Linda Porter Movies
Just how far would you go to have the home of your dreams all to yourself? A couple start asking themselves that very question in this dark comedy directed by Danny DeVito. Alex (Ben Stiller) and Nancy (Drew Barrymore) are a young couple who are happy and successful, but lack one thing that they truly want -- the perfect home in Manhattan. Alex and Nancy think they may have found just the place they've been looking for when they discover the bottom half of a beautiful old duplex has opened up. While the couple are delighted with their new flat, they discover it has one major disadvantage they hadn't counted on -- their upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essel), an elderly woman who soon makes their lives a living hell. Persuading Mrs. Connelly to move is fruitless, since she has a long term rent-controlled lease, and as things become more and more difficult, Alex and Nancy begin to wonder if she won't go away on her own, perhaps a more drastic (and permanent) solution may be in order. Duplex also stars Harvey Fierstein, Justin Theroux, James Remar, and Swoosie Kurtz. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Stiller, Drew Barrymore, (more)
- 2003
As Lorelai (Lauren Graham) repairs the fire damage at the Inn, daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) begins planning her mom's 35th birthday party by commissioning the world's largest pizza (well, almost the largest, anyway). Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) agrees to meet the family of current amour Nicole (Tricia O'Kelley) -- a major blunder, as it turns out; the web of lies spun by Jess finally catches up with him; and Paris (Liza Weil) returns to school with a mysterious bandage on her nose. Also, Richard (Edward Herrmann) continues trying to get back in daughter Lorelai's good graces -- but buying her affections has never worked in the past, and probably won't work now. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
A toxic benzine spill in the ER waiting room forces the evacuation of all the patients. With Weaver (Laura Innes) suffering the ill effects of the spill, Carter is placed in charge of the "exodus." Meanwhile, Corday (Alex Kingston) goes on an EMT ridealong, ultimately risking her life to treat Leo Lepziger (Joey Perillo), whose arm is trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building. This episode won an Emmy award for Best Sound Editing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the second episode of a three-part story, Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) have lost control of Sandpiper Air and are now merely hired hands for the new owner, Jonathan Clayton (Mitchell Ryan). When Clayton announces the need for a "big idea" to improve Sandpiper's business, Joe and Brian's longtime business rival Roy (David Schramm) comes up with a "perfect" promotion. As a result, the Hackett brothers end up as tour pilots for the popular country singing duo of Tammy and Nina Todd (Karen Kilgariff, Cynthia Sikes) -- or do they? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this updated and gender-reversed variation on Cyrano de Bergerac, Janeane Garofalo stars as Abby, the host of a radio talk show for people who have problems with pets. One day, she gets a call from Brian (Ben Chaplin) who is having trouble with his Great Dane (who enjoys roller skating). After a few minutes on the phone, Brian is immediately taken with Abby, and she's certainly interested in him. However, while Abby is not unattractive, she's terribly self-conscious about her appearance. When he asks her for a description, instead of telling him she's a diminutive brunette with big brown eyes, she describes her neighbor Noelle (Uma Thurman), a tall, rail-thin, blue eyed blonde. When Ben sets up a date, Abby is frantic and convinces Noelle to take her place. However, while Abby sounds smart, witty and charming over the radio (or the telephone), Noelle speaks like -- well, I think the phrase dumb blonde is called for here. Brian becomes puzzled -- why is it Abby is so great on the phone but so inarticulate in person? And what's the story with her friend, the cute brunette who sounds so smart? Noelle is even more confused; she wants to help her friend, but she's finding herself falling for Brian as well. The Truth About Cats and Dogs gave Ben Chaplin his first role in an American film and Janeane Garofalo's first starring turn after several notable supporting performances. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, (more)
- 1995
Not by choice, Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) spend their first New Year's Eve apart. This is not the only offbeat occurrence in the course of this episode, you may be sure. Things reach a summit of strangeness during the traditional countdown in Times Square. And yes, that uncredited TV personality is exactly who you think he is. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1994
Although he and Maris are childless, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) begins wondering if he'd make a good father. To "prepare" himself, he begins to carry a ten-pound sack of flour all around Seattle. While Niles is thus occupied, his brother, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), is asked to sign a get-well card for a fellow KACL employee who is going to the hospital. Unaware that the man is undergoing a risky kidney-transplant operation, Frasier has laced the card with some inappropriate "dark" humor -- and not unexpectedly he soon comes to regret his misguided mirth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The community players of Cabot Cove have chosen to stage a play about a 17th century witch who had placed a curse on the town just before her execution. Cast in the lead role is Mariah Osborne (Mary Crosby), a newcomer to the town. Before long, strange things begin happening, convincing the townsfolk that Mariah is not merely acting, but is in truth the reincarnation of the notorious witch. Assisting Jessica (Angela Lansbury) in her investigation of the inevitable murder is the town's new deputy Dave Anderson, played by Louis Herthum--who in his previous series appearance was known as "Deputy Andy Bloom." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The central "gimmick" of the comedy-adventure Twins is established early on. Unbeknownst to one another, king-sized Arnold Schwarzenegger and gnomeish Danny De Vito are twin brothers. Even better: Schwarzenegger is a mild-mannered, bookish type, while De Vito is a vitriolic troublemaker. The film takes satiric jabs at the notion of "perfect" genetics, and makes several pointed comments concerning the dangers of youthful pre-conditioning by insensitive parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, (more)
