Martin Kove Movies
Like many New York actors, Martin Kove was willing to go unbilled to pick up extra paychecks in such East Coast-filmed efforts as Little Murders (1971) and Last House on the Left (1972). By 1984, Kove was pulling down third billing in such films as The Karate Kid, wherein he played Kreese, the "bad" karate expert who trained the film's principal heavy William Zabka for his bout against the simon-pure Ralph Macchio (Kove replaced Chuck Norris, who turned down the role of Kreese because he didn't want karate trainers to be shown in an unsympathetic light). Martin Kove's work on series TV has included the roles of detective Victor Isbecki on Cagney and Lacey and an extraterrestrial named Jesse on Hard Time on Planet Earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A worldly vampire falls for the daughter of a high profile scientist who's currently researching immortality for the Illuminati in this independent horror thriller starring Katherine Hawkes, Daniel Goddard, and Costas Mandylor. Who would have thought that the Illuminati would become the vampire kingdom's main competitor in the quest to exploit and rule all of mankind? After exploiting the population through war, poverty, disease, and drugs, the clandestine organization attempts to gain immortality through science to no avail. Perhaps the solution to their problem lies with Alex, a debonair vampire who has fallen deeply in love with Estelle after meeting the ethereal beauty at the opera. But Alex doesn't want to welcome Estelle into his coven; he'd rather sacrifice his immortality to raise a family with her and take one last shot at living a normal life. Later, after an intense round of negotiations, the Illuminati agrees to find a cure for Alex's vampirism in exchange for the bite of immortality. What happens next, neither side could have seen coming. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katherine Hawkes, Daniel Goddard, (more)
A grim discovery in the basement of a crumbling prison reformatory reveals a demonic secret that cuts to the very base of mankind's struggle against sin in this supernatural thriller starring Michael Berryman, Bill Moseley, Michael Dorn, Adrianne Curry, and Kevin McCarthy. Far beneath the west cellblock of a turn of the century prison lies a malevolent secret that has lain dormant for one hundred years - a sub-basement structure with only one entrance and one exit. When the skeletal remains of seven brutalized children are discovered inside, a special CSI team is quickly brought in to conduct a more thorough investigation. What they find may change the entire way mankind views the wages of sin, for there dwell seven fallen angels; each responsible for one of the deadly sins and each determined to show mankind just how many ways there are to pass from this mortal realm into the next. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
When disaster strikes and necessity dictates that the festering rivalry between the Franklin and Red Eagle families be set aside in the name of survival, the resulting tale of brotherhood gives testament to mankind's remarkable power for forgiveness in this family-oriented Western starring David Carradine and Wes Studi. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Parkes
Mummies stars Danny Trejo, Max Perlich, and Billy Worth as members of a group of criminals who set out to find a cache of gold hidden in Mexico. The group soon discovers that mummies are in charge of protecting the valuable commodity. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A successful Las Vegas singer who lost everything when her casino mogul husband dropped dead of a heart attack gets a second shot at happiness after leaving town in the middle of the night and encountering a spiritual guide who shows her just what she's been missing all these years. Patricia Paradise (Dee Wallace Stone) may be a star on the Las Vegas stage, though she still can't help but feeling unfulfilled with the way her life has turned out. Over the years Patricia made plenty of sacrifices, both for her own career and her husband's as well, though her greatest desire has always been to start a family. When her husband does and Patricia realizes that their business is bankrupt, she sneaks out of town under the cover of darkness and sets out towards an uncertain future. But Patricia isn't alone, because her spiritual guide (Mickey Rooney) appears in her dreams to gently help her through this troubling time. Before long, Patricia becomes pregnant by a mysterious stranger who seems to be the reincarnation of her late husband. Upon giving birth Patricia realizes that no matter what measure of fame or fortune she could have accomplished, it all pales in comparison to the blessing bestowed upon her by her spiritual guide. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dee Wallace Stone, Mickey Rooney, (more)
As the wife of fading Hollywood producer Kit Freers (Andrew McCarthy), children's book illustrator Holly Freers (Justine Bateman) would love to have some of the fame and fortune of her movie star neighbors rub off on her just once in a while. However, there is one aspect of living in Beverly Hills that Holly despises. Whereas she is deeply devoted to her daughter Chloe (Holliston Coleman), most of the wives in Holly's neighborhood regard their children as mere ornaments, treating motherhood more as a passing fad than as a blessing. This is especially true of Julia Prentice (Angie Everhart), the trophy wife of a popular sitcom star, who is gearing up to stage the baptism of her baby as a major media event. Nor is this the only reason that Holly resents Julia; it seems that the woman had once been Kit's lover. Thus, when Julia's corpse is found floating in the Freers' swimming pool, the police have two ready-made suspects -- and Holly suddenly becomes a celebrity, just like she always wanted...though she certainly didn't want it like this! Hoping to track down the real killer, Holly starts playing Jessica Fletcher (or is it Nancy Drew?) in the company of her handsome neighbor, screenwriter and mystery buff Justin Caffrey (David Gale). Originally telecast by the Hallmark Channel on August 8, 2004, The Hollywood Mom's Mystery is based on Dead Hollywood Moms Society, a novel by Lindsay Maracotta. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Justine Bateman, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
