Seymour Green Movies

A would-be movie star attempts to take on Hollywood without a clue of how to navigate the system in this offbeat comedy drama. Michael Blanco (Michael Goldberg) is a cheerful but emotionally blank man from Belgium who has pulled up stakes to come to Hollywood in hopes of becoming an actor in the manner of his role model, fellow Belgian Jean-Claude Van Damme. Michael is oblivious to the fact that he has no experience as an actor and no contacts in Los Angeles; he's determined to see his name in lights and begins making the rounds of talent agents and casting directors in search of the all-important big break. Michael also hires an acting teacher (Larry Moss) and has a sit-down with a low-level producer (Jake Speer), but Michael's determination doesn't open many doors for him, and his soft-spoken eccentricity doesn't make things easier. Will Hollywood change Michael before he gets a chance to conquer show business? Michael Blanco received its North American premiere at the 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Twin Dilemma," the Doctor (Colin Baker) must prevent the giant slug Mestor (Edwin Richfield) from polluting the universe with millions of Gastropod eggs. But will the Doctor; his companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant); and twin mathematicians Romulus and Remus Sylvest (Gavin and Andrew Conrad) manage to live through the ordeal? And how does the Doctor's fellow Time Lord, Azmael, fit into the proceedings? Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 4 was originally telecast on March 30, 1984, bringing season 21 of Doctor Who to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Othello (Anthony Hopkins) is a noble black Moor held in high regard by Venice for his service as a military general. However, he makes a deadly enemy in his ensign Iago (Bob Hoskins) after he promotes Michael Cassio (David Yelland), not Iago, to the position of personal lieutenant. To gain revenge, Iago secretly attempts to break up the new marriage of Othello and his lovely wife Desdemona (Penelope Wilton) by having Desdemona's former suitor Roderigo (Anthony Pedley) inflame Desdemona's father, Senator Brabantio (Geoffrey Chater), against Othello as a sorcerer who used witchcraft to woo his daughter. In the Venetian Senate, which is discussing a Turkish threat against Cyprus, the duke exonerates Othello of wrongdoing and dispatches him to Cyprus to defend it and become the new governor. Unaware that Iago was behind Brabantio's earlier protests against his marriage, Othello orders Iago to accompany his wife to Cyprus, and Roderigo goes along at the urging of Iago, who tells him that Desdemona will eventually tire of Othello. Once in Cyprus, Iago manipulates Roderigo and his own wife Emilia (Rosemary Leach) into helping him to discredit Cassio and make Desdemona appear unfaithful. His plan works. Othello tells Iago he plans to poison Desdemona, but Iago persuades him to kill her in the bed she ''contaminated.'' As for Cassio, Iago says, ''Let me be his undertaker.'' Believing Iago has killed Cassio, the Moor returns to his castle for the awful task of executing his wife. Othello, still loving his wife, kisses her awake, asks her to prepare her soul for death -- and after an exchange of accusations and denials -- smothers her in her bed. When Emilia tells Othello the truth about the scheming Iago, the wounded Cassio backs up Emilia's story. Othello wounds Iago, then kills himself. Iago kills Emilia. After Iago is led away in chains, Cassio becomes governor of Cyprus. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Seeds of Doom," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and his UNIT colleagues manage to escape death in the Antarctic at the hands of mad horticulturalist Harrison Chase (Tony Beckley). Returning to England, the Doctor discovers that Chase has smuggled back the seeds from two Krynoid pods, intelligent plants with an insatiable appetite for all living things. The villain intends to destroy all mankind to make the world safe for his beloved plants! First telecast February 14, 1976, "The Seeds of Doom, Part 3" was written by Robin Banks Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The "Seeds of Doom" in this six-part Doctor Who adventure are discovered in a vegetable pod in the Antarctic. This discovery is closely followed by a series of mysterious attacks on the members of the expedition party. UNIT is summoned to Antarctica to investigate -- and when UNIT arrives, can the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elizabeth Sladen) be far behind? First telecast January 31, 1976, "The Seeds of Doom, Part 1" was written by Robin Banks Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this musical, two youngsters are thrilled to meet their favorite Italian movie star and end up spending a day squiring her about London. The star is a little eccentric and asks them to steal some hats for her collection. The star-struck youths agree until they learn that she wants a bobby's helmet, a businessman's bowler, and the bearskin cap of a palace guard. Mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In dire need of quick money to repay a debt, Bret (James Garner) agrees to act as guide when three visiting Britishers, all members of the Belcastle family, decide to go on a bear-hunting expedition. Unfortunately, the little party is ambushed by bandits and left to die in the desert. Though Bret thinks that the best course of action would be to chase after the outlaws, the Belcastles do not agree--leading to some very unforseen complications. (Fan alert: this is James Garner's favorite Maverick episode). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Another "pocket" adventure film from 20th Century-Fox's Regal Films subsidiary, Under Fire is set during WW2. Four American soldiers are charged with desertion and murder. Their counsel (Rex Reason) tries to get to the bottom of his clients' motivations. It turns out that the actual culprits were Germans dressed as American GIs. Why, then, won't the accused men tell this to the judge? Surprisingly, the answer lies in the old adage "Love of money is the root of all evil." Billed second in Under Fire is Henry Morgan--not the comedian of the same name, but instead the character actor better known as Harry Morgan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An American army officer is stationed in West Germany and assigned with keeping classified information out of the hands of the Communists. Unfortunately, Red spies know that he suffers from sudden black-outs and use this to make it appear that he is a traitor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this crime drama an American is assigned to guard a US art exhibit in London to protect one of da Vinci's most priceless paintings, "Madonna and Child." A series of art thefts has put the museum officials on red alert and they anxiously await the painting's arrival. Unfortunately, the painting is stolen en route to the show and replaced by an imitation. The intrepid guard follows the thieves to a private gallery run by a wealthy criminal. The film contains some useful and interesting information on art forgeries. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide