Richard Steele Movies

This comic spoof is spun off from a character that first appeared on The Chris Rock Show, and is written and directed by Louis C.K., one of that show's producers. Lance Crouther stars as Pootie Tang, a crime fighting superhero and recording artist who speaks in an unintelligible gibberish that seems to be a combination of Ebonics and street slang. Despite his communication problem, Pootie is a hero to children, whom he attempts to protect from the evil Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn), a corporate fat cat out to corrupt America's youth with alcohol, tobacco, and junk food. Pootie also runs up against an artistic imitator (David Cross) and a sleazy recording executive (Andy Richter) Pootie Tang co-stars Chris Rock, Dave Attell, and Bob Costas and Conan O'Brien as themselves. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Boxing is more than just a sport -- it's also a business and a con game in this satirical comedy. Rev. Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) is a shrewd boxing promoter and manager whose meal ticket is heavyweight champion James "The Grim Reaper" Roper (Damon Wayans), a fighter whose skill and confidence significantly outstrips his intelligence. While the top-ranked contender for Roper's title is Marvin Shabazz (Michael Jace), Sultan isn't too keen on the idea of Shabazz fighting Roper -- it seems that both fighters are black, and Sultan's figures show that mixed race matches stir up a lot more media attention and pay-per-view customers. Eager to find a white challenger for Roper, Sultan digs up Terry Conklin (Peter Berg), who won a Golden Gloves fight against Roper many years ago but is now out of the game and fronting a rock band called Massive Head Wound. Thanks to a few bribes and a couple of fixed fights, Sultan is able to arrange for Conklin to be next in line to battle "The Grim Reaper." However, Conklin is taking his renewed career as a boxer quite seriously, while Roper, convinced that Conklin doesn't stand a chance, has let himself go and gained a lot of weight. Suddenly Sultan realizes that Roper might just lose the piece-of-cake fight he's so carefully arranged, while journalist Mitchell Kane (Jeff Goldblum) smells a rat in Conklin's sudden rise to ranking status. Jon Lovitz, Cheech Marin, and Corbin Bernsen highlight the supporting cast, while members of the well-regarded alternative rock band Local H appear as Massive Head Wound. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Kate O'Mara guest-stars as the Rani, an exiled Time Lady. Encamped in 19th century England, the Rani -- now the dictator of the planet Miasimia Gora -- is draining the brains of the men behind the Industrial Revolution. The Doctor (Colin Baker) must not only stop the Rani, but also a more familiar and even deadlier adversary. Written by Pip and Jane Baker, and largely filmed at Blists Hill, an open-air museum in Britain's Ironbridge Gorge, "The Mark of the Rani" was originally shown in two parts, the first of which aired on February 2, 1985; for American television, the two 45-minute episodes were subdivided into four 22-minute chapters. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A medical student decides to enter the world of boxing and dives into a life of superficial values and corruption in this remake of the 1947 classic. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

In the fourth episode of the seven-part story "Doctor Who and the Silurians," the reptile-like Silurians set in motion their plan to regain control of the Earth from mankind. Though the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) is naturally resistant to these efforts, he cannot help but admire the Silurians' intelligence and tenacity, and tries to negotiate a peace treaty. But his efforts are stymied not only by a group of younger, rebellious Silurians, but also by the trigger-happy Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney). Written by Malcolm Hulke, "Doctor Who and the Silurians, Episode 4" first aired on February 21, 1970. Filmed in color, this episode is presently available in black-and-white only. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the sixth episode of the seven-part story "Doctor Who and the Silurians," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) is able to prevent an epidemic which would have wiped out all humankind. But the Silurians, an ancient race of superintelligent reptiles bent on reclaiming the world for themselves, will not concede defeat. They hatch a horrifying alternative scheme to destory the Van Allen Belt so that the Earth's atmosphere will be more hospitable to them -- and more deadly to the humans. Written by Malcolm Hulke, "Doctor Who and the Silurians, Episode 6" first aired on March 7, 1970. Filmed in color, this episode is presently available in black-and-white only. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A special group of navy divers is created when a disabled Nazi warship is discovered in a fjord in Norway. Commander Bolton (James Caan) is the Canadian expert designated to train the new unit. Their mission is to plant a bomb on the warship as it undergoes repairs. The hard-driving Bolton encounters resentment from the British soldiers he trains, but he ultimately earns their respect as a leader. Their intense training operation is interrupted by an attack of Nazi paratroopers just before the unit leaves for Norway. Spectacular underwater photography is seen in this World War II adventure story based on an actual mission. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

A young widow with three children and a sheepdog marries a widowed man with a young daughter and a French poodle in this amusing comedy. Abby (Doris Day) is the owner of a lumberyard who falls for Jake (Brian Keith) when her sister Maxine (Pat Carroll) introduce the two at a party. The couple is initially reluctant and somewhat embarrassed over the blatant matchmaking attempt but meet later at an all-night store. The two marry and deal with constant canine and sassy sibling rivalries. Jake falls out of the family trailer on vacation, leading Abby to recruit a group of hippies to find her lost husband. Jamie Farr is the far out hippie, Barbara Hershey is Jake's daughter Stacey, comedian George Carlin plays Herbie Fleck, owner of a local hamburger stand, and Alice Ghostley is the harried housekeeper in this engaging romp. The Grass Roots provide some of the music in this feature. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi