Jill Frappier Movies
- 2002
Created by Naomi Iwata, the half-hour 3-D CGI animated series Pecola boasted a production design that Pablo Picasso might have envied. The title character was a lovable little penguin who lived in Cube City, where everything was on the square -- literally, since everyone had square heads and square bodies, living in square houses on square streets beneath a square sky. Despite this seeming conformity, Pecola waddled to a different beat from his animal friends, and therein lay the series' hilarity. A Cinar release, Pecola made its U.S. debut over the Cartoon Network on May 6, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Len Carlson, Jill Frappier, (more)
- 1996
- Add Strauss: The King of Three-Quarter Time to QueueAdd Strauss: The King of Three-Quarter Time to top of Queue
The waltz was all the rage in 1860s Europe, and composer Johann Strauss Jr. was the known as the "King of Three-Quarter Time." In this video from HBO's composer series, Strauss, played by Michael Riley, is stressed by the pressure of outdoing himself with each new composition and the memory of his late father's disapproval of his music. Retreating to a country estate, Strauss meets Nicholas, a stable boy who is brutally abused by his stepfather. Together, the two find the strength to overcome their emotional and physical scars and collaborate on music that will thrill generations to come. Designed to introduce children to classical music and composers, the video features music from Strauss' "Tales from the Vienna Woods," "The Blue Danube," "Vienna Blood," "Roses from the South," "Perpetual Motion," and "Explosions Polka." Highly recommended for ages 8 to 12. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Senft, Michael Riley, (more)
- 1986
A Canadian-Australian coproducton which originally aired over Australia's 7 Network, the six-hour miniseries Spearfield's Daughter stars Kim Braden as the title character. The daughter of a prominent and powerful Australian politician (Chris Wiggins), Cleo Spearfield (Kim Braden) incurs her father's wrath by becoming a reporter, with the Vietnam war as her "beat." When not dodging bullets and negotiating rice paddies, Cleo is wooed by two attractive gentemen, gonzo American journalist Tom Border (Steve Railsback) and Murdoch-like British publishing mogul Lord Jack Cruze (Christopher Plummer. Adapted by Jon Cleary from his own novel, Spearfield's Daughter was syndicated to the US beginning the week of May 25, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Purporting to be loosely based on Hamlet, Strange Brew is about an evil braumeister at the Elsinore Brewery who has discovered an additive that when guzzled in beer, allows the drinkers to be easily controlled. Braumeister Smith (Max von Sydow) has a plan to take over the world with his new brew, and only the Great White hosers of the North, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) -- with their plaid shirts, ski toques, fur-lined parkas, and addiction to beer -- can stop the dastardly plan, sober or not. There are several jabs at "hoseheads" and the business of movie-making, including an epilogue that critiques the film itself. Strange Brew found a cult audience with fans of the Second City comedy troupe, of which Moranis and Thomas were members. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, (more)
