Kevin Burns Movies
Informed by Eric von Daniken's 1968 bestseller, Chariot of the Gods, this A&E special investigates the theory that aliens visited Earth several thousand years ago. The report brings together expert testimony and recently unearthed artifacts that may indicate early man's knowledge of extraterrestrial beings. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Clotworthy
This documentary gives viewers a deeper look at the secret societies Dan Brown wrote about in the first of his highly successful Harry Langdon novels. The filmmakers deliver the truth on such topics as the Freemasons, and the history of the Catholic Church. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Adams
This documentary takes a look at the phenomenon of crossdressing in film - an idea that consistently evokes strong reactions from audiences, and makes for bankable entertainment. Looking back on its playful history, the film features interviews with people like John Waters and Tim Curry. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 2009
Three sorority pledges attempt to win membership in the most exclusive Greek society on campus by telling the most terrifying stories they can possible dream up. In the first tale, entitled "Dollface," a woman becomes convinced that an antique doll given to her by her boyfriend is out for blood. The shocks continue in "Crimson Echo," which follows a fallen Hollywood starlet on her trip to make a low-budget horror film in Central Europe. Once there, the former A-lister realizes that she is about to take part in a horrifying initiation rite. Later, after three mischievous girls incur the wrath of serial killer in "Prank Call," it begins to appear as if someone in the sorority house has taken all of these tales of murder and mayhem to heart. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Holly Madison
Set adrift in the vast waters of the North Atlantic for a luxury New Year's Eve party staged in the ship's magnificent ballroom, the massive ocean-liner Poseidon receives an unexpected jolt when a rogue, 100-foot wave rolls it completely upside down, forcing the surviving passengers to fight their way to safety in Das Boot director Wolfgang Petersen's waterlogged blockbuster. Trapped beneath the waterline and implored by the captain to remain in place until a rescue team arrives, the panicked survivors struggle to keep their cool as the water begins to rush in, infernos blaze all around, and a loss of electricity plunges the doomed vessel into total darkness. Seasoned gambler Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) isn't willing to wage his life on the prompt arrival of help, though, and as he attempts to navigate the treacherous, inverted maze of death, he is flanked by desperate band of like-minded seafarers including eight-year-old Conor (Jimmy Bennett) and his mother, Maggie (Jacinda Barrett), reticent stowaway Elena (Mía Maestro), suicidal Richard (Richard Dreyfus), and concerned father Robert (Kurt Russell), whose missing daughter may still be somewhere onboard along with her frightened fiancé. With a little luck and a little help from onboard waiter Marco (Freddy Rodriguez), the desperate team may just live to see the morning after. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, (more)
- 2006
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From the comic book to the silver screen and beyond, few superheroes have left such a lasting impression on the fantasy-loving masses as mild-mannered "Daily Planet"-reporter-turned-high-flying-bulletproof-do-gooder Superman. In this documentary set to celebrate the release of X-Men director Bryan Singer's 2006 film Superman Returns, the exciting history of the Man of Steel is told through interviews and archival footage of past Superman films, television shows, and comics. A special sneak preview of newly released footage from Superman Returns ensured that fans received a comprehensive history of their favorite caped crusader that led right up to the release of the highly anticipated film. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2002
- Add 20th Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years to QueueAdd 20th Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years to top of Queue
This documentary about the movie studio 20th Century Fox takes a look at the hit films produced by the company during the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. It includes clips from classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Star Wars, Alien, Speed, Titanic, and Fight Club, interspersed with comments from George Lucas, Robert Altman, Tom Hanks, and Oliver Stone. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
From the makers of The Alien Saga comes The Omen Legacy, an AMC documentary covering all four films in the thrilling series on the coming of the antichrist. The special follows the filmmakers as they break box-office figures with the first film, only to see each one after become more commercially and creatively stunted (the nail in the coffin being the fourth made-for-television Omen IV: The Awakening). Featuring interviews with director Richard Donner, producer Harvey Bernhard, and writer David Seltzer, among others, Legacy offers theological dissections of the series biblical groundwork, along with rare behind-the-scenes stories of the infamous Omen "curse." Included are most of the graphic, visceral kills from each film, making it also a breezy best of for fans of the more grisly scenes. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Originally aired on AMC, this documentary focuses on one of the most horrifying series ever to be committed to celluloid -- the Alien film series. With interviews from most of the main players, including Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, and H.R. Giger, the special goes through conception through production of all four films released from 20th Century Fox. Narrated by the Alien's first-ever onscreen victim, John Hurt, The Alien Saga gives insight into various script changes, casting choices, and the series fantastical effects through the eyes of the innovators behind them. The same production team, headed by writer/director Brent Zacky, also produced the equally exhausting horror film series documentary The Omen Legacy. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This episode of Biography explores the life of Vincent Price. Price was born into a wealthy family and gained an appreciation for the finer things in life. His career in Hollywood included performances in over 100 movies, including such films as Masque of the Red Death and Laura. His air of aristocratic menace often stole the show from larger stars. It is as a character actor in horror movies that Price is best remembered, a bit of plebian irony for a man who bought his first Rembrandt at age 12. Interviews with stars and directors such as Dennis Hopper and Roger Corman complement a rare interview with Price's daughter to offer a dense tapestry of an intriguing man. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
Image Entertainment presents this collection of clips, tracing the history of women in horror films. Hosted by Cassandra Peterson better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Bride of Monster Mania compiles scenes from such classics as Carrie, The Exorcist, The Stepford Wives, and the Alien series. Released in 2001, the program runs 51 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 2000
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Hosted by everyone's favorite vamp, Elvira, this program is a lighthearted look back at the monster movies of the '50s. All the monsters that scared your parents make appearances here including Godzilla and King Kong. Also included are many interviews with the men behind the monsters including special effects wizards and directors. A special look at the monsters of Japan and Great Britain are included as well. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
This documentary contains footage of custom cars made famous in Hollywood movies. Interviews with the people who designed the vehicles are combined with footage of the cars in the movies and on the road. Among the famous wheels on display are the Batmobile, the cars from American Graffiti, and the time-traveling Delorean from Back to the Future. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Doris Day: It's Magic employs film clips, newsreel footage, trailers, home movies, and interviews with a variety of people in order to tell the life story of Doris Day, an actress who symbolized the ideal American woman for much of the '50s. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
This edition of Biography, the long running documentary series from A&E, explores the life of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner who launched an entertainment empire with the magazine which he created in 1953 and which grew to become the world's best selling men's magazine.
The documentary chronicals how Playboy was pivotal to America's mid-twentieth century "sexual revolution," as it helped to bring sexual topics and imagery into the cultural mainstream. Playboy's fun-loving, sexually free lifestyle features a mix of "centerfolds" of naked women, celebrity interviews, short fiction, book and movie reviews, and essays. The video also explained how Hefner has lived the lifestyle his magazine espouses, partying with celebrities in his Los Angeles mansion, surrounding himself with curvaceous women, and always wearing his trademark silk pajamas and smoking jacket. In the 1970s Hefner opened Playboy Clubs, casinos, and resorts worldwide, but he eventually phased out this part of his company. Today, Playboy Enterprises encompasses global television and home video businesses, motion picture production, a host of international licensed products, CD-ROMs and other new media products, as well as a Web site. The documentary ends with an update since the mid-1980s. At that point Hefner's daughter Christie began to serve as chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
The documentary chronicals how Playboy was pivotal to America's mid-twentieth century "sexual revolution," as it helped to bring sexual topics and imagery into the cultural mainstream. Playboy's fun-loving, sexually free lifestyle features a mix of "centerfolds" of naked women, celebrity interviews, short fiction, book and movie reviews, and essays. The video also explained how Hefner has lived the lifestyle his magazine espouses, partying with celebrities in his Los Angeles mansion, surrounding himself with curvaceous women, and always wearing his trademark silk pajamas and smoking jacket. In the 1970s Hefner opened Playboy Clubs, casinos, and resorts worldwide, but he eventually phased out this part of his company. Today, Playboy Enterprises encompasses global television and home video businesses, motion picture production, a host of international licensed products, CD-ROMs and other new media products, as well as a Web site. The documentary ends with an update since the mid-1980s. At that point Hefner's daughter Christie began to serve as chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Part of the Biography television series from A&E, this documentary reviews the career and personal life of Academy Award winning actor Henry Fonda.
