Close-up of a white Bugera Vintage 55 guitar amplifier with black knobs and red power light.

All the way up.


When confronted with the question of just making ten louder, it’s always better to take it to eleven.


Missives, musings, and more from author, adventurer, and mountain-fella, Stu Swineford.

Dive in me.

Just a whirlwind tour of some of my ramblings over the years. (Some ideas may have aged better than others.)


  • Running
  • Film
  • Business
Stu Swineford headshot - laughing outdoors

About ToEleven

ToEleven started as a place to house movie reviews and general film-based missives back in the early 2000s. The name derives from one of my favorite films, This Is Spinal Tap, and references Lead Guitarist, Nigel Tuffnel's custom amp stack. ToEleven is not only a URL, it's a way of life. Take yours to eleven.

Rants

Hands holding a tablet displaying a video player interface. The video is paused.

Two videos…

February 20, 2026
In case you hadn’t seen these (and also for my friends at Adventure Film ), here are a couple of must-see running movies from Joel Wolpert:  Geoff Roes: Slogging to the Top

Previous Rants

Hands holding a tablet displaying a video player interface. The video is paused.

Two videos…

February 20, 2026
In case you hadn’t seen these (and also for my friends at Adventure Film ), here are a couple of must-see running movies from Joel Wolpert:  Geoff Roes: Slogging to the Top
Blonde woman with goggles, oversized lips, next to a tall, odd-looking vehicle; Tank Girl movie poster.

TANK GIRL

February 13, 2026
Cliffnotes review: The worst use of cardboard since Star Trek. This film goes to: 4 Rated (R) Directed by: Rachel Talalay Starring: Lori Petty, Malcolm McDowell, Ice-T, Naomi Watts  Written by: Tedi Sarafian 104 minutes Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) 1995 Official Site
Movie poster for

THE STRAIGHT STORY

February 13, 2026
Cliffnotes review: An unholy union makes good. This film goes to: 8 Rated (G) Directed by: David Lynch Starring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek Written by: John Roach, Mary Sweeney  111 minutes Walt Disney Pictures 1999 Official Site
Poster for

Spoorloos (The Vanishing)

February 13, 2026
Cliffnotes review: Kicks the crap out of the American version. This film goes to: 10 Rated (NR) Directed by: George Sluizer Starring: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna ter Steeg  107 minutes Meteor Film Productions 1988
Man with back tattoo,

THE SALTON SEA

February 13, 2026
Cliffnotes review: Pretty slow for a flick about speed freaks. This film goes to: 6 Rated (R) Directed by: D. J. Caruso Starring: Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Peter Sarsgaard, Deborah Unger Written by: Tony Gayton  103 minutes Castle Rock Entertainment 2002 Official Site

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FAQ

  • What is ToEleven?

    ToEleven is a personal writing space created by Stu Swineford. It’s a place for thoughts, stories, reviews, and reflections on topics like film, running, business, and the occasional adventure.

  • Why is it called “ToEleven”?

    The name comes from the cult classic film This Is Spinal Tap. In the movie, guitarist Nigel Tufnel proudly explains that his amplifier goes to eleven instead of ten. The idea stuck. Taking things “to eleven” simply means going a little further, pushing ideas a little louder, and embracing the spirit of doing things fully.

  • What kind of content will I find here?

    You’ll find a mix of movie thoughts, running stories, business perspectives, and general musings from Stu. Some posts are thoughtful, some are random, and some are just things that felt worth writing down at the time.

  • Who is Stu Swineford?

    Stu Swineford is a writer, adventurer, and lifelong film fan. Through ToEleven, he shares experiences, opinions, and stories shaped by years of work, travel, running trails, and watching a lot of movies.

  • How can I get in touch?

    If you want to reach out, collaborate, or just say hello, you can contact Stu directly through the contact page or by email at stuart@toeleven.com

Thoughtful strategy. Practical execution.

Clear thinking, honest perspectives, and experience shaped by years of doing the work. No shortcuts, no borrowed opinions, just lessons learned by showing up, solving problems, and following ideas all the way through.