Phillip Clark Movies
Australia is home to a great number of natural wonders, but none may be as impressive as the one that you can't readily see. Along 1,200 miles of the Australian coast stretches one of the world's most precious and fascinating ecosystems, the Great Barrier Reef. This coral reef is teeming with sharks, exotic sea plants and fish species that display more color than a home improvement store showcase. The trouble is most people have neither the physical capacity or money to go diving into the crystal blue to see first hand the splendor of the reef; hence, The Great Barrier Reef. This film was originally produced for the IMAX screen (an extra large screen that is bowed, giving viewers the perception of being in the middle of the action -- like a 3D movie, but without the glasses) for the average person that may never get the chance to peek beneath the surface. But since IMAX movies are shown only where an IMAX screen is available (typically at a museum or amusement park, Slingshot Entertainment has converted this amazing documentary to DVD and VHS for wider appreciation. Directed by IMAX veteran George Casey and narrated by Philip Clark and Rosylind Ayres, this film is sure to thrill with its spectacular portrayals of life in the reef. The DVD version is also equipped with alternate language options and a link to the Internet for further exploration by those that find themselves enthralled and wanting more from down under. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Stephanie Harker (Bellamy Young), stepmother of one of the victims of a double murder, is a key "player" in the subsequent prosecution. This time, the D.A.'s office faces opposition not merely from a single defense attorney but from an entire country. Crucial evidence is filed away in Canada, but the American lawyers are denied access because of Canadian opposition to the death penalty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
A college student is murdered at a biker bar. At first, detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) believe that the solution to the case hinges upon interrogating the hard-case bar patrons. Ultimately, however, the answer lies somewhere within the mysterious world of the Internet, a world in which the younger Curtis is far more "at home" than his veteran partner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- R
SWAT-Team instructor John Lomax's faith in the American justice system is shaken when the sociopath who murdered his sister is sentenced to life in a mental institution rather than to Death Row. Internal pressures upon Lomax mount when he is attacked by a mentally unstable woman desperately trying to free her brother from jail before his execution. When Lomax begins talking about ways to get to his sister's murderer and to kill him for revenge, his girlfriend and his partner get seriously worried. Meanwhile, the killer himself has devised an escape plan and he doesn't care who gets killed during the ensuing mayhem. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Speakman, James Brolin, (more)
- 1993
The authorities receive an anonymous tip that a wealthy man has been murdered by his wife (Caroline Lagerfelt). But the dead man's doctor insists that his patient died of heart failure, and is successful in blocking a police autopsy. Can there be a coverup and conspiracy afoot? The episode's highlights include a heated argument between detective Logan (Chris Noth) and his new boss, Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Also, watch for an appearance by co-star Noth's then-girlfriend Beverly Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Comedian Foster Brooks curtails his "lovable lush" routine to play Simon Thane, a celebrated artist living in Cabot Cove. For the last several years, Thane has jealously guarded his favorite painting, which he has never allowed to be seen publicly. Jessica (Angela Lansbury) becomes involved in the story when Thane is murdered and his prized painting stolen, leading our heroine to conclude that the mysterious work of art may contain a clue as to the killer's identity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Join Alvin, Simon, and Theodore as they graduate from their weekly TV adventures to the big screen in the exciting, feature-length animated tale The Chipmunk Adventure. The three boys use a clever scheme with a tape recorder to trick their babysitter, Rebecca Miller, into letting them out of the house. The Chipmunks con the woman into believing that David Seville has granted them permission to set off on a trek around the world, in pursuit of the diamond smugglers Claudia and Claus. Of course, the boys make a point to solicit help from their female friends, The Chipettes, who excitedly agree to tag along on this globe-charting odyssey. A musical to boot, The Chipmunk Adventure features the boys singing such numbers as "Diamond Dolls," and the rollicking and rousing "Woolly Bully."The Chipettes join in as well, with the memorable tune "The Girls of Rock 'n' Roll." ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., Janice Karman, (more)
- 1986
Retired police lieutenant Barney Kale (Pat Hingle) insists upon reopening a 10-year-old murder case which he had never been able to solve. Heading to the murder scene, a lakeside mountain resort, Kale gathers together all of the likely suspects--including Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom), an old friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). When a new murder occurs, it appears obvious that there is an hidden agenda related to the revived investigation--but whose agenda, and why? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Randy Hamilton guests as Jud Kaine, who arrives in Hazzard County claiming to be the younger brother of Luke Duke (Tom Wopat). This comes as quite a surprise to everyone, especially since Jud, a professional boxer, has long been presumed murdered by crooked gamblers who'd unsuccessfully tried to get him to throw a fight. Whether Jud is who he says he is or not, the fact remains that those pesky gamblers have shown up to finish their lethal job--and it may be Luke who ends up their victim! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This is a very enjoyable tongue-in-cheek horror film about some homicidal maniacs who break out of an asylum and terrorize a psychiatrist's family on a dark and stormy night. Martin Landau and Jack Palance are particularly funny, but there are some genuine scares as well. One scene, in which a frightened woman is menaced on her bed by a maniac thrusting a butcher-knife up through the mattress, is a clever send-up that will nevertheless linger in the memory. The coda, in which the crazy Palance has a bizarre encounter with a spaced-out punk chick in a nightclub, is a real gem. Recommended. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Palance, Donald Pleasence, (more)
- 1977
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) set sail from Milwaukee Harbor on their Great Lakes luxury cruise. While Laverne flirts harmlessly with every guy on board, Shirley enters into what she thinks is a serious relationship with handsome Ensign Benson (Philip Clark). Meanwhile, stowaways Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) wreak their customary havoc. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
In this high seas adventure, a great white shark finds itself pursued by a marine biologist and an oil executive after a $10,000 bounty. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The 1975 TV movie Death Scream is based on the shameful Kitty Genovese affair of 1964, in which a N.Y.C. woman was stabbed to death while 38 witnesses locked their windows and doors and pretended not to hear. Raul Julia stars as the detective who investigates the murder and stirs up the guilt feelings of those who refused to help. The film casts celebrity actors in the roles of the witnesses (Diahann Carroll, Cloris Leachman, Lucie Arnaz, Nancy Walker, Art Carney, et al.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
- R
Max Ehrlich adapted his own novel for the screen in this fitfully amusing paranormal thriller. College professor Michael Sarrazin feels that someone else is inside him, and is led by his dreams to a small town where Margot Kidder (Black Christmas, Superman) has murdered her cheating husband. She senses something odd about Sarrazin too, even more so when he falls for Jennifer O'Neill (Scanners), who may or may not be his and Kidder's daughter. Regardless of its merits, this film will probably best be remembered for its poster art, which depicts an anguished Sarrazin being smashed in the testicles with a boat paddle. That's what happens when actors do things like turn down Midnight Cowboy. Director J. Lee Thompson later went on to direct the even less subtle Happy Birthday to Me. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O'Neill, (more)
Oliver Twist is an animated version of the Dickens classic. Josh Albee is heard as the voice of the orphaned Oliver, while radio veteran Les Tremayne invokes all the tricks of his trade to portray the underhanded Fagin. This adaptation was a rare theatrical release from the TV-cartoon factory of Filmation; it was picked up for distribution by Warner Bros., who virtually threw away the film when it performed poorly in previews. Oliver Twist gained its widest exposure when it was telecast as an NBC special in 1981. At that time, the film's already heavily telescoped continuity was whittled down to an adumbrated 47 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Albee, Les Tremayne, (more)
- 1972
Someone in San Francisco has been attacking Vietnam veterans with military-issue hand grenades. Two ex-soldiers have already fallen victim to the mystery assailant, and one of them has been killed. Ironside's aide Mark (Don Mitchell), a friend of the dead man, wants some answers--and thus he sets himself up as bait to lure the killer out in the open. This is one of several early-1970s TV programs centering around the tragic residue of the still-raging Vietnam conflict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