His involvement with the Omaha Community Playhouse led to Broadway and a film career in which his self-effacing manner and dry, flat tones projected honesty and decency. His movie debut in The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) led to more than 100 screen appearances, including Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1969). His movie roles culminated with his Oscar-winning role in On Golden Pond (1981) in which he appeared with his daughter Jane only a year before his death. He also appeared occasionally on Broadway, as in Mister Roberts (1948) and a one-man stage production of Clarrance Darrow (1974). He received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1978.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
His involvement with the Omaha Community Playhouse led to Broadway and a film career in which his self-effacing manner and dry, flat tones projected honesty and decency. His movie debut in The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) led to more than 100 screen appearances, including Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1969). His movie roles culminated with his Oscar-winning role in On Golden Pond (1981) in which he appeared with his daughter Jane only a year before his death. He also appeared occasionally on Broadway, as in Mister Roberts (1948) and a one-man stage production of Clarrance Darrow (1974). He received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1978.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
- 1997
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Joan Collins is the host of these outtakes and clips deleted from 20th Century-Fox productions of decades past. Entertaining song selections in the compilation include Betty Grable sequences from Footlight Serenade (1942) and Pin Up Girl (1944), Carmen Miranda wearing a lighthouse on her head while essaying True to the Navy for Doll Face (1945), and Shirley Temple doing a Jimmy Durante impersonation while dueting with him for Little Miss Broadway (1938). Alice Faye's delightful I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, and an Al Jolson medley were both deleted from Rose of Washington Square (1939). Faye and Grable teamed in Tin Pan Alley (1940). The fascinating footage features miscues on pre-recorded tunes and other assorted bloopers in addition to awkward attempts at musical performances by such actors as Don Ameche, Clark Gable, and Victor Mature. Hidden Hollywood first aired November 18, 1997 on American Movie Classics. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Collins
- 1997
- Add Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood to QueueAdd Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood to top of Queue
Though almost all actors and directors must struggle to find gainful employment in their profession, this challenge continues to be an even greatest one for many African-American actors. Fortunately, some advances have been made. This film seeks to document the types of discrimination and unique challenges these actors have had to overcome, as well as recent triumphs. Actor Louis Gossett, Jr., hosts this program that uses both older black-and-white film clips, along with color ones, to review the absence and presence of African-Americans in Hollywood productions over the years. As many viewers know, minority actors continue to be hired more often for lesser comedy roles than positive dramatic ones. However, the film remains upbeat as it praises the talented African-Americans who continue to be trailblazers for many others. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
Image Entertainment presents this collection of clips, tracing the history of monsters in film. Hosted by actor Jack Palance, Monster Mania features such legends as Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and compiles scenes from such classics as Nosferatu, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Released in 2001, the program runs 62 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This edition of Biography chronicles the life of one of America's most endearing entrertainers, Andy Griffith. Griffith made his television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1954. That same year, he won a role in the TV version of Ira Levin's play, No Time for Sergeants. When the play was produced on Broadway in 1955, it became a hit, and Griffith was nominated for a Tony Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor. He was also a regular, with friend Don Knotts, on the NBC variety series, The Steve Allen Show, from 1959 to 1960.
A short time later CBS gave him his own sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show, in which he played the gentle, philosophical small-town Sheriff Andy Taylor. The show was a tremendous success, consistently ranking among the most popular sitcoms during the entirety of its eight-year run. Knotts co-starred from 1960 to 1965, as Taylor's high-strung deputy sheriff, Barney Fife. The young Ron Howard also co-starred, as the sheriff's red-haired son, Opie.
Griffith made a triumphant return to TV stardom in 1986 as the title character in the courtroom drama series Matlock, which aired during prime time on NBC from 1986 to 1992 and on ABC from 1993 to 1995. Meanwhile, fan allegiance to The Andy Griffith Show has continued through re-runs.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
A short time later CBS gave him his own sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show, in which he played the gentle, philosophical small-town Sheriff Andy Taylor. The show was a tremendous success, consistently ranking among the most popular sitcoms during the entirety of its eight-year run. Knotts co-starred from 1960 to 1965, as Taylor's high-strung deputy sheriff, Barney Fife. The young Ron Howard also co-starred, as the sheriff's red-haired son, Opie.
Griffith made a triumphant return to TV stardom in 1986 as the title character in the courtroom drama series Matlock, which aired during prime time on NBC from 1986 to 1992 and on ABC from 1993 to 1995. Meanwhile, fan allegiance to The Andy Griffith Show has continued through re-runs.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide
- 1996
- Add 20th Century Fox: The First 50 Years to QueueAdd 20th Century Fox: The First 50 Years to top of Queue
This documentary showcases the great movie studio's celebration of its golden anniversary with a retrospective of its best screen moments. Most of the documentary is a whirlwind tour through the studio and the achievements of its creator Darryl F. Zanuck. There is a montage of classic film clips from over 120 films, revealing interviews, archival footage, and outtakes. Some of the unforgettable stars featured are Shirley Temple, Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, Henry Fonda,and Marilyn Monroe. James Coburn hosts. ~ Karla Baker, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Jimmy Stewart had a certain something that drew audiences and held their attention. A true "screen hero," Stewart's sincere, slightly befuddled persona as George Bailey in the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life and Elwood P. Dowd in the ever-fresh Harvey is the marker of an era. Indeed, Stewart's Everyman in the Frank Capra directed hits Mr. Smith Goes to Washington will make the most cynical stand up and cheer. Learn about Stewart's childhood in Indiana, prolific career, his heroism in WWII, and his family life. Richard Kiley narrates this biography. ~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide
