Jayne Eastwood Movies
Canadian lead actress Jayne Eastwood appeared onscreen during the '70s. ~ All Movie Guide
Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel star in writer/director Randall Cole's comedic drama detailing the unique relationship between a compulsive gambler, and the coolly detached hit man assigned the task of taking him out. Andy (Baruchel) is an excitable gambler who has incurred one debt too many. When stoic hit man Reuban shows up to kill Andy, his target's initial reaction is disbelief. It soon becomes obvious that this is no joke, however, and now with less than sixty minutes to live the desperate Andy does his best to squeeze as much living into his final hour as possible. From one final session with a prostitute to a chance to get revenge on a former boss and a desperate search for a missing childhood toy, the bizarre series of final requests made by Andy prompt both the trigger man and his target to realize that there is more to their lives - and their current missions - than surface impressions would indicate. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Randy Quaid, Jay Baruchel, (more)
In this sequel to the enchanting Disney Channel original movie Twitches, the twin daughters of Aron attempt to ensure that the forces of darkness have truly been defeated. The Kingdom of Coventry has been locked in battle against the forces of darkness for over two decades. Now, just as it begins to appear as if the powers of light are about to be snuffed out by the surrounding shadows, the twin daughters of Aron suddenly re-appear in the land of their birth - just as the prophecies foretold. Could it be that these magical twin sisters are in fact the heroes prophesized to return to Coventry and deliver the land from an evil powerful enough to consume anything in its path? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry, (more)
An ex-convict is mysteriously drawn to two intriguing women after becoming involved in a car accident while passing through a sleepy Ontario town in director Marc Evans' enigmatic drama. Invited into the home of high-functioning autistic Linda (Sigourney Weaver) after getting into a car accident that involved Linda's daughter, ex-con Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) does his best to gracefully accept Linda's selfless generosity. His situation grows increasingly complicated, however, when Alex finds the seductive allure of town sexpot Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss) too powerful to resist. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, (more)
- 2006
Based on the 1999 bestseller by K.C. McKinnon, this touching Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation stars Alicia Silverstone as Dee Dee, a single mom and professional candlemaker who returns to her Maine hometown after a lengthy absence. Having left town with a somewhat sullied reputation, she returns with apparently the best of intentions--bringing her 12-year-old son Trooper (Matthew Knight) along for the sentimental journey. Dee Dee's reappearance is initially met with hostility by veterinarian Lydia, whose husband (and coworker) Sam had once been Dee Dee's sweetheart. Ultimately, however, Lydia warms up to both her "rival" and her son--just before Dee Dee poignantly reveals the real reason for her unexpected homecoming. Filmed for television on location in Nova Scotia, Candles on Bay Street was first broadcast by CBS on November 26, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alicia Silverstone, Eion Bailey, (more)
- 2005
Based on a true story, this "Hallmark Hall of Fame" TV movie was produced by Rosie O'Donnell, who also stars as the profoundly mentally challenged Beth Simon. When Beth's father dies, her sister, Rachel (Andie MacDowell), a brittle, self-absorbed fashion photographer, takes charge of Beth -- who, having been allowed to grow up without learning anything of self-discipline and social propriety, is no prize herself. Though she loves her sister, Rachel is embarrassed by Beth's obnoxious, obstreperous behavior, especially when riding the bus, which she does religiously and obsessively every day, much to the dismay of the other passengers. (Be warned: this is not one of those lachrymose "lovable handicapped adult" movies so common to network television.) Also, Beth has been allowed by her overindulgent father to neglect her health and hygiene in a deplorable fashion. Gradually, the two sisters connect and manage to profoundly change one another. Those viewers and critics who condemned Rosie O'Donnell for her abrasive, over-the-top portrayal of Beth were generally those who had had little contact with genuine handicapped people; conversely, those who had such people in their own families, or who had worked extensively with them professionally, applauded O'Donnell for her disturbingly accurate performance. Adapted from the book by the real-life Rachel Simon (actually an English professor and not a photographer), Riding the Bus with My Sister was telecast by CBS on May 1, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosie O'Donnell, Andie MacDowell, (more)
Jason Alexander stars as fabled toy manufacturer, A.C. Gilbert in this Capraesque TV movie. An overachiever since his school days, Gilbert surprises his stern father (Ed Asner) by forsaking a career in medicine to pursue an entirely different business. Creating the now legendary Erector Set, A.C. sets up his own toy company in 1913, an enterprise which is raking in millions within two years. But with America's entry into WWI, the U.S. government prevails upon Gilbert to convert his factory into a munitions plant. Though at heart a pacifist, Gilbert agrees to do so, secure in the belief that he will be able to return to toys once the hostilities have ceased. Alas, the Government has other plans. At their behest, Gilbert reluctantly mounts a "Buy Bonds, Not Toys" campaign designed to divert the money normally spent on Christmas gifts to the war effort. Is this the end of Christmastime as millions of children know it, or will Gilbert be able to salvage both the holiday and the spirit of giving? The Man Who Saved Christmas debuted December 15, 2002, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Retired from rock 'n roll, ex-musician Joe is busy preparing for his upcoming wedding to the conservative daughter of a wealthy demolitions expert, in the full expectation of being trained in the family business. His dreams are shattered when he is kidnapped by a leather-clad performance artist who is upset that the boy's soon-to-be father-in-law is evicting her from her groovy loft apartment. She chains him to a huge metal ball, claiming that it is a mine, and holds him hostage. Since she is a "performance artist," it's difficult at first to determine whether she is serious or not. In time, it becomes clear that, demented or not, she is a more suitable spouse for the hapless musician than his fiancee. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- D.W. Moffett, Kate Vernon, (more)
- 1996
In 1988, Marlene Moore, the first woman to be designated a "dangerous offender" by Canada's legal system -- even though she had never committed a serious crime -- killed herself in a Kingston, Ontario federal woman's prison. The Canadian TV movie seeks to explain the circumstances that brought the unfortunate Moore to this tragic turn of events. As played by Brooke Johnson, Marlene is shown to be an awkward, withdrawn young girl, cruelly maligned and sexually abused by family and peers alike, and never afforded the moral support or mental-health treatment she deserved. Under these circumstances, Marlene's subsequent self-destructive, sociopathic behavior seems almost predestined, and her many years behind bars for various minor crimes a logical extension of her miserable upbringing. The climactic efforts by her dedicated lawyer to prevent Marlene from being entombed in prison for an indefinite term are heartrending, and Moore manages to evoke audience sympathy almost in spite of herself by the final fade-out. The film earned two Gemini Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Emmies) for both Brooke Johnsonand supporting actress Jayne Eastwood (as Marlene's mother). Originally telecast by the CBC, Dangerous Offender was first seen in America via the Lifetime network on November 7, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brooke Johnson, Sara Botsford, (more)
- 1996
Rising business executive Jake Peterson (Tim Matheson) is given a make-or-break assignment when he is sent to a small town for the purpose of severely downsizing the local tractor factory. Upon his arrival, Jake is mistaken by the townsfolk as the man sent to save rather than destroy their community, and is treated as such, much to his discomfort. Making his task even more difficult is Jake's blossoming romance with factory employee Emma Murphy (Melissa Gilbert), whose daughter Noelle (Michelle Trachtenberg) regards our hero as Santa Claus Incarnate. Made for the CBS TV network (and filmed under the title A Holiday for Love, Christmas in My Hometown premiered December 10, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Aspiring TV journalist Sally McCormick (Suzanne Somers) can't get anyone to hire her--and the reason, she concludes, is that she is simply too chubby for the small screen. Although her boyfriend Andrew Burns (William Katt) tells her that eventually her talent will be judged separate from her weight, Sally