Michael Wood Movies
- 1993
Former jewel thief turned insurance investigator Dennis Stanton (Keith Michell) has changed professions once more, and is now chief of security on a cruise ship. When a woman is found dead in the ship's cargo section, it soon develops that virtually everyone on board is either a thief or a liar--not to mention a potential murderer. The only passenger whom Dennis can trust is his old friend Jessica (Angela Lansbury), who of course agrees to help him solve the case. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This highly rated independent production was written years before Bull Durham, and though it covers much of the same territory, it is considered worth seeing in its own right. In the story, Roy Dean Bream (William Russ) is too old to be part of his minor-league baseball team's cultural mainstream. In short, he's often ignored, derided, or treated to the worst or last of everything, like any other outcast. Tyrone (Glenn Plummer) is so young that it gives the same teammates who shun Roy the willies and reminds them that they too are getting older -- so he's an outcaste, too. What could be more natural than for these two men to seek one another out. It doesn't matter that the older man is white, the younger is black. They both love the game, and Roy has been around the block a few times and has plenty to teach Tyrone. When the time comes for Roy to be sent to retirement, everyone holds their breaths to see how he will react. It's a pity they didn't get to know him better, or they would know that this kind, generous man wishes them all well. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Russ, Glenn Plummer, (more)
Set within a Chicago housing project this low-budget, but earnest independently produced comedy, the debut of Chicago filmmaker Darryl Roberts, tells the romantic story of an African American actor who returns home from Hollywood to reestablish the ghetto roots he worked so hard at ignoring the past few years. No sooner is the actor home than he meets his enterprising boyhood buddy, now a sleazy beauty pageant promoter who uses the lovely contestants to satisfy his unending lust. He asks the actor to host his latest pageant and the actor agrees to the proposition. The actor's life changes when he sees a young boy attempting to hijack his car. Collaring the lad, the actor learns that he has been orphaned and is being raised by his beautiful big sister. The actor falls for this girl, but fears she will not fit well with the Hollywood crowd. Fortunately, the actor's big brother is around to offer him excellent advice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Norman McKay, Liza Cruzat, (more)
- 1968
A small Arizona town is plagued by violence created from the tension between Anglo and Mexican-American youths. Tony (Tom Nardini) is the idealistic new kid in school who tries to alleviate long-time tensions between the rival factions. The Mexican gang is led by Paco (Zooey Hall), a hot-tempered youth with good reason to resent some of his Caucasian counterparts due to past prejudices. Bruce (David Macklin) is the leader of the white gang. Patty McCormack and Joanna Frank are the female interests who become victims of the gang struggles. Tony, formerly from San Diego, attempts to change the attitudes of the polarized and violent groups. Simms (Russ Bender) is a bigoted educator who fans the flames of hate, and Wilson (Arthur Peterson) is the school principal who is helpless to stop the violence between the two factions. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Nardini, Patty McCormack, (more)
