Steve Ruggles Movies
- 1992
Two relatively well-to-do young couples share a vacation in a remote mountain cabin in this somewhat satirical drama, which contains elements of fantasy and comedy. Eric and his wife Amy are experiencing discord as Eric tries to come to grips with his feelings for his difficult father, who is dying. Every time Amy tries to help or provide support, she invariably puts a foot wrong. Meanwhile, the relationship between the other two seems untroubled, and they appear full of life and fun. As they enjoy one another's company, fantasy scenes begin to filter through, in which each participant imagines what might have happened "if," or what still might happen. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lisa Moncure, Joris Stuyck, (more)
- 1991
- PG13
- Add Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead to QueueAdd Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead to top of Queue
Christina Applegate stars in this convoluted comedy that comes across as a teen fantasy combination of Home Alone and Working Girl. The premise is all in the title -- when the mother (Concetta Tomei) of a sniveling group of surly kids goes on a much-deserved summer vacation, she leaves her kids under the charge of an elderly distaff granny (Eda Reiss Merin). When granny ups and dies, the kids load her dead body in a trunk and deposit the package on the steps of the local funeral home. The kids are ecstatic thinking that with the big wad of cash Mom has left, they can have a summer of consumer madness. But when they find out that the money has been buried with the baby-sitter, the kids have to fend for themselves to make ends meet. Dream teen Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate) tries working at a fast food restaurant but she can't stand the grease. So, she puts together a false resume and, posing as a twenty-eight-year old, she applies for a job as a receptionist at a garment manufacturing company. The company vice president, Rose (Joanna Cassidy), is so impressed by her resume that she hires her on the spot as her executive assistant. Her deception looks to be working out great -- Sue Ellen manages to hold off the office lady killer Gus (John Getz), avoids exposure by the embittered receptionist, borrows money from the company's petty cash box for household incidentals, and continues her relationship with restaurant employee Bryan (Josh Charles). But suddenly, the clothing firm is set to go under, and Sue Ellen must use her teen fashion sense to save the company and her job . . . and she has to get the rest of the brood involved. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, (more)
- 1990
- PG13
In the film adapted from a book by Frederic Brown, a music composer (Randy Quaid) receives an invitation to score an upcoming science-fiction film. When the piece is accidentally broadcast on the radio, it encourages a rather pedestrian invasion force from Mars. The legion of green men instead cause havoc around the globe just by having fun, and it is the composer's duty to send them packing. ~ John Bush, Rovi
- Starring:
- Randy Quaid, Margaret Colin, (more)
- 1989
Harry's daffy dad Buddy (John Astin) begins dating Amanda Caldwell (Karen Morrow), a fun-loving millionaire's widow. As Buddy and Amanda dance several nights away, Harry (Harry Anderson) wonders if he should inform the widow about his father's history as a mental patient--if she doesn't know already, that is! Meanwhile, Dan (John Larroquette) has lost his money, his home and his Mercedes, and is reduced to living in his increasingly gamy-looking office. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Brain Dead was based on a script by Charles Beaumont, leading some obtuse fans to hail the "return" of that frequent Twilight Zone contributor. Actually Beaumont has been dead since 1967, so this cookie spent a long time in the oven. Stalwart supporting actor Bill Pullman is given star billing as a brilliant brain surgeon who agrees to perform an operation on a psychotic mathematician. This surgery, ostensibly, is to "adjust" the patient's attitude--and, incidentally, to unlock the corporate secrets secreted within the patient's brain. But as Pullman probes about, he begins experiencing first-hand the psycho's fevered, paranoic dreams. Pullman drifts farther and farther from reality, and the audience is implicitly invited to do the same. Bill Paxton also stars in this Roger Corman-style thriller, produced by Corman's daughter Julie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bill Pullman, Bill Paxton, (more)
