John Smythe Movies
- 1997
In this Xena: Warrior Princess spin on the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, Xena's friend Joxer (Ted Raimi) is killed after getting enmeshed in a family feud. The next day, Joxer is killed again...and the same the next day, and the day after. Realizing that she is somehow trapped in an endlessly repeating time warp (and she's the only one who realizes it!), Xena (Lucy Lawless) must somehow alter events to set things aright. Alas, it is during another "new day" that Xena causes the death of another very close friend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, (more)
- 1985
Broaching an issue that would lead to considerable litigation and controversy over the years, first-time director Bill Bennett looks at the experience of one Australian Vietnam vet as he discovers he has leukemia and traces the probable cause to the defoliant known as Agent Orange (for the color of the containers) used by the Americans in the Vietnam war. When Col. Turner (Chris Haywood and his wife (Jennifer Cluff) and children move into a neighborhood of other veterans, they begin to notice that there is an unusual amount of sickness among the men. Then the colonel himself starts seeing rashes and bruises on his skin. He goes to a doctor and is diagnosed with leukemia. Convinced that this illness, like the others in the neighborhood, was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange, Turner begins a lawsuit to claim compensation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Haywood, Jennifer Cluff, (more)
- 1982
In this Australian film, the married, financially secure Rob (Bryan Brown) meets up with drug-addicted prostitute Lou (Judy Davis) and tries to help her crawl out of the dead-end life she's created for herself. However, when Rob's wife discovers who he's been spending his time with, his marriage and his stable life are threatened. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Although it is sometimes billed as an animated feature, this children's story is an entirely live-action film, filled with wacky and silly-looking adults for the amusement of the youngsters. It is, however, based on Fatty Finn, a cartoon-strip character popular in 1930s Australia. Set in the earlier part of the century, the story concerns Fatty, a freckled youngster living in a pleasant suburb who feels the need to cut up a bit just to prove himself, and though he ruffles a lot of feathers, the fact that he is basically a good kid eventually settles them down again. The funny-looking paterfamilias, John Finn, is played by the beloved Australian national treasure Bert Newton. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Oxenbould, Bert Newton, (more)
Dennis Hopper plays the title character in this true story of a 19th-century Australian gold-digger who is pressed into a life of crime. A six-year stint in jail doesn't provide reform, but does introduce him to an Aboriginal partner-in-crime (David Gulpilil). The duo then proceed to terrorize the province of New South Wales with no lack of violence. The TV version was retitled Mad Dog. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Jack Thompson, (more)
- 1973
A hilarious sex romp about Alvin, an ordinary guy who works in a waterbed store in Australia. Remarkably, he is always pursued by over-sexed women, which constantly gets him into hot water. The film that created a market for Australian films worldwide. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Graeme Blundell, George Whaley, (more)
