Robbie Rox Movies
A starry-eyed would-be star discovers just how far the notion that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" can go in this screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Chicago, originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. In the mid-'20s, Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is a small-time chorus dancer married to a well-meaning dunderhead named Amos (John C. Reilly). Roxie is having an affair on the side with Fred Casley (Dominic West), a smooth talker who insists he can make her a star. However, Fred strings Roxie along a bit too far for his own good, and when she realizes that his promises are empty, she becomes enraged and murders Fred in cold blood. Roxie soon finds herself behind bars alongside Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a sexy vaudeville star who used to perform with her sister until Velma discovered that her sister had been sleeping with her husband. Velma shot them both dead, and, after scheming prison matron "Mama" Morton hooks Velma up with hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), Velma becomes the new Queen of the scandal sheets. Roxie is just shrewd enough to realize that her poor fortune could also bring her fame, so she convinces Amos to also hire Flynn. Soon Flynn is splashing Roxie's story -- or, more accurately, a highly melodramatic revision of Roxie's story -- all over the gutter press, and Roxy and Velma are soon battling neck-to-neck over who can win greater fame through the headlines. A project that had been moving from studio to studio since the musical opened on Broadway in 1973, Chicago also features guest appearances by Lucy Liu and Christine Baranski. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, (more)
- 1997
This debut episode of the TV series La Femme Nikita adheres to the premise set up by the 1990 French theatrical feature (and its 1993 American remake) -- up to a point, that is. Falsely accused of murdering a cop and sentenced to life, sexy street punk Nikita (Peta Wilson) is offered a "second chance" by a clandestine counterterrorism organization known as Section One. Making it appear as though Nikita killed herself in prison, Section One recruits her as a special undercover operative: "You can learn to shoot. You can learn to fight. But there's no weapon as powerful as your femininity." But even if Nikita had qualms about her new assignment, she doesn't have much choice: She can either go along with the program, or be abruptly "canceled." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peta Wilson, Roy Dupuis, (more)
- 1995
Outraged by the actions of his new landlord John Taylor (Karl Pruner), Fraser (Paul Gross) organizes a tenants' protest--and succeeds only in getting practically everyone evicted. Refusing to give up the fight, Fraser takes his case all the way to the Chicago city council, whereupon Taylor takes violent revenge upon the remaining tenants. Fraser's climactic filibuster is reminiscent of the 1939 film classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which may explain why this episode's alternate title is "Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra." Katayoun Amini, real-life wife of series regular David Marciano (Ray), is here cast as Ray's ex-wife Angela. First broadcast on Canadian television, "One Good Man" made its US debut on February 9, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley had his first starring role in this frankly lowbrow comedy, which teamed him with fellow SNL cast member David Spade. Big Tom Callahan (Brian Dennehy) is the street-smart owner of a company that makes auto parts, and one day he'd like his son Tommy Callahan III (Chris Farley) to take over the business. Trouble is, Tommy Boy is a fat, dim-witted slob who took seven years to get a business degree and has no idea how to run a business. His father's sudden death unexpectedly puts Tommy Boy in charge, with his dad's weasely assistant Richard (David Spade) trying to guide him. However, what no one knows is Big Tom's wife, the young and beautiful Beverly (Bo Derek), married him only for his money while holding on to her lover, Paul (Rob Lowe), whose presence she explains by telling people he's her son. Beverly and Paul are waiting for Tommy Boy to run the company into the ground so they can take over, sell it off and earn a quick payoff. However, what Tommy Boy lacks in smarts (and hygiene), he makes up for in determination, and he hits the road with Richard for a long sales trip in a last ditch effort to rescue his father's legacy. Tommy Boy was a major hit that turned Chris Farley into a screen star; sadly, died a little over 2 1/2 years later. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Chris Farley, David Spade, (more)
- 1994
This well-crafted Canadian monster movie pits a rag-tag crew of cops, gravediggers, and the requisite scientist against a giant subterranean rodent that tunnels beneath graveyards and lives off the interred bodies. Scientist Dr. Henderson (Stephen McHattie) wants to analyze the beast's body chemistry, which he believes has healing properties, but he continually butts heads with a vengeful, violent cop (Brion James) whose partner was swallowed up by the creature. Henderson enlists the aid of a waitress (Cynthia Belliveau), a pair of gravediggers, and a pretty sheriff's deputy (Neve Campbell) in hunting the mega-rodent, but his plans turn awry thanks to the murderous meddling of the cop, who proves to be far more monstrous than the monster. Director Craig Pryce keeps the monster shrouded in darkness for much of the film, and its climactic appearance is not disappointing. Excellent performances, a tight script, and good use of the claustrophobic sets make this effective chiller worth seeking out. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- 1992
John Wayne Gacy was a respected member of his suburban Illinois community -- he was an active member of several service organizations, ran his own business, and entertained children as Pogo the Clown in his spare time. But Gacy had a terrible secret, and before he was finally brought in by the police, he had raped and killed over 30 young men and buried them beneath his house. To Catch a Killer is a made-for-TV movie that examines Gacy's life and crimes, and Joe Kozenczak (Michael Riley), the cop who finally brought John Wayne Gacy (Brian Dennehy) to justice. The supporting cast includes Margot Kidder and Meg Foster. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Michael Riley, (more)
- 1992
Brian Dennehy makes one of his many TV-movie appearances as Chicago homicide cop John Reed in the two-part Deadly Matrimony. Reed's quarry this time is mob lawyer Treat Williams, who murders his wife and then effectively covers his tracks. The closer Reed comes to the truth, the more he's in jeopardy of losing his job (and possibly his life) thanks to Williams' friends in high places. Based on a true story, part one of Deadly Matrimony was first telecast on November 22, 1992. In part two, which debuted November 23, Reed is victimized by the crooked cops under Williams' thumb, but refuses to knuckle under to mob pressure. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Lisa Eilbacher, (more)
Written and directed by John Bradshaw, The Big Slice stars Casey Siemaszko and Justin Louis as a pair of aspiring mystery novelists. Knowing next to nothing about crime, the two writers decide to "live" their adventures. Venturing out into the Big Bad World, the boys pose as a cop and a criminal-and, not surprisingly, get in way over their heads. Heather Locklear makes a token "femme fatale" appearance in this frenetic farce. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Casey Siemaszko, Justin Louis, (more)
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