Tera Hendrickson Movies
- 2000
Though not the first TV dramatization of the lives and careers of the popular 1960s singing group the Beach Boys, this two-part miniseries was the first that did not concentrate exclusively on Brian Wilson, arguably the most brilliant and troubled member of the quintet. Instead, the production details the triumph and heartbreaks of all five Beach Boys: Brian (here played by Frederick Weller), his brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson, and non-related members Mike Love and Al Jardine. Played by Kevin Dunn, the Wilson brothers' father Murray Wilson is cast as a complete monster, shown to be both verbally and physically abusive to his grown sons, as well as a money-grubbing dictator while managing The Beach Boys during their most prolific period. The miniseries also delves into the darker side of the singers themselves, especially when Dennis Wilson (played by Nick Stabile) begins carousing with a would-be tunesmith named Charles Manson (Erik Passoja). Producer John Stamos had originally wanted to appear in the production as Dennis (who died in a surfing mishap in 1983), but the ABC network decided that Stamos was too old for the part. Many (including, reportedly, Brian Wilson himself) complained loudly about the gross liberties taken with actual events in this picture. The Beach Boys: An American Family was originally telecast on February 27 and 28, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frederick Weller, Nick Stabile, (more)
- 1997
The newly unattached Jim (Charles Kimbrough) looks forward to escorting the Raven-Haired Receptionist (Mary-Margaret Humes) to Mr. Lansing's testimonial dinner (actually a charity benefit for strippers!) Unfortunately, a few wires get crossed, and Miller (Christopher Rich) ends up with the "dream" date instead. Meanwhile, the relationship between Frank (Joe Regalbuto) and Dana is sorely strained by Frank's sudden upsurge in popularity with the opposite sex. Hector Elizondo and Jane Seymour appear as themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In this first episode of a two-part story, Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) sends Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) a telegram demanding that they make their separation legal. Well-meaning Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) throws Frasier a "Happy Divorce" party, which turns sour thanks to a surprisingly hostile Woody (Woody Harrelson). But the evening is not a total loss: The lonely Frasier manages to persuade Rebecca to go to bed with him -- a romantic liaison that is, alas, doomed to be interrupted by several surprise visitors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- PG13
John Travolta stars as a hip music teacher in this old-fashioned pseudo-musical set in 1955, the dawn of the rock n' roll era. Travolta is Jack Cabe, a musician on the run in Texas for murdering a man during a recording session. Attempting to elude the law, Jack takes refuge at the Benedict School for Boys, where he is hired as a music instructor by school director Eugene Benedict (Richard Jordan). At the school, he sets teen rebel Jesse Tucker (James Walters) straight by introducing him to the new music called rock n' roll. But Jack doesn't just stop there, and soon all the youngsters are snapping their fingers to the devil's music instead of keeping time to John Philip Sousa. This steers Jack on a collision course with Eugene, who doesn't appreciate the rhythm and the blues of rock n' roll. As if that weren't enough, Jesse has taken it into his head to seduce Sara (Heather Graham), Eugene's beautiful daughter. Meanwhile, Jack has problems of his own. With the law closing in on him, he is ready to take it on the lam to another state. But the big school concert is coming up and he doesn't want to let his students down. Should he stay to play the gig and risk arrest, or elude the law and take off down the road to freedom? ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Travolta, James Walters, (more)
A cynical gambler reluctantly comes to the aid of a mysterious beauty in this interpolation of Casablanca and the real-life Cuban revolution. Big-stakes American gambler Jack Weil (Robert Redford) is comfortable in the anything-goes Havana of 1958. But with Fidel Castro out in the wilderness broadcasting revolutionary messages, it seems the good times may be on the way out. On a boat back to the island nation from the U.S. mainland, Weil agrees to help beautiful Bobby Duran (Lena Olin) smuggle in some contraband by trading vehicles with her on their way through the checkpoint. He's amused to discover not jewelry, but radio transmitters squirreled away in her car. Eventually, he learns that she's the European wife of monied Cuban communist Arturo Duran (Raul Julia), who believes his class and status will protect him from the ruling party. When that assumption turns out to be false, Jack finds himself sucked in by the plight of the suddenly widowed Bobby, who remains committed to her dangerous ideals. Risking his cushy lifestyle to protect Bobby from the coming tumult -- and from herself -- Jack must grapple with the dictates of his newfound conscience. With a supporting cast that includes Alan Arkin and Tomas Milian, Havana reunited director Sydney Pollack with Redford and David Rayfiel, star and co-screenwriter of The Way We Were. Rayfiel has also worked on a number of Pollack pictures, stretching from 1969's Castle Keep to 1995's remake of Sabrina. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Redford, Lena Olin, (more)
- 1990
Down in the dumps over her marital woes, Christine (Markie Post) is quite receptive to the charms of her newest defendant Ian McKee (Bill Calvert), a street artist who's been arrested for defacing public property. Meanwhile, Dan (John Larroquette) is smitten by a fast-food waitress named Pam (Terri Hendrickson)--who turns out not to be quite as old as she acts. And Mac (Charlie Robinson) finds a new form of personal expression by way of a camera. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This lightweight and slightly ribald comedy marks the feature film debut of Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), a buxom seductress best known for hosting a popular syndicated television show that features wonderfully bad old horror movies. After losing her latest job for refusing to sleep with her new boss, Elvira tries to launch a Vegas career. Just before that scheme falls flat, she finds salvation when an aunt dies and leaves her a huge old New England mansion. When the black-clad and sexy Elvira, with her flamboyant make-up and acres of cleavage hit the town, she creates an instant scandal amongst the old folks and inspires lusty dreams in the minds of the young. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cassandra Peterson, Edie McClurg, (more)
