Joel Zwick Movies
- 2007
When the much-loved coach of a local Welsh rugby team dies, the fate of the rag-tag group of athletes rests on the shoulders of the coach's son, played by Alan Cumming. The son, however, does not fit the typical mold of a coach: he is flamboyantly gay and has enjoyed a career performing in cabarets. Even still, he decides to do his best, and with the help of a friend (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones) and his experience in choreography, he might just live up to the dream his father had for him, in a way that neither of them ever would have imagined. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
One woman's unusual relationship with rock & roll's greatest icon leads her into an unexpected romance in this comedy. Harmony Jones (Kim Basinger) saw Elvis Presley in concert when she was a child, and the event had a profound impact on her, as she communicates with the youthful spirit of the King of Rock 'n' Roll on a regular basis. However, Harmony has notoriously bad luck with Elvis impersonators, who tend to drop dead when she's around. After accidentally running into a carload of Elvis tribute performers, Harmony abandons her career selling cosmetics door to door and hits the road, hoping to outrun the lawmen who are now on her trail. As Harmony roams the highways, she meets Miles Taylor (John Corbett), a lawyer from New York City trying to escape some troubles of his own. Directed by Joel Zwick, who made the surprise hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Elvis Has Left the Building also stars Annie Potts, Sean Astin, and Billy Ray Cyrus. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kim Basinger, John Corbett, (more)
Bill Cosby's gang of childhood pals evolve from standup comedy to an animated cartoon series to real life in this family-friendly comedy. Doris (Kyla Pratt) is a teenager who doesn't fit in with most of her classmates at school, has been depressed since the death of her grandfather, and is disturbed by her foster sister's willingness to remake herself in order to be popular. One of Doris' few solaces comes from watching reruns of the animated television series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and one day while watching the show she starts to cry, with a tear dropping into her remote. The tear draws big-hearted (and just plain big) Fat Albert (Kenan Thompson) from the animated universe into Doris' real world in hopes of cheering her up and helping her deal with her problems. As Fat Albert and his pals -- Rudy (Shedrack Anderson III), Bucky (Alphonso McAuley), Mushmouth (Jermaine Williams), Weird Harold (Aaron A. Frazier), Dumb Donald (Marques B. Houston), and Bill (Keith D. Robinson) -- adapt to the three-dimensional world and try to teach Doris to believe in herself, they learn that traveling back to the animated world is harder than they thought, which becomes alarming when they start to fade away. The real world also poses some new dilemmas for Fat Albert when he falls in love with Doris' foster sister, Lauri (Dania Ramirez). Bill Cosby co-authored the screenplay for Fat Albert, using his full name, William H. Cosby Jr., and collaborating with Charles Kipps; the project was begun with Forest Whitaker as director, who left midway through shooting, with Joel Zwick taking over in his place. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, (more)
One woman's rocky road to the altar gets played for laughs in this comedy, adapted from the one-woman off-Broadway show written by and starring Nia Vardalos. Toula (Vardalos) is a Greek-American woman who is in her early thirties and single, with no immediate prospects of changing that status any time soon. This bothers Toula a bit, but not half as much as it distresses her mother (Lainie Kazan) and father (Michael Constantine), who want to send her to Greece in hopes of finding a husband in the old country. Toula isn't interested in leaving the country to find a man, but since she works in the family business -- a Greek restaurant in Chicago called Dancing Zorba's -- she has to hear about it whether she likes it or not. One day, after seeing a handsome stranger in the restaurant and not having the courage to talk to him, Toula decides she needs a bit of self-improvement. Despite her dad's misgivings, Toula signs up for a night-school class studying computers, trades in her glasses for contact lenses, gets a different job at a travel agency, and spruces herself up with a new look and a new attitude. To her very pleasant surprise, she once again encounters the handsome stranger, who soon asks her out on a date. Schoolteacher Ian Miller (John Corbett) is seemingly perfect -- he's tall, handsome, smart, good-natured, and soon in love with Toula -- except for two little things: he's not Greek, and he's a vegetarian, both of which horrify Toula's family. When Ian pops the question (and Toula says yes), the bride-to-be has to negotiate a reasonably peaceful meeting between Ian's upper-class parents and her own working-class extended family. There's also the matter of the wedding, which Toula's mother is planning around the notion that quantity IS quality. My Big Fat Greek Wedding also features Ian Gomez (Vardalos' real-life husband), Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, and Joey Fatone (from the pop group *NSYNC). Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson helped produce the film through the auspices of their production company, Playtone. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, (more)
- 1995
In the conclusion of Full House's two-part series finale, Michelle (the Olsen twins) has lost her memory as the result of a horseback riding accident, whereupon everyone in the Tanner household joins forces to help her remember. Elsewhere, Joey (David Coulier) and Jesse (John Stamos) make a professional move that will profoundly alter their future; Steph (Jodie Sweetin) learns a secret about her "Romeo and Juliet" leading man; and just wait until you see who ends up escorting DJ (Candace Cameron) to the prom. Unfortunately, the original ending of this episode, in which each and every person who appeared on Full House during its eight seasons on the air shows up for a mass curtain call, has been removed from the DVD version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In the first episode of Full House's two-part series finale, Kimmy (Andrea Barber) searches high and low to find a prom date for DJ (Candace Cameron). Meanwhile, Jesse (John Stamos) and Joey (David Coulier) get a few lumps from some pro wrestlers; and after having been cast as "Juliet" in the school play, Steph (Jodie Sweetin) turns on the charm to thaw out her seemingly nervous "Romeo" (Will Este). Things take a grim turn just before fadeout time when Michelle (the Olsen twins) is seriously injured in a horseback-riding accident. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
When Steph (Jodise Sweetin) is stood up by a guy named Ryan (Andrew Keegan) just before a big dance, Danny (Bob Saget) decides to take a hand in matters. After Danny gives Ryan a severe tongue-lashing, the kid makes good on his promise to escort Steph to the dance--but will she be grateful, or will she resent her dad's interference? Elsewhere, Michelle (the Olsen twins) is willing to play dirty to beat DJ (Candace Cameron) in a competition; and Kimmy (Andrea Barber) proves to be the cause of Jesse's (John Stamos) high blood pressure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
After meeting an elderly woman named Edna (Amzie Strickland) who has taken up bungee-jumping, Becky (Lori Loughlin) decides that it is high time to add some excitement to her own life. This of course does not sit well with Jesse (John Stamos), who tries to prevent Becky from doing anything foolish--only to end up "taking the plunge" himself. Elsewhere, DJ (Candace Cameron) and Steph (Jodie Sweetin) plot to get even with Michelle (the Olsen twins) for pestering them during a Counting Crows concert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Michelle (the Olsen twins) is comfortable with the notion of being best friends with Teddy (Tahj Mowry), but she balks at the idea of his being her temporary boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Confused about what to do, Michelle turns to the eternally unlucky-in-love Steph (Jodie Sweetin) for advice. Meanwhile, Becky (Lori Loughlin) worries that the romance has gone out of her marriage; and will Danny (Bob Saget) finally pop the question to Claire? This episode marks the final appearance of several familiar characters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
To help out DJ (Candace Cameron), Jesse (John Stamos) enters the charity basketball game she has organized. But though everyone else in the Tanner household is a whiz on the basketball court, Jesse can barely hold the up ball, even with two hands. Fortunately, he is given a few helpful tips by a very tall, very familiar-looking former NBA star--but when all is said and done, it is another member of the Tanner clan who scores the winning basket. And in a moment straight out of Leave It to Beaver, Steph (Jodie Sweetin) makes a grotesque-looking blouse for Becky (Lori Loughlin)--who, to spare Steph's feelings, may be forced to wear the monstrosity in public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Joey (David Coulier) must choose between staying at home to watch the Super Bowl or honoring his promise to take Michelle (the Olsen twins) and her classmates to the museum (on a Sunday evening???) In his efforts to play the "Two Places at Once" game, Joey causes nothing but trouble for all concerned. Meanwhile, DJ (Candace Cameron) is on pins and needles during an interview for a college scholarship, in a hilarious and surprising scene with a pre-Drew Carey Show Kathy Kinney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
A series of misunderstandings--exacerbated by mutual affection for the same boy--result in Steph (Jodie Sweetin) and her classmate Gia (Marla Sokoloff) spreading wild rumors about each other. As often happens in such cases, the two girls succeed only in hurting themselves. Meanwhile, in his efforts to get over the departed Vicky, Danny throws himself into his housework. . .and throws everybody else for a loop. (Trivia note: this may be the only TV episode in history to feature a rock band called Human Pudding). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
There's more trouble than usual for the Tanner household as Full House begins its eighth and final season. For starters, Jesse (John Stamos) is thrown out of his own rock band because he spends more time with family responsibilities than with professional duties. Also, Danny (Bob Saget) and Becky (Lisa Loughlin) encounter "circumstances beyond our control" during a remote TV broadcast; DJ (Candace Cameron) can't bring herself to break off her romance with her wealthy new boyfriend Nelson (Jason Marsden); and while walking the family dog Comet, Michelle (the Olsen twins) lets the pooch run off in pursuit of a huge frankfurter (you read that right). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Michelle (the Olsen twins) is certain that there will be nothing but fun-and-games when Joey (David Coulier) agrees to act as substitute teacher at her school. But Joey takes his job very seriously, and before long a humiliated Michelle finds herself exiled to the principal's office. Meanwhile, it looks as though Danny is going to be lead guitarist in the new band organized by Jesse...until a talented newcomer named Viper (David Lipper) comes along. