James Distefano Movies
- 1996
Frank (Joe Regalbuto) manages to mount a stage production of his autobiographical play, but it is Murphy who is placed in charge of the show when Frank is forced to go out of town. Under normal circumstances, Murphy's autocratic nature would run roughshod over the proceedings, but she promises to maintain a strict "hands-off" policy as the rehearsals proceed. All this changes, however, when at the very last minute the play's director makes a VERY radical cast change! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Developed by Tina Sinatra and approved by Frank himself, Sinatra is a made-for-television mini-series following the life and times of Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular and acclaimed singers of the 20th century. Opening with his childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, the film follows Sinatra's (Philip Casnoff) rise to the top in the '40s, through the dark days of the early '50s and his triumphant re-emergence in the mid-'50s, to his status as pop culture icon in the '60s, '70s and '80s. In between, the film hits all of the main events, including his three marriages, his connections with the Mafia and his notorious friendship with the Rat Pack. Even with the presence of Tina Sinatra as executive producer, Sinatra doesn't gloss over the more unsavory portions of Frank's life, which makes it all the more impressive. With the exception of a couple of early songs, all the music in the movie is taken from the original Sinatra recordings. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Based upon Patty Duke's bestselling autobiography, Call Me Anna details the Academy Award-winning actress's rise to stardom and her lifelong struggle with manic depression. Born Anna Marie Duke, the youngster from Queens embarked upon an acting career at an early age. Her manager, John Ross, essentially removes her from her family (including a depressed mother and alcoholic father) at the age of seven and tyrannically manages her career. While this effectively aids her professionally, his abuse takes a toll upon the sensitive young girl. She makes a name for herself when she lands the part of Helen Keller in the Broadway smash The Miracle Worker and gains national fame when her work in the film version earns her a coveted Oscar. She goes on to star in her own television series, and embarks upon a number of relationships, including ones with Desi Arnaz Jr. and John Astin (whom she marries). Eventually, Duke shows signs of mental illness, brought about both by her parents and her managers, and enters into therapy with a doctor, who is able to give her the help she desperately needs. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patty Duke, Howard Hesseman, (more)
- 1990
Hoping to prevent his brother's Vietnam death and to prevent the JFK assassination, a time-travelling college professor goes back to the '60s but can't find his way out. Trapped in a time warp, he can't effect a change because he can't return to his present time. This made-for-cable movie is adapted from Stanley Shapiro's A Time to Remember. ~ All Movie Guide
Action star Steven Seagal crosses Rip Van Winkle with Clint Eastwood in this belabored revenge odyssey. Seagal plays L.A. Detective Mason Storm and, over the opening credits, Storm is seen busily eavesdropping on crooked politician Vernon Trent (William Sadler). Once he has the goods on Trent, Storm phones his partner Kevin O'Malley (Frederick Coffin) to report on his progress. Unfortunately, crooked cops in the same room pick up the extension phone and listen in, thereby dooming Storm. Soon killers show up at Storm's home and blow away Storm's wife Felicia (Bonnie Burroughs) and their young son. Storm himself is also assumed dead, but when he is taken to the hospital, he lapses into a coma. O'Malley spirits him away, and everyone else, for all intents and purposes, thinks Storm has died. Seven years later, under the tutelage of incredibly beautiful nurse Andy Stewart (Kelly LeBrock), Storm rises from his coma and plots his revenge. With the able assistance of Andy, Storm heads off on a killing spree, becoming (as one character describes him), "the most unstoppable sonuvabitch I ever met." ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Seagal, Kelly LeBrock, (more)
- 1986
The title character in this episode is a boozy ex-boxer (played by Paul Gleason), who is currently being persecuted by a gangster named Fats (John Hancock). At the request of his old pal Hulk Hogan, B.A. (Mr. T) tries to help Fats out for the sake of the old drunkard's son Jeffrey (Billy Jayne). Former Chicago Bears player William "Refrigerator" Perry also appears in this episode, in which the A-Team manages to get kidnapped twice -- by two different gangsters! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
