Jack Knight Movies
For its quiet, low-key story, A Lobster Tale travels into a sphere of domestic life rarely glimpsed in contemporary cinema - that of small-town Americana. Colm Meaney stars as Cody Brewer, a Maine lobsterman who sinks into an economic mire when faced with a terrible catch day after day, week after week. His waitress wife also struggles to stay afloat, and his son must fend off against a bully on a regular basis. Then, into this cradle of banal American beauty, an incredible event occurs: a strange, otherworldly moss turns up in one of Cody's nets - a moss with the ability to perform miracles. Though initially its presence causes problems and strain for the Brewer clan, it ultimately demonstrates its ability to not only improve their lives, but the lives of nearly everyone in the hamlet. Alberta Watson (Irish Eyes) and Graham Greene (Northern Exposure) co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alberta Watson, Graham Greene, (more)
Gail Harvey's Some Things That Stay stars Katie Boland as a teenager whose adolescence is complicated by her bohemian family and their resistance to the cultural mores of Eisenhower-era America. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katie Boland, Stuart Wilson, (more)
A gifted forger and confidence man attempts to stay one step ahead of the lawman determined to bring him to justice in this comedy-drama from Steven Spielberg, based on a true story. Frank W. Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a 16-year-old high school student who finds himself emotionally cut adrift when his mother, Paula (Nathalie Baye), leaves his father, Frank Abagnale Sr. (Christopher Walken), after Frank Sr. falls into arrears with the Internal Revenue Service. One day at school, Frank Jr. attempts to pass himself off as a substitute teacher, and easily makes the subterfuge work. His small-scale success gives Frank some ideas, and he soon discovers bigger and more profitable ways of hoaxing others, passing himself off as an airline pilot, a doctor, and an attorney. Along the way, Frank learns how to become a master forger, and uses his talent and charm to pass over 2.5 million dollars in phony checks. Frank's increasingly audacious work soon attracts the attention of Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), an FBI agent who is determined to put Frank behind bars. Frank seems to enjoy being pursued by Carl, and even goes so far as to call Carl on the phone to chat every once in a while. While posing as a doctor, Frank falls in love with Brenda Strong (Amy Adams), a sweet girl working as a candy striper. When Frank asks Brenda to marry him, he decides to assume a new identity to impress her father, Roger (Martin Sheen) -- who happens to be the District Attorney of New Orleans, LA. Catch Me If You Can was based on the autobiography of the real Frank W. Abagnale Jr., who has a cameo in the film and today works on the side of the law as a top consultant on preventing forgery and designing secure checking systems. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, (more)
- 2001
John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) risks incurring the wrath of precinct skipper Rodriguez (Esai Morales) when John's badge is stolen from his car. Led by Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), the rest of the squad tries to cover up for John -- a task that becomes difficult when the badge is used in a string of robberies committed by a crook posing as a cop. In hopes of recovering John's badge and saving his job, fellow officer Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross) adopts a most unusual disguise. And elsewhere, Connie is assigned a case that leads her to consider contacting the daughter whom she gave up for adoption 16 years ago. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
- 1996
Beverly Hills 90210 star Tori Spelling and Star Trek: Voyager actress Jeri Lynn Ryan headline this made-for-TV movie about a hardworking college student who thinks she's found the answer to her financial and self-esteem issues when she falls into the lifestyle of a high-priced escort. Lonely, plain-Jane, cash-strapped Joanna Halbert (Spelling) attends university classes while also helping out at the bakery run by her no-nonsense, widowed mother, Teri (Susan Blakely). When her classmates jokingly leave Joanna's name and number on the voicemail of a Malibu escort service, Joanna finds her curiosity piqued. After finding a new best gal pal in the form of the vivacious escort Kimberly (Ryan), Joanna soon finds herself working for Kimberly's boss, Ron Tamblin (Scott Plank), who promises her that she doesn't have to sleep with the clients she "dates." Soon, Joanna is dressing like a grown-up, stepping out with fabulous men -- and getting paid hundreds of dollars a night for her trouble. This secret double life soon, however, takes a toll on Joanna's relationships with her mother, her friends and her would-be beau, Jack (Barry Watson). Although Joanna chooses to sleep with one of her clients, she refuses to sleep with another. But when Ron threatens to fire her, she acquiesces, and soon Joanna finds herself going on more dates where the sex is not only compulsory, but kinky. When she tries to quit, violence ensues, ultimately leading Joanna to criminal court, where she must defend herself against a charge of attempted murder. After first airing on CBS in 1996, Co-Ed Call Girl enjoyed a second life on cable, including the Lifetime network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tori Spelling, Susan Blakely, (more)
- 1994
Class of 1999, Part 2: The Substitute was (surprise!) a sequel to 1989's Class of 1999--which was itself a sequel of 1982's Class of 1984. Once again, the setting is an embattled high school, where no mere mortal teacher dare walk the corridors. To keep the homicidally-inclined student body in line, a fleet of android teachers are put on the faculty. The robots went ballistic in Class of 1999, inspiring their students to new heights of mayhem. In the sequel, rogue android Sasha Michael, though trained to kill, attempts to try less drastic means to get through to the students. Michael is shadowed by a sinister stranger, who will not be satisfied unless the android does what he (it?) is ordered to do. Like its predecessor, Class of 1999, Part 2: The Substitute is a very hard "R." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
- R
William Forsythe plays a serial killer who mails assorted body parts (from his unlucky female victims) to the police. As if this isn't enough, he then goes after Detective Dietz's (Leo Rossi) lady friend. This killer really is, relentless. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1985
Magnum (Tom Selleck) is asked by Deputy DA Carol Baldwin (Kathleen Lloyd) to help locate her 17-year-old cousin Becky (Linda Grovenor). The one person who may know the girl's whereabouts is her former boyfriend Darryl (Asher Brauner), who is now serving time on a prison farm. In order to pry the necessary information from Darryl, Magnum goes undercover as a hardened convict--with the expected violent results. Ironically, this final episode of Magnum, P.I's fifth season was cowritten by real-life "private eye to the stars" Anthony Pellicano, who later wound up behind bars himself on a variety of charges! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
One of Sam's old teammates comes out of the closet during a TV interview. As a result, the gang at Cheers begins worrying that their favorite watering hole will soon be transformed into a gay bar. This somewhat skewered perception, fed by little "clues" here and there, is complicated by the fact that Norm, Cliff, et al. probably couldn't recognize a homosexual if their lives depended on it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
No, Carla isn't getting fat; she's five months pregnant. Since everybody at Cheers knows that Carla has been divorced far longer than five months, she must come up with the name of the father. The man so ordained is Marshall Lipton (Mark King), a prominent MIT professor -- and a man whom Diane (Shelley Long) knows for sure is not the one who put Carla in the family way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Down in the dumps after the death of her cat, Diane (Shelley Long) turns to the rest of the Cheers gang for consolation. Unfortunately, the gathered throng is too engrossed in a telecast of a Boston Celtics game to pay Diane much attention. Ultimately, it is Sam (Ted Danson) who somehow does the right thing at the right time -- and this after committing the treasonous act of betting against the home team. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Inveterate yarn-spinner Eric Finch (Ellis Rabb) makes his presence known at Cheers by coming on to Carla (Rhea Perlman) and claiming that he's a Bond-like secret agent. The rest of the gang have a good laugh at Eric's expense, while Diane (Shelley Long) is never entirely certain when the man is telling the truth and when he isn't. But what, after all, is truth? And who will have the last laugh? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
When Diane (Shelley Long) decides to takes notes for a book she plans to write, she certainly does not lack for story material. For starters, a young man named Kevin (Boyd Bodwell) bursts into Cheers, determined to have one final fling before entering a monastery -- only to entertain the notion of chucking his vows when he falls for Diane. In addition, a septuagenarian WWI doughboy (Ian Wolfe) shows up at Cheers for his annual reunion with his army buddies -- a celebration that is, to say the least, woefully under-attended. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Fed up with the incessant squabbling between Diane (Shelley Long) and Carla (Rhea Perlman), Sam demands that they try to bury the hatchet. This they do over a couple of drinks...and a couple more and a couple more. By the time the two girls have reached the "best buddy" stage, Carla feels relaxed enough to impart a deep dark secret about her youngest child to the garrulous Diane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
In this carefree children's adventure, a grandfather and his grandson fulfill the former's life-long dream and embark upon a cross-country ballon flight. Back on the distant ground, the flyers are pursued by the boy's mother, the cops, the Feds, and others. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Angered when Diane (Shelley Long) laughingly points out that he only dates airheads, Sam (Ted Danson) makes it his mission in life to find a more intellectual female companion. Diane stops laughing when Sam finds a girl who may actually have half a brain. Meanwhile, an old customer demands to see Cheers' owner immediately, if not sooner. This episode represents the only appearance of Sam Malone's ex-wife Debra (played by Broadway musical comedy headliner Donna McKechnie). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Ventriloquist Willie Tyler guest stars as ventriloquist Roy Crandall, who has apparently given up showbiz to become a stockbroker. George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) is both amused by Roy's voice-throwing skills and amazed at the man's business acumen. It is only after George has invested heavily in Roy's market tips that he discovers his new stockbroker is a "graduate" of a mental institution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1976
Season Six of Emergency! begins as paramedics John Gage (Randolph Mantooth) and Roy Desoto (Kevin Tighe) considering themselves lucky to have pulled duty at a football game at LA Coliseum. Alas, their enjoyment of the gridiron activity is constantly interrupted by emergency first-aid calls involving a choking spectator, an injured sidelines photographer, and a TV announcer (played by comedian Jack Carter) who suffers a heart attack. And outside the stadium, the emergency team deals with a man who has fallen into a tree (yes, into a tree). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In this thriller a federal officer acts upon his suspicion that the recent death of his predecessor was part of a conspiracy to kill a presidential candidate. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The death of police rookie Dave Banning has been ruled accidental by the authorities, but Dave's grieving mother Kate (Edith Atwater) is convinced that her son was murdered. Although Kate cannot afford his $200-per-day fee, Jim (James Garner) agrees to help her learn the truth behind her son's death. Subsequently, Jim uncovers evidence of illegal drug trafficking within the police department--but try telling that to the ever-antagonistic Lt. Alex Diehl (Tom Atkins), who lives for the day that he can send Jim back into the slammer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- R
Peter Hyams made his feature-film directing debut with this clumsily paced crime film concerning two Los Angeles vice-squad detectives. Michael Keneely (Eliott Gould) is the swaggering non-conformist and Patrick Farrel (Robert Blake) is the cocky follower. The two cops live for their work and spend most of their time busting call girls, massage parlor employees, and homosexuals. Keneely and Farrel eventually come to the conclusion that every criminal act in Los Angeles is due to the efforts of crime lord Carl Rizzo (Allen Garfield). The boys begin to harass Rizzo to the point of distraction, but their singular attempts to arrest Rizzo cause them to become the targets of, not only the criminal population, but the police force as well. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elliott Gould, Robert Blake, (more)
"It's OK with me...." Applying his deconstructive eye to the "film noir" tradition, Robert Altman updated Raymond Chandler in his 1973 version of Chandler's novel, The Long Goodbye. Smart-aleck, cat-loving private eye Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) is certain that his friend Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) isn't a wife-killer, even after the cops throw Marlowe in jail for not cooperating with their investigation into Lennox's subsequent disappearance. Once he gets out of jail, Marlowe starts to conduct his own search when he discovers that mysterious blonde Eileen Wade (Nina Van Pallandt), who hired him to find her alcoholic novelist husband Roger (Sterling Hayden), lives on the same Malibu street as the absent Lennox and his deceased spouse. As numerous variations on the title song play in unexpected places, Marlowe encounters a shady doctor (Henry Gibson), a bottle-wielding gangster (director Mark Rydell), and a guard aping Barbara Stanwyck (among other stars), before heading to Mexico to stumble onto the truth once and for all. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elliott Gould, Nina Van Pallandt, (more)
- 1973
Three armed criminals invade a bank, take everyone inside hostage, and nervously await the arrival of a payroll truck. Among the hostages is Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr), who hopes to take advantage of the robbers' internal squabbling in order to play one against the other--but the thieves may be a bit too smart to fall for that trick. Reportedly based on a true story, this episode features a young actress named Kathleen Gackle, better known in later years as Kathleen Lloyd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- PG
Set on a coastal resort in California, the thrills in this mystery begin as a strange killer chops up three blonde beauties forcing the house detective to work overtime to figure out that the killer is right under his nose. The film was shot in "Duo-Vision," a technique that splits the screen and allows two different images to be projected simultaneously. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
