Max Grodenchik Movies

Michael Douglas stars as a treasure-hunting eccentric in this Alexander Payne-produced comedy from director Michael Cahill. Recently released from a mental institution and reunited with his teenage daughter, Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), Charlie (Douglas) decides there's century's old gold buried near their lower-middle-class neighborhood, and sets out on an obsessive quest to find it. Along the way, the estranged parent and child rekindle a long-lost bond with each other. Featuring a score by David Robbins, King of California screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

As suggested by its title, this Deep Space Nine episode invokes memories of the Akira Kurosawa classic The Seven Samurai (or at least its American remake, The Magnificent Seven). The plot is set in motion when Quark's mother Ishka (Cecily Adams) is captured by the Dominion. Organizing a motley band of Ferengi warriors, Quark sets out to rescue his mom, fully intending to honor his species' traditions by bargaining rather than battling his way into the enemy camp. Iggy Pop guest stars as Ishka's Vortan captor Yelgrun. First telecast on January 1, 1998, "The Magnificent Ferengi" was written by Ira Steven Behr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

First telecast September 29, 1997, Deep Space Nine's sixth-season opener takes place three months after the crew was forced to surrender DS9 to the Dominion/Cardassian alliance. Now ensconced on the Defiant, Sisko and his crew continues to wage a bloody battle against the enemy, but it seems to be a losing proposition. Federation Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) removes Sisko from his command, then assigns him to lead a mission to destroy the facility where the drug that keeps the Dominion's Jem'Hadar troops alive is stored. Meanwhile, back on Dominion-controlled DS9, Odo manages to cause a rift between Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) and Dukat (Marc Alaimo). "A Time to Stand" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Heading directly into what seems to be a suicide mission, Sisko and the Defiant crew grimly press onward, still determined to wrest Deep Space Nine away from the Dominion. Despite the assembled forces of 1,000 Dominion vessels, the Defiant manages to break into the wormhole, enabling Sisko to come within firing range of DS9. Fully expecting a battle to the death, he is surprised to learn that he has several allies amongst the Dominion hierarchy. This pivotal episode was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler and originally aired November 3, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having at last scored a victory against the Dominion, Sisko and his crew prepare to celebrate at the long-awaited wedding of Worf and Dax. But before the couple can enjoy connubial bliss, they must endure a few "inconveniences," including Worf's painful, ritualistic Klingon bachelor party, and the efforts by Worf's surrogate mother Sirella (Shannon Cochran) to kill the bride-to-be. Even so, Bashir is able to survey the situation and comment happily "There's nothing more romantic than a DS9 wedding in the springtime." Coming as it does in the middle of one of the series' grimmest story arcs, "You Are Cordially Invited. . ." was a welcome and refreshingly amusing change of pace. First telecast November 10, 1997, the episode was written by Ronald D. Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As was the case in seasons past, the fifth season of Deep Space Nine ended with a crisis situation, as the crew prepares for a devastating Dominion/Cardassian attack. Once again, Sisko tries to forestall the attack by closing off the wormhole, but his efforts are futile. Meanwhile, Odo and Kira put aside their blossoming relationship in the face of imminent destruction, Jake accepts a job as a war correspondent, and Worf proposes to Dax. As the episode hurtles to a close, the unthinkable happens, and the crew surrenders DS9 to the Dominion. Those watching "Call to Arms" during its original June 16, 1997 playdate would have to wait until the following season to witness the outcome of this particularly complex story. "Call to Arms" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Attracted to a girl named Bonnie (played by Caroline Rhea of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame), Drew (Drew Carey) invites her to see the microbrewery in his home--only to discover that Bonnie is a zoning inspector, and that he's in a heap of trouble for not having a home-business permit. When in turns out that practically everybody in the neighborhood is secretly running a business at home, Drew decides to take action to prevent further impediments to the American Entreprenurial Spirit. Along the way, Mimi (Kathy Kinney) suggests an easy way out of Drew's predicament--but it'll cost him dearly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Called to a Federation Grand Jury hearing, Quark leaves DS9, escorted by a reluctant Odo. Halfway to their destination, their sabotaged Runabout crash-lands on a deserted planet. Forced to rely upon each other for survival, Quark and Odo have a hellish time suppressing their long-standing mutual animosity. Written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, "The Ascent" was originally telecast November 25, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rebelling against Quark's obstreperous management tactics, his employees walk out on him. The situation is exacerbated when Quark's own brother Rom defies Ferengi tradition and organizes the employees into a union. Magnanimously offering to break up the subsequent strike, Liquidator Brunt (Jeffrey Combs) uses brutish strong arm tactics which threaten the well-being of labor and management alike. Originally telecast February 19, 1996, "Bar Association" was scripted by Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Ira Steven Behr from a story by Barbara J. Lee and Jennifer A. Lee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This groan-inducing would-be camp from the director of Leprechaun boasts some good makeup by Kevin Yagher but is still easily the worst of the '90s crop of fairy-tale horrors. Kim Johnston Ulrich plays a widowed mother who buys a jade rock at an antique store. When she cries on it, she releases Rumpelstiltskin (Max Grodenchik), a soulless hunchbacked gnome who grants wishes, demanding newborn babies as his price. He also spews a lot of bogus Freddie Krueger wisecracks, dons sunglasses to ride a motorcycle, and pulls off his own head to bite a cop's neck. Most of the film follows Ulrich and an obnoxious talk-show host (Tommy Blaze) as they flee from the little goon with Ulrich's baby. There are chases by motorcycle, 18-wheeler, dune buggy, bulldozer, and police car, as well as several crowd-pleasing explosions. At one point, Ulrich runs over the gnome and his severed hand gives her the finger. That should give an indication of the level of entertainment contained herein. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide