Michael Rider Movies
- 1991
Sarah Pillsbury and Midge Sanford, the producing team responsible for the theatrical-movie "sleeper" The River's Edge, were the mentors of the made-for-TV Seeds of Tragedy. Filmed in semi-documentary fashion, the story involves a single cache of cocaine, from creation to consumption. The coca leaves are initially harvested by poor farmers in the Peruvian Andes. The coca moves forward to a small-time Amazon trader; then it is powdered under the supervision of a Colombian gangster, and finally it winds up on the mean streets of LA. Partially filmed in Mexico with a cast of relative unknowns, Seeds of Tragedy was an unusually potent entry in the Fox Network's "Monday Night Movie" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Having previously met the brother he never knew he had in the second-season episode "Sins of the Father," Lt. Worf is further astonished to discover that he has a son named Alexander (Jon Steuer). This is brought to his attention by the boy's mother K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson), who Worf feels has betrayed him, thus he refuses to even see her. Worf's hostile attitude endangers Picard's diplomatic mission with the leader of the Klingon Empire (Charles Cooper), who in turn is being slowly poisoned by a mysterious assailant. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and written by Thomas Perry, Jo Perry, Ronald D. Moore, and Brannon Braga, "Reunion" was originally telecast November 10, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The bottom of the direct-to-video barrel is full of nigh-unwatchable horror anthologies like this one, which features a pair of uninspiring stories -- about a serial killer and a suicidal clown -- made for peanuts with somebody's old camcorder. As tolerant as genre fans tend to be with regard to low-budget horror, good conscience prevents any recommendation for even the most indulgent of horror fans. Ginger Lynn completists may want to give it a look on bargain rental night anyway, as the erstwhile porn queen introduces the stories. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Love, treachery, and broken furniture are the hallmarks of this rollicking action drama. Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has a Ph.D., but rather than make a living teaching Socrates at some university, he's opted to become a top-drawer "cooler" -- an expert barroom bouncer who can break up fights without getting himself killed in the process. Dalton is hired to keep the peace at the Double Duce, a rough-and-tumble honky tonk in Jasper, Missouri, where beer-soaked free-for-alls are a nightly event. Dalton is hurt on his first night on the job, and he is patched up by "Doc" Clay (Kelly Lynch), a beautiful woman working as the town's physician. Dalton and Doc immediately hit it off, but Dalton learns that another man, Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), already has his eye on her. Wesley is a man used to getting his way; he's an extortionist and crime boss who has nearly everyone in Jasper under his thumb, and he sets out to teach Dalton a lesson, while Dalton is determined to clean up the town like he breaks up brawls at the Double Duce. Sam Elliott plays Dalton's mentor Wade, and Red West, a one-time member of Elvis Presley's "Memphis Mafia," appears as Webster; Canadian blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healey leads the Double Duce house band. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, (more)
On his 81st birthday, grandpa George Burns, bemoans the fact that he's wasted his life, and wishes he had it to do all over again. He gets his wish when he and his 18-year-old grandson Charles Schlatter are involved in an auto accident. When he awakens, Burns' personality has been transferred to Schlatter's body, and vice versa! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Charlie Schlatter, (more)
Household appliances are generally useful and beneficent items, and most of us who own them take them for granted, but should we? This sci-fi thriller shows what happens when electricity gets a mind of its own, becomes evil and turns every-day gadgets into evil killers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cliff De Young, Roxanne Hart, (more)
- 1987
Majel Barrett, one of the cast members of the original Star Trek, guest stars as Deanna Troi's mother Lwaxana in this Next Generation episode. Unexpectedly showing up at the Enterprise, Lwaxana announces an impending wedding, not hers, but Deanna's. Understandably upset at the notion of a prearranged marriage to the son of an old family friend (Rob Knepper), Deanna is in no mood to contend with a band of renegade plague-bearing aliens who intend to take refuge on an inhabited planet. Originally telecast December 5, 1987, "Haven" was cowritten by Tracy Torme and Lan O'Kun. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
While stationed on the planet Ligon II in search of much-needed medical supplies, Enterprise security head Lt. Tasha Yar is kidnapped by the minions of the planet's ruler (Jessie Lawrence Ferguson). In order to secure Yar's release, the rest of the crew must abide by Ligon II's unorthodox -- and very strict -- code of honor. Meanwhile, the beleagured Yar must do battle against the ruler's present wife (Karole Semon), who will stop at nothing to protect her marriage. Written by Katharyn Michaelian Powers and Michael Baron, "Code of Honor" originally aired October 17, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
This first-season Next Generation episode finds Captain Picard facing a dilemma previously encountered some nine decades earlier by Captain Kirk and the original Enterprise crew. An insidious mind-altering disease, which prompted the crew of another starship to commit mass suicide, wends its way aboard the Enterprise. Before long, Lt. Geordi LaForge has become infected with the horrible illness. Brooke Bundy guest stars as MacDougal. Written by John D.F. Black and J. Michael Bingham, "The Naked Now" first aired October 10, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Whenever one of their fellow Vietnam veterans is in trouble, you can count on the A-Team to come to the rescue. On this occasion, there are three disabled Vietnam vets, who in partnership with heroine-of-the-week Amanda (Robin Riker) have opened a desert resort called the Stagecoach Hotel. In his efforts to drive the vets off their property, evil land developer Frank Gaines (Alan Fudge) shuts down the water supply of both the hotel and a neighboring village. In order to foil the villain, the Team sets about to dig their own water well--and, as is customary, chaos ensues! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
