Tim Eyster Movies
- 1998
On January 21, 1998, Babylon 5 joined the weekly lineup of the TNT cable network. Subtitled "Wheel of Fire," the series' fifth season got under way with the episode titled "No Compromises." While preparing for the inauguration of the former skipper Sheridan as first president of the New Interstellar Alliance, the crew of Babylon 5 welcomes their new commanding officer, Captain Elizabeth Lochley (Tracy Scoggins). Amidst all the hustle and bustle, a group of Telepaths, headed by Byron (Robin Atkin Downes), arrives at the station seeking sanctuary. And unbeknownst to all but one person on board B5, there's a plan afoot to murder Sheridan before he can take the oath of office. "No Compromises" was written by series producer J. Michael Straczynski). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, (more)
- 1991
The star of this animated 23-minute version of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper is Mickey Mouse...and Mickey Mouse. The bare bones of Twain's mistaken-identity plotline are adhered to, with several delightful slapstick sidetrips along the way. Supporting Mr. Mouse are such Disney stalwarts as Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Black Pete (as the villain, natch.) The film is a delightful hark back to such Disney cartoons of yore as Brave Little Tailor (1938) and Mickey and the Beanstalk (1947), though there are plenty of contemporary references to keep a 1990s audience happy. When originally released to threatres before The Rescuers Down Under, The Prince and the Pauper included a "count-down" clock to bridge the intermission time between the cartoon and the main feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
Corey Haim takes on white supremacist rollerbladers in Prayer of the Rollerboys, the futuristic tale of teen angst and sweet love on skates. Haim stars as Chris Griffin, a pizza delivery boy whose younger brother Miltie (Devin Clark) gets caught up with the local drug-pusher gang, the Rollerboys. With the help of Casey (Patricia Arquette), a female cop out for revenge for her own brother's death, they help bring down the dreaded 'boys for good. But the deeper Chris and Miltie get into the crew, the scarier their racist attitudes become, especially when its revealed that repeated use of their drug will sterilize the entire population of L.A. outside of the Rollerboys' inner circle. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Patricia Arquette, (more)
- 1990
This sentimentalized biography of Oz creator L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) stars John Ritter in the title role. Richard Matheson's teleplay accurately depicts Baum as a business failure with the singular gift of being able to communicate with children. In keeping with Matheson's grounding in fantasy and the supernatural, Baum's characters occasionally come to life to palaver with the author and bring him inspiration. Annette O'Toole co-stars as Mrs. Baum, while Charles Haid is seen in the dual role of "Badham" and the Cowardly Lion. Also on hand as a Munchkin is Jerry Maren, who played one of the Lollipop Guild in the 1939 Hollywood adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Made for television, Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story debuted December 10, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Not so much a sequel to the John Sayles-scripted Alligator as a shoddy remake, this sophomoric low-budget effort plays like a bad TV movie about a swamp-dwelling alligator mutated to monstrous size by toxic waste, munching on the screaming residents of a lakefront community. The naughty polluter who caused this mutation is the property developer himself (Steve Railsback, playing such a cookie-cutter villain that he might as well have a "BAD GUY" sign around his neck). An embarrassed Joseph Bologna plays the cop investigating the mutilation murders; an equally-ashamed Dee Wallace Stone plays the scientist assisting him, who is conveniently married to him as well. In an attempt to remedy the situation, a big-game hunter (Richard Lynch) is called in to bag the beast. When his efforts fail, it's left to Bologna to pick up the pieces -- literally -- and take charge of the situation when the big reptile decides to take in the grand opening of the local amusement park. From a nonsensical script to cheesy special effects that make the beast look like a pool toy, this film shows none of the cynical charm and sly wit that made Alligator so enjoyable. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Bologna, Woody Brown, (more)
- 1989
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single hour-long entry on the same evening as the debut of The Simpsons), Al (Ed O'Neill) wants to have "The Best Christmas Ever" for the Bundy family. Unfortunately, a few of the shoe-store customers insist upon hanging around after closing time--and as a result, Al arrives too late to withdraw the funds necessary to purchase presents. Meanwhile, Marcy (Amanda Bearse) gets drunk at an office party and leaves a strange "souvenir" at the copying machine. This episode is highlighted by a full-throated performance of "The Bundys' Five Days of Christmas" (no partridges or pear trees in THIS one!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In this youthful family adventure, a pair of teens are forced to leave California and move to Nepal with their parents. At first they are less than impressed by the country's culture and the colorful streets of their new city, but then the young girl falls in love with a good-looking, mysterious Sherpa who leads the two and their father, an anthropologist, on an adventuresome journey to search for the legendary City that Never Was. This feature was made for cable-television. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
