Jonelle Kennedy Movies
- 2008
As conceived, written, directed, and produced by Fred Ashman, this unabashedly patriotic, flag-waving film celebrates Americana and the elements of the United States that make it a unique and dynamic country -- from its ethnic, religious, and ideological tolerance to its peerless emphasis on educational opportunity. In addition to featuring picturesque American scenery and patriotic music on the soundtrack, the film interweaves five dramatic vignettes, each relaying the story of an extraordinary American citizen. The cast includes Marc McClure (Superman: The Movie), James B. Sikking (Made of Honor), Ken Howard (In Her Shoes), and Yakov Smirnoff (Brewster's Millions). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
This long-delayed science fiction thriller from director Gary Fleder was actually filmed prior to his box-office hit Don't Say a Word (2001), which preceded it in theaters by several months. Based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick, the film shares that schizophrenic author's long-running obsessions with concealed identity and humanity's potential inferiority to alternative life forms. Gary Sinise stars as Spencer John Olham, a respected government scientist in the year 2079 trying to devise a secret weapon that will help his fellow humans win a decade-long war with invading aliens that are cloning human subjects and using the replicas as walking time bombs. Suddenly, Olham is accused of being an alien spy and a nationwide manhunt to capture him ensues. With even his doctor wife (Madeleine Stowe) unsure that she can trust him, Olham must uncover the truth on his own, even as he's relentlessly pursued by Hathaway (Vincent D'Onofrio), a federal agent charged with destroying the clones. Imposter has a complicated history, originally produced in early 2000 as a 30-minute short to be included in an anthology entitled "The Light Years Trilogy," a project that never got off the ground. So impressed was Dimension Films with the completed piece, however, that the footage was incorporated into a new feature version. That film was then shuffled around the release schedule for more than a year as effects were completed, reshoots were ordered, and the film was recut for a PG-13 rating instead of its original R. The R-rated "director's cut" was later released on DVD. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Sinise, Madeleine Stowe, (more)
- 2000
Cicely Tyson guest stars as frail but feisty septugenarian Abigail Jackson, who is urged by Monica (Roma Downey) and the angels to consider moving into a posh retirement community. Terrified at "losing" his mom (even though he's got a family of his own), Abigail's pathologically dependent son Phillip (Sherman Augustus) will stop at nothing to prevent her from moving into the community--even going so far as to freeze the old woman's bank account! All this intrigue is played against a secondary story about a brilliant but reclusive artist named Lois (Tonea Stewart), who is coaxed out of her shell by an ebullient graffiti artist named Ramone (Rick Gonzales). Series star Della Reese (Tess) wrote the script for this episode, using her married name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Robert Townsend directs this biopic on the life of one of the great early rock & roll entertainers -- Little Richard (played by Leon). The film charts Richard's rise from his humble origins in Macon, Georgia, to his chart-topping success to his much-reported return to the Church. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon, Jenifer Lewis, (more)
- 1998
On the off-chance that an unexpected tragedy might leave baby Mabel an orphan, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) decide to take separate planes to Los Angeles. The results are, as usual, hilariously unpredictable. Jamie ends up "mothering" a planeful of grownups (including two old friends), while Paul uses Mabel to foment a "passenger revolt." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
As their premature baby son struggles for his life in the ICU, Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) mull over their future. Increasingly paranoid after being beaten by an unknown assailant, Greene (Anthony Edwards) purchases a gun. Anspaugh (John Aylward) is upset that Carter (Noah Wyle) wants to abandon surgery in favor of emergency medicine. Romance re-enters the lives of Ross (George Clooney) and Carol (Julianna Margulies). And troubled teenager Charlie (Kirsten Dunst) is back. This was the final episode of ER's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
When George (Jason Alexander) finds the perfect place for a nap -- under a desk at the Yankee Stadium offices -- he persuades Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) to phone in a bomb threat to get Steinbrenner out of the office. The result? Steinbrenner hires George to handle the "terrorist's" demands for "Fitted Hat Day." Meanwhile Kramer (Michael Richards) starts swimming in the East River, with decidedly aromatic results; and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) misunderstands when her new boyfriend sends her a mattress. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
It's another "Will vs. Carlton" night, and this time the bones of contention include a girl named Valerie (Jonelle Kennedy) and a disastrous double date. Things come to a head when Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) has superglue stuck in his hair and Will (Will Smith) is knocked unconscious, whereupon he experiences a nightmare in which he and Carlton are still battling as old men! And in another nightmarish situation, Philip (James Avery) and Hilary (Daphne Maxwell Reid) try to teach Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) to drive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Set on the south side of Chicago, How U Like Me Now? is a comedy that captures the lifestyles of several twenty-something African Americans. Centering on a slacker named Thomas (Darnell Williams) and his ambitious girlfriend Valerie (Sally Richardson), the film follows the couple as they decide whether to continue their relationship or call it quits. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darnell Williams, Salli Richardson, (more)
