Marcus Toji Movies
- 2005
- R
Monty Lapica's drama Self-Medicated tells the story of a 17-year-old boy who is having a very difficult time dealing with the grief he experiences after his father dies. After the boy slides into a wicked drug addiction, as well as legal problems, his mother reaches the end of her tether and has her son admitted to an adolescent hospital designed to force him into confronting his issues. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Venora, Michael Bowen, (more)
- 2003
This Disney Channel feature film is based on the true story of female hot rod racers Erica Enders and her sister Courtney Enders. When the National Hot Rod Association begins a new children's league, eight-year-old Erica (Briana Shipley) is first in line to sign up -- only to be flatly informed that hot rodding is a "man's" sport, and that little girls should stay home with their dollies. Undaunted, and urged on by her supportive father Gregg (Jon Robert Lindstrom), Erica persists in her dream to become a champion racer, and by the time she has entered her teen years (whereupon she is played by Beverly Mitchell), the girl has handily beaten all of the local male competition, with her equally talented kid sister Courtney (Brie Larson) keeping apace in her own souped-up roadster. But the big-time national competitions are still in the future, and Erica and Courtney have yet to confront their most formidable racing rivals. The real-life Enders sisters doubled for the actresses portraying them in the hot-rodding sequences. Filmed in Salt Lake City, Right on Track made its cable TV bow on March 21, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beverley Mitchell, Brie Larson, (more)
- 1997
Appearing as contestants on the prestigious but low-rated TV academic quiz show "Knowledge Fever", Cory (Ben Savage), Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) score a hit with their wisecracks and hilarious cultural references. In fact, the producers are so impressed that they invite the trio to make a return appearance. Flattered by all the attention, Cory and his friends are blissfully unaware that the producers plan to "dumb down" all future quiz questions in order to keep the threesome coming back week after week. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Rule-bound Dr. Kayson (Sam Anderson) again incurs the wrath of Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) when he orders the early release of a heart patient named Vennerback (Michael Monks). But when Vennerback is brought back to the ER in critical condition, it is Lewis who is held responsible for the tragedy that follows. Elsewhere, Benton (Eriq La Salle) adopts a somewhat nasty method to stem the constant complaints of his student, Carter (Noah Wyle); and Lewis' pregnant sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), announces her intention to move to Texas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A successful retired jock and his geeky younger brother play out their sibling rivalry by coaching rival little league football teams in this family comedy. Ed O'Neill plays the older brother, Kevin O'Shea, a former Heisman Trophy winner whose gridiron exploits have made him a local hero in his small Illinois hometown. Kevin is the almost unanimous choice to head up the town's Pop Warner football team, and he happily builds an imposing team from the best local players. One of the few objectors is Kevin's young brother Danny (Rick Moranis), an awkward, bespectacled gas station owner who empathizes with the kids rejected from the team, including his own athletic daughter Becky (Shawna Waldron). As revenge, Danny starts his own competing team of misfits, taking on the coaching duties himself. Naturally, despite the total ineptitude of Danny and his players, they eventually find themselves major underdogs in a climactic battle against Kevin's well-trained juggernaut. Director Duwayne Dunham and a team of four screenwriters hit all the expected sports film conventions, throwing in a few innocent romantic subplots and cameos by real football players for good measure. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rick Moranis, Ed O'Neill, (more)
In this comedy-drama set in the late 1950s, Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) is a songwriter who makes his living penning jingles for radio and television commercials. Manny's wife has recently died, leaving him an emotionally broken man; Manny buries himself in his work rather than deal with his grief. His young daughter Molly (Tina Majorino) is taking it even harder; since her mother's passing, Molly has refused to speak. Manny realizes that he needs help taking care of the house and looking after Molly, so he places an ad looking for a maid who can double as a nanny. After a long series of unsuitable applicants, Manny meets Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg), who isn't much on cooking, cleaning, or domestic chores -- but who strikes an immediate chord with Molly. Corrina gets the job, and her vivacious, unconventional personality brings the joy of living back to the Singer home. A romance also begins to bloom between Manny and Corrina, though Manny quickly discovers that being in an interracial relationship in 1959 is not always easy or pleasant. Joan Cusack and Don Ameche highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Liotta, (more)
