French Tickner Movies
This animated cable-TV special deftly illustrates the pitfalls of our over-litigous society. The "hero" of the piece is 6-year-old Anton Stingley, who awakens on Christmas morning to discover that Santa Claus has apparently ignored his 16-page, 600-item gift list, and has instead given Anton a single, solitary orange. Egged on by sourpuss lawyer Studpustle, Anton takes Santa to court, suing him for "breach of contract." The disillusioned old elf vows never to deliver another Christmas present--leaving it up to a chastened Anton to save the day. Based on the award-winning 1998 children's book written by Don Gillmor and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay, The Christmas Orange originally aired December 9, 2002, as part of the ABC Family Channel's "25 Days of Christmas". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny McKinnon, French Tickner, (more)
Through the use of computer generated imagery, everyone's favorite doll Barbie takes to the stage to portray both Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy, the two central roles in the Nutcracker. The dances were choreographed by the director of the New York City Ballet. The orchestration is provided by the London Symphony Orchestra. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kelly Sheridan, Kirby Morrow, (more)
- 2001
On Halloween night, the fugitive Manticore mutants are able to move freely through Seattle without attracting attention; after all, who's to know that their grotesqueries aren't merely masks and costumes? In the course of the evening, Max (Jessica Alba) clashes with a recalcitrant Manticore 'nomlie named Sally (Todd Stashwick), whose head and body are separate but equal nemeses. The climax revolves around the impending assassination of a resistance leader -- not to mention Rafer's (Kris Pope) growing awareness that Max is more than she seems to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
- G
A team of writers and artists from France, Great Britain, and Germany came together to create this animated fantasy about a monkey who unwittingly confronts the fears and superstitions that have held back his kind. In a lush jungle untouched by human civilization, monkeys are divided into two tribes -- the Woonkos, who live in the trees, and the Laankos, who live on the ground. Many years before, all the monkeys lived together, but a great flood separated them into two factions, and after the passing of several generations, no one remembers that they once lived in peace. The Woonkos believe that the monkeys living below them are demons, while the Laankos consider the tree-dwelling apes to be dangerous savages who must be executed if they are ever captured. Kom (voice of Matt Hill) is a free-spirited Woonko who doesn't put much stock in the tales of the demons living below, and one day, while swinging on a vine near a canyon, he falls in and is captured by a group of Laankos. The King of the Laankos (voice of Michael York) becomes curious about the invader, and asks that Master Martin (voice of Michael Gambon) examine Kom before he is put to death. Kom is certain that he is surrounded by demons at first, but as he adjusts to his surroundings, he is impressed with the Laankos' more advanced society -- and he becomes quite fond of Gina (voice of Sally-Anne Marsh), a servant working in the king's compound. A Monkey's Tale also features the voice talents of John Hurt as the devious Chancellor Sebastian and Rik Mayall as the buffoonish Gerard; top-selling British pop group Westlife contributed the film's theme song, "We Are One." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1997
"A New Goal. . .Namek!" was the inaugural episode of DragonBall Z's "Namek Saga." In search of another set of Dragon Balls, Krillin and Bulma set off for the planet Namek--even though they aren't quite sure where it is. Their long journey begins as Mr. Popo and Bulma try to determine if Kami's old spaceship is still functional. First telecast in Japan on February 14 1990, "A New Goal. . .Namek!" aired in America on September 13 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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
Helmed by Anthony Harvey, director of the early-70s cult classic They Might Be Giants, this made-for-television romantic drama stars Anthony Quinn and Katherine Hepburn. The pair of aging movie stars appropriately play a pair of aging movie stars named Michael Reyman and Marion Bennett. For decades the two held intense animosity toward one another, but in their golden years they begin to realize that perhaps they've simply been trying to mask their feelings of love. Jason Bateman and Jami Gertz head up the supporting cast. The film was originally broadcast on CBS, March 13, 1994. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Quinn, (more)
Actress Deborah Raffin had a hand in the screenplay of this Southern melodrama, set in the Depression. Christopher Reeve plays ex-con Will Parker, who is looking for work in a small Georgia town. The pregnant Elly Dinsmore (Deborah Raffin) has placed an ad looking for a husband to tend her farm and look after her children. Will applies for the job, and proceeds to work as a handy man for Elly. He is anxious to appear respectable, since the local sheriff, Reese Goodloe (J.T. Walsh), is breathing down his neck, anxious for him to break parole. But Will gives him no cause for concern and, as he works Elly's farm, the two slowly fall in love and agree to marry. Will gets a job as a custodian in the library and his life appears to be heading back to normal. But one night in the library, Lula Peaks (Helen Shaver), the local waitress, throws herself at him, kissing him passionately. The following morning, Lula's body is found and Goodloe arrests Will for murder. Out of her love for Will, Elly seeks out a lawyer to defend him at his trial. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Reeve, Deborah Raffin, (more)
- 1990
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Originally made for television, the story concerns David Banner (Bill Bixby), thought to be dead but actually working as a janitor at a laboratory. There, he hopes to cure himself of the monster lurking inside. However, a group of terrorists are interested in the awesome power of the Hulk. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
