Jack Blessing Movies
Barry B. Benson (voice of Jerry Seinfeld) is your average honeybee. Despite having recently received his diploma from bee college and being virtually guaranteed a bright future in honey, Barry feels he has the skills to pursue a number of different career paths and resents the fact that his employment opportunities are strictly limited to producing the sweet nectar. Upon breaking away from the hive and developing a friendship with an insect-loving New York florist (voice of Renée Zellweger), Barry makes the shocking discovery that human beings eat honey in mass quantities. Having finally found his calling in life, the infuriated Barry decides to sue the human race for stealing all of the honey that his fellow bees work so hard to produce. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, (more)
Shrek and Fiona's (Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, respectively) fairy-tale wedding has gone off without a hitch, yet just as the beaming newlyweds prepare to enjoy their blissful "happily ever after," the sudden death of King Harold (John Cleese) finds everyone's favorite ornery ogre being reluctantly fitted for the royal crown. Troubled to learn that not only will he be compelled to rule Far Far Away, but that he and Fiona are also expecting a little ogre, Shrek determines to track down his new bride's rebellious cousin, Artie (Justin Timberlake) -- the one true heir to the throne -- in order to focus on fatherhood without the added distraction of having to preside over the kingdom. As Shrek sets out with faithful companions Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to locate the medieval high-school slacker and bring him back to become the reigning sovereign of Far Far Away, handsome snake Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) slithers back to the castle in the company of the dreaded Captain Hook (Ian McShane) to stage a diabolically timed coup and assume control of the throne. Now, as Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots do their best to wrangle up the feisty Artie, Fiona must enlist the aid of fighting princesses Snow White (Amy Poehler), Sleeping Beauty (Cheri Oteri), Rapunzel (Maya Rudolph), and Cinderella (Amy Sedaris) to barricade the castle and fend off Prince Charming's invading army of fairy-tale villains until her beloved husband can return with the cavalry to save the day. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, (more)
Master of disguise Sacha Baron Cohen hits the road to explore America as the crude Kazakstani reporter Borat in a feature mockumentary that brings one of the Da Ali G Show star's most popular characters to life on the big screen. Sent by the Kazakh Ministry of Information to gain a better understanding of American culture and bring his findings back home, Borat and faithful producer Azamat (Ken Davitian) set their sights in New York City. When the citizens and interview subjects of the Big Apple seem less than receptive to Borat's distinctively unrestrained approach and the curious Kazakh television personality stumbles across an episode of Baywatch while channel-surfing in his hotel room, he becomes instantly smitten with screen siren Pamela Anderson. Now confident that the only way to discover the true essence of America is to travel to California and make the bikini-clad beauty his bride, Borat purchases a ramshackle ice-cream truck in which he and Azamat will make their way across the Great Plains and on to the sunny West Coast -- all the while coming into contact with a wide variety of "typical" Americans. Within this loose, scripted framework, Borat engages in his usual misbehavior with unsuspecting strangers, from accidentally releasing a chicken from his suitcase on a New York subway ride to a formal interview with Alan Keyes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, (more)
- 2006
- PG13
- Add Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby to QueueAdd Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby to top of Queue
When America's number one NASCAR speed-demon is issued a direct challenge from a gay, French Formula One racer with a hunger for the top spot and a mean talent for tight-cornering, the race is on to become the number one man in all of NASCAR in a full throttle comedy starring Will Ferrell and directed by Anchorman cohort Adam McKay. Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) is a national hero with a "smokin' hot" trophy wife, pair of borderline-abusively precocious sons, and an endless line of endorsement deals filling his mansion with toys and driveway with sports cars and Hummers. His racing partner and lifelong friend Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), never fails to provide him with a hand on the racetrack, frequently performing their trademark "slingshot" maneuver to shoot Ricky into first place, leaving Cal in second. While the public loves these buddies (popularly known by the meaningless childhood nicknames they find so exceedingly cool: "Shake and Bake"), a wedge comes between the two, as Ricky Bobby's longstanding winning-streak is broken by flamboyand French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), robbing Ricky of everything in an instant as the trauma leaves him unable to drive. Ricky's wife takes his fortunes while Cal takes his wife, and now he's back with his mother (Jane Lynch) and long-estranged father (Gary Cole). Things look bad for Ricky, but his father was once a race car driver himself, and now with the help of a training montage, a live cougar, and the courage to drive without his gleaming white Wonder Bread endorsement, Ricky might be ready to face the track again. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, (more)
Vin Diesel returns as the nocturnally gifted antihero Riddick in this sequel to the 2000 cult item Pitch Black. Riddick, on the run from the law and evading mercenaries eager to claim the price on his head, seeks refuge on the planet of Helion, only to discover he's walked into a world in chaos. Helion has been seized by the Lord Marshall (Colm Feore), leader of the Necromongers, a race of bloodthirsty warriors determined to wipe out humanity throughout the universe. Aereon (Judi Dench), leader of Helion's "elementals," pleads with Riddick to join them in their fight for survival; Riddick agrees, hoping to fill out some of the blank chapters in his history along the way. As he plots his battle strategy against the Necromongers, Riddick becomes reacquainted with Kyra (Alexa Davalos), whom he knew as a girl but has since grown into a strong and beautiful woman eager to join him in the fight against the Lord Marshall. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, (more)
- 1999
Suggested by a real-life homicide case which occurred in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1986, the made-for-TV Murder at 75 Birch gets underway when the wife of dentist Rick Todson (Gregory Harrison) is killed. According to Rick, his late spouse Pat (Wendel Meldrum) had been murdered by a burglar, a story the police find hard to swallow. One person who is willing to stand by Rick is his sister-in-law Gwen (Melissa Gilbert)--and when Gwen's own husband Dave (Vyto Ruginis) dies in a car accident, she turns to Rick for comfort and solace. Ultimately Gwen falls in love with Rick, but their relationship begins to unravel after a series of strange incidents which suggest that the authorities' suspicions concerning Rick's involvement in his wife's death were not entirely groundless. Reaching a tense climax as Gwen and the police work together to crack the case, Murder at 75 Birch first aired February 9, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Harrison, Wendel Meldrum, (more)
- 1999
Monica (Roma Downey) shows up as a reporter at the World Cup Qualifier Ski Race in Park City, Utah. The "highlight" of the event promises to be a grudge match between two competitive skiiers, Jett (David Lascher) and Will (Sean Murray). Though they are lifelong friends, a certain amount of friction has developed around the fact that whenever they've skiied in the same race, Jett has invariably come in first, and Will has always finished up second. Enraged by the insinuation that Will has been letting him win all these years, Jett insists upon a final, definitive, winner-take-all competition--which may result in tragedy for both men! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
One of the most intensely dramatic episodes in the history of NYPD Blue begins as the ex-wife (Debra Monk) of Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) prepares to defend herself against a DWI charge. As this plot strand plays itself out (with indications that the story is far from over), Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) emerges from heart-transplant surgery. At first, his recovery seems imminent, but complications quickly ensue. Ultimately, Bobby's wife, Diane (Kim Delaney), is given the bad news: it is only a matter of time. While fans of NYPD Blue were well aware that this episode (which earned two Emmy awards) represented the final appearance of series star Jimmy Smits, few were prepared for its shattering conclusion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The mutilated body of a woman is found, and the principal suspects are her two sons. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) tries to figure out if the guilty party is the son who shows no remorse or the one lost in a haze of drugs and alcohol. When one of the suspects kills himself, Andy wonders if the dead man could serve as a heart donor for the still-ailing Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits). Meanwhile, Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) locates another possible donor -- a brain-dead cop whose grieving wife may not grant permission. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The death of Gant causes a major blowup between Carter (Noah Wyle) and Benton (Eriq La Salle). Ross (George Clooney) uncovers some facts about battered homeless teen Charlie (Kirsten Dunst). HIV-positive Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) dates Greg Fischer (Harry J. Lennix), a specialist in infectious disease. And woefully understaffed during the nurses' "sick-out," Carol (Julianna Marguiles) makes a fatal error in judgment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
First telecast November 4, 1996, this Deep Space Nine episode was a harkback to the classic 1967 Star Trek installment "The Trouble with Tribbles." Charlie Brill, a holdover from the original episode, reprises his role as renegade Klingon agent Arne Darvin, who sets the plot in motion by hurtling the Defiant and its crew some 105 years into the past. Upon getting their bearings, the crew finds themselves on board the original Enterprise, where they come face to face with James T. Kirk, not to mention thousands and thousands of those pesky and prolific Tribbles, one of which has been booby-trapped. "Trials and Tribble-ations" was scripted by Ronald D. Moore and Rene Echevarria from a story by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Soon after announcing the cancellation of her engagement, actress Sharon Stone appears on The Larry Sanders Show, and an elated Larry (Garry Shandling) proposes that the two go on a date. Despite the fact that all seems to be going well during their first date, Artie (Rip Torn) warns Larry that he may be headed for rough waters with his new relationship. When the womanizing host gets a taste of his own medicine, Larry proves fairly resilient, though Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) doesn't take the break-up quite so easily. Special guest stars include David Paymer, Jack Blessing, Julianne Phillips, Sid Newman, Lisa Edelstein, and, of course, Sharon Stone. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Based on the true story of Carolyn Sapp, a Miss America pageant winner, this is a behind-the-scenes look not only at the goings-on of the pageant but also at the abusive relationship between Ms. Sapp and her boyfriend which led her to request police protection from him. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- PG
When an adopted 21-year-old finds that she was adopted, she forsakes her adopted parents and goes on a crazed hunt to discover her real parents. When at last she finds them, she is disappointed to discover that they are very empty and shallow people; her adoptive parents earn a new respect in her eyes. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martha Plimpton, Dermot Mulroney, (more)
Graham Greene stars as Ishi, the lone survivor of the Yahi Indian tribe, who is discovered and cared for by anthropologist Albert Kroeber (Jon Voight) in this made-for-cable docudrama. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Graham Greene, Jon Voight, (more)
- 1991
This suspenseful drama tells the chilling true story of up-and-coming model Marla Hanson who was viciously attacked by a make-up man after she rejected his advances. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Pollak, Dale Midkiff, (more)
- 1991
Everyone needs Roseanne's time in this episode. Jackie needs her help to practice her lines for a community play. Dan is sick with the flu and wants her to wait on him. Also, Roseanne has to take D.J. to a Scouts ceremony and show a little enthusiasm through her usual sarcasm in honor of his new merit badge. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The crush felt by a young boy for his father's girlfriend creates heartbreak when the adults call the relationship off. ~ All Movie Guide
Making great fun of the '70s, this lively sci-fi comedy centers on a trio of time travellers who go into the past in hopes of retrieving the Constitution to celebrate America's 300th birthday. Unfortunately, the travelers end up in 1976 not 1776. The trouble is, they don't realize it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Cassidy, Olivia D'Abo, (more)
- 1989
Colleen Dewhurst guest stars as Betty Russell, a famous divorce lawyer better known as "The Barracuda." Exhibiting a hitherto well-hidden conscience, Russell hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to reunite Lydia and Nathan Kraft (Jane Hallaren, Lawrence Pressman), whose union Betty may have wrongly rent asunder. A special gift and an unanticipated murder both figure into the story, as does a discussion wherein the two stars ponder the possibility of staging a nude scene to improve Moonlighting's ever-sagging ratings! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In an episode reminiscent of the Tracy Hepburn film Adam's Rib, the Blue Moon office finds itself sharply divided along gender lines (to the musical accompaniment of "Dueling Banjos" as the result of a sexual harassment case. The problem: Is Robin Fuller (Jayne Atkinson) justified in shooting a gun at the boss who has been harassing her, or does this action make Robin a harasser herself? Catch the quickie joke about Bert Viola's beard (most of the viewers didn't) -- and revel in the closing scenes, featuring a series of bloopers culled from previous episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
A strange man who had come to Blue Moon hoping to hire a bodyguard abruptly drops dead in the office. Subsequently, David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) find themselves "babysitting" their would-be client's corpse. The plot may be wrapped around a missing lottery ticket and a strange tattoo--and then again, maybe it isn't, who knows? The episode's title refers to a lengthy dream sequences in which Maggie finds herself in the Afterlife with some suspiciously familiar-looking ghosts and goblins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This final episode of Moonlighting finds Bert (Curtis Armstrong) and Agnes (Allyce Beasley) getting married, just as David (Bruce Willis) is breaking up with Annie (Virginia Madsen), the cousin of his partner and former lover Maddie (Cybill Shepherd). At the same time, the Blue Moon Detective Agency closes its doors, whereupon ABC network executive Walter Whitebread (Mark L. Taylor) solemnly begins dismantling the set. An eleventh-hour effort to save the Agency--and the series--is foiled by the demographic evidence supplied by big-time Hollywood producer Cy (played by Dennis Dugan, billed under his Moonlighting character name of Walter Bishop). Even worse--the Anselmo Case (you remember the Anselmo Case) may never be solved! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
A dying burglar hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to investigate a heist committed 25 years ago. No, the old man doesn't want to clear his name; instead, he wants to prove to the cops that he has committed the "perfect crime." Maddie wants no part of this, but David is intrigued. And besides, it will get their minds off the much-talked-about "Anselmo Case" (remember?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In the second episode of a two-part story arc (originally networkcast out of sequence), David (Bruce Willis) is still ga-ga over Maddie's cousin Annie (Virginia Madsen), even though she already has a husband. Meanwhile, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) is placed in round-the-clock police protection after witnessing a murder. The "fun" begins when the detective assigned to watch over Maddie is suspected of the murder himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
