Timi Prulhiere Movies
This quirky science fiction comedy is a characteristic feature by iconoclastic director Tim Burton, known to moviegoers for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The storyline affectionately harkens back to the deadpan sincerity of such '50s and '60s science-fiction films as The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds. Flying saucers have been reliably seen over the capitals of the world, and the whole world awaits with bated breath to see what will transpire. Among those waiting is the President of the United States (Jack Nicholson), who is assured by his science advisor (Pierce Brosnan) that the coming aliens are utterly peaceful. This advice is hotly contested by the military (led by Rod Steiger), who advices the President to annihilate them. When the aliens land, they are seen to be green, garish, and very cheerful. But appearances prove deceiving when the "friendly" aliens abruptly disintegrate the entire U.S. Congress. Hollywood notables appear in vast quantities in roles (and sub-plots) of all sizes in this zany feature. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, (more)
- 1994
While cleaning out their apartment, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) come across a bundle of WWII-era love letters written by the former tenants. Sentimental Jamie believes that the story told in these tender missives has a spiritual connection with the relationship between herself and Paul. But Jamie is in for a surprise when she tracks down the now-elderly authors of the letters. Jerry Adler makes his first series appearance as apartment superintendent Mr. Wicker (though the actor had previously shown up in different roles). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1993
This made-for-cable movie features a social anthropology professor (Timothy Busfield) thrown into the role of detective when he discovers that he has unwittingly videotaped the murder of his next-door neighbor. Although he is able to identify the murderer, the professor is unable to solicit the help of the police, and he and a friend set out to solve the case. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
Madonna plays Rebecca Carlson, a sex bomb who parades naked in front of the open windows of her houseboat at all hours while the lobstermen catch crabs. This entry in the Basic Instinct sweepstakes poses the question: If love hurts, does sex kill? The judge and jury certainly want to find out when Rebecca's latest conquest, a multi-millionaire, dies of a heart attack while making love to her. Eight million dollars was bequeathed to Rebecca in his will, and District Attorney Robert Garrett (Joe Mantegna) is convinced that Rebecca, knowing that her rich lover had a weak heart, killed him with wild sex so that she could get her mitts on the money. Rebecca's lawyer, Frank Dulaney (Willem Dafoe), thinks differently, suspecting the millionaire's private secretary Joanne Braslow (Anne Archer) of the crime, since she was dumped by the millionaire for Rebecca. Besides which, Frank is attracted to Rebecca himself and throws legal ethics out the window as he starts a sadomasochistic affair with her. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Madonna, Willem Dafoe, (more)
- 1992
A woman loses her son and brother in a mysterious accident which yielded no bodies. Understandably distraught, she is hardly prepared to confront her "dead" brother, now hale and hearty. But the man insists that he's never seen her before. Together with her husband, our heroine investigates this puzzler, uncovering an insidious plot to create a "new" race of humans by wiping out their memory banks. Kim Griest, Gregory Harrison, Cicely Tyson and Kevin McCarthy star in the made-for-TV Duplicates, which made its debut over the USA Cable Network on March 18, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1992
Heather Locklear plays a businesswoman who's moving ever upward on the executive ladder. Alas, though lucky in her job, she's unlucky in love. Locklear's secretary Linda Purl takes it upon herself to offer helpful advice on matters of the heart. But it turns out-and here's the BIG SURPRISE-that Purl has ulterior motives. With two screenwriters, you'd think that the producers could have come up with something less contrived and cliched. Edward Albert and James Acheson costar in this made-for-cable melodrama, which was first telecast July 15, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The made-for-TV Murder C.O.D. has a plot almost as complex and clever as its psychotic "protagonist." William Devane plays an adroit hitman who selects his victims before he's been hired to kill them. His modus operandi is to approach the person or persons who'd most benefit from the murder, then charge a $100,000 fee to go through with the plan. Patrick Duffy is the cop on the case, who periodically runs out of breath trying to keep up with the slippery Devane. While Duffy loses the acting sweepstakes to Devane, the viewer can be assured that Duffy's character in Murder C.O.D. will emerge triumphant. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
