returning to their birthplace, Argentina, for the first time as adults. Soon immersed in the glimmering tango clubs of Buenos Aires, they come to uncover long-kept family secrets and the heart-wrenching reasons behind their parent’s emigration, … [Read More]
“Films that Forever Matter” Series: “Lost in America” Review
Two yuppies decide to “drop out of society” and hit the road in a motorhome to do all the things they dreamed about in their youth. Albert Brooks (“Broadcast News”, “Defending Your Life”) directs and stars as a hot shot ad executive who abruptly finds himself unemployed. He and his … [Read More]
“Films that Forever Matter” Series: “Christine” Review (2016)
This “Christine” review tells the tragic true story of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s local TV news reporter. Chubbuck struggled mightily with depression and professional frustrations while striving to advance in her career. “Christine” Review (2016): Riveting Chronicle of Ravaging Mental Illness Films that Forever Matter Series by John Smistad I once worked … [Read More]
“Death Wish” (1974) & “Death Wish II” (1982)……at long last!
“Death Wish” tells the story of New York City architect Paul Kersey, who becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is senselessly slain by street thugs. In self-defense, the vengeful man commences killing muggers on the mean streets after dark. In the “Death Wish II” sequel film, Kersey once … [Read More]
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980): Country Music Legend Biopic as Love Story
Coal Miner’s Daughter is the rags-to-riches story of legendary country music singer Loretta Lynn. The film covers the Kentucky native’s early teen years in a poor family, getting married at 15, and her rise to become one of the most influential country musicians of all time. Based on Lynn’s 1976 … [Read More]
“One on One” (1977): Beautiful as a Buzzer Beater from Downtown!
A young basketball phenom battles the business-driven machine of the major college coaching system. In so doing, he knows full well that his fully financed sports scholarship to a perennial basketball power is now at risk of being stripped away from him. “One on One” (1977): Beautiful as a Buzzer … [Read More]
My Favorite Movie of All-Time
Wyoming, circa early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. In the wake of a train robbery gone horribly wrong, they find themselves on the run with an elite hired posse hard on their heels. Their solution – bolt for Bolivia. My … [Read More]
“Duel” (1971): A first glimpse at Greatness
A deranged truck driver weaponizes his tanker truck to terrorize a traveling salesman across the California desert. “Duel” (1971): A first glimpse at Greatness Classic Film Feature by John Smistad And he was only gettin’ warmed up Steven Spielberg’s debut feature film as a director is a taught and tense thriller … [Read More]
“Viking Wolf” (2022): Terrifying Transformation
Teenager Thale (Elli Rhiannon Müller Osborne, “Royalteen”) has recently moved with her family from Oslo to a quaint Norwegian community for her mother’s (Liv Mjönes, “Midsommar”) new job as the town’s police chief. Almost immediately a fellow high school student is savagely murdered at a local party. Thale is a … [Read More]