Michael Woods Movies
Michael Woods was a lead actor who appeared on television and in films throughout the 1980s and '90s. ~ All Movie Guide
Christopher Reeve got away from Superman and related costume roles in this dramatic fantasy film, adapted from Richard Matheson's 1960s vintage novel Bid Time Return. A young playwright, Richard Collier (Reeve), is approached by an elderly woman on the occasion of his first triumph in 1972 -- all she says to him is "Come back to me" and leaves him with a watch that contains a picture of a ravishing young woman. Eight years later, he visits the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and comes upon a photograph of the same woman, whom he discovers was an actress who made an appearance at the hotel in 1912. He becomes obsessed with the image and what the woman -- who died the night she approached him in 1972 -- meant by what she said. In a manner somewhat reminiscent of the film Laura, he falls in love with her and her image as he learns more about her life and career. Then he comes upon the suggestion of a professor at his former college that time travel may, in fact, be possible, using an extreme form of self-hypnosis to free the person from the place they occupy in the time-stream. Collier's feelings for the woman are so strong that he succeeds, bringing himself back to the hotel in 1912 on the eve of her triumph. He meets the actress, Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour), and the two fall in love despite the machinations of her obsessive, autocratic manager (Christopher Plummer), who feels threatened by Collier's presence. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, (more)
- 1981
In this made-for-TV movie, a married politician (Richard Jordan) and a spunky congressional aide (Lucie Arnaz) start up an adulterous affair that could land them both in hot water. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Based on true incidents, this movie follows the plight of a young American girl who travels to Japan to start work as a club singer, only to discover that she has been tricked into working as a prostitute for the Yakuza. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Scriptwriters Robert Malcolm Young, Sue Grafton and Stephen Humphrey transposed the Agatha Christie story Sparkling Cyanide from its veddy British locale to the plush environs of Pasadena for this 1983 TV-movie adaptation. Leading character Anthony Andrews is still a Briton, mingling with the rich and famous. Seeking glamour, Andrews finds only depravity and death as several of the glitterati drop dead due to poisoned champagne. The motives are the oldest and most reliable: avarice and jealousy. Sparkling Cyanide was filmed at the same time as Caribbean Mystery, another Christie adaptation utilizing the same producer, director and scenarists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
This two-part TV movie was the sequel to the ratings-grabbing 1983 miniseries Rage of Angels; both were based on the best-seller by Sidney Sheldon. Jaclyn Smith returns as dynamic New York trial lawyer Jennifer Parker, while Ken Howard likewise reprises his role as Jennifer's married lover, politician Adam Warner. Since villain Michael Moretti (Armand Assante) was killed off in Rage of Angels, we are left with Moretti's vengeful brother James (Michael Nouri) in the sequel. Part One, which aired November 2, 1986, recaps the events of the past six years and introduces mobster Moretti. Part Two, telecast November 3, reunites Jennifer with her long-lost mother (Angela Lansbury), while Moretti blackmails Senate-bound Adam Warner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Private Eye was the pilot for the 1987 TV series of the same name. The setting is the Los Angeles of 1956. Ex-cop Jack Cleary (Michael Woods), embittered over his brother's death, becomes a Spillanelike private detective, principally to solve his sibling's murder. A Rock 'n' roll idol (John Brolin) becomes Cleary's largely unwelcome partner when the trail of evidence leads to a scandal in the record industry. The film is partly inspired by the "Payola" imbroglio of 1959, which (so far as we know) resulted in very few murders. Bill Sadler and Lisa Persky costar, while Jay O. Sanders has a fall-on as Cleary's unfortunate brother; the background music was provided by Joe Jackson. Private Eye was first telecast September 13, 1987, while the series proper commenced five days later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
In this sexy thriller, Katya (Diane Lane) is a window dresser who specializes in displays with sexy, slightly kinky themes. Surrounded by the equipment of her trade -- mannequins and lingerie -- Katya lives in a loft apartment in downtown Pittsburgh. She spends her evenings taking baths by candlelight and thinking up new and more provocative window displays. She soon catches the eye of a stalker who watches her as she works in the window of the department store and begins following her home to spend his evenings watching her through her picture windows. He also makes frightening phone calls to her and intercepts her mail. One evening, while she is on a party cruise with a reporter with whom she has become romantically involved, the stalker breaks into her apartment and is surprised by Katya when she returns home. Tired of being harassed, Katya sets a trap, which leads to an interesting, and surprisingly non-violent ending. Diane Lane is appealing and attractive as Katya and the film, while uneven and frequently implausible, is entertaining and fun. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Lane, Michael Woods, (more)
- 1987
Sadie (Debbie Reynolds) is a salty, streetwise New York cop, forced into early retirement. Her son (Brian McNamara) is a rookie police officer. Carl Kleinschmidt's script contrives to have Sadie and Son become partners: she performs a heroic deed while in "civvies," and is restored to the force. The rest of the film concerns itself with the younger cop's paranoia over living up to his mom's reputation, with time left over for a couple of romantic subplots. Filmed in Toronto and first telecast October 21, 1987, Sadie and Son represented Debbie Reynolds' first foray into the TV-movie field. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
As usual, the USA network's ad copy for their TV-movie The Haunting of Sarah Hardy was a model of understatement: "She has beauty, wealth, love, and a past that's driving her insane." Sela Ward stars as Sarah, a newlywed who is obsessed with the memory of her late mother. Sarah is convinced that her mom, who committed suicide years earlier, has returned to haunt her on her wedding night. Various friends and relatives (Polly Bergen, Morgan Fairchild, Michael Woods, Roscoe Born) try to convince the girl that she's just imagining things and that there's nothing to worry about. Actually, they're half right: her imagination is being worked overtime. . .by someone who wants to drive her out of her mind. This Gaslight wannabe first aired May 31, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion, Bryan Brown returns as movie special effects designer Rollie Tyler. Having barely escaped with his life after being duped and exploited by the villains in the first F/X, he isn't too eager to channel his talents into police work again. He'd much rather design harmless playthings for the kiddies. Still, detective Mike Brandon (Tom Mason) manages to convince Rollie to help the cops trap a dangerous voyeur. When Brandon is killed, Rollie suspects there's more to the story than meets the eye. With the aid of his old buddy Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy, likewise a veteran of the first F/X), Rollie uncovers a vast conspiracy involving both the police and organized crime. Of course, this compels Rollie to come up with a series of dazzling live-action special effects to confound the bad guys. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, (more)
This standard Hong Kong action film from director Pak Lam Chui was filmed in Thailand using much of the same cast and crew as the contemporaneous Cheetah on Fire. Carrie Ng stars as Lisa Li, who gathers an expedition to seek out the legendary Gold Crystal God, which, according to the local mythology, has the power to heal her deathly sick father. Naturally, she isn't the only one after this valuable treasure, and her rivals soon kidnap the professor who is guiding her. Lisa presses on regardless, along with the professor's daughter, Police Superintendent Wu (Sibelle Hu), and former police officer Chi-liang (Donnie Yen), who acts as their tour guide. Nonstop action and gunplay lead up to a thrilling climactic battle in a cavern filled with deadly traps. The expected visual references to the Indiana Jones series and various '70s drive-in features are enlivened by spirited performances and exuberant pacing, making this an above average low-budget adventure. Gordon Lau co-stars with Ken Lo, Leung Kar-yan, and Michael Woods. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Sibelle Hu, (more)
In this made-for-TV apocalyptic horror saga, the deceptively adorable daughter of late devil-boy Damian is adopted by a kindly couple who have no idea who she is. The husband is a politician and the daughter decides that the best way for her to spread evil around is to boost his career at every opportunity. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Faye Grant, Michael Woods, (more)
