Tia Carrere Movies
Though her role as the unlikely girlfriend of the eponymous dunderheaded character in Wayne's World (1992) would propel actress/model/singer Tia Carrere into what was seemingly an overnight success, the multi-talented entertainer had been appearing onscreen and making a name for herself as a vocalist since the mid-'80s. A native of Oahu (born Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo) who received her primary education at the Sacred Hearts Academy, Carrere first gained recognition at the well-known local talent contest Brown Bags to Stardom. Despite her reputation as having as much brains as beauty, it was her stunning looks that first caught the attention of a film producer's parents while shopping at a Waikiki grocery store -- a chance encounter that ultimately led to her casting in the 1988 feature Aloha Summer.Subsequently moving to Los Angles, it was no time before Carrere had landed frequent model work, and though an opportunity to take a leading role in Baywatch proved unbearably tempting, the aspiring actress ultimately held out in favor of an impressionable role in the 1992 runaway hit Wayne's World. In addition to her memorable comic performance, Carrare's ability to provide all of her own vocal work assured that the film would also be a vehicle for her vocal talents. The remainder of Carrere's work in the 1990s leaned more toward the comic, though her roles in the True Lies (1994) and Kull the Conqueror (1997) soon led to more action-oriented roles and increasing voice work in such efforts as Hercules (1998). In 1999 Carrere took the lead for her own television adventure series Relic Hunter (inspired by the success of the Tomb Raider video games), and during the series' three-year run she would also appear in the television miniseries Merlin (1999) and provide voice work for the Disney feature Lilo & Stitch as well as its sequel and television spin-off. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Gen. Fullbright (Jack Ging in his final series appearance) convinces the A-Team that General Morrison, the officer who ordered the Team to pull the Hanoi bank robbery which landed them in jail, is still alive and living in Vietnam. Upon their arrival in Southeast Asia, the Team learns that Fullbright has lied to them--and that he wants their help in rescuing his own child, whom he left in 'Nam at war's end. The last episode of The A-Team's fourth season was designed to introduce Tia Carrere as a new series regular, but things didn't quite pan out that way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
This amateur horror film finds Tony Washington (Jon-Mikl Thor) returning from the dead with the help of a voodoo priestess (Manuska Rogaud) after he is killed by joy-riding teenagers. He seeks revenge against the terrible teens as well as the local police captain (Adam West). This is the film debut of Tia Carrera. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam West, Jon Mikl Thor, (more)
- 1988
Aloha Summer is set in 1959 Hawaii. The six teenaged protagonists are drawn from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, resulting in the expected prejudices, hostilities and misunderstandings. The story's focus is on Chris Makepeace, an Italian-American lad who learns by means both soft and hard how to get along with, and understand, those different from himself. A few Kung-Fu scenes are thrown in whenever the action threatens to flag. While bereft of surprises, Aloha Summer is a magnificently photographed delight for surf-movie aficionados. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Makepeace, Yuji Okumoto, (more)
- 1989
The Road Raiders was not, as might be expected, an American rip-off of The Road Warrior. It is instead a made-for-TV combat film, set during World War II. Bruce Boxleitner heads a group of "Black Sheep Squadron" style misfits, stationed on a lonely South Pacific island (along with the requisite voluptuous nurses). When they can find the time, Boxleitner's raiders bedevil the Japanese. Road Raiders had all the earmarks of a pilot film for a proposed series--including a quickie TV playoff when the series didn't sell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
In this action film, an American soldier (Peter Fonda) captures a female guerrilla fighter in the jungles of Vietnam and forces her to act as his guide through the unfamiliar terrain. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Fonda, Tia Carrere, (more)
- 1990
- R
Craig Sheffer stars as Zane, a TV producer looking for romance. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig Sheffer, Chelsea Noble, (more)
- 1990
Kelly's career as a model begins in earnest when she auditions for the job of spokesperson for the Allante car. Having perfected the "Bundy Bounce" in hopes of landing the job, Kelly (Christina Applegate) is astonished when another model (Tia Carrere) shows up with the same "Bounce"--and it's all the fault of Kelly's brother Bud (David Faustino). Meanwhile, a casual remark from Al (Ed O'Neill) prompts Peg (Katey Sagal) to go on strike (as if she actually ever does anything!) Onetime Gilligan's Island regular Tina Louise appears as Miss Beck. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Fine Gold was originally made for cable television, where it first aired July 15, 1990. Ted Wass stars as a man falsely accused of embezzlement. In the months that follow, he loses his job, his family, and most of his reason for living. The second half of the film concerns itself with revenge and an abundance of surprise plot twists. Jane Badler co-stars in this torrid melodrama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Director Mark L. Lester modeled this police action drama on the Hong Kong style, guaranteeing plenty of over-the-top action sequences. Dolph Lundgren stars as police detective Chris Kenner, an American raised in Japan. He is given a new partner, Johnny Murata (Brandon Lee, making his Hollywood debut), a Japanese raised in America. The two are made for each other -- Chris doesn't appreciate American culture, while Johnny doesn't much like Japanese culture. One thing they both enjoy are the martial arts, of which they are experts. The two are assigned to L.A.'s Little Tokyo, trying to nab the notorious Yoshida (Carey-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a drug manufacturer using a local brewery as his distribution center. Yoshida, a member of the Yakuza, has brought the residents of Little Tokyo to their knees. But Chris has personal reasons for wanting to get Yoshida -- as a child he witnessed Yoshida murdering his parents. When Yoshida rapes and kidnaps Minako (Tia Carrere), a beautiful lounge singer, it's the last straw and Chris and Johnny set out for Yoshida's heavily guarded home for a big showdown. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dolph Lundgren, Brandon Lee, (more)
- 1991
- R
- Add Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man to QueueAdd Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man to top of Queue
Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson star in this buddy-buddy futuristic action movie. Rourke is Harley Davidson, a biker with the Halloween-costume garb of a leather jacket, short haircut, earring, and a scar. Johnson joins Rourke in the trick-or-treating as Marlboro, an ex-rodeo rider wearing a cowboy hat, vest, and dilapidated boots. They hang out at a neighborhood bar. When they find that a collection of greedy bankers want to increase the bar's payments so it will be forced to close, the two decide to help the bar out of its financial straits by robbing the bank of $2.5 million in order to pay the inflated tab and keep the bar in business. Unfortunately for the boys, the bank deals in an illicit drug called "the dream," and when they rob the armored car, they steal the drugs and not the cash. Of course, the boys become the targets for the bank's sadistic squad of hit men, led by a pleasant chap by the name of Alexander (Daniel Baldwin). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Don Johnson, (more)
Based on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name, Wayne's World is a wacky, irreverent pop-culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). From Wayne's basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive (Rob Lowe) who wants to produce a big-budget version of "Wayne's World"--and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra. Director Penelope Spheeris, Myers and Carvey hang a lot of silly, but funny, jokes on this thin plot, and the energy of the cast--as well as the wild pop-culture references--make Wayne's World a cut above the average Saturday Night Live spin-off movie. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, (more)
- 1992
- PG
Taking its cues from the classic Some Like It Hot (1959) and the television series Bosom Buddies (1980-82), this comedy combines the teen campus and cross-dressing subgenres. Jonathan Silverman stars as college freshman Bobby, an eager if naïve student who intends, as a legacy, to pledge his father's fraternity. Forced to endure a series of humiliating initiations, Bobby learns that he must retrieve a painting from a sorority, Zeta Alpha Zeta, as his final rite of passage. Dressed in high heels and a wig and sporting a British accent, he pretends to be "Roberta," a hopeful female pledge. Once he meets the beautiful Diana (Alyssa Milano), however, Bobby decides to keep up his ruse and remain with Zeta Alpha Zeta, in an effort to become better acquainted with her. Although he struggles to maintain his fake identity, Bobby learns what women really think about men, using his newfound wisdom both to become a better man and to separate Diana from her loutish boyfriend. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Silverman, Alyssa Milano, (more)
- 1993
- R
Quick is based on a series of adventure novels featuring a gorgeous hitwoman. When the title character, played by Teri Polo, is set up by her boss, she takes -- well -- quick action. Abducting the mob witness (Martin Donovan) whom she'd been hired to kill, Quick runs off to parts unknown. As the evil henchmen (Jeff Fahey, on the verge of better parts, and Robert Davi) close in, Quick decides to befriend her captive and entreat his aid. Tia Carrere also appears in this explosive actioner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Fahey, Teri Polo, (more)
When Michael Crichton wrote his best-selling thriller Rising Sun, he wrote the character of hero John Connor with Sean Connery in mind. For Philip Kaufman's film version of the novel, Sean Connery, needless to say, fits seamlessly into the role of a legendary police detective who is an expert in Japanese culture. The story takes place in the towering office building of the Japanese Nakamoto Corporation in Los Angeles, who are negotiating a deal with Microcon, an American electronics firm. During a gala held one night in the Nakamoto offices, the body of a woman, Cheryl Lynn Austin (Tatjana Patitz) is found murdered in the main conference room. Arriving quickly on the scene is high-amped police lieutenant Tom Graham (Harvey Keitel), who oozes hatred for anything Japanese from every pore. When he has trouble getting cooperation from the Nakatomo executives, Graham calls in Web Smith (Wesley Snipes), a Special Services liaison, and John Connor (Connery), a man well-versed in Japanese culture and traditions. Together they form a team as they investigate the crime. Connor questions computer video expert Jingo (Tia Carrere), who works on a security system computer disc that captures the killer's identity. The only problem is that the image of the killer on the disc has been altered to conceal the murderer's face. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes, (more)
