Bruce Tuthill Movies

McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) and her boyfriend, Judge Michael Hayworth (John Beck), are held captive by the brother (Harold Sylvester) of a convict who killed himself in prison. Their captor is convinced that the Judge, who refused to consider new evidence in his brother's case, is responsible for the tragedy. As Hunter races against time to free his partner, information comes to light suggesting that Hayworth may have had a hidden agenda during the dead man's trial. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Director Todd Haynes first gained the attention of underground film enthusiasts with this unusual and thought-provoking look at the life and death of pop singer Karen Carpenter. In 1970, as America entered a new decade following the turmoil and uncertainties of the 1960s, the Carpenters first hit the charts with glossy, well-scrubbed pop tunes like "Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun," which suggested a deliberate retreat from the aggressive rebellion that dominated rock music in the late '60s. But while Karen Carpenter and her brother Richard represented all that was good and wholesome about America's youth in the eyes of many (Richard Nixon even invited them to play the White House), there was often a dark and melancholy undercurrent to their music, and it turned out Karen had a troubling secret of her own -- the pressures of stardom and her longtime problems with self-image manifested themselves in a severe case of Anorexia Nervosa, an eating disorder which helped to claim her life in 1983. Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story looks at how Karen's music helped to redefine popular music (for better or worse), as well as how her disease mirrored the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of '70s pop culture, but Todd Haynes' creative vision throws a crucial twist into the tale. Instead of live actors, most of the key roles in Superstar are played by Barbie or Ken dolls, and while the concept might sound like a mean-spirited joke, in practice the technique adds a strange storybook quality to the material that's compelling and genuinely moving. Unfortunately, Haynes failed to secure permission from Richard Carpenter and A&M Records for use of the many Carpenters recordings used on the film's soundtrack, and Richard was reportedly offended by his less-than flattering portrayal in the film; consequently, after a handful of film festival screenings, Superstar went into legal limbo, and since Richard's attorneys have prevented any authorized exhibition of the film, it can now be seen only on low-quality bootleg videocassettes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A TV news crew manages to videotape a vicious arsonist in the act. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) do their best to bring the firebug to justice, but are stymied at every turn by the well-meaning interference of the TV people. Ultimately, howver,. Hunter squares off against the murderous "torch"--who turns out to be a demented Rambo wannabe, armed with a gigantic flame thrower! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Stephen Cannell-produced pilot for a potential TV detective series, Mac Davis plays an ex-highway patrolman and Joseph Cortese an ex-trucker, related by marriage. Their wives were twin sisters--were, because in addition to all the other "ex" qualifications in their lives, Davis and Cortese are ex-husbands. Still pals after their group divorce, the boys become private eyes. Their first case is to get the goods on a shady tycoon (Robert Culp), who happens to be their former father-in-law. Brothers-in-Law was the first Steven J. Cannell independent production which failed to sell as a series, but it wouldn't be the last. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A gangland boss is killed in what seems to be a bungled holdup, but both Hunter (Fred Dryer) and the Mob suspect that a professional hit man was responsible. If he wants to avert an all-out gang war, Hunter must locate the only witness to the crime, a woman named Sandy Newton (Mary-Margaret Humes), who has completely disappeared from view. Ultimately figuring out who ordered the "hit", Hunter calls in favors from his own mob-connected family to prevent any further bloodshed--and to save Sandy in the bargain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tipped off by a friend of B.A. (Mr. T), the A-Team targets a "chop shop" run by a gang of elusive car thieves. To bring the villains out in the open, the Team offers Face's beloved Corvette as bait--but it is B.A.'s van which is stolen. Played almost exclusively for laughs, this episode boasts a number of highlights, ranging from Face's impersonation of a used-car dealer to a last-minute ride to the rescue in a hearse! Future NYPD Blue star Dennis Franz appears as the ironically named Sam Friendly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On behalf of Vietnamese refugee Mai (Irene Yah-Ling Sun), Jim (James Garner) searches for the girl's brother Vinh (Jim Ishida), who myseriously vanished after leaving a relocation center. It turns out that Vinh has been waylaid by a couple of war veterans (from the "Catering Corps") who want the missing Vihn to lead them to the $500,000 they'd stolen just before the fall of Saigon. Complicating matters is the fact that Mai seems utterly incapable of telling Jim the whole truth. Counterpointing this intrigue is a running gag involving Jim's dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) and his buddy L.J. (Al Stevenson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide