Michael Markowitz Movies
- 2001
Former Seinfeld stalwart Jason Alexander returned to series television as the eponymous star of the ABC sitcom Bob Patterson. On this occasion, Alexander portrayed a high-profiled motivational speaker, author of such best-selling tomes as I Know More Than You Do and I Still Know More Than You. Despite his success in his chosen field -- not to mention the abundance of testimonials from real-life celebrities (endearingly if not always convincingly cast as themselves) -- Bob Patterson was not always successful in carrying over his winning philosophies into his personal life. The series' basic joke was reminiscent of the "physician heal thyself" premise of NBC's Frasier -- which was telecast opposite Bob Patterson on Tuesday nights. Appearing in support of the versatile Jason Alexander (who also wrote several of the scripts) were Robert Klein as Bob's business partner, Landau; Jennifer Aspen as his ex-wife, Janet Patterson; and James Guidice as Bob's lethargic son, Jeffrey. Co-produced by 20th Century Fox and Touchstone Television, Bob Patterson premiered October 2, 2001, its originally September 25 debut date scuttled by ongoing TV coverage of the World Trade Center bombing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Alexander, Robert Klein, (more)
- 2000
One man's dedication to "learning by doing" has dangerous consequences when he tries to land a TV role as a criminal in this drama set in South Africa. Sox Moraka (Tony Kgoroge) is a young actor from a comfortable, middle-class background who thinks he may have gotten his big break when he auditions for a television series, playing the roughneck leader of a township street gang . However, Sox flubs the audition, and the producers inform him he's just not convincing in the role. Eager to prove that he can play "street" if he wants to, Sox connects with Zama (Rapulana Seiphemo), a friend from childhood who is now a hard-core gang banger, and asks Zama to show him the ropes. While it soon becomes obvious to Zama and his partners Joe (Makhaola Ndebele) and Fly (Percy Matsemela) that Sox is out of his element on the streets, Sox is determined to prove himself -- so much so that he crosses the line from observer to active participant, putting himself in grave danger. Hijack Stories was shown at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival, where it opened the "Planet Africa" series. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rapulana Seiphemo
- 1997
In this independent comedy-drama, the weekend has arrived in Venice, California, and a group of 20-somethings are headed to Sam's place for a party, each with a different set of hopes and expectations for the evening. Bobby (Michael Markowitz) meets Laura (Sinneman Brown), and they pass the time by watching the passing parade of guests and betting on who will hook up with whom. Laura's friend Claire (Meghan Beals) is an actress who postponed a planned trip to Las Vegas to attend, having heard that a well-known film director will be there -- if she can only find him. Scott (Rick Fitzgerald) shows up in serious need of some cheering up; he's just been given his walking papers by his girlfriend Elise (Zane Chase), and he hopes against hope that he won't run into her. Party at Sam's marked the feature debut for writer and director Douglas J. Eboch. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
George Lollar (Charles Grodin) overrides his wife's judgment and takes his family for a vacation on a sunny Caribbean island that just happens to be on the verge of a revolution. Their hotel is not the usual Hilton on the beach but a pick-up joint for singles where the main activities are sex, sex, and sex. In that order. As the horrified father watches almost helplessly, his wife becomes liberated, his daughter falls for a Frenchman who is actually a guerrilla, one of his sons loses his virginity to a buxom, worldly-wise woman, and his other son burns down the mini-camp he was forced to attend. But that's hardly the worst of it -- there is that small matter of a political overthrow about to explode on the scene. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Grodin, Robin Pearson Rose, (more)
