Attention Script Writers! Formatting your story may have just become one HELL of a lot SIMPLER!!I chat with a guy making it WAY easier to do it!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN S… Read More
Enjoy & may you be puzzled!Click on this link for my latest Crossword:John's Puzzler #29Video Review of Steven Spielberg's Directorial Debut"Duel".On my&nbs… Read More
The dude dealing the daffy Ghost Story "THE CIVIL DEAD"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" features the "spirited" filmmaker summoning "THE CIVIL DE… Read More
"Cinema Verite" (2011): The Birth of "Reality TV""Cinema Verite" is an engrossing inside-out HBO
dramatization of the first foray into "Reality Television".
The 1973 PBS documentary, "An Am… Read More
Elizabeth Olsen impresses inhabiting "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
(2011)
"Martha
Marcy May Marlene". These are all identities assigned to the
enigmatic lead character in this relentlessly un… Read More
"The Warriors"(1979): Battling The Night to Fight another Day Hard to fathom that a flick about a ration of reprobates running for their lives from an onslaught of equally as reprehensi… Read More
"Green Room" (2015): Come for the Chaos, Stay for the SceneryDidn't think I really needed to see the skinhead suspenser (yep, I damn well may have just now invented this… Read More
Piercing performance by Guy Pearce punctuates "The Rover" (2014) I am becoming ever more partial to Australian cinema. And the futuristic thriller "The Rover" has only serve… Read More
Video Review of the classic BEATLES Rock Documentary"Let It Be"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" Lets Loose on THE… Read More
Video Review of the intensely strange thriller"Hold the Dark"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" slips into the Super Cree… Read More
"Hell or High Water" (2016): Get Submerged on one Helluva RideI have lived and worked in West Texas. That may be New Mexico you see doubling as the desolate desert of this dreary… Read More
“Facing
Nolan” (2022): Few Fates More Daunting
Nolan
Ryan is the greatest power pitcher in baseball history. Among his 51
Major League records which have absolutely zero chance… Read More
"The Founder" (2016): From Busted to Billions of Burgers Bought The late Ray Kroc was a selfish, conniving, hard-drinking, ruthless jerk. He was also the driving force behin… Read More
"The Entity" (1982): Shocking Tale Superbly Acted I had seen the unseen demon horror flick "The Entity" once many years ago. I had forgotten just how truly terrifying… Read More
Vera Farmiga's Transcendent Performance elevates "Higher Ground" (2011) As a Christian, "Higher Ground" is kind of a tough call for me. While I identified with Corrine (Vera… Read More
Video Review of the terrifying Supernatural Horror Classic"The Entity"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" explor… Read More
Video Review of the Thrilling Gangs of New York City Warfare Classic"The Warriors"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC"… Read More
Would that "The Cabin in the Woods" (2011) had the Staying Power to Finish Strong When the opening scene shows us a pair of solid acting pros the likes of Richard Jenkins and Brad… Read More
"Darling" (2015): Already, already! Talk about a movie that tests your patience. Well, that's sure as hell not the recently released, exceedingly atmospheric horror flick "D… Read More
Trans-Atlantic Shift in Locale doesn't Save "The Girl on the Train" (2016) I read the best-selling book "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins. It's pretty good. Now… Read More
"Quarantine" (2008): Hey, We could actually have it Way Worse! Some reviewers will tell you that "Quarantine" does not hold a candle to the Spanish original it is… Read More
“Privacy” (2023): Exposing the Wrong done to Our Inherent Right
Privacy is a human privilege. Appreciated. Coveted. Precious to us
all.And
yet it would seem that i… Read More
"Roadie" (2011): Rock 'n Roll Stunts your Growth You don't know me (most likely). But this guy Jimmy (Ron Eldard, in a touchingly understated performance) in "Roadie" i… Read More
I talk with the ultra-talented tandem fueling the wild night ride that is "TONIC"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" talks to the te… Read More
"Compliance" (2012): Blind Obedience to a Voice DisembodiedAfter practically only a few moments in, "Compliance" becomes an uncomfortable experience to watch. In a near-supr… Read More
"Pineapple Express" (2008): Potential Message Shrouded in SmokeYou don't have to be stoned to appreciate "Pineapple Express". But if you're of age and you're into "sparkin' up"… Read More
I talk with the the thoughtful filmmaker behind the provocative crime drama "Privacy"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" p… Read More
"The Sessions" (2012): Unflinching Look at Unconventional LoveSo often it seems we hear about how "brave" or "bold" an actor's or actress's performance is. But really, it's not l… Read More
"Bernie" (2011): Jack Black Smolders with Small Town Subversiveness I grew up in Texas. And while it was in the suburbs of Houston, I have a deep and abiding understanding and res… Read More
“Air”:
(2023): Mom knows Best
It
is said that “Behind every great man there is a great woman.”
Never
more is this idiom solidly substantiated (once again) then in t… Read More
"Primer" (2004): Who the Wut?! "Primer" is proof positive that a filmmaker (Writer, Director and Lead Actor Shane Carruth in this case) can take a crap budget and rather tha… Read More
"Unhinged" (2020): Unlikely, yet, unnervingly, not UnthinkableI once had a fellow pound the trunk of my car with a tire iron, then chase me for miles because he believed I cut him off… Read More
Video Review of the Michael Jordan meets Nike Sports History Drama"Air"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" slam… Read More
Video Review of my Favorite Movie EVERButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" CROWS "BUTCH C… Read More
"Becky" (2020): This ain't no Kid StuffThis one has been knocked around by a lot of folks. Not this guy. If you go into the gory thriller "Becky" with no expectat… Read More
"Wind River" (2017): Murder with a Message on "The Res"I love, love......love......Elizabeth Olsen. I can pretty much take or leave Jeremy Renner. Their performances ar… Read More
“Outpost”
(2023): A Mountain of Mayhem
My
dad bought a cabin on Priest Lake in northern Idaho when I was a
child. It has been a refuge of solace, relaxation and contentment
fo… Read More
"Get Thrashed" (2006): Fun even if you're not a FanI am not the biggest Thrash Metal fan. In fact, I'm not really a fan
at all. But I am a fan of this documentary.It's
not that I… Read More
"Undefeated" (2011): Winning for Life"Undefeated" grabs you from the start and doesn't ease it's
grip until long after this emotional roller coaster of a documentary
has ended.I
don't believ… Read More
Video Review of new Horror Drama"OUTPOST"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC": Family Heritage to Feral Horror on The Lake… Read More
Video Review of stunning Sports Legend Documentary"FACING NOLAN"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC": "FACING NOLAN": Nothing mo… Read More
"1917" (2019): Humanity amidst the Atrocity of War
It
is difficult to imagine a more soul searing exposition of the
savagery, brutality and barbaric insanity of war than the based on
actual… Read More
"P2" (2007): Poster Child for Surface LotsSo,
"P2". Psycho dude obsessed with totally hot chick. So he
pursues her in the most deranged ways imaginable.In
the case of this effort the… Read More
World Championship Baseball Executive REID RYAN, son of Hall of Fame Baseball Legend NOLAN RYAN, shares the scoop behind the sensational documentary… Read More
"Killer Movie" (2008): Gross Giggles
Silly, preposterous and grisly. And yet good fun. Added bonus:
Every single chick in "Killer Movie" is killer FINE.
And, for you gals, every dude is… Read More
"Cold Prey" (2006): Frozen Fear
I love Norwegian cinema. As my dad was born in Norway, I guess it's
no big surprise.
"Cold
Prey" ("Fritt Vilt") is a mostly satisfying chiller-th… Read More
The Quick Flick Critic now contributes to Culture Sonar @ this link:https://www.culturesonar.com/soundtracks-that-helped-make-the-movie/Video Review of Steven… Read More
The granddaughter of a Moldovan witch weaves her OWN LIFE experience into the terrifying new horror chronicle"HEIR OF THE WITCH"!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD… Read More
Hop on board (if you dare) for a horrifying ride to terror underground in "P2"!!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" warns you don't E… Read More
“Viking Wolf”
(2022): Terrifying Transformation
Teenager
Thale
(Elli Rhiannon Müller Osborne, “Royalteen”)
has
recently moved with her family from Oslo to a q… Read More
Rock n Roll n Game Shows!!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC": Rock Groups and Game Shows!! - YouTube Read More
“Blasted”
(2022): Stoner Comedy Sans Smoke
Sci-Fi.
Action. Sure. But don’t call the Norwegian alien invasion romp
“Blasted” a Stoner Comedy. No spark… Read More
"Black Box" (2020): Emerging and Veteran Talent Tower over Murky Material***Originally posted on 10/10/20***I was not familiar with actor Mamoudou Athie before watching the new sci-fi… Read More
***Originally posted on 3/25/21***Last month I reviewed the ultra low budget (in the 10,000 bucks ballpark), yet highly entertaining, "Northwood Pie" at this link:https://thequickflickcritic… Read More
"The Blob" (1958): Not nearly as Nutty as it SoundsThe 1958 monster horror flick "The Blob" is a remarkable piece of work. Straddling that fine line between clued-in camp and ser… Read More
It's Dual
Reviews from the recently wrapped 2023 Boston Film Festival...
“Rise
Above:
The Journey to College Basketball”
Filmmakers
Seth Shapiro and Emmy
winner Eri… Read More
Think you're "up" for "The Exorcist"On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" double dawg dares you to watch his review of "THE EXORCIST"!! - You… Read More
Hey buddy, "Bang." Double "Death Wishes"!!On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" yearns that you watch this review of "DEATH WISH" 1 &am… Read More
That 's cold, (Mountain) man. "Jeremiah Johnson"On my YouTube Channel now @ this link:JOHN SMISTAD, "THE QUICK FLICK CRITIC" reviews the classic adventure western "JEREMIAH J… Read More
“Fear
the Night” (2023): F that! Fear HER!!
Don’t
mess with Tess! Maggie Q’s character opens up a colossal can of whoop ass all over these miscreants… Read More