Michael J. Fox Movies
The son of a Canadian military career officer, actor Michael J. Fox made his television debut in Vancouver at the age of 15. Three years later, he moved to the U.S., living in spartan conditions until he was able to get his green card. Things started breaking for Fox in 1980, when he made his simultaneous American TV and movie bow, winning a regular role on the weekly series Palmerstown, U.S.A. and a supporting part in the theatrical film Midnight Madness. Previously billed as Michael Fox, the actor was compelled by the Screen Actors Guild to add the "J" to his name to avoid confusion with an older character actor who went by the same name. At 5'4", the baby-faced Fox was able to play adolescents and teenagers well into his twenties; during the early stages of his career, however, his height lost him as many roles as he won.Fox had sold all his furniture and was subsisting on macaroni and cheese at the time he won his star-making role as junior conservative Alex P. Keaton on the long-running (1982-1989) sitcom Family Ties. Before the series ran its course, Fox had won three Emmys, one of them for an unforgettable "one-man show" in which his character soliloquized over the suicide of a close friend. Fox's movie career caught fire after he replaced Eric Stoltz in the role of time-traveling teen Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985), an enormous hit which spawned two sequels. Not all of Fox's subsequent movie projects were so successful -- although several of them, notably The Secret of My Success (1987) and Casualties of War (1989), were commendable efforts that expanded Fox's range. In later years, the actor seemed to be have difficulty finding the vehicle that would put him back on top, although he continued to keep busy. In the fall of 1996, Fox returned to television in the ABC sitcom Spin City, in which he starred as Michael Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City. That same year, he could also be seen in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! and Peter Jackson's The Frighteners. In 1999, the diminutive actor lent his talents to another wee character, voicing the title role of Stuart Little for the film adaptation of E.B. White's beloved children's book about a walking, talking mouse.
Married to actress Tracy Pollan since 1988 -- she played his long-time girl friend on Family Ties -- Fox credited her with helping him survive his battle with Parkinson's Disease, with which he was diagnosed in 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Based on the autobiographical book by political journalist Mort Kondracke (here played by Bruce Greenwood, the made-for-TV Saving Milly lovingly chronicles the marriage of Kondracke and his wife Milly (Madeline Stowe)--a union that ended on a note of tragedy. The story begins in Chicago in 1966, when Mort, a cub newspaper reporter, falls for Milly Martinez, a Vassar-bred political activist. The two lose track of one another when Kondracke is transferred to Washington, but a chance meeting years later results in marriage. During the period in which Mort establishes himself as a political pundit and Milly pursues her own successful career as a therapist, Mrs. Kondracke diligently helps Mr. Kondracke overcome his alcoholism. And when in 1987 Milly is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it is Mort's turn to repay her love and devotion, nursing her through her long illness, helping her come to grips with reluctantly rely on the help of others for the first time in her life, and laboring tirelessly to stir up public awareness of his wife's affliction. Adding an extra layer of depth to the drama is the subplot involving the learning disabilities of the Kondrackes' daughters. Actor Michael J. Fox, himself a Parkinson's victim, makes a significant cameo appearance film, which though it ends with Milly's death is nonetheless optimistic and inspirational in tone. And before you ask, Robert Wisden is seen as Fred Barnes, Kondracke's genial cohost on the Fox News Channel's The Beltway Boys. Saving Milly mades its CBS network debut on March 13, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This program takes a look at some of the notable interviews journalist Barbara Walters whose career with news magazine show 20/20 brought her face to face with presidents, murderers, and celebrities. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Walters
- 2003
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Irish comic Denis Leary listens to many of his fellow comic friends insult him on The Roast of Denis Leary. Some of the celebrities who stop in to pay homage are Jim Breuer, Jon Stewart, Colin Quinn, and actresses Gina Gershon and Rene Russo. This program contains language that is unsuitable for children. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denis Leary
In the wake of the attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001, many figures in the entertainment community stepped forward to offer their talents to raise money towards relief efforts for the victims and their survivors. On October 20, 2001, some of the biggest names in popular music appeared at New York's Madison Square Garden in a special marathon concert to raise funds, and to pay tribute to the firefighters and police officers who gave their strength, their courage, and in some cases their lives to help the victims of this tragedy. The Concert for New York is a video that documents this historic evening. Musicians include Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bono, and many more. The long list of celebrity presenters includes Rudy Giuliani, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Halle Berry. And several filmmakers contribute short films on New York, including Woody Allen and Kevin Smith. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The second film to be made from Woody Allen's successful stage comedy (following a 1969 feature starring Jackie Gleason), Don't Drink the Water is a made-for-television adaptation directed by and starring Allen himself. The fish-out-of-water premise remains the same: Allen plays Walter Hollander, a caterer from New Jersey who takes his family on vacation to a fictional Eastern European country. The trip turns sour when, thanks to a series of misunderstandings involving some inopportune snapshots, they are accused of espionage. The family goes on the run, taking refuge in the American Embassy. There, with the help of a wily young diplomat, they try to figure out a way to return to America without sparking an international incident. Though this version is set 25 years later than the original film, the changes are mostly cosmetic: the visual style is hand-held and more frantic, and the script replaces numerous references to the Cold War with a few glancing nods to present-day politics. Another notable change, the addition of an opening montage parodying newsreels, was reportedly the result of network pressure after Allen's initial cut proved too short for the planned time slot. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1993
This hour-long documentary pays tribute to Jimmy Cagney (1899-1986), who carved a niche for himself in Hollywood's pantheon of the 1930s and '40s with tough-guy gangster roles in movies such as The Public Enemy (1931) and The Roaring Twenties (1939). However, as this program shows, he had some range as an actor, and won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Broadway's George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942). Born James Francis Cagney Jr., the actor started in vaudeville, then graduated to Broadway and Hollywood. Despite his gangster screen image, in real life he was involved in philanthropy. Highlights of the program include clips from his various films. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Duvall's Emmy- and ACE award-winning animated bedtime stories, narrated by celebrities. Each tape contains two stories and are available individually. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1992
This made-for-cable TV feature includes the three Mercer Mayer stories There's an Alligator Under My Bed, There's a Nightmare in My Closet, and There's Something in My Attic. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This program chronicles the events of December 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor and the event that brought America into World War II. The events of that day are chronicled here, effectively and dramatically bringing across the horror and heroism that walked hand in hand. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This 1991 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Michael J. Fox and features musical guest the Black Crowes. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, The Black Crowes, (more)
- 1990
The final installment in the Back to the Future trilogy picks up where the second film left off, but it casts off the dizzying time travel of the first two films for mostly routine comedy set in the Old West. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) receives a 70-year-old letter from his inventor friend, Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), who tells Marty that he has retreated a century in time to live out a relatively quiet life in the Old West. Doc Brown reveals that he hid his DeLorean car/time machine in an abandoned mine outside town, and when Marty does some research and discovers that the Doc died shortly after writing the letter, he decides to find the car, travel back in time, and warn the Doc about his demise. Meanwhile, the Doc, who has fallen in love with a local woman (Mary Steenburgen), realizes he can't hide in the past from the problems he has caused to the time flow in the previous two adventures. He reluctantly decides to return to the present with Marty, but first, they have to find a way to get the DeLorean up to time-travel velocity with a broken fuel line and no gasoline. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, (more)
- 1989
Things have barely settled from the excitement and resolve of the original Back to the Future, when in pops that crazy inventor Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) with news that in order to prevent a series of events that could ruin the McFly name for posterity, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox ) and his girlfriend are whisked into the future to the year 2015, where Marty must tangle with a teen rogue named Griff, who's obviously the descendant of Biff, the first Future film's bully. Marty foils Griff and his group when he jumps on an air-foil skateboard that flies him through town at rakish speeds with the loser bullies beaten again. Marty gets a money-making brainstorm before hopping in the time-traveling DeLorean, and he purchases a sports almanac. He figures that back in 1985 he'll be able to place sure-fire bets using the published sports scores of the games that are yet to happen. Unfortunately for Marty, Dr. Brown disapproves of his betting scheme -- he feels too much messing with time is very dangerous -- and he tosses the almanac. A hidden Biff overhears the discussion about the almanac, sees it get tossed out, and grabs it. Thus begins a time-traveling swirl to make the head spin. Biff swipes the DeLorean, heads back to 1955, and with the help of the unerring almanac, bets his way to power. The now-altered "Biff world" has turned into a nightmarish scene with Biff the mogul, residing in a Vegas-styled pleasure palace and running everything. It's all our hero Marty can do to pull the pieces together this time, as he must jump between three generations of intertwined time travel. The end of Back to the Future, Part 2 introduces its sequel as the zany professor has already time-dashed away to the Wild West of the late 1800s and invites Marty into a new adventure. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, (more)
- 1987
Released by the now-defunct Simitar Entertainment rather than Rhino Video, which handles the other Comic Relief videos, Comic Relief II is featured on two separate 60-minute videos. A 1987 live charity event benefiting America's homeless, part one of Comic Relief II is hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal, and features comic turns by Elayne Boosler, Louie Anderson, Judy Tenuta, and Michael J. Fox. Part two of Comic Relief II is a continuation of part one, boasting an all-star lineup that includes comic luminaries Richard Lewis, Steven Wright, Steve Allen, Arsenio Hall, and Roseanne. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1987
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Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam was first telecast April 3, 1988, over the HBO cable service. Based on the book of the same name, the program is devoted to poignant recitations of letters to and from American participants of the Vietnam war. The letters are heard over images culled from news footage, home movies and still photography, with contemporary music added to put things in the proper historical context. The 2-hour film, featuring readings from various well-known actors (see cast list), was a co-production involving Bill Couturie, a previous Emmy winner for Vietnam Requiem, and the Vietnam Veterans Ensemble Theatre Company. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Berenger, Ellen Burstyn, (more)
- 1985
This lively made-for-television comedy is set at a summer camp and chronicles the romantic misadventures of the staff. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Steve and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney), once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-Era American trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) is an ambitious Young Republican and his sister Mallory (Justine Bateman) is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer (Tina Yothers), a bit of a tomboy.
- Starring:
- Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter-Birney, (more)
- 1985
All the main characters from the popular TV sitcom Family Ties were carried over into this made-for-TV feature. Michael J. Fox heads the cast as insufferable/lovable young conservative Alex Keaton, who this time around is attending Oxford on a summer scholarship. The Keaton family--ex-hippie parents Elyse (Meredith Baxter Birney) and Steven (Michael Gross), and sisters Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Jennifer (Tina Yothers)--decide to go along with Alex in order to enjoy a vacation in England. The script contrives to have the Keatons behave wildly out of character by getting involved in a hackneyed espionage plot. The film looks more like one of those Dell Comics "specials" or Ace Paperback TV show tie-ins rather than a logical extension of the original series. Family Ties Vacation was first telecast September 23, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, (more)
- 1984
Harry's courtroom docket this evening includes a man claiming to be Santa Claus (Jeff Corey) (red suit, white beard, the whole shootin' match) who's been hauled in for trespassing, and a pair of cynical teenage runaways, one of whom is played by Family Ties costar Michael J. Fox. In his usual off-the-wall fashion, Harry solves everyone's problems and gets a hug in the bargain. With this episode, Paula Kelly joins the cast in the role of combative public defender Liz Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
