James Avery Movies
South Africa is the destination as PBS presents another in its series of travel guides. Big game can be seen at a few of the private game preserves. Then there are diamonds and gold in the mines around Johannesburg. An ostrich ranch is visited, a bush barbeque is held, and the PBS crew members observe Zulu warriors in action. A trip to the Stellenbosch wine country offers an opportunity to sample the fruit of South African vineyards. Joseph Shabadala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, local musicians made famous by their collaborations with Paul Simon, also put in an appearance. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
Host James Avery guides the viewer on a trip through San Francisco in Going Places: San Francisco, another installment in the PBS travel series. A bike trip across the Golden Gate Bridge is shown to be a good way to appreciate the vistas of California sunshine, sparkling waters of the bay, and cooling fog as the sun sets. There is a visit to Alcatraz, where some of the worst criminals were incarcerated. Food can be as simple as the bounty from the sea -- oysters, crabs, fresh shrimp, and fish -- or as exotic as the Chinese roast ducks seen hanging in the windows of Chinatown shops. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
During the Civil War, Federal and Confederate troops clashed in the furious Battle of Antietam, giving the field located near Hagerstown the dubious distinction of "The Bloodiest Field." In this installment of the PBS travel series, host James Avery focuses on a reenactment of the famous battle. Thousands participate in the costume drama as the mock battle brings to life the events of that fateful day. In addition, Avery leads the viewer through a look at medicine as practiced during the Civil War, and also gives a tour of other battle sites of the war. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
In this entry in the PBS-produced series of travel guides, the steamy atmosphere of the rain forests and a volcano's dangerous slopes in Ecuador are explored. Going Places: Volcanoes & Rain Forests -- Ecuador takes the viewer deep into the Amazon rain forest for a close-up look at the denizens and flora under the canopy. Climbing an active volcano is risky business under any circumstances, and the venture is documented by the fearless PBS camera crew. There is a trip to Quito, a shopping jaunt to the Otavalo market for souvenirs, and a challenging white-water rafting excursion on the Rio Toachi. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1983
George (Sherman Hemlsey) and Tom (Franklin Cover) take a pass on going Christmas caroling with the ladies and neighbor Harry Bentley. Our heroes choose instead to remain in the Jefferson apartment, decorating the tree. As the night wears on, George and Tom nostalgically recall past Yuletides spent with their respective fathers (also played by Sherman Hemsley and Franklin Cover). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Framed for a crime they didn't commit in Osage County, Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) are sentenced to hard labor on a chain gang. It turns out that the arrest was orchestrated by crooked landowner Col. Cassius Clayborne (Morgan Woodward, who appropriately enough had appeared in this episode's filmic precursor Cool Hand Luke), who hopes to lure Boss Hogg out of Hazzard country--the better to strip Boss of everything he possesses, and then some! Watch for future Fresh Prince of Bel-Air regular James Avery in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This is the first A-Team episode to feature a famous guest star as "himself," in this case singer Rick James. At James' request, the A-Team forms a protective circle around legendary musician CJ Mack (Isaac Hayes), recently released from prison after serving time from manslaughter. It seems that Mack has been targeted for extermination by the prison's corrupt warden (Peter Haskell) because he knows too much about a sophisticated crime operation headquartered behind bars. Keep an eye out for James Avery (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
- PG
This comedy fuses Three Stooges clips with a storyline about a "Stooge Maniac" who is so obsessed with the comedians his sanity comes into question. Josh Mostel plays Stooge devotee Howard F. Howard, and Melanie Chartoff is Beverly, the woman of his dreams. Howard's condition is analyzed by Dr. Fixyer Minder (Sid Caesar) and for awhile the Stooge fanatic spends some time in a mental institution. Will this damage his love affair with Beverly? And will he know it if it does? ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Mostel, Melanie Chartoff, (more)
- 1985
Moonlighting's first Christmas episode involves, Mary, Joseph and the Three Kings--sort of. It all begins when a woman named Mary (Leslie Wing) hides her baby in the apartment of Blue Moon's secretary Agnes (Allyce Beasley) after Mary's husband Joseph is gunned down by the minions of an ill-tempered gangster. As for the Three Kings, they're actually the three King Brothers, Saul (Daniel Chodos), Jim (John Hostetter) and Reuben (James Avery)--and the possibility exists that they are not so much Wise Men as wise guys! Watch how the series' cast and crew cleverly plays for time when the episode abruptly runs out of script. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Chevy Chase added a classic comic hero to the film landscape with Fletch, one of his few truly popular star vehicles in a famously misguided post-Saturday Night Live career. Chase plays Irwin M. Fletcher, known to everyone as Fletch, a Los Angeles Lakers-loving investigative reporter with a gleeful disdain for deadlines and a knack for pushing the buttons of his frustrated editor (Richard Libertini). He's also known for donning numerous disguises and assuming zany false identities to help gain information. While pursuing an ongoing story about a powerful drug dealer who operates from Venice Beach, he comes across an intriguing offshoot in which he becomes intimately involved. Aviation executive Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson) has an unusual proposition for Fletch: If Fletch agrees to an elaborate plan to kill him, for reasons Stanwyk refuses to divulge beyond explaining that he has bone cancer, Fletch will walk away with a healthy sum of money and a plane ticket to Brazil. Curious yet suspicious by profession, Fletch begins investigating Stanwyk's true motives, which leads him through numerous misadventures. Among them are a visit to a stuffy country club; a high-speed car chase with an unwitting passenger; repeat encounters with Stanwyk's wife (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson), although she may not be his only one; and a trip to Provo -- that's Utah, not Spain. Inspired by a novel of the same name by Gregory McDonald, Fletch went from thriller to comedy as it was adapted into a vehicle for Chase. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chevy Chase, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, (more)
- 1985
Jeff Bridges plays an LA sheriff who loses his job due to his inability to stay away from booze. While attending an AA meeting, Bridges is invited to attend a party, where he meets the beauteous Alexandra Paul. Also at the party is an old enemy of Bridges', druggie Randy Brooks. It doesn't take long for Bridges to figure out that Brooks is a pimp and Paul is one of his hookers. She begs Bridges to help her break away from Brooks. Not long afterward, Paul is killed, and Bridges crawls back into the bottle. Eventually sobering up, he vows to avenge Paul's death. Much blood is spilled before the killer is revealed (it isn't who you think); along the way, Bridges gets a new lease on life when he falls in love with ex-hooker Rosanna Arquette. An enormous flop, 8 Million Ways to Die is redeemed by Jeff Bridges' powerful performance. One hopes that the orignal Lawrence Block novel wasn't quite as confusing as the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, (more)
- 1985
Director Ramzi Thomas had his name removed from this silly horror film from Halloween producer Moustapha Akkad, adopting the common no-fault pseudonym "Alan Smithee." One can hardly blame him. The plot has comatose Garrick Dowhen possessed by Attis, an Egyptian tree god, and stalking his babysitter and other teenagers by use of astral projection. Much the same plot had been used in 1974's Psychic Killer with somewhat better results. Michele Little is the damsel in distress and cartoon fans will recognize Dayton Allen (the voice of Deputy Dawg) in a small role. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michelle Little, Michael Wyle, (more)
- 1986
In this Disney comedy, two identical cars cause all sorts of mayhem for six people and lively dog. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Based on a true story, the made-for-television Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story is the tale of a Washington, DC-based Vietnam veteran (Martin Sheen) who fights for America's homeless by staging hunger strikes and battling with various government agencies, eventually winning the attention of several city officials. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Attacked by a masked assailant, Marjorie (Farrah Fawcett) lives in mortal fear that the unidentified man will strike again -- especially since he knows her address. Sure enough, Joe the attacker (James Russo) breaks into Marjorie's home and subjects her to a night of terror and sexual humiliation. But Marjorie manages to turns the tables on her attacker, knocking him unconscious and rendering him helpless. The remainder of the story charts Marjorie's battle with herself: should she turn Joe over to the authorities, who may very well set him free, or should she mete out her own punishment? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett, James Russo, (more)
- 1987
- R