Everyone's favorite headbangers from Aurora, Illinois, are back in this sequel to the 1992 hit comedy Wayne's World. The success of their TV show allows Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) to finally move out of their parents' homes, but now they have to figure out what to do with their lives. Wayne's girlfriend, up-and-coming rock star Cassandra (Tia Carrere), is enjoying a career boost thanks to her new manager Bobby Cohn (Christopher Walker), but Garth thinks that Bobby is more interested in her body than her place on the charts. Meanwhile, Wayne is visited in a dream by the late Jim Morrison (Michael A. Nickles), who convinces him to promote a massive rock festival, "Waynestock," featuring Aerosmith as headliners. Garth, on the other hand, is finally relieved of his pesky virginity by femme fatale Honey Hornee (Kim Basinger), though it turns out that Honey has a hidden agenda. Drew Barrymore, Harry Shearer, and Charlton Heston play cameo roles in Wayne's World 2, and Jay Leno, Rip Taylor, and Todd Rundgren appear as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, (more)
- 1993
Three stalwarts of straight-to-cable productions -- Tia Carrere, C. Thomas Howell, and Adam Baldwin -- team up for this erotic thriller set in an appropriately exotic Mexican resort. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- C. Thomas Howell, Tia Carrere, (more)
Borrowing liberally from the French film La Totale, this is an action picture, domestic comedy, and political thriller rolled into a crowd-pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), a legal secretary. Simon (Bill Paxton) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him, and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night, working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib (Tom Arnold) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, (more)
Jason London stars in this teen wish fulfillment romantic comedy, playing Todd Boomer, a would-be cartoonist who needs a recommendation to Harvard from his smarmy math teacher (Christopher MacDonald). However, calculus is the one subject in which Todd isn't pulling his weight. One rainy night he picks up a woman stranded by the side of the road who needs a ride (Tia Carrere). The woman turns out to be a whiz in his rusty subject, and she begins tutoring him. Only later does he start to fall for her -- and only later does he realize she's the wife of his math teacher. Although they begin a tentative affair, both are constantly worried about being discovered, which could ruin each in different ways. Meanwhile, Todd runs afoul of his own doting girlfriend, Kirsten (Alexondra Lee), as well as his best friend Paul (Zak Orth), who has a crush on Kirsten. The happy trio is splintered by Todd's romantic dalliances. My Teacher's Wife uses Todd's drawings, actually inked by cartoonist Bill Plympton, as loose narration. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason London
- 1995
- R
This direct descendant of Reservoir Dogs revolves around not one bungled heist, but several. A colorful band of criminals from differing walks of life are recruited to rip-off the local crime boss (Tony Curtis) in a series of robberies. They rendezvous at the nightclub owned by their ringleader, Jack (Eric Roberts), only to find, not surprisingly, that a double-cross awaits, and a bloody conclusion is soon to follow. The twisting plot is rather unique and somewhat satisfying, especially as the hidden meaning of the film's title is revealed. However, The Immortals has more success with its casting, which brings together many veteran performers (including Tia Carrere, William Forsythe, Joe Pantoliano, Chris Rock, and Clarence Williams III); all of them seem to migrate between "A-" and "B"-grade movie status, as does the film itself. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Tia Carrere, (more)
- 1995
Three young American women drive to Tijuana, Mexico, for a weekend. There they meet some visiting American jocks and are invited to a party. Their drinks are drugged, and they wake up in the local jail with no IDs. One of them is raped by a guard. They manage to escape with a Mexican inmate they are told is a dangerous killer and begin a desperate dash for the border, with corrupt Mexican police in hot pursuit. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tia Carrere, Tricia Leigh Fisher, (more)
A goofy slacker wreaks havoc after worming his way onto the jury of a high-profile court case in this broad comedy. The extremely unmotivated Tommy Collins (Pauly Shore) has found himself homeless after being kicked out by his mother, and he needs a place to stay. After hearing how the juries of important cases are sequestered in fancy hotels and provided with free meals, he decides that's the life for him and successfully volunteers for jury duty. Enjoying what he considers the high life and wishing to romance an attractive female juror (Tia Carrere), Tommy infuriates his fellow jurors by attempting to drag out the trial. Director John Fortenberry offers much obvious slapstick, along with a few attempts at topical jibes against media sensationalism, but even fans of Shore's lowbrow humor may be disappointed by the film's quality. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pauly Shore, Tia Carrere, (more)
In this comic send-up of dramas set in urban schools (such as Lean on Me and Dangerous Minds), Jon Lovitz plays Richard Clark, a teacher who is persuaded to give up his position at Wellington Academy, an upscale private school (where the receptionist cheerfully answers calls with the question "Are you white?"), to take over a class at Marion Barry High School in Inner City, U.S.A. Marion Barry High is a far cry from the ivory-tower atmosphere of Wellington; the statue in the courtyard holds a crack pipe, the Michigan Militia sets up a booth for career day, and there's so much violence on campus that the school has its own graveyard; however, Clark is determined to reach his thick-headed charges, and he hopes to also make an impression on Victoria Chappell (Tia Carrere), a beautiful woman also on the teaching staff. Clark does battle with Evelyn Doyle (Louise Fletcher), the school's militaristic principal, in an effort to raise standards for the school's star straight-C students, and he finds that he's getting through to one of the school's toughest students, Grig (Mekhi Phifer). Screenwriters Pat Proft and David Zucker helped create The Naked Gun and its follow-ups. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Lovitz, Tia Carrere, (more)
