Beth Kennedy Movies
Walt Disney Pictures resurrects one of their time-honored franchises with Race to Witch Mountain, a family-oriented sci-fi adventure that tells the story of two alien visitors (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) whose search for their spacecraft gets them caught up in an adventure with a cab driver (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and a UFO specialist (Carla Gugino). As the group races toward the mysterious mountain in the Nevada desert that has mystified scientists and paranormal researchers for years, the government, gangsters, and an extraterrestrial bounty hunter attempt to prevent them from reaching their intended destination. Should the two planetary travelers fail in recovering their ship, an alien invasion will be launched against the entire planet. The original 1975 picture Escape to Witch Mountain was followed by the sequel Return From Witch Mountain, as well as a 1995 made-for-TV remake. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, (more)
- 2003
There's no lack of excitement for the citizens of Stars Hollow in this episode. For starters, the members of their Edgar Allan Poe society convene at the homes of Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her friends after a fire breaks out at the Independence Inn. Elsewhere in town, Luke (Scott Patterson) can't understand how Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) was chosen employee-of-the-month at the local WalMart when he's supposed to be attending school; Rory (Alexis Bledel) tries to pull Paris (Liza Weil) out of her depression over being turned down by Harvard; and the sham courtship between Lane (Keiko Agena) and Young Chui, which was concocted to hide the fact that Lane is dating Dave Rygalsky, goes off on a new and unanticipated direction. And at episode's end, Rory makes a crucial decision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This short film depicts a period in the life of director Tom Putnam, who, after having suffered a concussion, spent nearly a week too terrified to leave his house. A rapid succession of psychological issues arose, including acute panic attacks, sudden fits of dizziness, and hallucinations. For a brief period of time, Putnam believed himself to be the Antichrist. Despite the serious topic matter, the film itself is taken on from a humorous perspective, and focuses less on the insanity itself than it does the director's efforts to diagnose and treat what is wrong with him. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
A band of outlaws from present day Los Angeles, lead by the notorious killer Mac (Morgan Rusler), who faces the death penalty in nine states, travels 30 years into the past by means of a hand-held time machine stolen from a secret government agency. Once the gang of villains lands in Richard Nixon's America, Mac kidnaps young Bryon Mackey (Adam Sutton), and transports him to present day L.A. Larry Mackey (Corbin Bernsen), the boy's distraught father, hitches a ride 30 years into the future with time cop Vick (Beth Kennedy), who has been chasing the criminals. Larry hopes to rescue his son, but what he learns will change his life forever: The bloodthirsty Mac is sweet little Bryon as a grown man. Larry must deal with the painful knowledge that he raised a maniac -- and now he must defeat him in order to save his young son. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morgan Rusler
Welder, and would-be sculptor, Wade Hampton (Drew Pillsbury) has been stuck in a Bakersfield, California factory job for 15 years. One day the introspective Hampton drops his tools, walks out, steals a car, leaves his wife and son, and begins driving toward Jerome, Arizona, a place Hampton saw described on a postcard as an "artists community." Along the way, Hampton picks up hitchhiker Jane (Wendie Malick), who apparently has no true destination. Jane compliments his art, but time passes before the two embrace passionately and make love. Intercut into the narrative are interviews with people from Hampton's past who speculate on why he "snapped and committed murder." The executive producer of this film is the film/TV comedy actor David Spade. Shown at 1998 film fests (Americn Film Institute, Austin, Florida, Melbourne, Sedona, Taos). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Drew Pillsbury, Wendie Malick, (more)
Director Jon Turteltaub followed up the hit While You Were Sleeping (1995) with this fantasy similar to Charly (1968) and a film from the previous year, Powder (1994). John Travolta stars as George Malley, a humble mechanic in a rural California town. On his 37th birthday, George celebrates at a pub with friends Nate (Forest Whitaker) and Doc (Robert Duvall), the local physician. When he steps outside, George observes a bright light in the sky that knocks him briefly unconscious. When he awakens, George has incredible intellectual powers. He checks books out of the library in armfuls, becomes an inventor, a psychic, has telekinetic powers, predicts an earthquake, and memorizes Portuguese in minutes. Using his newfound powers, George becomes a hero, but he can't totally win over the spooked townsfolk or the standoffish Lace (Kyra Sedgwick), a single mom burned by love once too often. As George's kindness breaks down Lace's reserve and a romance begins, his fame spreads, bringing him to the attention of the FBI and curious university scientists. Similarities between George's powers and the alleged benefits of Travolta's religion, Scientology, led to charges that the film was veiled pro-Scientology propaganda. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, (more)
