Mike McDonald Movies
In this Canadian children's drama, a young British Columbian boy attempts to build a moon rocket in his backyard. To do so, he must face many of the usual obstacles faced by boys in movies like this, including household chores, and bullies. His parents also take in foster kids. His newest foster brother is the androgynous looking native boy, Sam who at one point is mistaken for a girl. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cody Serpa, Simon Baker, (more)
Based on E.T.A. Hoffman's classic book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, this animated holiday tale utilizes the vocal talents of such stars as Kiefer Sutherland, Peter O'Toole and Phyllis Diller. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kiefer Sutherland, Megan Follows, (more)
Another of Disney's Touchstone Pictures rehashes of a lightweight French farce, Three Fugitives goes the trend one better by importing French director Frances Veber to supervise a shot-for-shot remake of his French original Les Fugitifs. Nick Nolte stars as a bank robber named Lucas, recently released from prison, who ambles into a bank to open up a checking account. Into the bank enters the inept Ned (Martin Short), who tries to rob the place and takes Lucas hostage. The police, knowing Lucas's criminal history, assume Lucas and Ned are pulling the heist together. With no choice in the matter, Lucas is compelled to engineer their getaway. Complicating the situation further is Ned's six-year-old daughter Meg (Sarah Rowland Doroff), who has been mute since the death of her mother. With his bank account depleted, Ned has robbed the bank to get money to send Meg to a special school. Meg loves her father, but finds herself drawn to the gruff Lucas. As the three go on the lam from the cops, the trio of misfits bond as a makeshift family. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Martin Short, (more)
- 1986
- PG13
Once a security guard, now a mercenary, a man tries to become the best at what he does, but finds that an area gang is eager for revenge. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike McDonald, Joe Silver, (more)
- 1986
- R
A scheming police chief wants the mayor out so he can gain control, so he hires a ridiculous bunch of misfits to fill the local police force. His plan is that the city look so bad the mayor will get the bounce. The city's real policemen all get food poisoning at a party and the misfits must take over and get the job done. There's lots of dirty jokes and jiggling breasts here. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Osmond, Doug Annear, (more)
Filmed in just four weeks one fine autumn in 1984, this amateur teen sex romp, with not a lot of sex but a lot of trying, was released a few years later as Screwballs II. A melange of young men and women with only physical contact on their minds have been put together in the same boarding school by their trusting parents. Some inkling of the level of the comedy involved is revealed by the names of these erstwhile students: Steve Hardman, Hugh G. Rection, and Marvin Eatmore. Enough said. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bryan Genesse, Lance VanDer Kolk, (more)
- 1984
- PG
A trio of dorky summer campers attempt to have their first sexual experiences in this goofy adolescent comedy. Meanwhile, the rest of the campers try to save their summer haven from developers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Foster Brooks, Konnie Krome, (more)
- 1982
Some potent comic talent lends credibility to the Canadian Funny Farm. Michael Chapin stars as Mark, a would-be stand-up comedian. Mark leaves his Midwestern hometown behind to try his luck at the California comedy club managed by Gail (Eileen Brennan, doing a superb takeoff of real-life Comedy Store maven Mitzi Shore). Jack Carter and Howie Mandell are among the many funsters who parade past the screen in this uneven but amusing low-budgeter. Funny Farm should not be confused with the 1988 Chevy Chase vehicle of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Miles Chapin, Tracey E. Bregman, (more)
- 1975
Jewel thieves hide the loot from their latest heist in a hockey puck only to lose it to a pair of orphaned boys. Things really get chaotic when the Montreal Canadians hockey team gets involved. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike McDonald, Angele Knight, (more)
Long heralded as the west coast's best place to catch the hottest comedians on their ascension to superstardom, Los Angeles, California's The Improv is one of the best-known comedy clubs in the world. The comics featured in Koch Records Best of the Improv series have since gone on to become household names, but are shown while still climbing the ladder of success. Best of the Improv, Vol. 5 includes sets by Ellen Degeneres, D.L. Hughley, and Richard Belzer. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max Alexander, Richard Belzer, (more)
