Allen Estrin Movies
- 2001
In his zeal to nail a vicious drug dealer, white narcotics detective Frank McCovey (Scott Baio) accidentally shoots down an 11-year-old black kid named Jamal (J.B. Potter). Inasmuch as Frank had previously lost his own daughter in a similar racially-charged tragedy, many in the black community are persuaded that the shooting was an act of vengeance--and before long, the flames of an impending riot are being fanned by media-manipulating ghetto activist Reverend Davis (a pre-Grey's Anatomy Isaiah Washington. Who, wonders angel Monica (Roma Downey, is most in need of Heaven's assistance in this case: McCovey, Davis...or Jamal's grieving parents? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Devoutly Jewish Sam Silverstein (David Margulies) is heartbroken when his daughter Rachel (Meredith Scott Lynn), a cartoonist for the "Portland Daily News", turns her back on her faith and gains popularity by creating an anti-Jewish comic strip titled "Chutzpah." In their efforts to bring hope and redemption to Sam and Rachel (if that is indeed their current mission), Monica (Roma Downey) and her fellow angels uncover the childhood trauma that has so alienated Rachel from her father. But even if Rachel can be made to see the error of her ways, it might be too late for Sam, who disowns his daughter and spearheads a grass-roots effort to have "Chutzpah"--and Rachel--banished from the "Daily News." In a bizarre turn of events, a bigoted skinhead plays a key role in the resolution of this crisis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas is ideally cast as Ross Berger, an 83-year-old tycoon who owns a chain of fitness gyms. There is no room for God in Berger's life: he regards all "true believers" as weaklings, and even attributes his recent miraculous recovery from a stroke to his tireless exercise regimen rather than any sort of Divine retribution. Berger is especially contemptuous of his son Alan (Dennis Boutsikaris), a devout Jew who is busily preparing his own son Aaron's Bar Mitzvah. It is up to Monica (Roma Downey) and her fellow angels to make certain that Aaron (Shawn Pyfrom) follows in the footsteps of his pious father rather than his nonbelieving grandfather--but first, the Bergers must endure a devastating tragedy, one that will convince the bullheaded Ross Berger that there are many different kinds of strength and courage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
- Add Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World to QueueAdd Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World to top of Queue
For this animated direct-to-video sequel to Disney's 1995 animated Pocahontas, Irene Bedard returns to the title role -- with Judy Kuhn once again providing Pocahontas' singing voice. The story starts in colonial Jamestown before Pocahontas travels to England to meet with the king in hopes of preventing a British-Indian war. Her guide and companion is royal emissary John Rolfe (Billy Zane). They are attracted to each other, but Pocahontas yearns for John Smith (Donal Gibson, brother of Mel Gibson). After a conflict with the evil Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers), the missing Smith is presumed dead. Ratcliffe tells the king that the Jamestown Indians are savages, so Pocahontas enters high society, hoping to prove otherwise by presenting a civilized appearance at the Royal Hunt Ball. Ratcliffe schemes to sabotage Pocahontas' plan. New songs by Marty Panzer and Larry Grossman include the closing-credits tune, Between Two Worlds. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, (more)
