Joe Howard Movies
- 2006
Dick Van Dyke draws heavily from both his classic 1960s sitcom and his later detective-series vehicle Diagnosis Murder as star of the made-for-cable whodunit Murder 101. Van Dyke is cast as Dr. Jonathan Maxwell, a retired detective who teaches a course on criminology in a small-town college. Though he tends to trip over his own feet and bump into doors with alarming regularity, Maxwell's deductive skills are as sharp as ever, as proven when he is called upon to prove the innocence of Cheryl Collins (Tracey Needham), an investigative reporter charged with the murder of corrupt CEO Nelson Raymond (Tony Denison). It is clear that Cheryl has been framed, but who did the framing? Was it Raymond's vindictive ex-wife Louise (Lisa Thornhill), or his shady business associates Max Arnholdt (Bradford English) and Karl Larch (Camren Argeniano)--or could it be the proverbial Least Likely Suspect? Dick Van Dyke's son Barry Van Dyke, who previously costarred with his dad in Diagnosis Murder, is seen as private eye Mike Bryant, while Barry's son (and Dick's grandson) Wes Van Dyke shows up briefly as one of Dr. Maxwell's students. Clearly intended as the pilot for an ongoing series of Hallmark Channel TV movies, Murder 101 first aired on January 7, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The true story of a man who never gave up on his dreams of doing something big -- and doing it very, very fast -- provides the basis for this engaging comedy drama. Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) was born in 1899 in Invercargill, New Zealand. From childhood, Munro had a passion for machines that moved fast, and when he was 21 he bought his first motorcycle, an Indian model with a 600 cc engine. Motorcycles became an obsession that stayed with Munro for the rest of his life, as he constantly tinkered with his beloved Indian machine, modifying the engine and frame, determined to see just how fast he could make it run. In 1967, Munro decided it was high time he proved to himself and the world just what he and his machine could do, and he booked passage for the United States, with the goal of breaking the world's land speed record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. As Munro made his way across America to Utah, he discovered not everyone took his dream seriously, but some did, and he made a handful of friends along the way, including Ada (Diane Ladd), a widow who fell for Munro's rough charm, and Fernando (Paul Rodriguez), a car dealer who offered to help him. However, when he finally arrived at Bonneville, Munro was told his machine was unsafe to participate in the time trials, and -- far worse -- he was too old to ride. It took some intervention from a ranking American driver, Jim Moffett (Chris Lawford), before Munro was given his chance to ride the famous Salt Flats. The World's Fastest Indian was written and directed by Roger Donaldson, who early in his career made a documentary about the real Burt Munro, Offerings to the Gods of Speed. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, (more)
- 2004
Is Jimmy (Tate Donovan) ready and able to reopen the Lighthouse restaurant with Sandy (Peter Gallagher) as his partner -- or is there a hidden problem that may end this business enterprise before it begins? Meanwhile, Summer's (Rachel Bilson) new relationship with another "funny" guy, Danny (Bret Harrison), gets Seth (Adam Brody) riled up; and Julie (Melinda Clarke) has found work as a designer -- and a potential enemy in the form of Kirsten (Kelly Rowan). As for Ryan (Ben McKenzie), he is prepared to risk everything in his life that he holds dear, if only to expose Oliver Trask (Taylor Handley) as a phony. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1999
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is looking forward to trading in her stakes for a corsage as she and her friends prepare for their senior prom. Angel (David Boreanaz) is less enthused about the big dance, especially since Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) wants him to end his relationship with Buffy. Meanwhile, a Hell Hound mauls a shopper at the dress shop where Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) is working. Reviewing the store video camera recording, Buffy clues in on the Hell Hound's possible owner. Despite her friends' insistance, Buffy won't let anyone else miss the prom to help her track down the Hell Hound. This is the first episode where Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) actually date. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1998
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) would give anything to see the hottest play in town, but tickets are nowhere to be had, not for any price. Undaunted, the Crane brothers launch all manner of schemes both above-board and underhanded to gain entrance to the big show. What happens next should surprise no one who has followed Frasier, though it certainly comes as a shock to the characters. Fritz Weaver guest stars as celebrated stage actor Sir Trevor Aimsley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This cheerful holiday comedy, a surprise box office smash, featured a generous dollop of raunchy, crude humor and was greatly elevated by the presence of masterful performers in the lead roles. Jack Lemmon is John Gustafson, an ice-fishing Minnesota native who has been feuding with his neighbor and former best friend Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) for decades. The battle of wills between John and Max is characterized by crude name calling and harmless practical jokes. Max is unaware that John is having serious problems, chiefly that his daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) is experiencing marital woes and that his house is about to be confiscated by an officious IRS agent (Buck Henry). When it seems that John and Max may finally put aside their childish rivalry, however, sexy new neighbor Ariel (Ann-Margret) arrives and dates both men, pitting them against each other more fiercely than ever before. Despite their mutual loathing, the death of a friend, John's problems, and a budding romance between Max's son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) and Melanie may force the two old friends to reconcile. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, (more)
This fill-in-the-blanks children's comedy from Disney was such a success that it spawned a number of fill-in-the-blanks sequels -- along with a real-life professional hockey team. The basic story -- outcast coach handles a team of outcast kids and turns them from losers into winners -- has been told in a number of films, including Wildcats, The Bad News Bears, Hoosiers, and Youngblood. Here the sport is hockey. Emilio Estevez is Gordon Bombay, a high-powered lawyer haunted by an incident from his past: while playing pee-wee league hockey as a child, young Gordon missed a crucial shot in the state finals game, invoking the wrath of his coach, Mr. Reilly (Lane Smith). When Gordon is arrested for drunk driving, the judge orders him to take a leave of absence and coach a hockey team of misfit kids. At first, Gordon treats the coaching job with contempt. But when his team loses to a team led by his old coach Reilly, the fire under Gordon is lit. Inspired, he leads his team on a mission to succeed. The team begins to win games and soon they are ready to face Reilly's team for the big championship game. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland, (more)
- 1992
On July 19, 1989, a DC-10 en route from Denver to Philadelphia lost all its hydraulics and broke apart just outside of the Sioux City, Iowa airport, killing 110 of the 285 passengers and a single crew member, and risking the lives of everyone else on board. At that point, the rescue crew, which had spent months preparing for such an emergency, had its mettle tested above and beyond the call of duty. In this made-for-TV reenactment, Charlton Heston plays the jetliner's pilot (reprising a similar role from Airport 1975). The rescuers include Richard Thomas and James Coburn. Also known as A Thousand Heroes, Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 debuted February 24, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Richard Thomas, (more)
- 1984
Would you like some blood on that popcorn? Actually there is probably enough blood flowing through this low-budget direct to video horror outing to satisfy any cravings. The tale centers on an abandoned theater that is said to be haunted by the mad spirit of its former manager. According to local legend, the manager lost his mind one night, killed an employee and then started a fire. It remained empty until a theater chain purchased it. As an added bonus, unknown sponsors have offered a small fortune to be paid to anyone who is brave enough to open a business there. The new owner hires local kids to clean up the joint in time for the grand opening. Unfortunately, whatever evil took over the theater still remains and many people begin to die. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Woronov, Jonathan Blakely, (more)
- 1960
Jo Stafford, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Charlie Barnet and Freddie Slack are among the performers featured in this collection. ~ All Movie Guide
