Gil Christner Movies
- 2001
After the previous episode's romantic tug-of-war (see "Crush"), love is once again in the air. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) nearly goes on a date with cute doctor Ben (Charlie Weber), unaware that he actually time-shares his mortal shell with the malevolent Glory (Clare Kramer). Meanwhile, a disturbingly perky woman named April (Shonda Farr) arrives on the scene looking around frantically for her boyfriend, Warren (Adam Busch). She responds violently, and with great strength, to the vulgar flirtations of Spike (James Marsters), who's only hitting on her to assuage his hurt feelings over Buffy's rejection. The Scoobies figure out that the blank, cheerful, determined April is actually a robot. In fact, she's a sex-bot created by the nerdy Warren, who has since ditched his creation to enjoy a relationship with an actual human being named Katrina (Amelinda Embry). When Buffy confronts Warren about the mess he left behind, an incensed Katrina dumps him. Soon, the human girlfriend almost falls victim to the robot one, who's still searching for the man she was constructed to love. Buffy intervenes, saves Katrina, and comforts April as her batteries run down into oblivion. Saddened by the seemingly inane but actually thought-provoking wisdom she's received from the dying robot, Buffy breaks her date with Ben just as he's transforming into Glory. Spike, however, is less easily dissuaded from his infatuations. He turns to Warren for another sex-bot, this time in Buffy's image. Originally broadcast February 20, 2001, on the WB network, "I Was Made To Love You" marked episode 93 of the cult-favorite series. The character of Warren would reappear throughout the subsequent sixth season, slowly morphing from a misguided nerd into a villain capable of killing a member of the Scooby Gang. Pop sensation Britney Spears was in talks to play sex-bot April, but the part eventually went to Shonda Farr. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 1990
- R
In this sudsy and violent melodrama, a prominent actress is tormented by both an obsessive stalker and a trauma from her distant past. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Oxenberg, David Naughton, (more)
- 1990
In this thriller, a suburban housewife begins playing detective after she overhears a neighborhood conspiracy to kill someone on her baby's intercom. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
A remake of Roger Corman's 1964 adaptation of the Edgar Allan Poe tale was produced by Corman but directed by Larry Brand. Its the story of a medieval prince (Adrian Paul) and his attempt to avoid a vicious plague among the populace. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Adrian Paul, (more)
- 1988
- R
Julia's (Kim Delaney) nightmare begins when she picks up hitchhiker Trey (Miles O'Keeffe) on a desolate road. Once back in the big city, Julia finds she is being stalked by the persistent Trey. Just why he is so obsessed is revealed in the film's climax. Meanwhile, Julia is also being followed by someone hired by her sleazy boyfriend (Timothy Bottoms), and someone has just murdered her best friend. Director Larry Brand shows up in a small role as a cop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kim Delaney, Timothy Bottoms, (more)
Following up her critically acclaimed documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, Penelope Spheeris made this gritty drama her first feature-film outing. Bill Coyne stars as Evan Johnson, an angst-ridden kid living in L.A., who bands together with a group of other young societal rejects and immerses himself in the mid-'80s punk rock scene. Most of the cast was comprised of actual teenagers off the streets of Los Angeles. Among them is Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Suburbia is also known as The Wild Side and Rebel Streets, and should not be confused with the 1996 Richard Linklater film of the same name. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Coyne, Chris Pederson, (more)
Returning from the original American Graffiti are Debbie Dunham, Steve Bolander, John Milner, Carol/Rainbow, Terry the Toad and Laurie Bolander (Candy Clark, Ron Howard, Paul LeMat, Mackenzie Phillips, Charles Martin Smith and Cindy Williams), but Richard Dreyfuss is missing and Harrison Ford shows up in a gag cameo. The sequel brings its principles into the more radical end of the 1960s, with Steve and Laurie, now married, on the fringes of the protest movement. Debbie and Carol have been lured into the flower-power milieu by rocker Newt (Scott Glenn). And John has parlayed his love of hot rods into a drag-racing career. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, (more)
