25 Years Writing For The Independent: Adam Mast Looks Back at Movies and Life in General
– By Adam Mast –
The year was 1996. Much simpler and less contentious times to say the least. A time when, among other things, CD stores were still a thing. Here in St. George, UT I was happily working for Tom Tom, a local music hotspot and a refreshingly intimate alternative to the likes of big corporate names like Sam Goody.
I was stocking shelves one day–If memory serves, I was unloading copies of The Fugees, 2 Pac, Sepultura, Shakira, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Bad Religion, 16 Horsepower, and Nick Cave– as this young thin guy with beautiful flowing blond locks approaches me and engages in a passionate conversation about the arts. He informs me that he’s just started publishing a local arts and leisure newspaper called The Revolution. Based on our high-energy conversation, as well as things he’s heard about me from around town, he’s well aware of my unadulterated love for film and tells me that he’d really like a movie critic on board for his publication. As it happens, I had a little bit of experience writing reviews for a community college paper in California several years earlier. By no means was I an accomplished writer–I still don’t fancy myself an accomplished writer–But I was naive enough to believe that I had barely enough skill to get by. Therefore, I agreed to contribute as I firmly believed this would provide a justifiable excuse to continue watching an obscene amount of movies. As for those early articles, so unassured was I that I went under the pseudonym, Alan Smithee; An inside joke that probably wasn’t as funny or as clever as I thought it was at the time.
As for that young guy with beautiful flowing blond locks? That was, of course, local musician, dreamer, and entrepreneur Josh Warburton and through the aid of a tight-knit and dedicated crew, he was able to build this appealing little newspaper from scratch. A handful of issues in, The Revolution would undergo a name change. Thus, The Independent was born and the rest, as they say in the biz, is history!
It’s been an epic ride and if I’m being completely honest, I can’t believe it’s been 25 years! Nearly half my lifetime and in that time, I’ve written well over 1000 film reviews. Putting it all into perspective, I’ve been writing for The Independent longer than my lovely wife Tonja and I have had kids.
Again, I’ve never really considered myself the best of writers, but I’ve certainly grown over the last 25 years. It should also be noted that I’ve never really even been particularly comfortable with the title “film critic.” I’ve always considered myself more of a fan who writes about the experience of watching movies. Whatever your opinion on that particular subject, you know the age-old saying; “Everyone is a critic!”
So many monumental events have transpired during my many years writing for this paper. Some personal (the intense premature birth of my resilient daughter McKenzie, the passing of my mother, watching my 4 amazing children grow up, etc.), some professional (managing a music store and owning another, Zboneman.com, Cinemast.net, Film Fanatics, The Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge, The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah, etc.), some profoundly impactful on an indescribable level (the birth of the blessing and the curse that is social media, 911, a pandemic, etc.) This is to say nothing of all the amazing opportunities the paper has afforded me as well as all the incredible friendships I’ve forged. Far too many important individuals in my life to name in this article so for fear that someone will get left out, I’m not even going to attempt to do so. The point being, it’s almost as if The Independent has always been there as I’ve been on this insane, exhilarating, and often unpredictable journey called life.
As for The Independent itself, even in a climate where print is often considered dead, this free publication can still be found on Southern Utah-based newspaper stands everywhere to this very day. True, its online presence is substantially more prevalent but it’s still pretty darn cool to hold a print edition–now a monthly–in the palm of your hand. That texture, that smell…Nothing beats it.
In terms of content, no matter your thoughts on the many variations and transformations The Independent has gone through throughout the years, props are certainly in order to Warburton and crew for dreaming big and providing an alternative voice in the community. It’s fitting that The Independent was initially known as The Revolution because, in its own way, its very existence began as a miniature revolution of sorts.
A very Happy 25th Anniversary to The Independent! Additionally, to all of those who have been behind-the-scenes making this thing go, I say thanks for the memories and thanks for giving me a place to grow. Further still, thanks for inspiring others and for giving writers out there an opportunity to share their voices. Perhaps most importantly, though, thanks to all the readers out there for taking the time to listen to our voices even if, at times, our varying opinions might have differed from your own. Certainly, the paper wouldn’t have lasted as long as it has without your continued readership.
On a final note, I’d like to take a stroll down memory lane and present a little rerun of the very first review I ever wrote for this publication. As always, thanks for reading.
FARGO
Originally published in the May 1996 issue of The Revolution/The Independent. No alterations have been made.
There are two kinds of people in this world, those who love the Coen brothers and those who hate the Coen brothers. As a frequent moviegoer and a total movie buff, all I can say is this, The Coen brothers are wickedly original film-makers in (90% of the time) an unoriginal industry.
For about a decade now, Joel and Ethan Coen have dazzled us with their unique style and bizarre sense of humor. It started with a dark comedy called Blood Simple. This was one of the best of its year and a critical success but it didn’t seem to connect with a mass audience. It wasn’t until Raising Arizona that the Coens became a household name. The film, starring Oscar winners Holly Hunter and Nicolas Cage, won rave reviews and achieved cult success. My fellow film buffs may want to burn me at the stake for this, but I was never terribly partial to the film although I thought the cinematography was breathtaking.
In the next few years to come, the Coens continued to make films that stimulated our minds as well as our eyes. These little gems include Hudsucker Proxy, Miller’s Crossing, and my personal favorite, Barton Fink. This brings us to Fargo. Let me start by saying, Barton Fink is now number two on my list.
Fargo is one of those rare films that has you constantly saying, “What the hell is THIS?” I get the purest pleasure from movies that aren’t the same old thing. It’s funny, it’s violent, it’s darker than hell and most importantly, it’s fresh and unpredictable. The film is beautifully acted out by everyone involved including William H. Macy and everyone’s favorite independent film actor, Steve Buscemi. The film, however, belongs to Frances McDormand who gave a beautiful, comic performance. Another major character in Fargo is the South Dakota background. It plays an important role in the story. From frame one, when we’re introduced to the vast snow-filled landscape, I couldn’t wait to see the blood spill and spill it did.
Most movie reviews give a brief summary of the plot, but I’m not going to do that. I’m just going to encourage you to see this movie before it’s gone. It’s a miracle that it’s even playing here. Sit back and enjoy the ride in all its quirky glory.
I recently read an interesting interview with the Coen brothers. They claim that when they make a movie they do so without really trying. It’s all-natural talent. To them, these are just home movies they make to fulfill their lifelong passion. Imagine what kind of damage these guys could do if they put forth the effort.
Fargo is rated “R” for violence, language, and nudity. On the Smithee scale, Fargo gets a 5!!!
Smithee Scale
1 – Navy Seals 2 bad
2 – Bordering On Dog Crap
3 – Semi-Chubber
4 – Lit My Nipples On Fire
5 – Multiple Orgasms
