Jill C. Klein Movies
- 2003
Kovacs' (Goran Visnjic) car accident and disastrous misdiagnosis has left a patient with profound brain damage. While Weaver (Laura Innes) suffers from the side effects of her "secret" pregnancy, Abby (Maura Tierney) covers for her at the ER. The heightened security measures at County General ensnare Pratt (Mekhi Phifer), who is packing a gun -- thereby placing Carter (Noah Wyle) in an unenviable position. Gallant (Sharif Atkins) squares off against the mercenary young bride (Sofia Milos) of an elderly patient (Patrick Cranshaw). And Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) keeps a suicide watch on a self-admitted child molester. Edward Asner makes the first of several appearances as Dr. James McNulty, the crusty head of a storefront clinic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Fresh out of prostate surgery, Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) returns to active duty -- only to be sidelined by an accident. The investigation of a murder arising from a love triangle is interrupted when Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) is pulled away to investigate a murder that has taken place in the Brooklyn apartment building that he owns. This brings him back into contact with the troublesome Henry Coffield (Willie Garson) -- who, once again, is a prime suspect. Elsewhere, an immunity agreement may impede justice in a child slaying, and former PAA Naomi (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick) visits the precinct with some good news (for a change). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
While being interviewed on film by Paul (Paul Reiser), great-uncle Marty (Shecky Green) ruins the shot by dropping dead. Marty's garbled final words ("Hummus?" "Cow Moos?" "Hey Miss?") touches off yet another crisis in the Buchman family. Amidst a veritable smorgasbord of famous guest stars, episode director David Steinberg garners some of the biggest laughs in the role of a long-winded rabbi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This emotion-filled story stars Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, and Drew Barrymore as three women from different walks of life who find comfort in each other through tragedy. Parker plays Robin, an HIV-positive real estate executive who meets Jane (Goldberg), a lesbian lounge singer on her way to the West Coast who needs a driver. Robin volunteers for the job, and along the way, they stop in Pittsburgh to visit her friend Holly (Barrymore), who is pregnant and abused by her boyfriend. In an attempt to save Holly, all three decide to head West together to begin a new life. But they get only as far as Arizona before Robin falls ill and the three are forced to learn to rely on one another for growth and emotional sustenance. Jane, though concerned about Robin's condition, also finds herself with a romantic interest in her ailing companion. Holly confronts her need to be with abusive men, while Robin comes to grips with her fear of being alone and the realization of her own impending death. Fans of Herbert Ross' earlier Steel Magnolias (1989) might appreciate this movie, which tackles some of the same themes. Sometimes referred to as a "feminist road movie," the film deals with women who find one another in a time of crisis and realize that the bonds among women are more powerful than any of life's obstacles. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, (more)
High-concept director Robert Zemeckis applies his usual polish -- helped by an equally adept cast -- for this surprisingly gruesome and extremely funny black comedy. The film begins with narcissistic actress Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing the latest in a series of potential fiancées, wimpy plastic surgeon Ernest (Bruce Willis), from her ex-best friend Helen (Goldie Hawn). Depressed and infuriated, Helen suffers a breakdown that lands her in a mental hospital -- in addition to a junk-food bender that seems to triple her weight. When Madeline crosses paths with Helen again many years later, she is horrified to discover her once-chunky rival looking younger, slimmer and more glamorous than ever before. Fearing that Helen will try to steal Ernest back -- and dreading the thought of not having a plastic surgeon at her beck and call -- Madeline solicits the supernatural services of an exotic New Age mystic (Isabella Rossellini), who sells her a potent youth elixir with the stipulation that she follow the dosage instructions to the letter... yeah, right. It appears that Helen owes her sexy comeback to the same magic formula, and the inevitable violent clash between the two well-dressed banshees leads to the realization that both women have become nearly impervious zombies, clawing at each other's throats long after the blood has run cold in their veins. Best remembered for Dick Smith's Oscar-winning makeup effects, which allow the rapidly-rotting undead femmes to toss off witty one-liners with ragged holes blasted through their bodies or spin their heads Exorcist-style. Not all the sight gags work, and Zemeckis' lighthearted treatment of such grotesque material tends to dull the satirical edge, but there are some truly inspired moments of dementia -- particularly a hilarious cameo from Sydney Pollack as a doctor who comes unglued while examining Streep (who has yet to realize she's dead). ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, (more)
- 1992
Richard Libertini and Kelly Bishop appear as Nathan and Connie, the parents of "FYI" producer Miles Silverberg (Grant Shaud). Both tireless liberal activists since the 1960s, the elder Silverbergs have arrived in Washington DC to participate in a huge protest rally against a big oil company. Murphy (Candice Bergen) eagerly looks forward to covering the rally--while neurotic, image-conscious Miles only wishes that both rally and parents would quietly disappear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
- R
The time is The Future: the place is Rain City, formerly Seattle. The city is a police state, while the citizens have adopted the manner and dress of 1940s gangsters. Recently released from prison, ex-cop Kris Kristofferson tries to touch base with his ex-girlfriend Genevieve Bujold, who runs a 1950s-style cafe. Hoping to make up for past sins, thereby redeeming himself in Bujold's eyes, Kristofferson endeavors to save innocent, newly arrived couple Keith Carradine and Lori Singer from the evil designs of crooked Joe Morton. Trouble in Mind strives mightily for a film noir ambience, right down to the presence of a sinister, Greenstreetesque "fat man," played in male drag (for a change) by Divine. The title tune for Trouble in Mind is sung over the credits by Marianne Faithful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kris Kristofferson, Keith Carradine, (more)