would give anything to be thin; in fact, she would even sell her soul. Enter Seymour Kecker (Dabney Coleman), a somewhat diabolical spokesman for a popular weight-loss product. Entering into the standard Faustlike deal with Seymour, portly Sally becomes a sylphlike "Size Six" literally overnight, and before long she is anchoring the news at top-rated WPKV-TV. Of course, there's a price to be paid for this success--and the devilish Seymour intends to be paid in full! Produced for the Lifetime cable network, Devil's Food debuted September 2, 1996, originally shown in tandem with Devil's Diet, a documentary about the famous "full-figured" women of history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This Canadian drama assumes the style of a documentary as it follows a bitter custody battle between a mother and grandmother over a little girl. Monika, a blues singer and pianist from Toronto, aspires to fame and fortune. She also aspires to reclaim her 12-year old daughter Andrea whom she left with her mother Anna. Anna has legal guardianship and is regarded by Andrea as her birth mother. When the truth comes out, the girl becomes a pawn in the ugly, battle between two self-serving women. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marnie McPhail, Janet-Laine Green, (more)
- 1993
This made-for-television movie, which debuted on Halloween, has Jean Stapleton as a mother from hell (literally) who returns from the dead to help her son, a doctor. He must find a Japanese artifact called the Stone of Ise, which possesses magical powers, and keep it out of the hands of a criminal Asian gang. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Stapleton, Geraint Wyn Davies, (more)
- 1992
When a divorced couple discovers that they are still legally married, their lives are further complicated by an old lover who wants to do a takeover on their successful swimwear business. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eugene Levy, Linda Kash, (more)
- 1990
Cold Comfort is an award-winning Canadian-made psychodrama about a psychotic father who kidnaps a man to keep his teen-aged daughter company. Stephen (Paul Gross), a handsome traveling salesman, is Floyd's (Maury Chaykin) birthday gift to his daughter Dolores (Margaret Langrick). Dolores and Stephen become increasingly attached and Stephen agrees to help Dolores escape from her father, to whom she is emotionally bound. When Dolores and Stephen try to escape, Floyd catches them and chains Stephen to a wall. Only Dolores can rescue him. Cold Comfort is grim, slow, and certainly not for everyone, but for those who appreciate intricate psychodrama, Cold Comfort is well worth viewing. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maury Chaykin, Margaret Langrick, (more)
- 1988
When a young couple must decide whether to allow a possible life-saving procedure to be performed on their critically-ill infant, members of the hospital staff opt to make the parents' decision for them. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
A young mother and her daughter end up on the streets in this grim made-for-television movie. Mare Winningham stars as Theresa Johnson, a young mother whose life falls apart when she finds herself suddenly single, unemployed and homeless. With nowhere to turn, Theresa and her daughter Hillary (Grace Johnston) drift through the social system, wandering from shelter to shelter with little hope for the future. Gripping in its portrayal of the cycle of poverty, the film offers no simple solutions -- much like real life. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1988
The first new TV-movie of 1988 (it debuted January 1st), Drop-Out Mother is a belated follow-up to the 1983 Dick Van Dyke vehicle Drop-Out Father. Valerie Harper plays a busy executive who decides one day to turn her back on the business world to become a full-time mom. Problem is, her husband and kids have pretty full lives, thus they can't quite accommodate her. Wayne Rogers plays hubby, Danny Gerard and Alyson Court are the kids, and Carol Kane is the obligatory Best Friend. Drop-Out Mother passes the time, but it's a far cry from its consistently entertaining 1983 predecessor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, previously filmed in 1934, was afforded a TV-movie treatment in 1985. Megan Follows stars as 13-year-old Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live with a foster family on Canada's Prince Edward Island. Though she has great difficulty controlling her temper, impulsiveness and vivid imagination, Anne eventually wins over her new guardians, domineering Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst) and Marilla's shy brother Matthew (Richard Farnsworth). Anne's secondary adventures concern her "bosom friend" Diana (Schuyler Grant) and her supposed enemy Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie). Anne of Green Gables was offered on American television as a 3-part presentation on PBS' Wonderworks; it aired from February 17 through March 3, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, (more)