The special effects are the highlight of this routine science fiction saga. A scientific exploration team bound for the planet Volcryn encounter an evil spaceship helmed by the villainous Jon Winderman (Michael Des Barres), who resembles a composite parody of heavy metal rockers. Not so far fetched an idea -- as in real life, Des Barres took the place of lead singer Robert Palmer in the short-lived 1980s rock group Power Station. He is probably most famous for being the husband of Pamela Des Barres, author of the tell-all groupie expose I'm With The Band. Michael Des Barres's film career began with To Sir, With Love in 1967. He also has been a songwriter and television actor. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Stewart, Michael Praed, (more)
- 1987
The "history is inviolate" theory so chillingly elucidated in Ray Bradbury's The Sound of Thunder is recycled for the made-for-TV Timestalkers. William Devane plays a genially eccentric professor who teams with time traveller Lauren Hutton to prevent the course of history from being disastrously altered. In a manner slightly reminiscent of the 1984 movie hit The Terminator, Devane and Hutton must deal with Klaus Kinski, a mad scientist from the 26th century, who plans to hopscotch through time, spreading death and destruction wherever he goes. The odyssey takes the main characters to all manner of locales, including the Old West. Veteran actor Forrest Tucker made his final screen appearance in Timestalkers, which originally aired March 10, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Devane, Lauren Hutton, (more)
- 1987
When Robert Knight (Bernie White) is placed in a mental institution by his money-hungry relatives, he escapes and seeks vengeance. Hardly an innocent victim, Robert really is a crazed killer, so none of the characters evoke much sympathy. His main targets are his Uncle Charles (Dick Sargent) and Aunt Joanne (Marilyn Hassett).This dysfunctional bunch makes the Manson family look like Ozzie and Harriet as they resort to murder and cannibalism. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernie White, Marilyn Hassett, (more)
- 1987
- PG
A U.S. senator who is planning an upcoming election instructs his aid to escort his troublesome daughter to a reform school so he will not be embarrassed during the campaign. The aid (Martin Sheen), with the company of his friend (Alan Ruck), set off on a road trip with the headstrong daughter (Kerri Green) and find their hands full in this light comedy. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlie Sheen, Kerri Green, (more)
Les (Corey Haim) is embarrassed when he fails his driving test in this routine teen comedy. His buddies are depending on him to provide the wheels for the weekend, but Les is more interested in his Saturday date with Mercedes (Heather Graham). Les secretly steals his grandfather's immaculate 1972 Cadillac for the adventure. The dream date soon turns into a nightmare when Dean (Corey Feldman) bothers Les with camera flashes and cigar smoke, and his sloppy-drunk date dances on the hood of the car with high heels. The car is towed when he parks illegally, and later the teens are chased by revved-up motorheads who challenge him to a race. Carol Kane and Richard Masur play Les' parents. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, (more)
- 1989
- Add Full Exposure: The Sex Tape Scandal to QueueAdd Full Exposure: The Sex Tape Scandal to top of Queue
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal was advertised as being inspired by "today's headlines", though most of those headlines were generated by TV tabloid shows. In her first TV movie, dethroned Miss America Vanessa Williams plays a hooker who specializes in S & M. She videotapes her kinky sexual liaisons, then blackmails the participants. When a mystery killer begins bumping off some of Williams' female compatriots, assistant D.A. Lisa Hartman (we missed that election) is called in on the case. Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal was mercifully buried in the ratings by its powerhouse competition: the premiere telecast of Lonesome Dove. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Volunteering to teach dance classes at a community center, Whitley befriends a self-proclaimed poor child named Dion (Brandon Adams in his first regular series appearance)--an accomplished liar who specializes in playing on people's sympathies. Elsewhere, Col. Taylor fills in when Walter is unable to show up for his bowling team, whereupon the other bowlers begin planning a "mutiny" on the maladroit martinet. Appearing as team member "Norm" is former NBA star Norm Nixon, the husband of episode director Debbie Allen, while future Fresh Prince of Bel-Air costar James Avery is cast as the aptly named "Pin Punisher." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Just before embarking on a DEA assignment to South America, undercover cop Tony (Ray Abruzzo) takes his lady love Christine (Ray Abruzzo) to a restaurant, where he proposes to her--and promptly marries her! Meanwhile back at Night Court, the staff is in a state of disarray and despair, the result of a labor dispute which has robbed them of their regular maintenance man Art (Mike Finneran) and left an incompetent boob in his place. This first episode of a two-part story ends with a startling announcement--the third such announcement of the evening, as it turns out! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
