Synopsis A young Norwegian woman, and her last memories of the five people who loved her most, recalled while experiencing a catastrophic event. John Smistad’s Review Was the beginning her end? Was this ending her beginning? Was everything in between her life? Or the here that flashes before the hereafter? … [Read More]
Synopsis In this haunting drama, a night of reckless drinking compels a car mechanic to forcibly detox his best friend — consequences be damned. John Smistad’s Review Two men. One a pathetic drunk. The other doesn’t want him to be. What takes place to and between them over the … [Read More]
Synopsis Director: Randall Okita Starring: Skyler Davenport, Kim Coates and Jessica Parker Kennedy From: IFC Films A group of thieves break into the luxurious, secluded mansion. Inside, Sophie is house-sitting. The visually impaired former skier soon must rely completely upon Kelly, an army veteran living across the country, to help … [Read More]
Synopsis A man breaks into a tech billionaire’s empty vacation home, but things go sideways when the arrogant mogul and his wife arrive for a last-minute getaway. “Windfall” is modern dramatic thriller done with decided Hitchcockian homage running throughout. John Smistad’s Review Being held hostage doesn’t require it be done … [Read More]
Synopsis An engaging coming-of-the-space-age story, the way only Richard Linklater could tell it. Inspired by Linklater’s own life, “Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood” takes you to the moon and back. This story is about growing up in the 1960s in suburban Houston, Texas. Starring Jack Black, Glen … [Read More]
Synopsis Emma, a graduate student living alone in NYC, is being watched constantly by a stalker who hacks into the technology that surrounds her – laptop, cell phone, and other web connected devices. This demented obsession continues to grow as the hacker records Emma’s most intimate moments. When the thrill … [Read More]
Running April 5th through the 10th, “ASPEN SHORTSFEST” is one of only four Oscar-qualifying festivals in America to feature short films exclusively. I was honored with previewing ten of the productions to be shown at the prestigious event held annually in this Colorado snow skiing mecca. Here are my reviews. “Jensen”-A rock band’s lead singer suffers an … [Read More]
Synopsis Nils ploughs snow in the wild winter mountains of Norway, and is recently awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the people of his small town. When his son is murdered for something he did not do, Nils wants revenge. And justice. His actions ignite a war between the vegan … [Read More]
Synopsis Directed by three-time Oscar®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “They Shall Not Grow Old”), “The Beatles: Get Back” takes us back in time to the band’s January 1969 recording sessions, a seismic-shift moment in music history. This remarkable docuseries showcases The Beatles’ creative process as … [Read More]
Synopsis “The Worst Person in The World” is a modern dramedy about the quest for love and meaning in contemporary Oslo, Norway. It chronicles four years in the life of Julie (Renate Reinsve), a young woman who navigates the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her … [Read More]
Synopsis “The Guilty” takes place over the course of a single morning in a Los Angeles 911 dispatch call center. Operator Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) struggles to save a caller in grave danger. He soon discovers that nothing is as it seems, and that facing the truth is the only … [Read More]
Synopsis A family vacation takes a terrifying turn when parents Paul and Wendy discover their young daughter has vanished without a trace. Stopping at nothing to find her, the search for the truth leads to a shocking revelation in this psychological thriller. The Good Nothing. Not one damn thing. Okay. … [Read More]