Don Amendolia Movies

In this romantic comedy-drama, two people whose lives were touched by the same tragedy find love. Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck) is a successful L.A. advertising executive who has a way with the ladies, but inside he longs for a meaningful long-term relationship. One day Buddy sells his seat on a sold-out airline flight to a stranger; he's shocked when the jet crashes and the man is killed. A year later, still haunted by the incident, Buddy looks up Abby Janello (Gwyneth Paltrow), the victim's widow, who is now selling real estate to support her children. Buddy soon finds himself attracted to Abby, and the feeling is mutual, but while he's interested in marriage, he isn't sure how (or if) he should tell her that he was indirectly responsible for her husband's death. Bounce was written and directed by Don Roos, who made a splash with his independent debut The Opposite of Sex; supporting Affleck and Paltrow are Natasha Henstridge, Jennifer Grey, David Paymer, and Joe Morton. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Hollywood visionary Tim Burton pays homage to another Hollywood visionary, albeit a less successful one, in this unusual fictionalized biography. The film follows Wood (Johnny Depp) in his quest for film greatness as he writes and directs turkey after turkey, cross-dresses, and surrounds himself with a motley crew of Hollywood misfits, outcasts, has-beens, and never-weres. The real story, however, is his friendship with aging, morphine-addicted Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), whom he tries to help stage a comeback. Landau's unforgettable Oscar-winning performance must be seen to be believed, as must Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup. While it would have been easy to make a film simply ridiculing the bumbling director, Burton instead focuses on his driving passion for filmmaking and his unwavering persistence in the face of ridicule and failure. Possibly the most surprising aspect of the film is the genuine sentiment with which Burton treats the relationship between Wood and Lugosi; his devotion to Lugosi is touching, as is Lugosi's final soliloquy -- an inane bit of dialogue from the hilariously bad Bride of the Monster that grows into a poignant metaphor for the actor's life and ultimate triumph of his spirit. Even the look of the film is right; it manages to preserve the air of one of Wood's own films while retaining a sense of artistry in much of the composition on screen (note the scene at the drug rehab where Lugosi endures a horrifying night of detox). In all, Ed Wood is a unique film -- at times side-splittingly funny; at others, tragic or even frightening -- and a heartfelt tribute to the love of movies, good and bad alike. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide

Adapted by screenwriter Rafael Yglesias from his own novel, Fearless explores the complex struggle back to mental health of post-traumatic stress disorder victim Max Klein (Jeff Bridges). One of few survivors of a fatal plane crash, Klein remains calm and assists other survivors out of the burning debris, earning praise as a hero by the media. After stoically departing the tragedy without a word to emergency officials, Max returns home with detached feelings towards his wife (Isabella Rossellini) and son, along with a bizarre, seemingly authentic belief that he is now impervious to harm. Bill Perlman (John Turturro), a psychiatrist for the airline, fails to reach Max about his newfound fearlessness, but asks for his help in aiding Carla (Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Rosie Perez), a fellow crash survivor filled with grief and guilt over the loss of her baby. In one of his earlier roles, Benicio del Toro plays a small part as Carla's boyfriend. ~ Lisa Kropiewnicki, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as a single hour-long installment), the competition heats up between congressional candidate Christine (Markie Post) and her tough-as-nails opponent (Nancy Marchand). Dan (John Larroquette) has less fun as a sexual surrogate than he anticipated. And Mac's (Charlie Robinson) home video of Bull's wedding becomes a "Rocky Horror"-like cult favorite at a local movie house! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After eight months at sea, Mike's lifelong friend Eddie (K.C. Martel) pays an unexpected return visit to Long Island. Under normal circumstances, Mike (Kirk Cameron) would be delighted--but instead, he keeps the notoriously irresponsible Eddie at arm's length, worried that his old pal might prove to be a bad influence on Luke (Jeremy Miller). Meanwhile, Ben (Jeremy Miller) shoots a video of the Seaver family on behalf of Carol, who is still studying in London. In the original network version of this episode, the cast of Growing Pains touchingly acknowledges the conspicuous absence of series regular Tracey Gold (Carol), who had been forced to leave the show because of severe health problems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With the help of odds-maker Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Will (Will Smith) wins $100 at the country club's Monte Carlo fundraiser. Then he discovers that, according to club tradtion, he is expected to donate the money to charity--specifically, Uncle Philip's favorite charity, the LAPD. Subsequently, Philip (James Avery) blows his top when he finds out that Will has not contributed his winnings...or has he?. An underprivileged kid and a basketball camp figuring prominently in the story's outcome. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Released at the height of his popularity on Family Ties and in the wake of Back to the Future and Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox stars in this "country boy in the big city" comedy, directed by Herbert Ross. After making the move from Kansas to New York City, Brantley Foster (Fox) secures a job in the mailroom at his uncle's large corporation. Doffing any plans of working his way up the corporate ladder the old fashioned way, Brantley begins impersonating an executive to impress a high-ranking female co-worker, played by Helen Slater. Once his oversexed aunt enters the mix, Brantley finds himself juggling two identities, two jobs, and two women. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

After so many bums and slimeballs in her life, Carla (Rhea Perlman) cannot believe that a nice, gentlemanly fellow like Hank Zenzola (Don Amendolia) could truly be in love with her. Sensing that Hank must have a "fatal flaw," Carla is inclined to reject him. Finally, however, she acquiesces to his charms, and even decides to go "all the way" with him, little realizing that she might literally love Hank to death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide