Byron Lucas Movies
- 2001
Its title notwithstanding, this zany made-for-cable comedy-fantasy is motivated by a lack of "beer money." While camping in the woods, a trio of impoverished party animals -- Tim (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), Rut (Nick von Esmarch), and Blank (J.P. Manoux) -- stumble upon a lovable E.T.-like space alien. Nicknaming their new "friend" Greenie, our dunderheaded heroes hope to sell the alien to a sleazy TV tabloid show, "Unbelievable Encounters," thereby keeping themselves in beer money for the rest of their lives. The problem now is to keep Greenie a secret from the local townsfolk until the TV deal is finalized. Producer/writer Rich Wilkes appears unbilled as Nick the Hollywood Snake. The sort of film that makes The Three Stooges look subtle, Beer Money debuted over the USA network on June 19, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mercedes McNab, (more)
- 2000
The titular "final ascent" in this made-for-cable thriller begins as a group of inexperienced backpackers are shepherded through a particular treacherous stretch of the Rockies by an experienced pair of guides. Among the "greenhorns" is a pack of thieves who are searching for money they had stolen and lost. Once the villains are revealed, it becomes obvious that they aren't about to allow the guides or the other tourists to return from the mountain alive, and thus a deadly cat-and-mouse game develops between two of the main characters, played by Antonio Sabato Jr. and Patrick Muldoon. The striking similarities between this film and the Sylvester Stallone theatrical feature Cliffhanger are underlined by a subplot involving a climber who cannot get over the fact that he caused the death of his daughter in previous ascent. Hampered by too much dialogue and too many blatantly obvious studio "exteriors", Final Ascent was first telecast November 11, 2000 on the Lifetime network, where it has since been rerun under the all-purpose title Final Descent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
While on a vacation in the Pacific Northwest, widower Nick Conway (Kyle McLachlan) and his son Dennis (Joseph Cross) are involved in a car accident. Dennis is rushed to the hospital in a strange, remote village called Springdale, where all the residents seem unusually youthful and attractive. As he slowly falls in love with the nurse caring for Dennis, Nick comes to the realization that the town harbors a secret fountain of youth--and that there is ultimately a terrible price to pay for being eternally young. Based on a novel by Clifford Irving, The Spring aired January 16, 2000 on NBC, reportedly as the pilot for a never-produced weekly series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Cross, Kyle MacLachlan, (more)
- 2000
A gang thriller set in Vancouver, Middlemen has as its protagonist a nerdy, low-rent hustler (James Hutson). Our dubious hero gets more than he bargained for when he becomes involved with a hard-bitten club babe (Kirsten Robek) who unwittingly steers him towards a nasty predicament. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Byron Lucas
- 1995
- Add Danielle Steel's 'Mixed Blessings' to QueueAdd Danielle Steel's 'Mixed Blessings' to top of Queue
The happiness and heartbreaks of first-time parenting are lavishly visualized in this TV adaptation of Danielle Steel's novel Mixed Blessings. The teleplay by Virginia L. Browne and Rebecca Soladay evenly divides its time among three newly married couples, each one seriously contemplating parenthood. Though Brad Coleman (James Naughton) has a touchy relationship with his grown daughter from a previous marriage, his younger bride Pilar (Bess Armstrong) wants to experience motherhood firsthand. The relationship between Andy and Diana Douglas (Bruce Greenwood, Gabrielle Carteris) is imperiled when Diana has trouble conceiving. And while Charlie Winwood (Scott Baio) wants a baby in his life, his spouse Beth (Alexandra Paul) is not so easily persuaded. Add to this mixture a heavy dollop of "outside" emotional baggage and a few picture-book happy endings, and you have a typical (and typically well-received) Danielle Steel soufflé. The film initially aired December 11, 1995, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabrielle Carteris, Scott Baio, (more)
- 1994
In this unofficial remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice, an ex-con gets a job at a run-down roadside diner owned by a blind former prison guard. He commences an affair with the owner's wife, and they both plan to kill him and find a hidden treasure. Their plan starts to unravel, however, and a deputy sheriff and another ex-con start to cause problems for the couple. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- C. Thomas Howell, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1994
A woman lives in fear as she hides from her abusive husband in this made-for-television thriller. Susan Dey stars as Joanna Matthews, a woman who lives under an assumed name in order to hide from her husband Bradley Matthews (Richard Dean Anderson). A well-liked cop, Matthews has a dark side that only Joanna knows about, and she must fight to expose his true ways in order to survive. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
In this finely crafted Canadian character study, filled with light comic touches, Graham (Kim Coates) is an out of work symphony violinist. About the only job he can find is playing the bass fiddle with the Harmony Cats, a just-barely making it country band, led by Frank Hay (Jim Byrnes). Graham is not the only non-fan of country music in the outfit. For instance, their drummer, Reg, is a loyal jazz afficianado, and their guitarist greatly prefers heavy metal. They are kept on track and on schedule by Alma, who alternately bullies and mothers the band members. Graham's girlfriend goes ballistic when she discovers that the band will be traveling with Frank's daughter Debbie (Lisa Brokop) as a featured singer. Graham is growing just a little too fond of the girl for her comfort, although this is usually expressed as appreciation for her musical gifts. Those same gifts are also appreciated by a Nashville producer (played by country great Hoyt Axton). ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kim Coates, Jim Byrnes, (more)
- 1992
When two young twins decide to go to Grandmother's house, they take off on an adventure they're not likely to forget. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot) is kidnapped by three survivalists and bundled off to a remote cabin somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. As Duncan (Adrian Paul) desperately searches for his lost lady love, one of the mountain men, Caleb (Marc Singer), begins to fall in love with his captive. As it turns out, Caleb, like Duncan, is an Immortal; this sparks a climactic duel to the death with axe and sword. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrian Paul, Alexandra Van Der Noot, (more)
