Jean-Pierre Bergeron Movies
The Bronx bakery owned by the family of Marco Poloni (Costas Mandylor) is on the verge of bankruptcy, and Marco's Uncle Fab (David Proval) is poised to sell the place to a nationwide donut chain. To save the establishment and keep it in the family, Marco enters the "Golden Whisk Dessert Competition," hoping to win the 250,000-dollar grand prize. He further persuades the restaurant's brilliant pastry baker Grace Carpenter (Lauren Holly) to be his partner in the contest, to which she agrees, even though she's fed up to the gills with Marco's explosive temper. Grace isn't the only person who's annoyed at Marco; one of the competing contestants is his former food academy classmate (and now his bitterest enemy) Jacques du Jacques (Andrew Lauer), while among the judges is Marco's onetime teacher and mentor Emile Fragonard (Jean-Pierre Bergeron), who had washed his hands of his contentious student years earlier. And then there's the matter of Grace's jealous boyfriend. A joyous reunion for ex-Picket Fences co-stars Lauren Holly and Costas Mandylor, the made-for-cable Just Desserts premiered February 8, 2004, on the Hallmark Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lauren Holly, Costas Mandylor, (more)
- 2003
Originally telecast right after Super Bowl XXXVII, "Phase One" was the most controversial and talked-about episode of Alias' second season -- and not only because of the notorious segment in which star Jennifer Garner appears clad only in a skimpy bra and panties. With Sloane (Ron Rifkin) having disappeared, SD-6 has a new head man in the form of Anthony Geiger (Rutger Hauer). The CIA orders Sydney (Garner) and Jack (Victor Garber) to get into Geiger's good graces so that they can find out his plans. But Geiger, whose feelings toward the Bristows are nowhere near as affectionate as Sloane's, would just as soon fire them both -- and even worse, since he has taken a peek at Sloane's confidential files on the mysterious Server 47, he is now armed with information that could result in the deaths of both Syd and Jack. The episode is climaxed by the abrupt and wholly unanticipated death of one of the series' most likeable characters -- thereby hurtling the carefully established Alias second-season story line into an entirely different direction. The CIA takedown of SD-6 in this episode also changes Alias' plot structure forever, eliminating the double-agent aspect of Sydney's actions and allowing her and Vaughn (Michael Vartan) to finally be together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
- NR
The link between a murderous cop and a suicidal horror novelist serves as the catalyst for terror in director Eric Tessier's dark thriller. On the exact day that that a deranged cop murders 11 children for no apparent reason, author Thomas Roy unsuccessfully attempts suicide after cutting his fingers. Though the two events seem to share little in common, disillusioned psychiatrist Paul Lacasse begins to draw some disturbing connections when prompted to investigate by a concerned college. With a tenacious gossip columnist hot on his heels, Lacasse is dragged ever deeper into the disturbing and increasingly dangerous case. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Cote, Patrick Huard, (more)
- 1999
This made-for-TV drama is based on the autobiography of one of the most notorious figures in American organized crime, Joseph Bonanno. Bonanno (played by Bruce Ramsay) left Sicily as a young man, eager to escape the tyranny of Benito Mussolini, but when he arrived in America, fate led him to a career on the wrong side of the law with the Castellamarese crime family. After his mentor was killed in a bloody feud with cadres of the Gambino family, Bonanno became the youngest man to lead a major crime syndicate in America. Bonanno's battles with Lucky Luciano (Vince Corazza) and his secret dealings with Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Matt Norklun) helped cement Bonanno's reputation as one of the most powerful criminals in the world. It didn't take long, however, for the gangster kingpin to discover that power breeds treachery, and as the years passed, Bonanno (now played by Tony Nardi) learned that both the FBI and some of his most loyal allies were working to put him out of business. Martin Landau plays the elderly Bonanno, who tells much of his life story in flashback as he visits his hometown in Sicily for the first time in many years. The supporting cast includes Robert Loggia, Costas Mandylor, Patti LuPone, and Edward James Olmos. Bonanno: A Godfather's Story was originally produced as a two-part miniseries for the Showtime premium cable network, but was later edited down to 139 minutes for release on home video. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Landau, Costas Mandylor, (more)
First-time director Roshell Bissett presents this tale of obsession, secrets, and murder set in an isolated New England bed and breakfast. Clive, a professional photographer, checks in at a quiet bed and breakfast and is warmly welcomed by the proprietors. After exploring the premises a bit, Clive discovers some haunting pictures of a young girl and begins to develop a keen interest in learning more about the enchanting subject. With further investigation, the young man learns that the young woman in the photos may actually be hidden away somewhere in the house and that the owners of the bed and breakfast may be much more complex and sinister than he ever suspected. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothee Berryman, Danny Gilmore, (more)
- 1997
This Canadian film, a sequel to the successful Matusalem (1993), begins with cops intervening during a fight at a kids' hockey game. Olivier (Emile Proulx Cloutier), who travels back in time each year on his birthday, is joined on the jaunt by his friends and oddball French teacher Ambroise Debuc de Beauchesne (Marc Labreche), They seek the valuable Matusalem diamond, but pirate buccaneers add a few complications to their task. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marc Labreche, Emile Proulx-Cloutier, (more)
- 1994
A man trying to forget his past is thrown into a present of grave danger in this thriller. Quill (David Soul) once had a career as a police officer and a wife who loved him. But when Quill mistakenly killed his wife in the midst of a shootout with criminals, he sank into alcoholism and now earns his living as the captain of a charter fishing boat. Four tourists from France hire Quill to take them deep sea fishing, but while out on the water, Quill and his passengers discover a small boat that's sinking. Quill helps to rescue Harry (Vlasta Vrana) and his sons Jake (Carl Marotte) and Ollie (Martin Watier) from the vessel, but Quill discovers that the men he rescued are not pleasure boaters, but drug smugglers -- and more than willing to drag Quill and his customers into their dangerous game. Produced for Canadian television, Crosswinds was filmed in both French- and English-language versions. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Soul, Giorgio Capitani, (more)
- 1989
Crusing Bar was written by Michel Cote, who plays a major character. Actually he plays four major characters, in this drama about the Canadian dating scene. The disguises are crucial to the plot, which in itself is loose enough to accommodate several anecdotal scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louise Marleau, Genevieve Rioux, (more)
- 1987
Marcel (Gilles Maheu) emerges from prison in hopes of a reconciliation with his dying father Albert (Roger Le Bel) in this thrilling crime drama. Raped in prison, Marcel encounters a homosexual cop involved with drug smuggling who presses him for information and sex. Marcel fights his way out of the cop's lecherous advances and is reunited with his father. The two catch up on old times on a fishing trip, and Albert reveals he has both money and cocaine stashed away for Marcel's return. Marcel and his homosexual cellmate later corner the crooked cops in a sleazy hotel to exact revenge. Julie (Lynne Adams) is Marcel's former girlfriend who works in a sex club peep show. Gay and straight scenes of rough sex permeate this film which marks the directorial debut of Jean-Claude Lauzon. The film took home Genie awards (Canada's answer to the Oscar) for "Best Film," "Best Actor," "Best Supporting Actor," and "Best Director" in 1988. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Le Bel, Gilles Maheu, (more)
- 1981
- R
Before his death in 1993, director Francis Mankiewicz was Canadian television's premiere filmmaker. One of his rare theatrical films, Les Bons Debarras, was also among his best (despite its overlength); certainly the judges of Canada's Genie Awards thought so when honoring the film with their "Best Picture" award for 1981. Set amongst a middle-class Quebec family, the film concerns itself with a love triangle, consisting of Charlotte Laurier, Germaine Houde and Marie Tifo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlotte Laurier, Marie Tifo, (more)
- 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
