Pat Collins Movies
Two Mafia gunmen give new meaning to the phrase "keeping it in the family" in this offbeat comedy. Danny (Christopher Gartin) and Stephen (Greg Lauren) are a pair of mob enforcers who see to it that no one crosses the Family and lives to tell about it. However, Danny and Stephen are hit men with a difference -- they're also lovers; and while they know how to get rid of troublemakers, little things like cooking and sewing are not their strong suits. They find themselves thrown for a loop when Stephen's parents (Frank Pellegrino and Beth Fowler) stop by for an unexpected visit, which leaves them with a bit of explaining to do, about their occupations and their lifestyle. Friends and Family also features Tony Lo Bianco, Tovah Feldshuh, and Anna Maria Alberghetti. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Gartin, Greg Lauren, (more)
- 2001
Andy Sipowicz' (Dennis Franz) joy over being promoted is tempered by his grief at the funeral of former partner Danny Sorenson. Additionally, Andy is nervous about being teamed with John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), the son of an old and vengeful enemy (Joe Spano). Before the reason for the animosity between Andy and Joe Sr. is revealed, the squad tackles a burglary-homicide case involving a valuable guitar and a nutty roommate (Pamela Gordon), and tries to nail the victim's husband in a stabbing death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
- 2000
The unidentified bodies of two teenagers are found. Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) discover that one of the victims was traveling with her sister -- who may have participated in the murders, either willingly or unwillingly. This episode features guest appearances from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit regulars Christopher Meloni (as Detective Elliot Stabler) and Mariska Hargitay (as Detective Olivia Bensen). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Actress Anjelica Huston directed and stars in this drama based on Brendan O'Carroll's novel The Mammy. Set in Dublin in 1967, Agnes Browne (Anjelica Huston) is the mother of seven children, barely making ends meet when her husband dies, leaving her to figure out not only how to support the family, but also how to pay for a funeral. To cover the burial expenses, Agnes resorts to borrowing money from a loan shark (Ray Winstone) who isn't interested in special deals for widows or orphans. Agnes learns to scrape up a living selling fruit and vegetables, and makes sure her children get the best education possible, but self-sacrificing Agnes would like one small luxury for herself: Tom Jones will be playing a concert in town soon, and she'd like nothing more than to hear the man sing "It's Not Unusual" live and in person. A French baker with eyes for Agnes (Arno Chevrier) joins forces with her children to see that she gets her wish. Agnes Browne boasts an accurate portrayal of Ireland in the late 1960s, thanks in part to the fact that Huston spent a great deal of time there as a child; the film was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anjelica Huston, Marion O'Dwyer, (more)
Top-notch action sequences and exciting stunt work highlight this fast-moving thriller. John Kruger (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a top agent in the U.S. Marshalls' Witness Protection Program; it's his job to "erase" the pasts of Federal witnesses under his watch and deal with anyone who tries to hurt them. Kruger's latest assignment is to protect Lee Cullen (Vanessa Williams), who while working for a major weapons manufacturing firm discovered evidence that the company was selling new, high-tech weapons to intentional terrorists groups with the cooperation of a faction of enemy agents within the United States government. However, when Kruger discovers that the Witness Protection Program has a rat in the house -- and that rat is his boss, U.S. Marshall Robert Deguerin (James Caan) -- Kruger has to guard his own life while trying to protect Lee's. The supporting cast is highlighted by James Coburn, Robert Pastorelli, and James Cromwell. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Caan, (more)
- 1995
This low-budget sci-fi feature attempts to satirize life in Salt Lake City, UT, and begins as a young woman locates a strange bronze plate beneath the Great Salt Lake. As she tries to unlock its secrets, she discovers that it is part of a UFO conspiracy based on actual Mormon doctrines. The aliens turn out to be intergalactic sex fiends who want to take over the Earth. Fortunately, the heroine has help from assorted crazy characters who work together to save the planet. The title has little to do with the film, nor is it really related to Edward D. Wood Jr.'s awful classic Plan 9 from Outer Space. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino directed this episode, which contains all manner of characteristic black comedy touches, not to mention Tarantino's trademarked use of a popular 1960s songs to comment upon the action. The story occurs on Mother's Day, when the long-suffering Lewis (Sherry Stringfield), who is having enough trouble coping with sister Chloe's (Kathleen Wilhoite) pregnancy, is visited by her zany, irresponsible mother, Cookie (Valerie Perrine). Elsewhere, Benton (Eriq La Salle) is told that his mother is dead; Diane (Lisa Zane) is surprised by Ross' (George Clooney) reaction when she asks him to move in with her; and Carter (Noah Wyle) makes a life-altering professional decision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- R
- Add Exit to Eden to Queue
This sexy farce stars Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell as Fred Lavery and Sheila Kingston, a pair of cynical detectives investigating the disappearance of a key witness in a diamond-smuggling case. The case leads them to a Club Med-styled S&M resort where dog collars and cat o' nine tails abound; further complicating matters, the smugglers end up on the island as well. The missing witness, photographer Elliot Slater (Paul Mercurio), takes a job as a bondage boy, and he falls in love with the resort manager, Mistress Lisa (Dana Delany. Adapted from Anne Rice's novel of the same name. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, Paul Mercurio, (more)
- 1993
A building superintendent is found murdered, and the chief suspect is the man's 17-year-old son, Sean McKinnon (Gabriel Olds). The boy insists that his father was abusive, and that he acted in self defense. The investigation conducted by the D.A.'s office is virtually frozen in its tracks by the obstreperous, self-protective behavior of the dead man's family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When a conniving Montana thief (Corbin Bernsen) decides to rob the local bank, he organizes a gang of four to meet at a remote cabin to initiate the crime. The ringleader is delayed, however, by a pair of ineffective cops. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hoyt Axton, Corbin Bernsen, (more)
