Natalie Cole Movies
- 1981
Mind-controlling aliens take over SCTV, planting leafy pods in the brains of the staffers -- not to mention musical guest star Natalie Cole (but not before she sings "Nothin' But a Fool"). Alien leader Zontar (John Candy) chortles in demonic glee, but takes umbrage when he is compared to Curly Joe DeRita. Also on hand is actor Bonar Bain, the brother of Diff'rent Strokes star Conrad Bain, here cast as Hank Bain, star of "Diff'rent Folks." Also: Doug and Bob discuss short cuts -- or at least they would have if they hadn't started bickering: George Carlin and Don Rickles (both portrayed by Rick Moranis) star in their own special versions of Annie Hall; and entrepreneurs Tex and Edna Boil (Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin), are now in the "Prairie Warehouse and Curio Emporium" business. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Natalie Cole, Bonar Bain, (more)
- 1990
An informative presentation that includes a guide to recycling. Includes an information booklet and stars a large group of celebrities. Bugs Bunny, B.B. King, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler and many others are here to spread the word. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1990
Enjoy this collection of music videos from the film Pretty Woman with hits such as Go West's "King of Wishful Thinking," Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love," Natalie Cole's "Wild Women Do" and "Show Me Your Soul" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1991
This is a celebration of the music of a generation's talented songwriter and performer John Lennon. This musical salute mixes footage of Lennon the solo artist with the Lennon as a member of the legendary the Beatles, a man who helped reshaped pop music and changed a culture. Many artists cover 22 of Lennon's songs, like "Power to the People" sung by Al Green; Billy Joel singing "Back in the U.S.S.R."; "Help" performed by U2; Elton John singing "Imagine"; "Come Together" sung by Michael Jackson; "Ticket to Ride" performed by Natalie Cole; Lenny Kravitz singing "Cold Turkey"; and many more. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- PG
This family-oriented holiday drama takes place in Alabama in 1957 and centers upon the heartwarming relationship between a lonely white boy and his black nanny. When she returns South to be with her family for Christmas, her young charge follows her, creating all kinds of complications. Singer Natalie Cole makes her feature-film debut as the nanny. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Maya Angelou is more or less typecast as celebrated poet Clarice Mitchell, the mother of Sam Mitchell (Michael Beach) and godmother of HIV-positive Megan Brooks (played by singer Natalie Cole). A lifelong friend and admirer of Megan, Sam valiantly disregards her illness and proposes marriage--which angers and upsets Clarice, who demands that Sam break off the engagement instantly. Making the situation worse for Sam is Megan herself, who is convinced that Clarice is right. It is up to Tess (Della Reese) to smooth out this unusually rough situation. Maya Angelou wrote a special poem for this episode--as did series star Roma Downey (Monica), whose own literary contribution is hilariously (and deliberately!) dreadful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Worried that his ex-wife and her flakey new boyfriend are going to harm his infant daughter, a concerned father kidnaps the baby and sets out across the country. He winds up in San Francisco. With a determined FBI agent hot on his heels, no money, and no stable home for the baby, the desperate father enlists the aid of an underground network for mothers in similar situations. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Noth, Peter MacNicol, (more)
This animated comedy for the family, which gently parodies the movie musicals of the '30s and '40s, follows Danny (voice of Scott Bakula), a cat from Kokomo, Indiana, who loves to sing and dance and longs to be in show business. One day, Danny decides to do something about his ambitions instead of just wishing, so he heads for Hollywood, convinced that he can become a star in a week. However, Danny quickly becomes aware of the species barrier in Tinseltown; the studios don't much care for animals, even ones with star quality, and the best Danny's agent can get for him is a tiny role in a movie with adorable child star Darla Dimple (voice of Ashley Peldon), who turns out to be a mean-spirited brat who loathes animals as soon as the camera is turned off. Danny soon makes the acquaintance of several other animal performers stuck in the same bind as himself, including Sawyer (voice of Jasmine Guy), a pretty but cynical cat; Woolie (voice of John Rhys-Davies), a piano-playing elephant; Tillie (voice of Kathy Najimy), a singing hippo; and Pudge (voice of Mathew Herried), a performing penguin. Together, the critters struggle for acceptance and a chance to show the world what they can do. Sawyer's singing voice for the musical numbers was provided by Natalie Cole; Randy Newman wrote several original songs for the film, and Gene Kelly was a consultant for the character's choreography. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy, (more)
Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist) directed this Walter Mosley script adaptation of Mosley's short story collection, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned. Ex-con Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) returns to L.A., looks for work, becomes friends with Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), is told he's too old for a construction job, helps youngster Darryl (Daniel Williams), and romances cafe-owner Iula Brown (Natalie Cole). Socrates provides a moral uplift to the neighborhood, while Burke's voiceover narration has a Sunset Boulevard twist. The TV movie premiered March 21, 1998 on HBO. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laurence Fishburne, Bill Cobbs, (more)
This video captures Tony Bennett performing before an adoring audience during a 1998 concert that was recorded for A&E as part of their Live By Request series. Featuring appearances by such luminaries as Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, and Sting, the concert fins Bennett performing timeless favorites like "Fly Me to the Moon", "Steppin' Out With My Baby", "Chicago", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me". ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
A young woman with multiple sclerosis (Samantha Mathis) is placed in an assisted care facility by her family. While at first she feels abandoned and hopeless, she learns to develop a new confidence, self-respect and independence by bonding with her fellow patients, who learn important lessons from each other about growing as a group and as individuals. Supporting cast includes Natalie Cole as a blues singer who has been severely injured in an accident. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Samantha Mathis, Jonathan Silverman, (more)
- 1999
Features the most popular R&B hits of the 1980s and '90s. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Vocal artist Natalie Cole comments on her own life, beginning with her acclaimed father's singing career and descending into the depths of her heroin addiction. Her story of finally defeating the drug addiction is inspired by the legacy of her father Nat King Cole; through her memory of him, she is able to overcome her own problems. The creation of the album that serves as a tribute to her parental inspiration is also featured in Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
The public and private lives of famed songwriter Cole Porter are both explored in this musical drama, in which the aging Porter (played by Kevin Kline) looks back on his life while watching a rehearsal of a stage musical based on his story. As Porter compares notes on the play with director Gabe (Jonathan Pryce), he shares thoughts on his rise to fame in the mid-'20s, writing witty and sophisticated tunes for a string of successful Broadway musicals. Porter seemed to be living a charmed life when he met Linda Thomas (Ashley Judd), a beautiful American woman who, like Porter, was enjoying a sojourn in Paris following the collapse of her first marriage. Thomas is immediately taken with Porter, whose intelligence and charm is a welcome change after her brutal first husband, and the two discover they share a remarkable understanding of one another. Porter and Thomas marry, even though she's aware that her new husband is gay; Thomas is willing to forgive Porter's indiscretions with other men in favor of the emotional support he brings her. However, as the years wear on and the couple takes up residence in Hollywood as Porter begins writing tunes for motion pictures, Thomas finds Porter drifting away from her as his liaisons become more frequent and more serious. Then tragedy enters their life when Porter loses the use of his legs in a riding accident and Thomas is diagnosed with cancer. De-Lovely features a number of noted pop singers interpreting classic songs from Porter's catalog, including Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Mick Hucknall, and others. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, (more)
The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Ruth Brown, (more)
- 2006
Bailey (Chandra Wilson) refuses to stay on maternity leave, saddling a reluctant Cristina (Sandra Oh) with babysitting duty--as if Cristina doesn't have enough trouble with Burke (Isaiah Washington). Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) has yet to get over her night with George (T.R. Knight), while Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Addison (Kate Walsh) can't get past the problem of Mark Sloan. In a similar "triangle" situation, Alex (Justin Chambers) feels like the proverbial fifth wheel out as Izzie (Katherine Heigl) and Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) grow closer. Meanwhile, the roster of patients is a strange one indeed, ranging from a terminal ill woman (Anne Moore) with a fork stuck in her neck, and a hockey player (Teddy Dunn) who demands that Callie (Sara Ramirez) amputate his least useful finger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2008
This release collects over a dozen music videos from the 1980s. Among the promotional clips here are Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen," Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes," and The Style Council's "You're the Best Thing." ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dexy's Midnight Runners, Soft Cell, (more)
