Jim McManus Movies
A glamorous American woman enters into a spirited battle of wits with her disapproving English mother-in-law in this period romantic comedy. John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) and Larita Huntington (Jessica Biel) married in haste following a whirlwind romance. But reality comes knocking when the couple arrives to visit John's parents and his mother has an allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. As the battle of wits between the two women escalates, John and Larita's marriage begins to suffer. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, (more)
- 2007
- PG13
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Young wizard-in-training Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns to Hogwarts for his fifth year of studies, only to find that the magical community seems to be in a curious state of denial about his recent encounter with the sinister Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the fifth installment of the popular fantasy film series based on the best-selling books by author J.K. Rowling. Rumor has it that the dreaded Lord Voldemort has returned, but Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) isn't so sure what to make of all the hearsay currently floating around the campus of Hogwarts. Suspecting that Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) may be fueling the rumors regarding Voldemort's return in order to undermine his authority and lay claim to his job, Fudge entrusts newly arrived Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) with the task of tracking Dumbledore and keeping a protective watch over the nervous student body. The young wizards of Hogwarts will need something much more effective than Umbridge's Ministry-approved course in defensive magic if they are to truly succeed in the extraordinary battle that lies ahead, however, and when the administration fails to provide the students with the tools that they will need to defend Hogwarts against the fearsome powers of the Dark Arts, Hermione (Emma Watson), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Harry take it upon themselves to recruit a small group of students to form "Dumbledore's Army" in preparation for the ultimate supernatural showdown. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, (more)
Originally produced in the U.K. for BBC1, where it first aired on October 9, 2002, the three-part miniseries Tipping the Velvet was adapted from Sarah Waters' best-selling debut novel of the same name. Set in the 1890s, the series focuses on the romance between Nan Astley (played by Rachel Stirling, daughter of actress Diana Rigg), a cook in the seaside restaurant owned by her father, and Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes), a musical hall entertainer specializing in male impersonation. Given the strict (and somewhat hypocritical) moral restrictions of the Victorian era, the lesbian relationship between Nancy and Kitty must be kept a closely guarded secret, except in the hedonistic underground circles in which the actress and her libertine friends travel. Tipping the Velvet was brought to the US by way of the BBC America digital-cable service beginning May 23, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rachael Stirling, Keeley Hawes, (more)
This second feature from Boyfriends' directors Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger explores intertwined relationships in a sleepy seaside resort in the U.K., broken up into three segments. The film centers around the funeral of Stuart (David Coffey), the gay partner of Nick (Tom Hollander), who owns a local restaurant. Stuart's brother-in-law Dan (Bill Nighy) is a depressive farmer who lives with his wife Judy (Ellie Haddington) and becomes smitten with a French woman named Corinne (Clementine Celarie), a local florist. As Dan and Judy attempt to settle Stuart's estate, Dan gives into having an affair with Corinne -- but then ends up cheating on her with an amorous stranger (Sally Hurst). Meanwhile, Nick offers Stuart's straight best friend Tim (Douglas Henshall) a place to stay. Nick is furthermore disrupted by the advances of Charlie (Sukie Smith), a free-spirited woman who takes a liking to Nick and introduces him to hetero intercourse. The final section of the film centers on Tim who, after being abroad for several years, has a dalliance with shop owner Leah (Josephine Butler), who happens to be the former girlfriend of his adopted brother David (Stuart Laing). Also featured in the film are Dominic Hall, June Barrie, and Peter Symonds. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Douglas Henshall, Tom Hollander, (more)
Jack Perez directed this thriller about New Jersey office worker Walter (Eric Roberts) who quits his job and heads to Santiago, Mexico, to become a writer but instead is thrust into the role of hitman by Jose Guerra (Joaquim De Almeida). However, he finds he can't kill the falsely accused Humberto (Victor Rivers). After a gunfight, Walter manages to vacate a shallow grave in the desert and awakens in a hospital, paralyzed. Wheelchair-bound, he nevertheless sets out on a vengeful journey to find Guerra. Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Joaquim de Almeida, (more)
- 1991
- R
A young man in the '60s deals with his estranged parents and the desire to find a career in rock 'n' roll. Based on the book by Nigel Hinton, who also wrote the screenplay, this music related drama stars Chesney Hawkes, Roger Daltrey and Sharon Duce. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Daltrey, Sharon Duce, (more)
- 1979
- PG
A young man and an older woman wonder if tennis is the only place where love means nothing in this romantic drama. Twenty-something Chris (Dean Paul Martin) is a rising star on the professional tennis circuit. Nicole (Ali MacGraw) is an artist in her early 40s who's involved with a wealthy man. Chris falls for Nicole, but while she's certainly attracted to him, she's not sure if she should give up her life of luxury in order to follow Chris in his uncertain future. Players is loaded with cameos from major tennis stars, including John McEnroe, Guillermo Vilas, and Ilie Nastase; Pancho Gonzales has a major supporting role as Chris' coach. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ali MacGraw, Dean Paul Martin, (more)
- 1977
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Invisible Enemy," the Doctor (Tom Baker) has been infected by an intelligent space virus called the Swarm. At the Bi-Al foundation, miniaturized clones of the Doctor, Leela (Louise Jameson), and robotic dog K-9 are injected into the real Doctor's bloodstream, in hopes of locating and destroying the virus before it can succeed in its takeover of the Universe. Obviously inspired by the 1966 theatrical feature Fantastic Voyage, "The Invisible Enemy, Episode 2" was written by Bob Baker and David Martin, and originally aired on October 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1977
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Invisible Enemy," the miniaturized clones of the Doctor (Tom Baker), Leela (Louise Jameson), and robotic dog K-9 continue their "fantastic journey" through the real Doctor's blood stream, endeavoring to locate and destroy the infectuous space virus called the Swarm. Alas, the virus manages to escape the Doctor's body and grows to full size, the better to replicate itself many times over -- and then to take over the Universe. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Invisible Enemy, Episode 3" originally aired on October 15, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1977
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Invisible Enemy," the infectuous space virus known as the Swarm has escaped the Doctor's body and is prepared to conquer the Universe. Fortunately, the miniaturized clones of the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) have successfully cured the real Doctor, who is thus able to set a trap for the killer virus. This Doctor Who adventure served to introduced the character of robotic dog K-9 (voiced by John Leeson). Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Invisible Enemy, Episode 4" originally aired on October 22, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
