James Pyduck Movies
- 1995
A double murder is at the center of this episode. The principal suspect is Steve Smith (Eddie Malavarca), a young alcoholic whose family once lived in the victims' house. Unfortunately, Smith has already "testified," after a fashion, in front of his local AA group -- and his words may not be admissible evidence in court. Ultimately, the solution hinges upon the fractious relationship between Smith and his biological mother, Anne Bartlett (Fran Brill). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The 1939 Irene Dunne-Charles Boyer romance Love Affair, remade with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in 1957 as An Affair to Remember, became a vehicle for real-life couple Warren Beatty and Annette Bening in this 1994 rendition. The well-worn story remains the same, as a man and a woman, both engaged to other people, fall madly in love while traveling, indulge in a brief but intense affair, then agree to part and sort out their feelings. They are to meet again at the top of the Empire State Building if their feelings persist, but a series of unfortunate circumstances threatens to keep the lovers apart. Despite polished visuals and a time-tested narrative, this variation suffers in comparison to its two predecessors, not to mention the previous year's Sleepless in Seattle, which had drawn on An Affair to Remember for several of its most memorable sequences. It does features Katherine Hepburn's first film appearance in 13 years. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, (more)
- 1992
It is no coincidence when a woman disappears shortly before the slaying of two ad-agency employees: All three had been witnesses to a mob execution. Assistant D.A. Stone (Michael Moriarty) attempts to prove that the kidnapping and murders had been ordered from within prison walls. But to do this, Stone will have to tilt with his longtime adversary, brilliant defense attorney Arthur Gold (George Grizzard). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In another headline-inspired episode of Law & Order, a baby is accidentally murdered by a teenaged hired killer (Justin Crozier). Though assistant D.A. Stone (Michael Moriarty) is understandably outraged by the concept of kids killing kids, he is more interested in nailing the person who hired the youthful assassin. The trail of evidence ultimately leads to a low-life drug dealer and a supposedly respectable real estate agent. S. Epatha Merkerson, who later became a Law & Order regular in the role of Lt. Anita Van Buren, is here cast as Mrs. Denise Winters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
TV reporter Monica Devries (Megan Gallagher) is the victim of a violent assault. Prosecuting the case, assistant D.A.'s Stone (Michael Moriarty) and Robinette (Richard Brooks) are faced with the possibility that insufficient evidence will allow the perpetrator to walk. This prompts detective Greevey (George Dzundza) and Logan (Chris Noth) to reopen another investigation which in curious fashion is closely linked to the case at hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The third pairing of comic actors Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder was much less successful than their previous team-ups, Silver Streak(1976) and Stir Crazy (1980). Wilder plays Dave, the deaf proprietor of a newsstand and employer of blind gambler Wally (Pryor). When Wally's bookie is shot and killed at the stand, Dave and Wally are arrested for the crime. Since the deaf Dave had his back turned and didn't see the crime, while the blind Wally only heard it, the clues they have to offer the police are slim: Dave's glimpse of a shapely leg and Wally's whiff of a perfume called Shalimar. It turns out the dead man was in possession of a coin that he dropped into Dave's tip box, which Wally is now carrying. The coin contains a valuable microchip sought by crime baron Sutherland (Anthony Zerbe), for whom hired killer Eve (Joan Severance) and her British partner Kirgo (Kevin Spacey) are working. Posing as lawyers, Eve and Kirgo spring Dave and Wally from jail, leading to a series of misadventures as the coin changes hands and the two sensory-challenged pals attempt to learn who has framed them and why. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, (more)
