Jayne Taini Movies

A man down on his luck hatches a different kind of get-rich-quick scheme in this independent comedy. Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges) is a middle-aged divorcé who is down in the dumps after the departure of his wife, Thelma (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and son, Billy (Alex D. Linz). The fact that Thelma's new hubby is quite wealthy only makes things more troubling for Andy, and he keeps thinking that if he had more money he could be back in her good graces. One night, while knocking back drinks with his friends, Andy has a brainstorm -- pornography is big business these days, so why not round up the local talent and make an adult movie? Andy persuades his friend Barney (Tim Blake Nelson) to sign on as co-producer, and they start putting together a crew, including Emmett (Patrick Fugit), a kid with a video camera who becomes director of photography; Otis (William Fichtner), who volunteers to be the gofer who doesn't really do anything; and as director a guy known only by his nickname, Some Idiot (Joe Pantoliano). Casting proves to be a bit more problematic, especially after they discover that Moose (Ted Danson), who has been cast in the male lead, may be gay when he repeatedly fails to rise to the occasion. The Amateurs also stars Lauren Graham, Valerie Perrine, and Glenne Headly as some of the local women drafted into appearing in the movie; the picture was released in the United Kingdom under the title The Moguls. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A pair of escaped juvenile delinquents discovers that missionary life is just as restrictive as life in their state-sponsored correctional facility after posing as Mormon missionaries to elude detection in director Rodney Henson's religious-themed comedy. Justin (Brandon Beemer) and Ty (Ty Hodges) are two rebellious teens who just can't seem to grasp the concept of authority. Shortly after making a successful escape from their Mojave Desert detention center run by the overzealous General Wilkins (Charles Napier), the pair's perfect escape plan hits a snag when their car dies at a remote rest stop where Mormon missionaries Elder Talbot (Shaun Weiss) and Elder Johnson (Jason Winer) are taking a break before heading to their next assignment in nearby New Harmony. Soon swapping their military fatigues for Mormon missionary duds, Justin and Ty hit the road in their new car assured that the authorities will never suspect their true identities. Though they were correct in their assumption, the one thing that Justin and Ty never expected was to be offered a police escort to New Harmony -- where the ultra-religious locals have big plans for their newly arrived guests. Now stuck in a town where the lights go out at ten, the alarm goes off at six, and God's word is the law, these two identity-thieving delinquents are eventually forced to choose between living a life of lies or finally coming clean about their shady past. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi