John Destrey Movies
A burglar looking to make time with a beautiful woman after five years in prison falls into a dangerous trap in this action drama. Rudy (Ben Affleck) is serving time in prison for auto theft, where he becomes friendly with his cellmate Nick (James Frain). Nick has been enjoying a spicy courtship by mail with a woman named Ashley (Charlize Theron), who has sent him several enticing photos, even though he has been unable to send her any of himself. Rudy and Nick are to be released the same day, but Nick is killed in an altercation with only three days left to serve. Rudy is let out on schedule, and discovers Ashley, unaware that Nick is dead, is waiting for him. Swayed by her beauty, Rudy claims to be Nick, which turn out to be fun until Rudy meets Ashley's brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise). Gabriel runs with a group of outlaws planning on using Nick's knowledge of an Indian gambling casino in Michigan where he once worked in order to stage a massive robbery on Christmas Eve. Rudy soon realizes if keeps on being Nick, he gets to stay with Ashley, but he'll also have to go along with Gabriel's robbery, which could easily land him back in prison -- or get him killed. Clarence Williams III, Danny Trejo and Donal Logue play Gabriel's henchmen; Dennis Farina, Isaac Hayes, and Ashton Kutcher also highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, (more)
Adam Sandler's second popular starring vehicle after Billy Madison is a goofy lowbrow paean to golf, hockey, and the comic hysterics of its childlike star. In Happy Gilmore, Sandler plays the title character, a raw, determined, but ultimately untalented hockey player who keeps trying out for the pros. When Happy discovers his grandmother (Frances Bay) will lose her home if she doesn't fork over 270,000 dollars to the IRS, he tries to figure out how he can possibly scrounge up the cash. An idea strikes during a game of one-upmanship with a couple furniture movers stripping his grandmother's home: On his first-ever swing, he drives a golf ball farther than the movers have ever seen. Before long, he has transplanted the foul-mouthed, aggressive persona of the hockey rink to the links, winning an amateur tourney that earns him a spot on the pro tour. Throttling everyone from a helpless caddy to game show host Bob Barker during the course of his 90-day quest to amass prize money, Happy also wins the sport a legion of new fans with his in-your-face style. Guiding him on his quest is a whimsical retired pro who lost his hand to an alligator (Carl Weathers) and an attractive public relations woman charmed by Happy's antics (Julie Bowen). Opposing him, however, is sneering hotshot Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who will do anything to win his championship jacket and see Happy fail. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, (more)
Needles figure prominently in this blood-soaked entry in the slasher genre. It begins as psycho scientist Dr. Stein begins implanting things in baboons. Dr. Theresa McCann, a colleague at the hospital where they both work is suspicious as to the nature of the perverse professors experiments. Those suspicions increase when one of the apes suddenly dies. Then Stein steals one of her patients. When that patient is found murdered, with only a lollipop left as a clue, McCann gets blamed and suspended. When McCann spies the abandoned sucker she suddenly realizes it belongs to Dr. Matar, an ex-lover in search of revenge against her because she squealed on him and his illicit experiments in tissue regrowth. Matar goes on a killing spree and now only she and her new lover Hendricks can stop him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Isabel Glasser, James Remar, (more)
- 1993
This is a '90s version of the classic Jack London story about the steel-willed captain of a seal-hunting ship who wrangles with a rough-neck crew. Charles Bronson plays Captain Wolf Larsen. Some of the sea scenes were actually taken from the 1941 version of the tale (with Edward G. Robinson) and colorized here. Most reviewers agree that the better version of Sea Wolf remains the earlier (1941) one. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1993
The man who stole the car belonging to Charlie DeSalvo (Philip Akin) is Carl Robinson (Bruce A. Young), an African American Immortal. Once upon a time, Carl had high hopes and lofty ambitions, but these have been beaten out of him by years of relentless racial prejudice. Duncan (Adrian Paul), who, back in 1926, saved Carl from a KKK mob, tries to restore his old friend's sense of self-worth. Alas, it looks as though the old story will repeat itself again when Carl is apparently targeted for persecution -- and death -- by a white cop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrian Paul, Stan Kirsch, (more)
- 1992
When two young twins decide to go to Grandmother's house, they take off on an adventure they're not likely to forget. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Based on the 1989 earthquake that rocked San Francisco, this is the true story of the rescue workers who at their own peril tried to free the people trapped under a collapsed highway. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The fabulously wealthy Susan Blakely is saddled with husband John Saxon, a swarthy number with possible mob connections. Bored and lonely, Blakely falls for charming Dale Midkiff. Soon after beginning her affair, however, Midkiff turns out to be a blackmailer, in league with the even scuzzier Mac Davis. Since this is a USA Cable Network movie, be assured that extortion is the least of the crimes perpetrated during Blackmail's two hours. This heavily plotted melodrama debuted October 23, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
