Michael Evans Movies
Black lead actor Mike Evans appeared onscreen in the '70s. ~ All Movie Guide- 1990
Australian cinematographer Ray Argall made his directorial debut with this low-key drama about a man coming back to his hometown and trying to make a new start. Dennis Coard is Noel, a successful insurance broker from the city who decides, after a brutal divorce, to forsake city life and return to his boyhood home. Moving back to the seaside town of Adelaide, he re-experiences the old gas station that his father once owned. Now his older brother Steve (Franklin J. Holden) is running things in partnership with his wife Judy (Micki Camilleri). Noel also meets Steve's prize mechanic Gary (Ben Mendelsohn), an awkward teenager who has just had a nasty separation from his girlfriend Wendy (Rachel Rains). As Noel observes the hometown folk and their daily troubles, he realizes what he has been missing in the mad, big-city rush. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie J. Holden, Ben Mendelsohn, (more)
- 1987
- R
Though not a true sequel to Paul Lynch's derivative slasher-dud Prom Night, this Carrie-flavored horror film begins in 1957 with the fiery death of bitchy prom queen Mary Lou Maloney (Lisa Schrage) courtesy of a backfired stinkbomb stunt pulled by her jealous ex-boyfriend. Thirty years later, her killer has become the school principal (Michael Ironside), and sweet, innocent Vicki (Wendy Lyon) is a contender for the prom-queen title. Mary Lou's vengeful spirit spies the perfect opportunity to reclaim her crown once and for all. The rest of the film involves Vicki adopting Mary Lou's less-than-reputable habits and messily destroying anyone who stands between her and the coveted title. High points include a telekinetic "Tutti Frutti" locker-room squashing and a swirling demonic blackboard, all courtesy of FX wizard Jim Doyle, who worked previously on A Nightmare on Elm Street, to which this film bears some stylistic similarities. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, (more)
- 1985
Mulitmillionaire businessman Ralph Flagg (Robert Rockwell) has been shot and gravely wounded, and the prime suspect is his young, mercenary trophy wife Ginger (Lois Hamilton). Although she beats the rap in court, Ginger ends up committing suicide shortly afterward--or so it seems. By this time, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is certain of the real killer's identity, and he goes undercover as a wealthy jet-setter to confirm his suspicions (assuming he lives long enough!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
- R
In this suspenseful mystery, an English child sees an American soldier kill her mother, a prostitute. Years pass and the girl grows up and gets married. It is then she hears her dead mother's voice instruct her to start killing. In time she falls for one of the Americans helping to reconstruct the London Bridge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanna Love, Robert Walker, Jr., (more)
- 1983
- R
Directed by Robert Duvall -- though not his directorial debut, as has sometimes been reported -- Angelo My Love is a semidocumentary study of gypsy life in New York. Real-life gypsy lad Angelo Evans engagingly plays himself: a charming street hustler and con artist. The son of a fortune teller, Angelo is the one truly blessed with a "sixth sense"-about himself, his family and his future. Personally financed by Duvall (whose brothers appear in one delightful sequence), Angelo My Love is a mesmerizing glimpse at a lifestyle often misunderstood and misrepresented by the American mainstream. Be warned, however: the people depicted herein don't mince their words, which is why the film bears an R rating. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Angelo Evans, Steve "Patalay" Tsigonoff, (more)
This is an unusual entry in the knights-in-armor genre. Set in medieval England, the film follows the exploits of a young swordsman, Talon (Lee Horsley). Working as a mercenary knight, Talon possesses a unique three-bladed sword which fires its two extra blades when he touches a button. By chance, Talon learns that he is a prince who has forgotten his royal heritage. Using his sword and his wiles, he attempts to regain control of his kingdom, which has been taken over by a sadistic tyrannical knight and an evil sorcerer. In doing so, he can save a princess who has been taken hostage by the usurpers. Comedy is interspersed with gory and licentious drama throughout the film, which was directed and written by Albert Pyun. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, (more)
It's H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) versus Jack the Ripper (David Warner) in the fanciful Time After Time -- and, per the film's title, the chase extends from the 19th century to the 20th. Wells has built a time machine in his cellar, which the Ripper uses as a means of escape. Both men find themselves in 20th century San Francisco, and, after a period of adjustment, they make themselves at home. The plot takes a dark turn when the Ripper, disappointed that Wells' dreams of a Utopian future have not come to fruition, resumes his murderous activities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, (more)
- 1979
Adapted from the novel by Pete Hamill, Flesh and Blood stars Tom Berenger as Bobby Fallon, a street punk who develops into a topnotch boxer while in prison. Upon his release, Bobby is taken under the wing of manager John Cassavetes. Outwardly tough and unmovable, Bobby is tortured with memories of his miserable childhood, which included an incestuous episode with his mother (Suzanne Pleshette). This two-part TV movie concludes with a heavyweight championship bout, bankrolled by Bobby's long-estranged father (Mitchell Ryan). Photographed with Rocky-like intensity by Vilmos Zsigismond, Flesh and Blood first aired on October 14 and 16, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
It seemed like only yesterday that Bob and Emily celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary (actually, it was in an episode which aired approximately ten months earlier, in February of 1977). And now here they are, blowing out the candles on their tenth anniversary cake. On this momentous occasion, both Bob and Emily wonder what life would have been like had they married other people -- and a brace of fantasy sequences shows them what life would have been like. The supporting cast features Morgan Fairchild as Linda Bianca and E. William Parker as Marcus. Written by Lloyd Garver, "Grand Delusion" first aired on December 17, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1975
Canadian actress Kate Reid plays a lady p.i. in Death Among Friends. Kate is hired to solve the murder of a multimillionaire financier. As tipped off by the title, she need look no farther than the dead man's circle of friends. Refreshingly, both the heroine and her police contact, John Anderson, are well into middle age, rather than being depicted as mindless hunks of cheese- and beefcake. Intended as the pilot for a weekly series, Death Among Friends was first telecast May 20, 1975. The film was later syndicated as Mrs. R-Death Among Friends. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
This low-budget, Atlanta-lensed blend of horror and "blaxploitation" elements is basically a Ten Little Indians variant with a touch of voodoo thrown in for spice. The plot involves members of a family who are gathering at the decrepit estate of a legendary voodoo priestess for the reading of her will; the potential heirs are systematically murdered by the woman's butler (Jean Durand), who practices a diabolical form of voodoo himself. The cast is whittled down to two survivors (Victor French and Janee Michelle) before the killer's plan is undone. A justly forgotten relic of '70s horror-exploitation, this boring film was directed by television producer Ron Honthaner, who should have stuck with Gunsmoke. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Oliver Twist is an animated version of the Dickens classic. Josh Albee is heard as the voice of the orphaned Oliver, while radio veteran Les Tremayne invokes all the tricks of his trade to portray the underhanded Fagin. This adaptation was a rare theatrical release from the TV-cartoon factory of Filmation; it was picked up for distribution by Warner Bros., who virtually threw away the film when it performed poorly in previews. Oliver Twist gained its widest exposure when it was telecast as an NBC special in 1981. At that time, the film's already heavily telescoped continuity was whittled down to an adumbrated 47 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Albee, Les Tremayne, (more)
