David Benoit Movies
Former rock & roll promoter and manager-turned-political activist Aaron Russo sets out to discover the truth behind the Internal Revenue Service in an eye-opening documentary filmed to find out if there is any existing law that requires Americans to pay an income tax. What Russo claims to uncover in his nonpartisan investigation is a systematic erosion of civil liberties implemented by wealthy bankers in the early 19th century and subsequently proliferated by a government more interested in ruling the people than serving them. Interviews with former U.S. congressmen, a former IRS commissioner, a variety of former agents for the IRS and FBI, authors, and tax attorneys paint an ominous image of how various components including the Federal Reserve, national identity cards, voter fraud, income tax, and the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems in tracking everyday citizens are all coming together behind the scenes to pave the way for an all-powerful police state the likes of which would send chills down the spine of George Orwell. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaron Russo
Drawing inspiration from the intervention of a well-known American playwright, director Peter Masterson's adaptation of the stage play by JoAnn Tedesco (who also wrote the screenplay) takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride as one man's support system struggle to save their friend from his own worst enemy - himself. Leopold De Angeli is a highly intelligent playwright who is personable, intuitive, and sharp as a tack when he's sober. But these days sobriety doesn't come often to Leopold, and his friends are getting concerned. Everyone can sense the disaster that's looming just over the horizon, yet by confronting their friend about his alcoholism, everyone in this well-meaning group will have to face up to their own inner demons as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Swanson, Olympia Dukakis, (more)
- 2004
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Bernie Williams: The Journey Within features the artist performing over a half dozen songs including "Enter the Bond," "Just Because," and "Stranded on the Bridge." The video also contains an interview with the performer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernie Williams
- 2003
Carrying on a tradition established by 1966's Charlie Brown's All-Stars, the made-for-TV animated special Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown concentrates on the late cartoonist Charles Schulz's near-obsessive love of baseball. It's spring again and Charlie Brown is once more managing the losingest ball team in Little League history. Though it's a tough call, by far the team's worst player is right-fielder Lucy Van Pelt, who would much sooner ply her "fussbudget" trade than bother to catch fly balls. With 900 straight losses behind him, Charlie Brown is faced with a difficult decision: how to remove Lucy from the team without inaugurating World War III. First telecast August 29, 2003 on ABC, Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown was produced by the same cartoon firm responsible for such imperishable classics as A Charlie Brown Christmas and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
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The Peanuts gang returns in I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown. The story concerns the younger brother of Linus and Lucy Van Pelt, Rerun. Rerun wants nothing more than his very own dog, but his parents are unwilling to get him one. Unable to convince Charlie Brown to lower his ten-million-dollar asking price for Snoopy, Rerun decides to adopt Snoopy's brother, Spike, who has come to celebrate the holiday season. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The Peanuts television special A Charlie Brown Valentine first aired February 14, 2002, on ABC. Featuring the inimitable characters of Charles M. Schulz this half-hour cartoon follows the lovesick Charlie Brown (voice of Wesley Singerman) as he pines for the love of the little red-haired girl. Peppermint Patty (voice of Emily Lalande) tries to talk sense into him. Meanwhile, Lucy (voice of Lauren Schaffel) demands the love of Schroeder (voice of Christopher Ryan Johnson). The script was cobbled together, posthumously, from Schulz's various comic strips, but the illustrator received screenwriting credit for it. Recommended for viewers over the age of five. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Can a caterer from Ohio find love in Los Angeles after spending a decade with the same man? Josh (Jason Stuart) is a thirtysomething gay man who came to Los Angeles from Cleveland ten years earlier with his significant other, Lyle (Rusty Updegraff). While Lyle has eased comfortably into the Los Angeles lifestyle, Josh is still a Midwesterner at heart, and he becomes aware of just how far off base he is when he learns Lyle has been having an affair. Josh breaks up with Lyle, and, suddenly single after a decade, he finds he's more than a little out of step with the Hollywood dating scene. Josh's friend Brandon (Christopher Cowen) assures him that it will only take ten dates for Josh to find the new man of his dreams, and after getting some fresh fashion advice from the wildly flamboyant Tex (Jim J. Bullock), Josh hits the Internet looking for love. However, Josh ends up kissing more than his share of toads as he searches for Prince Charming. 10 Attitudes marked the directorial debut of producer Michael Gallant; Gallant also co-wrote the film with leading man Jason Stuart. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Stuart
- 2000
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New Age/pop composer and pianist Jim Brickman headlines this eclectic musical performance. Known for the catchy jingles he composed for diverse entities such as The Gap, Kellogg's, Isuzu, The Muppet Show, and Sesame Street, Brickman joins forces with other pop powerhouses for this concert. Recorded live at Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City, the video features guests like Olivia Newton-John, Dave Koz, David Benoit, and Donny Osmond chiming in on Brickman's original tunes. A sampling of the featured songs includes Glory, Love of My Life, Valentine, Change of Heart, The Love I Found In You, Partners in Crime, and By Heart. The underlying theme of romance is evident throughout the performances, as Brickman's luxuriant compositions and the sensitive vocals attest. Some extras appear on the DVD version of this title, such as still photos and behind-the-scenes footage.
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
- 1998
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Country singer Clint Black and his actress wife Lisa Hartman Black doubled as stars and producers in this fact-based TV movie. The career of champion rodeo cowboy Cadillac Jack Favor (Clint Black) comes to sudden and screeching halt when he is accused of a double homicide. As Jack languishes in prison, his loyal wife Ponder (Lisa Hartman Black), convinced of her husband's innocence, all but moves Heaven and Earth to clear his name and secure his freedom. But even if he is released, will Jack be the same man that Ponder married? Still Holding On: Legend of Cadillac Jack originally aired April 28, 1998, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Hartman-Black, Clint Black, (more)
- 1997
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Martin (John Mahoney) and Sherry (Marsha Mason) have broken up over a silly quarrel. While Martin's son, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), is rather relieved to see the back of the bombastic Sherry, he soon realizes that his father is miserable without her. Thus it is that Frasier takes on the responsibility to patch up the quarrel using every professional skill (and subterfuge) at his disposal. Parts one and two of "Three Dates and a Breakup" originally aired as a single hour-long episode. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Originally telecast as a one-hour episode, "Three Dates and a Breakup" has been split into two half-hour for syndication. In part one, Frasier's plans for a romantic weekend -- with no fewer than three lady friends -- are scuttled by his father Martin's girlfriend, Sherry (Marsha Mason). One thing leads to another, and before long Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) discovers that Sherry and Martin (John Mahoney) have broken up. Normally, this would be a great cause for celebration on Frasier's part, but... ~ All Movie Guide
- 1995
- PG
This character drama follows the exploits of an aged oil seeker, known only as Mr. Cox, as he roams across Texas in search of black gold. He has a special gift for it and has helped many wildcatters strike it rich. Unfortunately, he has yet to find his own gusher. In 1935, Cox has only a suitcase and a cat to his name. During a tremendous windstorm, he is forced to seek shelter in a farmhouse, owned by Don and Cora Day. The Days have three daughters and must scramble to eke out a meager existence on their dusty farm, located near the town of Henrietta. While there, Mr. Cox begins getting that old feeling that tells him that there is a lot of oil on the Day's farm. They think he is plumb loco and ask him to leave, but Cox wants to find out if it is true. He goes to an old friend, Big Dave, who thanks to Cox, has become an oil tycoon, to help him do some test drilling, but Big Dave has a short memory and brushes Cox off as a "hopeless loser." The determined Cox then devises a scheme to force Big Dave to provide him with financial backing. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Duvall, Aidan Quinn, (more)
- 1991
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Nicknamed "Captain Fingers," Lee Ritenour is renowned as a legendary jazz guitarist. In this 1991 concert film, the musician is joined at the Spectrum de Montreal by such jazz luminaries as David Benoit, Ernie Watts, Dave Valentin, and Don Grusin for a live set of eight tunes. Lee Ritenour: Live in Montreal With Special Guests includes performances of "Night Rhythms," "24th Street Blues," "Solo Flute," "Zephyr," "Rio Sol," "Etude," "Uptown," and "Rio Funk." ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Ritenour
- 1990
In celebration of Peanuts' 40th anniversary, You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown provides a history of the long-running comic strip, beginning with its birth in the 1960s. Among the footage includes clips from Broadway's highly successful production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, interviews with comic creator Charles Schulz, and some of the best scenes from Peanuts TV specials throughout the decades. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
In this WWII melodrama, a young pilot captured by the Japanese falls in love with a village woman. Robert (Chris Makepeace) is shot down over wartime Japan. Village elder Fukushima (Pat Morita) saves him from execution. Over time, Robert wins over the village people, particularly young widow Miyoko (Mari Sato). This simple melodrama, directed by Paul Almond and beautifully photographed by Thomas Vamos in the Canadian mountains, is a rather simple-minded and clichéd love story. Mari Sato is lovely as the pure Japanese woman who is perhaps a little to sweet to be entirely believable. Makepeace is a stilted wooden actor who can do little with his role except look attractive. Captive Hearts, simple and well-meaning, needs a little bit more depth to make the story interesting. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, Chris Makepeace, (more)
