Janet Carroll Movies

Amanda Goodwin's Living 'Til the End concerns a man who, after being told by a psychic that he will die on his next birthday, decides to set up his life so that he never has to leave his apartment. His phobia about the prediction coming true manifests itself as a form of severe agoraphobia. The first challenge to his fear comes from a female neighbor, a pretty young woman who is also dying. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

A Cinderella story turns into a nightmare when a former waitress' perfect marriage gives way to adultery and physical abuse in this combination of domestic drama and revenge thriller. Motherless young woman Slim (Jennifer Lopez) works in a San Francisco diner with her best friend, Ginny (Juliette Lewis). After almost succumbing to the slick flirtation of an insincere customer (Noah Wyle), she is rescued by another dashing diner named Mitch (Bill Campbell). A few years later, the now happily married couple seem to have it all -- a perfect house, a precocious daughter (Tessa Allen), and a comfortable life. Then, Slim discovers that Mitch is actually a lothario who has been sleeping with other women behind her back. When she protests, he slaps her around and uses daughter Gracie as leverage to keep her in line. Slim enlists the help of her friends to escape with her child, though Mitch attacks and very nearly kills her in the process. Going on the lam, Slim adopts a series of new identities, wigs, and residences to avoid the goons Mitch has sent to retrieve her. Along the way, she receives help from Joe (Dan Futterman), a friend and old flame from college. Ultimately, Mitch and his unexpected allies so terrify Slim that she must turn the tables and transform herself from hunted to hunter. In doing so, she receives some surprise assistance of her own -- from Jupiter (Fred Ward), the rich father who abandoned her mother years ago. Although the soundtrack to Enough features the music of star J. Lo, the title song was written especially for the film by Magnolia tunesmith Aimee Mann. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

One family's dysfunctional nature begins to rise to the surface in this independent drama. The Sabistan family would appear to have it made; Earl (Robert Pine) and Jane (Janet Carroll) have had a long and seemingly happy marriage, and their three grown daughters -- Beth (Kellie Martin), Missy (Amy Raymond), and Faran (Kayren Ann Butler) -- have found success in their respective careers. But when they all gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, Earl drops a bombshell on his family; he announces he's no longer happy with Jane and has decided to file for divorce. The surprise announcement forces Jane to reveal a secret of her own -- that she's developed a serious drinking problem. As Beth tries to make sense of all this, she discovers that her sisters have been keeping quiet about problems of their own; Missy's marriage to Todd (Jeff Robert Werner) is falling apart now that he's no longer attracted to her, and Faran has reason to believe that her spouse Roger (Chris Shea) is having an affair. All You Need was the first feature for director Randy Ser. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this spiritual thriller, an ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled as a secret code brings the world to the edge of Apocalypse. Gillen Lane (Casper Van Dien) is a expert on theology and mythology who has gained international fame as a motivational speaker. Lane is approached by Stone Alexander (Michael York), the owner and founder of a major media empire, who has been made chairman of the European Union and needs someone to help spread the word about his goal of a world united behind a single vision of peace. Lane begins to realize that there's something sinister behind Alexander's veneer of charity and benevolence: a secret code was embedded in the original texts of the Torah that will allow the person who cracks it to unlock the secret powers of the Christian scriptures; if it falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the end of Man's Reign on Earth. After the death of his mother, Lane lost his faith in God and embraced a New Age philosophy, but now he must confront his lost faith as he tries to discover both the all-powerful secret of the Omega Code and his own true identity. The Omega Code also stars Van Dien's wife Catherine Oxenberg as Cassandra Barris, a reporter working for Alexander's network, and Michael Ironside as Dominic, Alexander's thuggish underling. The Omega Code was produced in association with the Trinity Broadcasting Network, America's largest Christian broadcasting outlet. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Concerned about his son Bud's (David Faustino) bad luck with women, Al (Ed O'Neill) concludes that the boy has set his standards too high. Advising Bud to aim lower--much, much lower--Al has reason to regret his words when Bud gets cozy with Al's boss Gary (Janet Carroll). See this episode and you'll never think about "Pooh and Piglet" in the same way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode is a spoof of a famous "sweatshop" scandal involving the franchised consumer products of a certain popular female TV talkshow host (are we being obscure enough here?) In their efforts to win a huge raise, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Griff (Harold Sylvester) resort to blackmail when they discover that their boss Gary is using illegal aliens to manufacture her shoes. Unfortunately, the plan fizzles (despite an extended takeoff of the Mission: Impossible films), and Al's son Bud (David Faustino) ends up atoning for his dad's sins. Meanwhile, Peggy (Katey Sagal) goes to elaborate lengths to hide the fact that she's bought a microwave. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The temporary holiday helpers at the shoe store do such good jobs that Al (Ed O'Neill) and Griff (Harold Sylvester) are fired, forcing them seek other employment while wandering around the mall (at one point, they sit on a bench with a sign reading "Will Stop Singing for 25 Cents)". Back at home, Peg (Katey Sagal) hopes to win a neighborhood Christmas-decoration contest with some "gingerbread art", while Bud (David Faustino) and Kelly (Christina Applegate) celebrate Yuletide by stealing Mary and Joseph from the D'Arcy's elaborate Nativity display. Series story editor Christian McLaughlin is seen as a "reindeer dancer" (huh?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The unbreakable bond forged between a troubled boy and a gorilla forms the basis of this family-oriented children's adventure. Fourteen-year old Rick has become quite rebellious since his father abandoned them. Margaret Heller, his mother, is a behavioral scientist who studies communication with gorillas. She is finding it increasingly difficult to communicate with the sullen, isolated Rick. The story opens just as Rick, who had stolen his mother's van for a joyride, is released from jail. To punish him, Margaret forces him to clean out the animal research lab. Rick is especially loathe to clean out the gorilla cage. In that cage is a gorilla adept at sign language, Katie, whom Rick immediately despises. In time, he and Katie begin conversing, and the two become friends. But then Katie's legal owner, the cruel Gus Charnley, reclaims her and forces her to perform caged up in a carnival act. The degradation of his friend is more than Rick can handle, so he frees her and together they hit the road. Mayhem and adventure ensues until the two end up in court where Katie makes a touching plea on their behalf. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Kelly (Christina Applegate) is thrilled when she is accepted for enrollment at the Larry Storch School of Acting; after all, she insists, she has always wanted to be a "lesbian" (try "thespian", stupid). It is even more thrilling when Larry Storch himself allows Kelly to do a dramatic scene with him. Alas, Kelly's career may be over before it begins when Storch is accidentally knocked cold by Al's boss Gary (Janet Carroll). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Al (Ed O'Neill holds firm to his policy of banning nursing moms from Gary's Shoe Store. In order to discourage all female patronage, Al stocks the store with manly-man shoes and other icons of machismo. But his scheme is foiled when the long-unseen "Gary" makes a very surprising appearance. Without giving any more of the plot away, it can be noted that this evening's guest star is actress Janet Carroll. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Seeking out a "traditional" home for herself and her unborn child, Murphy (Candice Bergen) seriously considers purchasing an old farm. Talking her coworkers into spending a weekend at the farm, Murphy and company are quickly disillusioned by the lack of proper facilities--to say nothing of the utter boredom. But worse is to come when Murphy's "rustic" neighbors pay a visit, demonstrating beyond question that "Old Fashioned" is merely a state of mind rather than a statement of fact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Anchorman Jim Dial (Charles Kimbrough) tries his hand as a writer, penning a hot-and-heavy espionage novel. When it turns out that Jim's heroine bears a striking resemblance to Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen), she is willing to laugh it off as a coincidence--at first. But as she reads Jim's purple prose, Murphy suddenly realizes that her coworker has more than a professional interest in her! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide