Jeff Fishman Movies
The annual Smith Family Reunion goes horribly awry when aging Aunt Clara (Maxine Hayden) informs her relatives that this year the invite list will be expanded to include family members related by marriage. But when the Wesson's begin arriving, some of the Smith's cop a big attitude. Stuck together for a long weekend at a luxury Palm Springs resort, the two families continually find themselves feuding when they should be bonding. Meanwhile, two half-sisters meet for the very first time, and two estranged, older sisters find their already-tempestuous relationship put to the ultimate test over a serious medical issue. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carolyn Owens, Trisha Mann, (more)
- 1991
- R
Kinky sex and violence abounds in this sophisticated soft-core exploitation thriller about the twisted relationship between a prominent LA attorney's lonely, bored wife, and a freewheeling artist who soon after they begin their affair persuades her to sleep with assorted strangers. When she figures out his sick game, she dumps him. Later a homicide detective tells the woman that he and his partner think that the artist is a brutal serial killer. Meanwhile the artist, who has videotaped her sexploits, begins blackmailing her with the threat of telling her husband. Then she learns that her husband is the mastermind behind the whole situation with the artist because he wants her to get into S&M with him. This inspires the wife to cooperate with the cops and get her revenge. Though originally rated R, an unrated version is available on video. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Linda Carol, Martin Hewitt, (more)
Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout, pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny (William Zabka) -- the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali (Elisabeth Shue), with whom Daniel has fallen in love (and vice versa). Real-life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese, the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty, but Norris turned down the role, refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively onscreen. Vastly popular, The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit, as well as a Saturday-morning cartoon series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, (more)
Hot Moves lives up to its title: naked males and females (mainly females) on sizzling beaches run in slow motion through the surf, while teenage guys put forth Herculean efforts to bed down the women of their choice. Young, chubby Barry (Michael Zorek) swipes his father's telescope to scope out the scene at the nearby beach-in-the-buff. While Barry is thus entertained, his friend Mike (Adam Silbar) has running argument with his girlfriend Julie Ann about whether or not their relationship should remain virginal -- true to form, Julie Ann says yes and he says no. With these kinds of profound decisions at hand, pre-pubescent boys will probably be the most enthusiastic audience for this teen comedy. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Zorek, Adam Silbar, (more)
