Dave Foley Movies
Baby-faced and Canadian, writer/actor Dave Foley dropped out of school in favor of joining the Second City Comedy Troupe in Toronto. He made his film debut in the 1986 comedy High Stakes, followed by several TV movies. He and old friend Kevin McDonald helped to form the sketch comedy group and TV series The Kids in the Hall, so named after a Jack Benny joke. Running from 1989 to 1994, the show earned a devoted following and several Emmy nominations. A contributing writer to the show, Foley also appeared in the cast. Some of his best characters include Manservant Hecubus, Bruno Puntz Jones, and the insane Jerry Sizzler. After the show's cancellation, the group stayed in contact for the 1996 feature Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy and the 2001 live tour Kids in the Hall: Same Guys New Dresses. Relocating to Los Angeles, Foley appeared in the unfortunate movie It's Pat and went to work on a new television show, starring as station manager Dave Nelson in the aptly named sitcom NewsRadio from 1995 to 1999. During this time, he also wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy The Wrong Guy, which won Best Screenplay at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Working in Hollywood, he had supporting parts in the comedies Hacks, Blast From the Past, and Dick. Meanwhile, he provided the voice of Flik the Ant in A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and It's Tough to Be a Bug, as well as various voices in the South Park movie, the IMAX movie CyberWorld, and the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. Mixing animation with his sketch comedy background, he then starred in Monkeybone, based in part on the graphic novel Dark Town. On-stage, he appeared in the musical comedy White Trash Wins Lotto, which ran at The Roxy in Hollywood. He also had supporting parts in the comedy features On the Line, Run Ronnie Run!, and Stark Raving Mad. In 2003, Foley returned to his native Canada to appear in the comedy Whitecoats, directed by Dave Thomas. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 2008
- PG
Ham & Cheese director Warren P. Sonoda takes the helm for this caustic conceptual comedy detailing one Christmas in the lives of an outrageously dysfunctional 1980s-era family as seen through the lens of their brand new VHS video camera. Christmas 1985: Gord Cooper (Jason Jones) has decided to go all out this year, purchasing an expensive video camera for his wife Nancy (Samantha Bee) so the couple can document their holiday with the entire family. Nancy is several months pregnant with their latest child, and seems unusually excited by the fact that Gord's sleazy brother Tim (Peter Keleghan) will soon be arriving to take part in the festivities. Uncle Nick (Mike Beaver) might just be the world's worst dinner guest, and the polar opposite of the group's anti-social grandmother (Jayne Eastwood), who lives with the Coopers and requests that they simply slip her portion of the holiday dinner under her bedroom door. The yuletide festivities have never been as gloriously grating as they were at the Cooper's place back in 1985, and thanks to their then- state of the art video camera, they were able to capture every agonizing and humiliating moment for eternal posterity. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Jones, Samantha Bee, (more)
Notorious, critic-boxing director Uwe Boll takes the helm for this adaptation of the controversial video game that ignited controversy across the globe and is actually illegal to own in Australia and New Zealand. Dude (Zack Ward) is an unemployed slacker currently subsisting on Social Security until he lands his next job. Dude's uncle Dave (Dave Foley) is a cult leader currently in dire financial straits. When Uncle Dave hatches a plan to rip off a local amusement park, Dude sees the heist as the perfect opportunity to make a little extra cash. Unfortunately for Dude and Uncle Dave, the Taliban are all set to execute the exact same heist. Erick Avari, Seymour Cassel, Verne Troyer, Larry Thomas, and J.K. Simmons star in a deliberately over-the-top action comedy that is sure to garner as much controversy as the video game that inspired it. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zack Ward, Dave Foley, (more)
- 2007
The NBC comedy-"reality" series Thank God You're Here originated as an Australian series of the same name, hosted by Shane Bourne. The American version, hosted by David Allan Grier, followed the format of the original virtually to the letter. In each hour-long episode, four celebrities were thrust into the middle of four different, unscripted comedy sketches. The celebrities would know nothing about the plotline of the sketch, why they were there, or even what character they were supposed to be playing! All anyone could be sure of was that, once the celebrity walked through the door, he or she would be greeted with the cue line "Thank God you're here!" The ensuing improvisations--which ranged from hilarious to desperate--would be reviewed by judge Dave Foley. Among the series' guest performers were Jennifer Coolidge, Kevin Nealon, Kurtwood Smith, Jason Alexander, Tom Green, Fran Drescher, Fred Willard, Mo'nique, and Nicole Sullivan. The NBC version of Thank God You're Here premiered April 9, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier, Dave Foley, (more)
- 2006
Dave Foley and Lea Thompson star in first-time feature filmmaker Linda Voorhees' comedy drama about a middle-class family from Omaha who slowly slide to the end of their rope during a cross-country trip to Doheny Beach. Stu and Ginger Gainor are your typical American family: Stu is the kind of guy who thrives on the status quo lest he offend anyone by rocking the boat, and Ginger is a highly motivated real estate agent with ambition to spare and an optimistic outlook for the future. Their daughter Cookie is a goth princess whose obsession for her loser boyfriend serves as a constant source of frustration for her parents, and their son Milo scarcely ventures outside of the house without his trusty GameBoy firmly gripped in sweaty palms. As Ginger's fortieth birthday approaches, the family decides that a special celebration is in order. While most years the Gainor's venture out for a week in Branson, this year they have decided to fulfill Ginger's lifelong dream of visiting Doheny Beach. Piling into a decked out SUV, the Gainors remain blissfully unaware of the chaos that lies just outside the city limits. From the constant attempts by Ginger's mother-and-sister-in-law to sabotage the trip to Kevin's parent's desire to impose themselves on the vacationing clan, one thing is for certain - this isn't going to be your typical family road trip. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dave Foley, Lea Thompson, (more)
Written and directed by Ian Gurvitz, the comedy/drama LA Blues follows a police detective who attempts to unravel why a man has attempted to kill himself. Soon she interviews a man who knew what was going on in the man's life, and eventually the officer and the audience learn about the problems of a group of male friends. The ensemble cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Nicholas D'Agosto, William Ragsdale, and Dave Foley. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Michael Hall, Dave Foley, (more)
A pedal-to-the-metal race car determined to prove his worth on the tracks discovers that life isn't always about crossing the finish line first in Toy Story director John Lasseter's mechanically minded tale of friendship and loyalty. Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) may be just a rookie, but he's convinced that he can realize his dream of zooming by the checkered flag if he can only make it to California in time to compete in the upcoming Piston Cup Championship. When Lightning takes a detour into the slow-moving, Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, however, it begins to appear as if his shot at the big time has effectively stalled out. Of course, Lightning's exciting cross-country trek wasn't all for naught, and after befriending such quirky Radiator Springs residents as Sally the Porsche (voice of Bonnie Hunt), Doc Hudson (voice of Paul Newman), and Mater the Tow Truck (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), the eager young racer learns that sometimes life is more about the voyage than the outcome of the race. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, (more)
An ordinary teenager finds out he's not so ordinary after all in this comedy-adventure. Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) has his share of anxieties about starting high school, but once he arrives on campus, he discovers he's attending Sky High, a special learning facility for the children of superheroes. Will realizes his father is actually super-human crime fighter Captain Stronghold (Kurt Russell), while his mom is fellow champion Josie Jetstream (Kelly Preston). However, in Will's first few days at school, Coach Boomer (Bruce Campbell) is unable to discover any superior abilities in him, meaning that instead of joining the school's budding heroes, he's been relegated to the ranks of the lowly sidekicks. In time, Will discovers he happens to have super strength after all, but will he learn to hone his new gifts in time to fend off the bullies at school, get the girl of his dreams, and save his folks from a longtime nemesis? Sky High also features Lynda Carter, Dave Foley, and Kevin McDonald. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, (more)
Persistence makes up where talent is lacking as two aspiring actors cling to the elusive dream of stardom despite receiving little encouragement and precious few callbacks. The world of showbiz can be a cruel one, especially when you're an actor with no clue about your lack of talent. Richard and Barry are two such actors, yet despite the fact that there isn't a single ounce of onscreen charisma between them, their persistence is what keeps them going. But how much humiliation can an aspiring actor endure before they finally call it quits? As Richard and Barry endure humiliating auditions, calamitous television shoots, and embarrassing stints as animal mascots, the answer to that pressing question finally may be closer than either had hoped. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Beaver, Jason Jones, (more)
- 2004
When the best doctors at St. Albert's Hospital suddenly abandon their posts, it's up to the six inexperienced interns to keep the hospital running and the patients breathing in an all-star comedy featuring Dave Thomas, Dan Aykroyd, Maury Chaykin, Dave Foley, Matt Frewer, and Saul Rubinek. Things aren't what they used to be at St. Andrews Hospital, and between the wild parties down in the morgue and the misplaced patients, it's going to take a miracle to maintain the appearance of order in this medical facility. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Oldring, Pat Kelly, (more)
- 2004
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Prom Queen centers on the struggles a homosexual teenager endures when he must fight the social and political pressures placed upon him during his attempts to attend his school's year-end formal with a date of the same gender. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaron Ashmore, Scott Thompson, (more)
Childstar concerns an egotistical 12-year-old named Taylor who has skyrocketed to fame at that young age. His relationship with his driver, Rick, takes a turn when Taylor confides in him about the problems of celebrity and the fears of his impending teenage years. When Taylor disappears one day, Rick attempts to find the boy and help him through this troubling period. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don McKellar, Mark Rendall, (more)
Gaylord Films producer Casey La Scala makes his directorial debut with the teen comedy Grind. Just before entering college, young skateboarder Eric Rivers (Mike Vogel) decides to take a road trip from Chicago to California with his smart friend Dustin (Adam Brody) and his wacky friend Matt (Vince Vieluf). Despite their underdog status, they intend to make it big in the world of skateboarding in the wake of legendary touring skater Jimmy Wilson (Jason London). They end up recruiting a fourth team member named Sweet Lou (Joey Kern) as Eric romances the film's token attractive female Jamie (Jennifer Morrison). Grind also features appearances by real-life pro skaters like Bam Margera, along with an energetic pop/rock soundtrack. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin McKay, Mike Vogel, (more)
The directorial debut of actor/writer Mitch Rouse (Comedy Central's Strangers With Candy), Employee of the Month stars Matt Dillon as David Wells, a hapless guy whose day seems to be getting more and more out of control. After getting his life straightened out with a job he loves at a bank and beautiful fiancée (Christina Applegate), David is convinced he's got it made. Unfortunately, things take a distinct turn for the worse when he is dumped and fired all in the same day. Enter David's best friend, Jack (Steve Zahn), an oddball who makes his living stealing from corpses. Jack is determined to help cheer up David, but when a bank robbery and a large sum of cash enter the picture, it begins to become apparent that the disastrous and madcap events have only just begun. Employee of the Month premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt Dillon, Steve Zahn, (more)
- 2002
Composer and man-about-town Asa (Jason Priestley) can either be found hard at work writing a new song or trying to pick up women dressed in tails and a top hat. With considerable success in both ventures, Asa has no need to trouble himself with a real job, especially since he is quite capable of getting by on his trust fund. The one responsibility Asa does have is as father to young son Michael (Connor Price), who lives with Asa's ex-wife Charity (Deborah Odell) and her new boyfriend. One night, Asa brings Michael along with him as he hits his usual watering holes and Charity finds out about the adventure after the fact -- prompting the angry woman to threaten the removal of Asa's visitation rights unless the carefree musician straightens out his act. Unwilling to lose his son, Asa takes a job in his uncle Billy's (Dave Thomas) advertising agency and is soon forced to make a choice that may compromise his self-respect. On the other hand, he gets to work with the alluring Karen (Tanya Allen) on the project, which would give Asa the opportunity to get close to his new co-worker. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Tanya Allen, (more)
K.C. Bascombe directs Sherilyn Fenn, Tom Sizemore, and Dave Foley in the crime thriller Swindle. An undercover police officer falls hard for a seductive criminal and soon finds himself helping her pull off a bank heist. The situation eventually comes to a head, and the cop must decide between lust and righteousness. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Sizemore, Sherilyn Fenn, (more)
- 2002
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The Kids in the Hall: Tour of Duty is a live performance video recorded during the sold-out finale tour of the Canadian sketch comedy group. This performance was recorded live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, B.C., filmed with 11 cameras in a widescreen aspect ratio. Starring Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, and Kevin McDonald. Craig Northey from the Odds provides the musical accompaniment. Includes the beloved character creations of the Chicken Lady, Buddy Cole, Sir Simon Milligan, Hecubus, Gavin, and more. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The writing/directing team of Drew Daywalt and David Schneider are responsible for the straight-to-video heist comedy Stark Raving Mad. Seann William Scott plays Ben McGewen, a guy who needs to pay off some major debts. Mostly he needs to pay the crime lord Gregory (Lou Diamond Phillips), the gangster who killed his brother. Ben gets the idea to throw a big rave in a club next to a bank vault. According to plan, the loud music and party atmosphere will disguise the fact that he and his gang (Timm Sharp, Patrick Breen, John B. Crye, and Suzy Nakamura) are breaking through the wall. Once inside the vault, they will steal a valuable statue and Ben will revenge his brother's death. This being a heist comedy, however, things don't go exactly according to plan. Dave Foley and Kavan Smith play a couple of pesky FBI agents. Alan Arkin plays cranky club owner Don Partridge. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Seann William Scott, Lou Diamond Phillips, (more)
This feverishly energetic comedy combines stop-motion animation and live action from director Henry Selick, creator of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996). Brendan Fraser stars as Stu Miley, a cartoonist who created a randy monkey character called Monkeybone that has taken off in popularity, making him a celebrity. Stu's set to launch a TV series based on Monkeybone and marry his beautiful fiancée Julie (Bridget Fonda) when he's injured in a freak accident that puts him in a coma. He travels to Dark Town, a holding area for the comatose who wait to either regain consciousness or move on to the afterlife with the help of Death (Whoopi Goldberg). Dark Town is also a realm where fictional characters reside and before long Stu has met the vulgar Monkeybone, who travels back to the land of the living to inhabit Stu's body. Aided by Kitty (Rose McGowan), Stu must find a way to reclaim his body and put Monkeybone back in his place before the raunchy primate ruins his charmed life. Monkeybone is based on the cartoon graphic novel Dark Town by Kaja Blackley. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, (more)
Two of the members of popular boy band 'N Sync make their feature acting debuts with this light romantic comedy. Lance Bass stars as shy Kevin Gibbons, an advertising executive in Chicago who's notoriously maladroit at dealing with the opposite sex. After a chance encounter with his dream girl (Emmanuelle Chriqui) aboard the El train, Kevin forgets to ask for her name and phone number and plasters the Windy City with posters seeking his lost love connection. Kevin's quest to find the mystery girl soon attracts the attention of a newspaper reporter and he becomes a media darling, while his roommates Rod (Joey Fatone), Randy (James Bulliard), and Eric (Gregory Qaiyum) take full advantage of the amorous response by Chicago's female population to their friend's heartbroken search. On the Line (2001) co-stars Dave Foley and Jerry Stiller, along with singer Al Green as himself. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, (more)
- 2000
In this animated IMAX feature, Jenna Elfman voices the character of Phig, who takes audiences on a tour of the Gallerie Animatica, a cyber-museum that showcases a huge collection of digital art. Phig's tour is threatened by literal "bugs" in the system that go by the name of Frazzled (Robert Smith) and Wired (Matt Frewer), which do so much damage to Phig's presentation that she is nearly sucked into a black hole. Fortunately, tech support chief Hank (Dave Foley) hacks his way to Phig's rescue before it's too late. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jenna Elfman, Matt Frewer, (more)
- 2000
In 2000, the acclaimed comedy troupe of The Kids in the Hall series reunited for a live performance tour, six years after their groundbreaking television series went off the air, and four years after the release of their movie The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. A camera crew followed the Kids -- Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson -- as they traveled across the United States and Canada. The Kids in the Hall: Same Guys, New Dresses captures highlights of their hilarious on-stage performances, as well the sometimes prickly working relationship of five talented men who each have their own ideas about comedy. Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter also make cameo appearances as Dave Foley and Mark McKinney visit O'Brien's television show (to the consternation of Thompson, who canceled an appearance on the same show at the last minute). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The mystery of the 18-minute-gap in Richard Nixon's White House tapes -- and how it connects to the previously undocumented involvement of two teenage girls in the Watergate scandal -- is the subject of this political comedy. Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams) are high school students and best friends living in Washington D.C. in 1972. Betsy is pretty and popular, while Arlene is cute but a bit awkward. Arlene is obsessed with singing star Bobby Sherman, but that comes to a halt when she and Betsy get lost during a school field trip to the White House. A chance encounter with Checkers the dog leads to the girls meeting President Richard M. Nixon himself (Dan Hedaya). In Nixon, Arlene sees a strong, caring man who loves his dog, and she soon develops a furious crush on the president; Betsy is puzzled but remains supportive. Arlene's devotion to the president is rewarded when she and Betsy are named official White House dog walkers; however, when Arlene and Betsy discover that Nixon has a foul mouth and a short temper and, worst of all, kicks his dog, they realize that the President is not all he appears to be. And when they overhear Nixon ranting about Bob Woodward (Will Ferrell) and Carl Bernstein (Bruce McCulloch), a pair of reporters from The Washington Post looking for dirt on the President, Arlene and Betsy decide that they're happy to help. Dick also features Dave Foley as Bob Haldeman, Harry Shearer as G. Gordon Liddy, and Ana Gasteyer as Rosemary Woods. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, (more)
