Kim Johnston-Ulrich Movies
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
- Starring:
- Kim Johnston-Ulrich, Tommy Blaze, (more)
Based on a popular novel by Judith Krantz, this sudsy romantic drama features a prominent photographer who heads to Gay Paree, unaware that greedy family members are plotting to bilk her father out of his valuable ranch land. Love blossoms in the City of Light when she encounters a fellow picture taker. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Hartman, Cliff Robertson, (more)
- 1994
The people of Cabot Cove are thrown for a loop when Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) suddenly disappears. Making matters all the more disturbing are the blood stains in his office, and the evidence that Seth's body was dragged somewhere by parties unknown. All the same, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) can't quite dismiss her intuition that Seth is still alive (and no fair peeking at the cast lists of future episodes to figure out what happens next!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This passable made-for-cable-TV vampire opus explores the clever concept of a Transylvanian immigrant community in the western United States. Young Cody (Jason London) is introduced to their legacy one fateful night when his parents are awakened, staked, and set on fire by ruthless vampire-hunters. After a narrow escape, Cody seeks out a distant uncle in Long Beach -- who happens to be a key figure in the "Carpathian-American" mob. Cody is eventually inducted into the culture, which is represented by various social strata, from a lawyer/journalist couple (who encourage further assimilation into non-vampire society), to a bloodsucking teenage biker gang. Cody becomes a full-fledged member of the family, learning the real secret which binds the community... but the new path to his destiny is soon blocked by the untimely arrival of the hunters, who have tracked him cross-country to his new family's Long Beach lair. This was originally conceived as a pilot for a TV series, and it shows -- the tendency to lapse into soap-opera conventions is all too apparent -- but benefits from a glossy look, high production values and some interesting plot twists. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Len Cariou is back as Michael Hagarty, semi-retired British secret agent and longtime friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). On this occasion, Hagarty is distressed that his estranged daughter (Kim Johnston Ulrich) has become engaged to a young man engaged in questionable business practices with a mob-connected Hong Kong financial house. When the fiancé is murdered, Hagarty is accused of the crime, but Jessica can't believe he did it (nor can the audience!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
In this horror thriller, a scary sorcerer opens up his ancient Italian castle and allows the winners of a music contest to enter it and search for a fabulous treasure--provided they can stay alive long enough to enjoy it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water again, along came the "retro" TV movie The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage. Four regulars of the original Love Boat series are back on board: Gavin McLeod ($Capt Stubbing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Jill Whelan (Vicki). Filmed on location in the Carribean, the plotline accommodates the usual quota of guest stars, in this cast Ted Shackleford, Shanna Reed, Joe Regalbuto, Tom Bosley, Julia Duffy, Steve Bond, and wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The story concerns a gang of eccentric jewel thieves, who set about divesting the passengers of their valuables while said passengers are out frolicking on deck and on shore. The TV Guide had it right on the money when commenting that a film of this nature "defies criticism". Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage premiered February 12, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
An old flame of Sam claims that he is the father of her child. In a panic, Sam (Ted Danson) uncharacteristically turns to God, promising that he will remain celibate for three whole months if it can be proven that someone else is the father. But once Sam's prayers are answered, he tries to back out of his celestial agreement. Meanwhile, Woody (Woody Harrelson) has a religious experience of his own when he's hired to understudy an actor playing Moses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason begins representing a friend of Della's after he is accused of murdering an old madam who is also his wife. As the intrepid attorney investigates, he soon exposes a multi-million dollar banking fraud. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Made for television, Hostage Flight fomented a well-publicized controversy when first aired by NBC on November 17, 1985. On a domestic flight headed for Detroit, 65 passengers are held hostage by four international terrorists. The demands of the hijackers are simple: Release their imprisoned leader or the hostages will be executed one by one. Only after innocent blood is shed do the outraged passengers form a united front to rebel against their captors, and, ultimately, to take justice in their own hands. The film's original ending found the passengers, having staged their own "trial" of the hijackers, doling out punishment in a gruesome manner (and a highly unlikely manner, given the limited head-space on a typical jetliner). This denouement proved too horrifying for the NBC executives, who demanded that a modified ending be filmed (though the original climax was shown when the film was released outside the United States). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