In Michael Moore's political satire, the U.S. president (Alan Alda) decides to wage a cold war against Canada in an attempt to reverse his slipping popularity, and, as a result, he drives a small group of incensed Canadians to take matters into their own hands. Alda is the first president in years not to lead his country into war, which naturally means that his approval rating is dangerously low. The sure-fire way to boost his popularity is to start a war and demonstrate American superiority. Unfortunately, as his advisors point out, the U.S. has run out of enemies. That is, until Alda's National Security Advisor Stuart Smiley (Kevin Pollak) happens to catch a segment on the news about a brawl at a Canadian hockey game that began when local American sheriff Bud Boomer (John Candy) made a remark about Canadian beer. This incident gives Smiley the notion to make the public believe that Canada is their new enemy. Determined to demonstrate the mighty power of America to the Canadians, Boomer gets a group of equally angry fellow Americans together to cross the border and perform the most serious of all Canadian crimes -- littering. However, the invasion is foiled and Boomer's numerous blunders threaten to turn a fabricated war into a real one. Written, directed, and produced by Michael Moore, Canadian Bacon takes lighthearted jabs at the differences between the U.S. and Canada, while also satirizing America's obsession with its military strength. The film features John Candy in his last complete screen performance. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Alda, John Candy, (more)
- 1995
Murder, She Wrote's 241st episode largely takes place in a trendy Fifth Avenue beauty salon. A powerful financier has been found murdered in the establishment, and a hairdresser who has been passing along "trade secrets" is among those suspected. It is possible, however, that a burglar may be the culprit--or that the victim had been involved in a lethal love triangle. Whatever the cast, leave it to Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to unentangle this "bad hair day" and solve the mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Teenager Carly Astin (Chandra West) is terrified of the new boyfriend brought home by her single mom Diana (Morgan Fairchild) -- so much so that she runs away from her Salt Lake City home and into the clutches of seductive, smooth-talking Brad Winters (Ricky Paull Goldin). Unfortunately, Winters is a "recruiter" for various houses of prostitution, some of them disguised as strip joints. Thus, Carly ends up taking her clothes off for libidinous strangers in a seedy Seattle nightspot, where she manages to remain more or less unsullied thanks to the maternal ministrations of older stripper Adrian (Venus Terzo) -- who is murdered for her troubles! It falls to Carly's mother Diana to come to her senses, shed her slimy beau, and rescue Carly from what used to be labeled "the fate worse than death." Based on a true story, the made-for-TV Into the Arms of Danger: A Moment of Truth Movie debuted February 3, 1997, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morgan Fairchild, Chandra West, (more)
Martial arts star Donnie Yen serves as producer, director and leading man of this stylish Hong Kong crime drama. Cat (played by Yen) is a killer for hire who is eager to leave the business, but agrees to one last hit to get even with a former friend who turned on him when they were both police officers, forcing Cat into a life of crime. Meanwhile, Cat discovers Carrie (Annie We), a female cop, has been put on his trail, and he kidnaps her -- only to find himself falling in love with her. Satsat Yan, Tiutiu Mo was Donnie Yen's second directorial assignment, following the period drama Legend of the Wolf. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Annie Wu, (more)
The traditional crime thriller gets a modern twist with this sequel to Third Man Out following the further adventures of gay detective Donald Strachey (Chad Allen). Hard boiled private investigator Donald Strachey has just found the lifeless body of his latest client, and now in order to catch the killer he'll be forced to rely on his straight-laced husband Tim and overenthusiastic assistant Kenny. As the investigation leads Strachey straight into Dr. Trevor Cornell's dark world of "conversion therapy,' where psychology and religion combine with the singular goal of turning average everyday homosexuals "straight," the stage is set for a climactic showdown with more than a few surprising twists and turns. Sebastian Spence and Morgan Fairchild co-star in an adaptation of author Richard Stevenson's best-selling series of books that will have viewers of all sexual pursuasions on the edge of their seats. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chad Allen, Sebastian Spence, (more)
Allison (Alexandra Paul) has spent years behind bars after being accused of a crime she didn't even commit, and now that she's been released the time has come to take revenge on the men who made her do the time for their horrific crime. Years ago, a young boy was murdered, and the men responsible for the reprehensible act got off scot free. Now, as Allison prepares to prove her innocence and hold the true killers accountable for their murderous transgression, she's about to discover that they aren't afraid to kill again in order to remain free men. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexandra Paul, Michael Woods, (more)
