Calvin Robertson Movies
The cult-favorite television series which offered a fun-house version of '70s "after-school specials" returns in this big-screen prequel to the show Strangers With Candy. Middle-aged ex-prostitute, former drug addict and all-around lowlife Jerri Blank (Amy Sedaris) emerges from prison at the age of 46 ready to start her life over again. Jerri arrives at her parents' home to discover that her father Guy (Dan Hedaya) divorced Jerri's mom and remarried before slipping into a coma. Jerri's stepmom Sara (Deborah Rush) decides to let her stay with the family in the hope her presence might bring Guy around, though she doesn't seem very fond of her new "daughter." Jerri decides to complete the education she abandoned years ago by enrolling at Flatpoint High School, where Principal Blackman (Greg Hollimon) has bigger fish to fry than a middle-aged sex offender as a student. It seems Flatpoint's science scores have been dreadful, and only a first-place entry in the county science fair will maintain the school's accreditation. Science fair guru Roger Beekman (Matthew Broderick) is brought in with hopes of creating a winning project, but science teacher Mr. Noblet (Stephen Colbert) objects to using outside talent and starts a separate team of his own, bringing in Jerri to give her something to do. As it happens, Noblet's team comes up with a potential prize-winner with their Soup Can Superconductor, while Beekman foolishly accepts the help of art teacher Mr. Jellineck (Paul Dinello) and ends up with a dance routine instead of a science presentation. Determined to win out over Noblet's team, Beekman tries to get his hand on the plans for Noblet's project by convincing handsome Brason (Chris Pratt) to charm them away from weak-willed Jerri. Strangers With Candy also features cameo appearances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Allison Janney, Ian Holm, and Kristen Johnston. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amy Sedaris, Deborah Rush, (more)
Andre (Andre Keuck) and Cal (Calvin Robertson) seem like fairly ordinary high school students. Andre is a quiet loner, and he's a bit obsessed with munitions. Cal, Andre's only friend, is slightly more adept socially. He even has a friend, Rachel (Rachel Benichak), who's a girl. But Andre and Cal have big plans. They're going to be famous one day. And they're going to teach what they see as a valuable lesson to everyone at their hated high school. Zero Day, the feature debut of Benjamin Coccio, is presented as a collection of videotaped moments leading up to Cal and Andre's planned murderous assault on their school. Cal and Andre are creating a video diary of sorts, which they keep in a safe deposit box, to be opened after their horrific deed is done. The film follows Andre and Cal as they explain their plan -- both the logistics of it and, to some extent, the motivations behind it -- and prepare for their violent act. In the interest of verisimilitude, the lead actors' families play themselves, and cast members, for the most part, were not told the larger context of their roles. Zero Day was a controversial hit on the festival circuit before being picked up for distribution. It won Best Feature at the 2003 Slamdunk Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 2003 Rhode Island International Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andre Keuck, Calvin Robertson, (more)
