Benjamin Ratner Movies
A writer who was dumped at the alter attempts to impress his flaky ex-fiancee by helping her father movie in this dialogue-driven comedy from Canadian writer/director/actor Benjamin Ratner. Gene Maxwell (Ratner) was preparing to exchange his wedding vows when his fiancée Liz (Elizabeth Berkley) vanished without a trace. Three years later, Gene has published a best-selling novel entitled "Fear Knot." Gene lives at home with his dysfunctional parents and autistic sister, and when Liz appears on his doorstep the broken-hearted writer can't help but hope that the flame will be rekindled. But all Liz wants is for Gene to help her elderly father Malcolm (John Neville) move while she jets off to Prague to act in a low-budget sci-fi flick. But while any hope of continuing his romance with Liz proves less likely with each long-distance telephone call he receives, Gene does manage to form a warm bond with Malcolm over the course of the move. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Berkley, Benjamin Ratner, (more)
A man trying to save his relationship with the woman he loves finds himself sinking into a quicksand of small lies and half-truths in this comedy. Paul (Jason Lee) is a regular guy who is engaged to marry Karen (Selma Blair); while Paul loves Karen, he's more than a bit nervous around her family, even though her father (James Brolin) has already given him a job in the family business. Shortly before the wedding, Paul's friends throw him a bachelor party, complete with a boatload of liquor and a squadron of grass-skirt-clad tiki dancers. Paul strikes up a conversation with one of the dancers, the cheerful if inept Becky (Julia Stiles), and the next morning, he wakes up bleary-eyed with a massive hangover -- and Becky in bed next to him. Paul soon receives a phone call from Karen saying she's stopping by for a visit, and Paul scrambles to get Becky out of his apartment. Paul attempts to explain some incriminating evidence with a few white lies, but a messy situation gets messier when Paul runs into Becky at a pre-wedding family get-together...and discovers she's Karen's cousin. A Guy Thing also features Shawn Hatosy, Lochlyn Munro, and Julie Hagerty. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Julia Stiles, Jason Lee, (more)
- 1997
While at home recovering from an accident, Olympic downhill skier Marti Gerrard (Tori Spelling) receives an unexpected phone call. It turns out to be a wrong number dialed by wealthy computer tycoon Connor Hill (Jason Brooks)--but Marti doesn't mind a bit, and for the next several minutes she and Connor enjoy a delightful conversation. Later on, Hill's wife is murdered, whereupon he approaches Marti with the realization that, thanks to the aforementioned phone call, she is the only person who can provide him with an alibi. This she does, gladly and willingly...but the story is far from over! Made for television, Alibi was first broadcast by ABC on March 16, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1997
- R
In this erotic crime thriller, a gad-about millionaire (Lance Hendrickson) accused of killing a series of female club patrons in Los Angeles sets out to seduce the criminal psychologist (Joan Severance) assigned to assess him. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lance Henriksen, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1997
Brian Dennehy not only stars in this made-for-TV drama, but also serves as director and executive producer. Accused of raping his associate Rebecca Daly (Alice Krige), powerful attorney Eddie Brannigan (Brian Dennehy) elects to defend himself in court. Dismissing Rebecca's charges, Eddie insists that he merely "seduced" the willing woman, and that she is trying to make a name for herself at his expense. As the litigation proceeds, Eddie and Rebecca each build up a strong and vocal army of public supporters--while Brannigan's son Eddie Jr. (Reed Diamond) finds himself uncomfortably caught in the middle. Its title tinged with irony considering the outcome of the story, Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan was originally telecast November 25, 1997, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Reed Diamond, (more)
- 1996
The true story of fabled Canadian truck driver Diana Kilmury is vividly realized in this made-for-TV drama. Barbara Williams stars as Kilmury, a tough-talking, chain-smoking tyro who, as the first female vice-president of the Canadian Teamsters, fearlessly spearheads a movement to expunge the union of its most corrupt officials. Kilmury's professional struggles are counterpointed by her personal travails as the mother of a mentally challenged son. Stuart Margolin is featured as Diana's longtime lover (and staunchest supporter) John, while the really Diana Kilmury makes an appearance at the end of the film. The winner of a cable ACE award, Mother Trucker: The Diana Kilmury Story aired on Canadian television before its American TV debut over the TNT channel on October 22, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Barbara Williams, Timothy Webber, (more)
- 1996
A bitter, nasty child custody battle is at the center of this fact-based TV movie. Having long since written off her divorced daughter-in-law Sarah (Tracey Gold) as an unfit mother, DeDe Cooper (Kate Jackson) anxiously awaits the slightest opportunity to take her granddaughter Josie (Laura Harris) away from Sarah for good. When Josie begins making disturbing references to "satanic rituals", DeDe figures it is time to take action. Before long, someone has kidnapped Josie--and Sarah, whose life has only just begun to find meaning via her relationship with her new beau Jack (Jeff Yagher), insists she has a pretty good idea who's responsible. What follows is a maelstrom of lies, deceptions, and ultimate vindication for one of the two principal characters. A Kidnapping in the Family originally aired February 26, 1996 on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In this thriller laced with comedy, Jersey Bellini (Michael Dudikoff) is a bounty hunter who has just been given a new assignment -- capture Izzy (Freddy Andreiuci), a car thief who has jumped bail and is on the run. Bellini tracks down Izzy, only to discover that a fellow bounty hunter from the same agency (and Bellini's former girlfriend), B.B. (Lisa Howard), has found him first. Bellini and B.B. are bringing Izzy in, using the car Izzy just stole, but when the two get into an argument, Izzy uses the opportunity to escape. Before long, they notice a strange noise coming from the trunk, which turns out to be a woman's voice. The car Izzy stole belonged to Deimos (Benjamin Ratner), a mobster who kidnapped the girl when she witnessed a murder he committed. B.B. lets the girl stay at her apartment while they decide what to do, but Deimos' men find Izzy and discover the girl is gone; now they need to find her -- and take care of anyone she's spoken with. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Rating Systems
Blockbuster
BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. 2013 Rovi Corporation.