Justin Lord Movies
Poet Maya Angelou made her feature directorial debut with this African-American family drama, shown theatrically but originally produced for the Showtime cable network. Unemployed single mother Loretta (Alfre Woodward) lives with her mother, Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice), in a Chicago apartment. Drugs and alcohol lead Loretta to neglect her autistic daughter, Tracy (Kulani Hassen). Her teen son Thomas (Mpho Koaho) brings in money by photographing tourists. Rosa Lynn pawns a family heirloom in order to send Loretta and the kids off to their Mississippi Delta hometown where Loretta's Uncle Earl (Al Freeman Jr.) runs his diner. Earl lives in a dry county, so Loretta is reluctant. However, she has no choice after Rosa Lynn threatens to contact child-welfare authorities if she doesn't go. Earl takes in the trio even though he already has enough problems with Annie (Esther Rolle), an Alzheimer's victim under the supervision of caregiver Zenia (Loretta Devine). Toronto locations substitute for Mississippi. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., (more)
- 1997
Rap artist Daddy Kool (Shaun Baker) is shot, but refuses to cooperate with the police investigation of the shooting. Abby (Paige Turco) tells Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) that she wants him to be the father of her child -- and that's all. Accused of framing Officer Szymasnki (Christopher Stanley) on a drug charge, Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) launches his own investigation. And the Feds approach Simone (Jimmy Smits), asking his help in nailing mobster Joey Salvo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Hollywood is abuzz with the news that a film completed back in 1960, but shelved after its director died mysteriously, has been rediscovered and restored. This takes place at a studio that has become a target for a wide variety of movie pirates--and not a few dedicated film buffs. When one of those buffs is killed, Jessica suspects that a murder has been committed, and that this killing is tied in with the death that occurred way back in the sixties. Featured in the cast is a young James Caviezel, who a decade later would star in Mel Gibson's controversial The Passion of the Christ. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- R
Sgt. Duncan (Eb Lottimer) and his special squad of soldiers are sent off into the jungles of Vietnam in a last-ditch effort to find stranded strategy-expert Major Wilson (Jim Moss). In a race against time, Duncan must stage his rescue before the enemy is able to capture Wilson and extract vital military secrets from him. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- PG
In this action-comedy, an eccentric detective ends up working with a lost gnome who has accidentally burrowed up from his subterranean world. He is searching for something valuable he lost so he can win the heart of a winsome gnomette. Wacky mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Michael Hall, Jerry Orbach, (more)
- 1991
- R
The third film in this war series focuses on the exploits of a band of rebel U.S. soldiers who do battle in Vietnam. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker story was a "natural" for TV-movie adaptation, and Fall From Grace more than fills the bill. Bernadette Peters heaps on makeup by the trowel as Tammy Faye, the wife of televangelist Jim Bakker (here played with boyish fanaticism by Kevin Spacey). The Bakkers build up their "PTL" organization ("Praise the Lord") into a massive empire encompassing millions of dollars in donations, a cable-TV network, valuable land holdings and a garish religious theme park, Heritage USA. A North Carolina newspaper rocks the boat by investigating inequities in the Bakkers' financial setup. The whole enterprise falls apart when it's discovered that Jim has siphoned off funds to cover up an extramarital affair. Telecast in the spring of 1990 to coincide with the beginning of Jim Bakker's long, long prison sentence, Fall From Grace tries to be fair...for at least fifteen minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- R
In this sequel, a trusting private serving with U.S. forces in Vietnam becomes friends with a Vietnamese girl. When he discovers that she is being used by someone in the military in a prostitution ring and has become addicted to drugs, he tries to find out how he can blow the whistle on this abuse of power. He doesn't know that the person he has come to for help is himself the chief culprit. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Jacobson, Ronald William Lawrence, (more)
- 1987
- R
When newspaper editor Charles Bradley (Anthony Zerbe) makes a call uncovering corrupt Los Angeles cops selling drugs, his phone is tapped and his architect son Joey (Clayton Rohner) is endangered. A detective is killed in Joey's apartment and detective Ryan (Ray Sharkey) is assigned to protect him. Ryan is in league with the crooked cops and tries to kill Joey. Joey escapes but is hit by a car driven by Jenny Fox (Talia Balsam). She takes him back to her place where Joey is nursed back to heath and the seeds of love are planted. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
Columbia Pictures spent as estimated $8 million dollars on this laughless sex comedy that crashes and burns before ever leaving the ground. Two bumbling boneheads who are kicked out of flying school decide to remain airborne by becoming stewardesses. Bathroom humor, sight gags, and the prerequisite nudity are the lowlights of this forgettable film. The only interest is the appearance of former Playboy bunny Yuliis Ruval. This dog makes Porky's seem like Shakespeare. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brett Cullen, Mary Cadorette, (more)
- 1985
Hunter (Fred Dryer) champions the cause of his old friend Sgt. Charlie Coster (Ramon Bieri) when the man is charged with the murder of his wife. At first it seems that Charlie was up to no good, else why would he have misfiled several recent burglary reports? As it turns out, however, it was the late Mrs. Coster who was covering up for a pair of corrupt cops who have no qualms about bumping off anyone who catches on to their dirty deeds! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Initially titled Fighting Chance, the made-for-TV The Fighter stars Gregory Harrison in the title role. Unable to support himself or his wife Glynnis O'Connor when he's laid off from his job, Harrison decides to give boxing a try. Glynnis is dead-set against this decision; she takes a job at a beauty salon to make ends meet, which irritates her husband to no end. Working off his hostilities in the ring, Harrison becomes fairly adept with his fists-but the movie's not quite over yet. Featured in the cast of The Fighter is Ray Notaro Jr., a real-life pugilist who served as Gregory Harrison's trainer. The film first aired on February 19, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Never the most secure person on earth, Vera (Beth Howland) decides to change her ways after reading a book about self-confidence. The next time she reports for work at the diner, it is with the determination to be the "best little waitress in the world." Impressed, Mel (Vic Tayback) offers to place Vera in charge of the diner for one whole day... which may turn out to be the longest day in culinary history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Though Two of a Kind was hardly George Burns' television debut, it was his first dramatic TV appearance. Burns is cast as Ross "Boppy" Minor, who is shunted away to a nursing home by his unfeeling son-in-law Cliff Robertson. Robby Benson co-stars as Nolie Minor, Boppy's mentally retarded grandson. Both outcasts from "normal" society, Nolie and Boppy form a strong bond in this touching domestic drama. An Emmy Award went to songwriters James Di Pasquale and Dory Previn for their theme song "We'll Win the World." Two of a Kind first aired October 9, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Robby Benson, (more)
- 1982
Skeezer is an irresistible dog with a special affinity towards handicapped children. Nurse/therapist Karen Valentine uses Skeezer to brighten the lives of the emotionally disturbed and mentally handicapped kids in her charge. The authorities aren't keen on Skeezer's presence, but rest assured they'll change their minds before the film's 97 minutes have elapsed. Skeezer is based on a true story, as chronicled in Elizabeth Yates' book Skeezer, Dog with a Mission. The made-for-TV film was first telecast as an NBC "Operation Peacock" special on December 27, 1982; it subsequently won an "outstanding children's program" Emmy award. Incidentally, the dog playing Skeezer was named O. J. (no wisecracks, if you please). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Made for television, the movie concerns a young unmarried girl who must decide whether to have an abortion. With the help of her own mother (Susan Clark), she tries to make the right decision. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Josephine Premice makes her first -- and only -- series appearance as Maxine, the sister of Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford). Seeking out a perfect "gift" for Louise's surprise birthday party, husband George (Sherman Hemsley) arranges for Maxine and her son Jason (Justin Lord) to pay a visit to the Jefferson apartment. The festivities are dampened by Louise's unexpectedly hostile reaction to the sister whom she hasn't seen for 30 years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1979
At the request of his friend Harry Collier (Allan Miller), Quincy investigates the death of a young Marine, who was killed in a training accident while under the command of hard-drinking drill sergeant Alistair Adams (Harry Collier). Quincy's efforts, and those of the official military investigators, are compromised by rumors of a cover-up which may have been engineered by some very powerful people. This episode was originally slated to air on March 9, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This week's crisis is a sudden shortage of sodium pentothal. The only available supply is in the hands of black marketeers, who demand a huge financial tribute before they'll deal with the 4077th. To everyone's surprise, it is the seemingly meek and mild Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) who comes up with a hard-nosed solution to the present dilemma. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Young Early McLaren (Steve Shaw) is too shy and withdrawn to make friends. He is also a championship runner, who has never lost a track meet for his school. Despite this athletic accomplishments, Early remains aloof and arrogant, refusing to let anyone get close to him. But when the boy suffers a debilitating accident, he must learn how to stop running -- stop running away from other people, and stop running away from himself. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Shaw, Justin Lord, (more)
- 1978
J.J. (Jimmie Walker) falls in love with Barbara (Fay Hauser), a married woman on the verge of a divorce. The relationship hits some rocky terrain when J.J. learns that Barbara is still living with her future "ex" -- and suddenly can't commit herself to going through with the breakup. As a result, our hero becomes literally lovesick when he develops an ulcer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
There's been an attempted political assassination at a golf course, and the evidence indicates that a notorious international hit man has arrived in New York. In his effort to track down the killer, Kojak (Telly Savalas) is stymied by a jealous rival police lieutenant, George O'Mara (Kenneth McMillan). Things come to a head in New York's Koreatown district, where the deranged assassin is planning a revenge-driven "hit" of his own making. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
