Martin Donovan Movies

Things go from bad to worse for Leon (Johnny Whitworth). First, he gets arrested for drunk driving. Then, his beloved mother (Natassja Kinski) kicks him out of the house to keep him from influencing his younger brothers. She's not putting him out onto the street, however, as they meet at a bank where she is to set up an account for him. When his mother is killed and he is injured in a bank robbery, his despised drunk of a father (Gabriel Byrne) comes back to the home he left years before to look after Leon and his brothers. Then his father manages to accidentally kill himself while stumbling drunk. It's too much for Leon, who buries his father in the backyard, fearfully imagining he will be charged with murder. He goes on the run, tormented by beckoning visions of his dead mother. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

High-concept director Robert Zemeckis applies his usual polish -- helped by an equally adept cast -- for this surprisingly gruesome and extremely funny black comedy. The film begins with narcissistic actress Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing the latest in a series of potential fiancées, wimpy plastic surgeon Ernest (Bruce Willis), from her ex-best friend Helen (Goldie Hawn). Depressed and infuriated, Helen suffers a breakdown that lands her in a mental hospital -- in addition to a junk-food bender that seems to triple her weight. When Madeline crosses paths with Helen again many years later, she is horrified to discover her once-chunky rival looking younger, slimmer and more glamorous than ever before. Fearing that Helen will try to steal Ernest back -- and dreading the thought of not having a plastic surgeon at her beck and call -- Madeline solicits the supernatural services of an exotic New Age mystic (Isabella Rossellini), who sells her a potent youth elixir with the stipulation that she follow the dosage instructions to the letter... yeah, right. It appears that Helen owes her sexy comeback to the same magic formula, and the inevitable violent clash between the two well-dressed banshees leads to the realization that both women have become nearly impervious zombies, clawing at each other's throats long after the blood has run cold in their veins. Best remembered for Dick Smith's Oscar-winning makeup effects, which allow the rapidly-rotting undead femmes to toss off witty one-liners with ragged holes blasted through their bodies or spin their heads Exorcist-style. Not all the sight gags work, and Zemeckis' lighthearted treatment of such grotesque material tends to dull the satirical edge, but there are some truly inspired moments of dementia -- particularly a hilarious cameo from Sydney Pollack as a doctor who comes unglued while examining Streep (who has yet to realize she's dead). ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Director Martin Donovan (real name Carlos Enrique Varela y Peralta-Ramos) directed this beautifully photographed western/horror amalgam. The story takes places in the American West in 1892. Jenny Hill (Mary Stuart Masterson) longs for the love of the local rough-and-tumble outlaw James Miller (Stephen Blake), who is also in love with her. But Jenny's mother (Fionnula Flanagan) doesn't approve, and instead marries Jenny off to James's half-brother Miller Brown (Hart Bochner), a polite and inarticulate farmer. Miller is in love with Jenny, but she can't stand his touch. Jenny begins to lapse into boredom until the full moon rises and she discovers Miller is a werewolf who spends his nights growling and baying at the moon, while Jenny remains locked inside their cabin. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

A withdrawn Beunos Aries movie buff develops an unusually charged relationship with his new roommate in this off-beat psychological thriller. Reclusive and demanding, movie theater owner Adrian LeDuc is none too happy when circumstances force him to share his apartment. His outlook begins to shift, however, when he meets Jack Carney, a confident charmer with movie star looks. Adrian is both strangely attracted to and resentful of Jack, and the two form a sometimes awkward, often unspoken bond. This connection is challenged, however, when it is revealed that Jack may be hiding a horrible secret in regards to his enigmatic past. While it always remains grounded in the dynamics of the roommate's relationship, the film expands to encompass much more, from an implicit critique of obsessive movie fandom to a look at the bloody politics of the Argentinean military regime. Ultimately, however, the film is primarily concerned with creating a mood of slowly building suspense mixed with a streak of black humor, which becomes more pronounced as the film approaches its violent climax. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Susan Sarandon gives a sprightly performance in this sex farce involving couples swapping mates. Shirley MacLaine is Evelyn, a doctor, who is spending some quality time horseback riding when she is spotted by Greg (Stephen Collins), who is driving his sports car. Greg looks at her a bit too long and crashes the car, and since Evelyn is a doctor, she feels free to ride up to the prone Greg and rip off his pants. Soon the two are having an affair behind the backs of Greg's TV weather-girl lover Stephanie (Susan Sarandon) and Evelyn's workaholic husband, Walter (James Coburn). When Walter finds out about the affair from Stephanie, the two decide to reciprocate and engage in an affair of their own. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

After a special airing of its pilot episode, Alice officially launches its first season with widow Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin) firmly ensconced as a waitress in a Phoenix, Arizona greasy spoon known as Mel's Diner. On this occasion, Alice finds herself attracted to Jack (Denny Miller), an old friend of her boss Mel (Vic Tayback). Jack is a former football pro turned TV personality--and if Alice can overcome memories of her late husband, Jack may also end up as Hubby Number Two. With this episode, Philip McKeon takes over from Alfred Lutter in the role of Alice's son Tommy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Eileen Heckart guest stars as Rose, the opinionated, overbearing mother-in-law of widow Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin). Having always regarded Rose's visits as a cause for alarm, Alice is prepared to spend a miserable weekend with her contentious in-law. But she isn't prepared for Rose's announcement that she has left her husband Charlie and intends to move in with Alice permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Lou Grant's (Edward Asner) trip to Las Vegas is cancelled, Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) tries to compensate by setting up a "friendly" poker game in the newsroom. Alas, it soon becomes obvious that Murray (Gavin MacLeod) is a compulsive gambler -- and an extraordinarily unlucky one at that. By episode's end, Murray's entire life savings is riding on a bet as to whether or not anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) can get through a whole newscast without making a verbal blooper. "It's Whether You Win or Lose" first aired on October 14, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide