Matthew Brooks
Feeling that something is lacking in their lives, the family of suburbanite Charles Grodin adopts a stray St. Bernard puppy. The cute lite beast grows up to be the less-than-cute Beethoven, a sloppy, slobbery, oversized and extremely destructive animal. Beethoven also brings with him a lot of hidden baggage in the form of evil veterinarian Dean Jones, who'll stop at nothing to steal Beethoven for the purposes of his insidious lab experiment. Several sequels followed, beginning with 1993 Beethoven's Second. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, (more)
A CIA agent recruits a meek family man for a secret mission involving interstellar communication and copious violence in this tongue-in-cheek buddy flick from the writer/producer of The Golden Child. Insurance salesman Bob Wilson (John Ritter) is the kind of guy who stands by while suburban punks steal his kid's bike. Nick Pirandello (James Belushi) is the exact opposite -- a brash, womanizing alpha male revered within the CIA for his many successful secret missions. When a fellow agent who looks exactly like Bob gets killed just days before he's due to head up a very delicate mission, Nick recruits the reluctant Bob to help out. As Bob gets drawn deeper into a world of Russian hit men, transsexual beauties, and secret-agent hijinks, he slowly gains the self-confidence that's always escaped him. Meanwhile, he's constantly at the mercy of Nick's tongue-in-cheek humor, so he's a little skeptical when Nick reveals that the big meeting is with a group of aliens who want to share their advanced technology with humans. As it turns out, there may be something to Nick's outrageous story -- if only Bob can survive long enough to find out. The lone directorial credit for screenwriter/producer Dennis Feldman, Real Men features Barney Miller vet Barbara Barrie in a supporting role as Nick's placid, accommodating mother. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Belushi, John Ritter, (more)
- 1986
Bull (Richard Moll) hopes to express his love of youngsters by entering a children's book contest. Unfortunately, the judges reject his efforts as being too violent--and profane--for youthful consumption, leading Bull to dash out of the courtroom and shamefully squirrel himself away in a museum. Meanwhile, Dan is confused to the point of madness when he dates a schizophrenic client named Miriam (played by a pre-stardom Fran Drescher). Watch for Joe Alaskey, the post-Mel Blanc voice for cartoon stars Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Originally broadcast as an installment of ABC's Disney Sunday Movie anthology, The Leftovers marked the TV acting debut of singer John Denver. He is cast as Max Sinclair, the director f a foster-care facility for older orphans who, for various reasons, no one has ever adopted. Described themselves as "the leftovers", the six kids form a strong bond, refusing to be farmed out to separate families, even though orders have come down for Sinclair to vacate his facility within five weeks. Amidst the seriocomic intrigue, Max falls in love with widow Heather Drew (Cindy Williams), the facility's housekeeper--and an orphan herself. A few potential stars can be glimpsed among the supporting players, notably a pre-Urkel Jaleel White as wisecracking "leftover" Jake. The Leftovers debuted on November 16, 1986. ~Saw Film/TV Guide/Internet/Marrill/Expert ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