- 1984
Superstar Jackie Rogers Jr. (Martin Short) wants to be president for all the people -- including Puerto Rico, where his girlfriend lives -- because "He Loves You." "Melonville Calander" honors PMS Awareness Week with hostess Yolanda Devillbis (Andrea Martin), too-jolly co-host Duard Weese (Joe Flaherty), and special guest Idella Voudry (Wilcox). And the well-lubricated kiddie show "Happy Hour" presents "Six Gun Justice, Episode 10: East Meets West," in which the dreaded Wolf Gang joins forces with General Tojo (Watch for a special guest appearance by President Roosevelt himself!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jayne Eastwood, Mike Short, (more)
- 1984
The New York Actor's Studio stages "Harvey," with Al Puciero (Martin Short) as Elwood P. Dowd and Tony Labergiole (Joe Flaherty) as his older brother Carmine. Distinguished SCTV art critic Bradley P. Allen (Short) is caught in the act of taking bribes by an FBI sting. "Mel's Rock Pile" offers a tribute to the psychedlic '60s, though former rock idols Moon Dog (Joe Flaherty) and the Tangerine Conspiracy would just as soon forget the entire decade. And anchorwoman Rita Schubb (Andrea Martin) almost delivers the news. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jayne Eastwood
- 1977
In this socially conscious drama, a TV journalist begins investigating a large factory that has been threatening the health of the children who live in the town's poorest, most polluted section. Because of his investigation, he and his family are threatened by company thugs. He gets no help from his TV station as they are loathe to tangle with big business. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Len Cariou
- 1977
In the title sketch, a Russian family waits Godot-Like for Chekhov to show up. Characters include the Ancient Butler, a Visionary Intellectual, an Agreeable Fellow, Son of a Peasant With a Big Stick, and Star Trek's Scotty (we said "Chekhov," remember?) Other highlights of the SCTV broadcast day include "Heavenly Bodies," wherein Sister Mary Innocent (Catherine O'Hara) demonstrates the proper way to grovel and prostrate yourself; "Mr. Science" -- who looks a lot like Johnny LaRue (John Candy) reveals the secrets behind making coffee; and in the "Alternative Perspective" segment of "SCTV AM News Today," a white man (Dave Thomas) hosts "Black Perspective," and Earl Camembert (Eugene Levy) offers the "Feminine Perspective" (it's a long way to go for a punch line, but it's worth the wait). Plus, promos for three upcoming editions of "Masterpiece Theater": "Under Parsley," "The Great Fatsby," and "Swan Lake" (How did that get in there?) ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Cowper, Jayne Eastwood, (more)
- 1976
This one begins appropriately with an "Ethnic Disclaimer," then delivers a multitude of hilarious slams at a variety of special-interest groups, with the Gypsies bearing the brunt and the Canadians not far behind. Highlights include the first edition of "The Leutonian Hour," a preview for "Plainclothes Mountie," "Hints for Homemakers" (this week's topic: Amish Food), and "Theater North American," with Lin Ye Tang (Dave Thomas) hosting a powerful staging of that classic Canadian stage tragedy "We're Gonna Be Alright, You Creep, Leaving Home and All, Eh?." The bowdlerized version of this episode seen in the United States eliminates the tasteless but undeniably funny medical sketch "Out-Patient" (it's vasectomy time!), substituting brief vignettes from other SCTV installments ("Baa Baa Black and White Sheep," "Silver Bullet Suppositories,"etc.) ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jayne Eastwood
The feature-film debut of director Zack Snyder, Dawn of the Dead is a modern retelling of George Romero's 1978 horror classic, which was actually the second film in a trilogy that began with Night of the Living Dead and concluded with Day of the Dead. Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames star as two of the last remaining people on an earth that has been ravaged by flesh-eating zombies. After escaping to a shopping mall with a handful of other survivors, they decide that they only way to truly elude the approaching throng of undead is to somehow make their way to an island that is supposedly zombie-free. Jake Weber and Mekhi Phifer also star. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, (more)
