Michael McKean Movies
You knew him as Lenny Koznowski, the nasal, nerdish pal of Andrew "Squiggy" Squigman (David L. Lander) on the hit TV series Laverne and Shirley. Show-biz insiders knew Michael McKean as an intelligent, versatile actor and writer. Shedding himself of the "Lenny" image after Laverne and Shirley folded in 1983, McKean became involved in several ensemble comedy projects with such kindred spirits as Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest. In the 1984 "rockumentary" spoof This Is Spinal Tap, McKean played the cockney-accented heavy metal musician David St. Hubbins. Apparently McKean enjoyed posing as an Englishman, inasmuch as he has done it so often and so well since Spinal Tap, most recently as Brian Benben's snippish boss on the cable TV sitcom Dream On. In the early '90s, McKean was one of the stars of another, less memorable TV comedy, Grand, and appeared for two season on Saturday Night Live. He continues to land film roles, usually in comedies, including the successful The Brady Bunch Movie (1995). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.'s 1974 animated classic comes to vivid life for a whole new generation of viewers in this live action holiday adventure starring John Goodman, Chris Kattan, Eddie Griffin, Ethan Suplee, and Carol Kane. When a depressed Santa Claus (Goodman) announces plans to take the year off after becoming convinced that the masses have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, loyal elves Jingle (Suplee) and Jangle (Griffin) make it their mission to prove their boss wrong. Saving Christmas is going to be no easy task though, because in order to truly show Santa that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well Jingle and Jangle will first have to settle a longstanding feud between Mother Nature (Kane)'s tempestuous sons Heatmiser and Snowmiser. Perhaps, with a little luck and a bit of help from Mother Nature's notoriously disagreeable siblings, Jingle and Jangle may be able to lift Santa's spirits in time to get his sleigh in flight by the time the sun goes down on the biggest night of the year. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Goodman, Chris Kattan, (more)
- 2003
- Add And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself to QueueAdd And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself to top of Queue
Antonio Banderas plays the title role in this cable-TV reenactment of a little-known chapter in the life of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. The year is 1914: With Villa's war of rebellion against the Huerta forces going badly, he hits upon a brilliant method to finance his crusade. Actually, the idea is brought to him: American filmmakers D.W. Griffith (Colm Feore) and Harry Aiken (Jim Broadbent), then busy at work on The Birth of a Nation, approach Villa with a request that he sell them the movie rights to his revolution. Acting as Griffith and Aiken's representative, junior executive Frank Thayer (Eion Bailey) tags along with Villa as the rebel leader willingly "directs" the film of his campaign, even going so far as to delay mass executions until early morning so that the cameramen won't "lose the sun." Ultimately, Villa's dreams of cinematic glory are dashed when the American public, goaded on by certain special interest groups, turns against Pancho and his noble cause. By turns comic, tragic, gruesome, and ironic, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself was first telecast by HBO on September 7, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonio Banderas, Eion Bailey, (more)
This direct-to-video sequel to Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame finds Quasi (voiced once again by Tom Hulce) falling in love with a magician's assistant while attempting to foil that same magician's plan to steal his bells. Previous cast members return (Kevin Kline, Demi Moore, Jason Alexander), while two new characters feature the vocal talents of Haley Joel Osment and Jennifer Love Hewitt. This release faithfully upholds the standards parents have come to expect from Disney. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
John Flansburgh and John Linnell are a pair of musicians who met when they were fellow junior-high misfits in the town of Lincoln, MA. Sharing a fondness for off-center pop music and absurdist humor, the pair decided to form a band, and later moved to Brooklyn, NY, in search of their big break. Adopting a rather unusual two-man lineup (guitar and accordion accompanied by a drum machine), the duo began performing as They Might Be Giants, and their shows were part concert, part performance art, and part edgy comedy. Slowly but surely, They Might Be Giants became one of the biggest bands on the alternative rock scene, and while they never threatened to break into the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, they've managed to develop a loyal cult following, and after nearly 20 years together, are still recording and performing their one-of-a-kind songs on their own terms. Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) is a documentary which looks at the long and sometimes strange history of They Might Be Giants, featuring extensive interviews with Flansburgh and Linnell; thoughts from fellow musicians Frank Black and Syd Straw; endorsements from noted authors Dave Eggers, Gina Arnold, and Michael Azerrad; and readings of the group's lyrics from actors (and fans) Harry Shearer, Janeane Garofalo, Michael McKean, and Annette O'Toole. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- They Might Be Giants, Frank Black, (more)
- 2002
In this follow-up to the "Road to Rhode Island" episode, Peter (voice of Seth MacFarlane) sees a commercial for "Kiss-Stock" while watching "Kiss Forum" on Rhode Island Public Access. He decides that since he and Lois (voice of Alex Borstein) have always been huge fans of the group, they'll go to the festival, leaving Brian (MacFarlane) to look after Stewie (MacFarlane). Stewie, who has grown obsessed with the BBC children's program, "Jolly Farm Revue," immediately runs away from home. He's decided to take up residence at Jolly Farm. He sneaks onto a plane with a British family, and as Brian arrives to bring him back home, the plane takes off. To make matters worse, Stewie has gotten on the wrong plane, and the pair end up in the Middle East. Stuck with no money and no way home, Stewie and Brian perform a musical number to distract a merchant so they can steal a camel. They also steal a hot air balloon, have an encounter with the Pope, and visit a hash bar in Amsterdam before Stewie reaches Jolly Farm, which is not everything he dreamt of. Meanwhile, at "Kiss-Stock," Lois brings shame upon Peter when he learns that she doesn't know the words to "Rock & Roll All Nite." This episode features the voices of Andy Dick, Jon Favreau, Lauren Graham, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Following in the vein of (Roger Dodger and In the Company of Men), director Brent Huff presents a crash course on the relationship between sexual and corporate power plays in The 100 Mile Rule. The infamous rule states that one is well within his rights to sexually indulge himself with someone other than his wife or girlfriend, provided that he is more than 100 miles away from home. This so-called rule becomes a topic of hot debate when a couple of Detroit salesmen must attend a business trip. Jerry (David Thornton) is a vocal supporter of the rule, although most of his attempts to utilize it are met with contempt and disregard. Bobby (Jake Weber), however, is a family man who staunchly resists joining his friends in their visits to various escort services, strip joints, and porn shops. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Bobby falters and allows himself a sexual encounter with Monica (Maria Bello), a beautiful cocktail waitress. It turns out, however, that Monica demands payment for her services, and she has videotaped Bobby in bed with her. Although Jerry admits he orchestrated the entire thing due to a high-profile customer he had lost to Bobby, the two salesmen end up seeking advice from their senior manager Howard (Michael McKean), who has seen it all before. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jake Weber, Maria Bello, (more)
Actor and comedian Harry Shearer makes his directorial debut with this mock documentary about the slightly sordid pastimes of some of America's wealthiest and most powerful men. Zambesi Glen is a private resort in Northern California whose highly exclusive membership rolls includes high-echelon politicians, leaders of America's military, owners of the nation's biggest corporations, renowned and respected political thinkers, and a handful of celebrity guests; the club's membership is overwhelmingly white and exclusively male. Once a year, Zambesi Glen holds a week-long retreat for its members, and while this gathering features the occasional group discussion of political and economic issues, most of the week is devoted to swilling booze, staging comic skits, performing odd rituals not out of place at a Boy Scout camp, doing business with the prostitutes imported for the festivities, and generally carousing like frat boys on a bender. However, not all is well in this playground for the power elite; feminist groups are protesting Zambesi Glen's "men only" membership policy, and far more embarrassing, a television reporter has found a way to smuggle cameras into the well-guarded resort, giving the world a less than flattering look at what America's leadership likes to do for a good time. The revelers at Zambesi Glen are played by a top-shelf comic cast, including Michael McKean, George Wendt, Henry Gibson, Kenneth Mars, Fred Willard, Howard Hessman, and Bob Einstein; among the female interlopers are Morgan Fairchild, Joyce Hyser, and Ming-Na. Teddy Bears' Picnic was inspired by Harry Shearer's visit as a guest to Bohemian Grove, the real-life men's-only retreat whose members are said to include George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, Malcolm Forbes, David Rockefeller, Casper W. Weinberger, and William F. Buckley, though the film's opening credits humorously disavows any resemblance between Zambesi Glen and Bohemian Grove. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
As a massive storm crept off the coast of Japan and began ominously moving eastward towards Hawaii's North Shore, surfers marveled at the prospect of taking on monstrous waves despite the Coast Guard's announcement of "Condition Black" - an emergency contingent that intended to deny all access to the water. But it takes more than a harshly worded warning to dissuade death-defying surfers from the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of taking on forty-foot waves, and despite the treacherous conditions numerous wave-riding rebels set out to do just that. In this installment of PBS' award-winning Nature series, filmmakers offer interview with the fearless surfers who defied the Coast Guard as well as footage of their exploits in a thrilling display of man versus Mother Nature that must be seen to be believed. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The world of competitive figure skating takes a pratfall in this satiric comedy. Professor Robinson (Chris Hogan) is a documentary filmmaker whose latest project presents an in-depth look at three figure skaters hoping to someday rise from the lowest rungs of amateur competition into the ranks of the U.S. Olympic Team. Robinson's subjects are Veda Tilman (Barret Swatek), a high-strung young woman who suffers from an eating disorder; J.C. Cain (A.J. Langer), a chain-smoking trailer-park refugee with more than her share of attitude; and Wendy Wodinski (Marissa Winokur), whose rotund build would make her seem like an unlikely contender for a skating championship. As Veda, J.C., and Wendy train for their next match, seen-it-all Zamboni driver Phil (Jason Alexander) offers his perspective on the action. On Edge features cameos from noted comic actors Kathy Griffin, Michael McKean, and Wendie Malick, as well as appearances by real-life skating champions Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tai Babilonia, Randy Gardner, Steven Cousins, and Peter Carruthers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Alexander, John Glover, (more)
After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman, actor/director Christopher Guest returns with another semi-improvised comedy that casts a satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy), who is cursed with two left feet (literally), and his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) have entered their Norwich terrier "Winky" in competition. Wealthy and neurotic Meg Swan (Parker Posey) and her husband Hamilton (Michael Hitchcock) are on hand with their Weimaraner "Beatrice," who they fear may have been traumatized by watching them have sex. Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) have brought their beloved Shih Tzu, "Miss Agnes." Trophy wife Sherri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) and her close friend and trainer Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) are hoping for a repeat victory for Sheri's poodle, "Rhapsody In White." And Harlan Pepper (Guest), who operates a store specializing in fly-fishing gear, has decided to stack his bloodhound "Hubert" up against the competition. In addition to Guest, Levy, O'Hara, and Posey, several other veterans of the Waiting for Guffman cast also appear in Best in Show, including Fred Willard, Bob Balaban, and Lewis Arquette. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, (more)
- 2000
Michael McKean and Annette O'Toole, husband and wife in real life, guest star as a couple of high-rolling and none-too-honest monetary advisers. When six people are killed in a helicopter bombing, the detectives follow a lead provided by the wife of one of the victims. The D.A.'s office subsequently goes after "New Age" financial pundits Elias and Valerie Grace (McKean and O'Toole). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The third volume in this ongoing series of videos collecting outstanding short films includes notable featurettes both old and new. Titles in this volume include: Alain Resnais's classic Night and Fog, a subtle yet harrowing look at the holocaust. Flying Over Mother follows a Russian cosmonaut as he thinks about his childhood while returning to Earth. Os Camarada is a Brazilian film based on a story by Franz Kafka about a man trapped in the mire of bureaucracy. And Joe is a perceptive portrait of a mental patient who has found shoes to be the key to his happiness. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Premiering in the Midnight Movie section of the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, Kill the Man poses the question: "What would you do if you won $100,000 during a half-time basketball free-throw contest?" Stanley Luke Wilson and Bob Josh Malina decide to open a small copy center. The problem is that a large-chain copy store is right across the street, taking the lion's share of the business. So with absurd determination, they decide to declare their own comic brand of war on big business. Persuading his girlfriend Vicki to join in, Stanley must choose between his life of wreaking havoc on corporate America or taking a job from Vicki's dad Michael McKean. The answer may lie somewhere in the middle, as suddenly Stanley is in jeopardy of losing his own shop if he can't come up with the rent. Directors Tom Booker and Jon Kean use wacky characters and slapstick to cook up a David-and-Goliath story about the big guy versus the little guy, with a little rule-breaking irreverence on the side. ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Wilson, Joshua Malina, (more)
- 1999
Real-life husband and wife Michael McKean and Annette O'Toole appear as Topanga's parents Jedediah and Rhianna (roles played in subsequent episodes by Mark Harelik and Marcia Cross). Arriving in town for the wedding of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence put a damper on things by announcing their impending divorce! Elsewhere, Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) finally proposes to Dean Bolander (Bonnie Bartlett, in her last series appearance); and Eric (Will Friedle) asks Shawn (Rider Strong) to help him get over losing Rachel (Maitland Ward) to Jack (Matthew Lawrence). A cliffhanger ending caps this final episode of Boy Meets World's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The husband-and-wife team of Laura Landau and Les Landau made this drama about Vietnam vets in LA. Vietnam vet and house painter Archibald Wright (Dorian Harewood) can't commit to his waitress girlfriend Diana (Vanessa Bell Calloway). Hired by Elaine (Patti D'Arbanville) to work on a Beverly Hills mansion, Archibald stumbles into a family situation: Elaine left J.P. (Michael McKean) while he was fighting in Vietnam; their daughter Tory (Amie Carey) is a classical guitarist who's just been accepted at a top music school. J.P. is now living an alcoholic existence in downtown LA, and Elaine forbids Tory from seeing her father. Archibald has a handle on J.P.'s post-Vietnam problems, and after J.P. lands in a V.A. hospital after some heavy drinking, Archibald steps in with an attempt to help both father and daughter. Shown at the 1998 Hollywood Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorian Harewood, Michael McKean, (more)
- 1998
Enraged when a jury acquits the obviously guilty man who murdered her brother, a young woman abducts the attorney responsible for his freedom. Made especially for the Lifetime cable network, this drama follows what happens when the woman herself is caught and sent to trial. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael McKean, Annette O'Toole, (more)
- 1998
This TV sitcom series centers around Denver advertising man Jack McLaren (Tom Selleck), such a powerhouse that he's nicknamed "The Legend." In the opening episode, his agency's biggest client is the U.S. Army, but after Jack beats the President of the United States on the golf course, he's out of a job the same week he's being divorced by his wife (Joanna Kerns). Turning down a competitor's offer, Jack snaps back into action with his own agency, assembling his team of veteran creative director Carl Dobson (Ed Asner), geeky copywriter Bruno (David Krumholtz), sharp-talking secretary Beverly (Suzy Nakamura), and Ivy League accountant Erica (Penelope Ann Miller). Meanwhile, he has to deal with his daughter Alex (Hedy Burress), who wants to drop out of college. Filmed in Burbank, the series began February 23, 1998 on CBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Selleck, Ed Asner, (more)
- 1998
After Murphy (Candice Bergen) generously arranges a reunion between her cancer support-group friend Lisa (Tracy Nelson) and Lisa's high school crush Wally (Eric Allan Kramer), the "FYI" gang decides to do the same for our heroine. It seems that Murphy once carried a torch for Dennis Page (Michael McKean), who'd starred in her high school musical. The "FYI"-ers manage to track down Dennis, who has kept up his singing into adulthood--but with an unexpected twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This romantic fantasy from writer, director, and producer James F. Robinson, stars Brendan Fraser as Fletcher McBracken, a starry-eyed San Antonio puppeteer who, like his father and grandfather before him, has a mystical vision of the woman he's fated to marry. Believing that she'll be found in "Formosa" (the one-time name of Taiwan), Fletcher books a flight. During a stopover in L.A., however, he learns of a trendy bar called Formosa and decides to check it out. Sure enough, Fletcher sees his dream girl, Rosalyn Willoughby (Joanna Going), a con artist on the lookout for a new mark, a millionaire from Texas. Assuming that Fletcher is the man she's supposed to bilk, Rosalyn accompanies him to San Antonio, where she meets his tuba-playing grandmother (Celeste Holm) and his eccentric friends, including the Tree Man (Lou Rawls). Charmed against her will by Fletcher, Rosalyn considers a real romance with the daffy artist, but each of them has some revelations to make before a real relationship can begin. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Using Chandler's (Matthew Perry) new computer, Ross (David Schwimmer) draws up a list of plusses and minuses to decide between Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Julie (Lauren Tom). Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler try to help compile the list, and guess what happens next. Elsewhere, Monica (Courteney Cox) goes to work for Mockolate (that's chocolate without chocolate). Comic actress Mary Kay Place (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) directed this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Airheads is a variation on Dog Day Afternoon, as well as a comic look at the trials and tribulations of both the music business and Generation X. A hapless rock trio consisting of Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi), and Pip (Adam Sandler) hits a brick wall with their attempts to get their demo tape played by record label executives. Chazz, on the edge since being thrown out by his girlfriend (Amy Locane), decides it's time to take more serious action, and he leads his bandmates on a mission to invade the local "alternative" rock station, KPPX, and hold it hostage to get the band's tape played on the air. The station staffers don't realize that they're being held with a water gun, and when they finally agree to play the tape, it gets eaten up by a faulty machine. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, (more)