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Michelle (the Olsen twins) is sworn to secrecy when she is admitted into a no-grownups club called "The Mighty Mutant Super Kids". Unfortuntely, the words "Michelle" and "secret" are mutually exclusive, and before long Danny (Bob Saget) is fully aware of the club's existence--and Michelle has been blackballed. Meanwhile, DJ (Candace Cameron) breaks up with Nelson (Jason Marsden), only to find that he is now dating Kimmy (Andrea Barber). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Invited to a party at Gia's house, Steph (Jodie Sweetin) arrives with several board games in hand. What she doesn't realize is that Gia (Marla Sokoloff) has planned a make-out party--and that a good looking boy named Bobby (Kevin Connors) may have his "strategy" already mapped out so far as Steph is concerned. Now our heroine faces the dilemma of sneaking away from the party without tipping off her dad Danny (Bob Saget), who'd been told that Gia's parents would be home. Elsewhere, Jesse (John Stamos) isn't about to admit that he's jealous over the success of his former band--except in his dreams. Former Brady Bunch costar Barry Williams appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Becky (Lisa Loughlin) suffers the pangs of separation when the twins start school--and when Becky suffers, everyone suffers, especially Jesse (John Stamos). Meanwhile, freewheeling Gia (Marla Sokoloff) encourages Steph (Jodie Sweetin) to defy the house rules set down by Danny (Bob Saget). The result: a messy room, a very revealiing outfit, and an abundance of hurt feelings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
When Danny (Bob Saget) begins dating Gia's mom Claire (Andrea Abbate), Steph (Jodie Sweetin) begins fantasizing about a future in which she and Gia (Marla Sokoloff) will be stepsisters. But jealous Michelle (the Olsen twins) isn't about to accept Claire as her new mom, and she goes out of her way to discredit the poor woman in Danny's eyes. Elsewhere, Viper (David Lipper) is turned off by the fact that DJ (Candace Cameron) seems smarter than he is (which frankly isn't very hard), while Joey (David Coulier) falls for a Frenchwoman named Yvette (Susan Vinciotti). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Having made a considerable amount of money with her lemonade stand, Michelle (the Olsen twins) blows the whole wad when she makes a "little" purchase at a travelling petting zoo. Now the Tanner household is stuck with the care and feeding of a cantankerous donkey named Shorty. Curiously, the plot is resolved with a spirited family rendition of the theme song from Three's Company. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Michelle (the Olsen twins) should be jumping for joy now that her best friend Teddy has returned to San Francisco. Trouble is, Michelle now has a new best friend in the form of Denise (Jurnee Smollett). Forced to choose between Teddy and Denise, Michelle turns the situation to her advantage by demanding that both kids "buy" her undying friendship Meanwhile, Joey (David Coulier) and Roxy (Felicia Michaels) spend so much time trading wisecrack on the radio show that Jesse (John Stamos) begins to feel squeezed out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Having both broken up with their respective sweethearts, Danny (Bob Saget) and DJ (Candace Cameron) allow their friends to arrange a pair of blind dates. This leads to a very awkward situation--not to mention some surprising couplings--when Danny, DJ and their dates all show up at the same restaurant. Elsewhere, Mother's Day causes unexpected friction between Jesse (John Stamos) and his sons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Multimillionaire Lou Bond (Keene Curtis) offers to purchase the Tanner house, in which he lived as a youth, for an astronomical price. Everyone in the household looks forward to this huge cash windfall, and to moving into brand-new homes. Only Michelle (theOlsen twins) balks at the notion of leaving San Francisco--and she's willing to go to extreme and devious lengths to keep the family together under one roof. This is the final episode of Full House's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the family's excursion to Disney World takes an unexpected turn when Michelle (the Olsen twins) manages to get herself lost (as good an excuse as any to show off the park's multitude of rides and other attractions). Meanwhile, Becky (Lori Loughlin) is upset over the fact that Jesse (John Stamos), hired to perform at the Happiest Place on Earth, seems more preoccupied with business than pleasure. And elsewhere, Danny (Bob Saget) tries to work up the nerve to propose to Vicky (Gail Edwards). Several actual Disney World employees appear as themselves in this, the final episode of Full House's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In the first episode of a two-part story, the whole family (with Kimmy [Andrea Barber] in tow) heads to Florida's Disney World, where Jesse (John Stamos) has landed a performing gig. Amidst the expected parade of familiar Disney characters, Michelle (the Olsen twins) is elected Princess for the Day--whereupon she drives everyone crazy with her imperiously "regal" behavior. And in a moment that will surprise no one who has followed this series for six seasons, Joey (David Coulier) finds some kindred spririts amongst the Disney cartoonists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Prom Night has arrived, and a radiant DJ (Candace Cameron) enters the school auditorium with her date Steve (Scott Weinger) by her side. Unfortunately, Steve has been elected Prom King, meaning that he will have to spend most of the evening with the Queen, his former girlfriend Rachel (Cristi Harris)--and even worse, DJ and Rachel are wearing identical dresses. Saving the evening from total disaster is Uncle Jesse (John Stamos), who is in charge of the dance music. Meanwhile, Danny (Bob Saget) finds out that Vicky (Gail Edwards) has been keeping a "chronological" secret from him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