Unjustly arrested and sentenced to a 99-year-term, grizzled half-breed bounty hunter John McKay (Burt Reynolds) is serving hard time in Yuma Territorial Prison when he is swept up in a prison break engineered by sadistic vigilante leader Billy Bucklin (David Figlioli). Once on the outside, Bucklin and his brigands cut a swath of terror and murder throughout the Arizona Territory, then head to Mexico, there to link up with a despotic revolutionary leader. Given an opportunity to redeem himself by helping track down and capture Bucklin, McKay reluctant teams with ageing Sheriff Nate Hutchinson (Bruce Dern) -- the very man who sent McKay up in the first place. Among McKay and Hutchinson's tiny posses are feisty Liz Kennedy (Amy Jo Johnson), who after her family is murdered by Bucklin has a personal score to settle (if she can ever get accustomed to riding a horse or wielding a rifle, that is), and Hutchinson's deputy Joshua (Seth Peterson), McKay's own son. The made-for-cable Western Hard Ground premiered July 12, 2003, on the Hallmark Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A gaggle of young adults discovers a cache of gold in an abandoned mine. Little do they realize that the vengeful ghost of the long-dead miner (Vernon Wells) protects the hoard with a gaffing hook, pick axe, and shovel, despite the efforts of the sheriff (John Phillip Law) and zany Aunt Nelly (Karen Black). ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
When a mysterious map surfaces that could lead the owner to $3 million in riches, the race is on between a mysterious drifter, a determined young woman, corrupt cops, career criminals, and even the FBI to get to the prize first in an action-packed thriller with enough twists to keep the viewer guessing until the final shocking frame. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Zagarino, Elizabeth Giordano, (more)
- 2000
This educational video has an important message: pornography is an addiction. Its effects on users and their loved ones are just as habit-forming and destructive as heroin, tobacco, or any other addictive agent. The film shows how pornography promotes contempt towards the women and children it exploits. The program features disturbing interviews with pornography addicts, many of whom are convicted sex offenders. They talk frankly about how pornography affects their psyches and systems, coloring all their activities and relationships. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
Disgraced ex-cop Joey Randall (Richard Grieco) is framed for the murder of Sharon Moreno (Priscilla Barnes), who happens to be the unfaithful wife of the police chief, George (John Saxon). Randall had the opportunity to kill her, and perhaps a motive as well since he was having a hot affair with her before her death. Moreno dispatches corrupt police captain James (Martin Kove) to avenge her death -- that is, to kill Randall -- but Randall is innocent. The hot-headed Randall has to focus himself to find a way to prove his innocence, confirm the guilty parties, and avenge Sharon's death. This isn't going to be easy with the entire police force looking to bring him back dead or alive. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- 1997
When a troupe of sexy gymnasts are kidnapped and taken to the title island by a vengeful drug cartel, it's up to commando leader Mike McBride (Hulk Hogan) to rescue them. The excitement in this fast-paced actioner begins when McBride and the Navy SEALS he commands are assigned to capture a drug lord in his country. During the operation, one of McBride's men betrays him and McBride is nearly killed. Still, he, fellow SEAL Leroy (Carl Weathers) and buxom drug-enforcement officer Ashley (Shannon Tweed) manage to complete their mission. McBride and company then set off for vengeance against the traitor, who in turn retaliates by kidnapping a team of gymnasts and taking them to his impregnable lair on a remote Caribbean island. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hulk Hogan, Carl Weathers, (more)
- 1995
The title character in this episode is Echidna (Bridget Hoffman), who swears vengeance against Hercules (Kevin Sorbo), the man responsible for slaying many of her progeny. Echidna hatches an evil scheme to destroy both Hercules and his mortal mother, Alcmene (Liddy Holloway), using Alcmene's present suitor Demetrius (Martin Kove) as her agent of destruction. The climax finds Hercules deep inside the cave of Echidna, battling several malevolent forces to save both Alcmene and himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, (more)
- 1994
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Kenny Rogers returns as Brady Hawkes, the Gambler, in this made-for-TV Western. Brady's son Jeremiah (Kris Kamm) is now an adult, and seems to have followed his father's footsteps into a life of adventure; however, Brady learns that Jeremiah has taken a far more dangerous path and has joined the gang of notorious outlaws Butch Cassidy (Scott Paulin) and the Sundance Kid (Brett Cullen). Fearing for his son's safety, Brady sets out to find his son and rescue him before he winds up on the wrong side of a gun. The Gambler V: Playing for Keeps also stars Dixie Carter, Loni Anderson, and Mariska Hargitay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenny Rogers, Loni Anderson, (more)
In 1994 -- six years after the final episode of the groundbreaking 1980s television crime drama Cagney & Lacey -- Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly reprised their iconic roles for the first of four TV-movie sequels. Cagney & Lacey: The Return finds the now-retired Lacey reuniting with the now-married Cagney for a case involving weapons smuggling, all while dealing with women's issues such as career, marriage, parenthood -- and, this time around, menopause -- in the trademark style that made the parent show such a cultural touchstone. ~ Sandra Bencic, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, (more)
- 1993
In this actioner, a vengeful CIA agent swears that he will bring the mysterious South American drug lords who massacred his colleagues to justice during one of their assignments. As he begins investigating he unearths devastating evidence that threatens the stability of the Western World. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Following a terrible auto wreck, a woman reawakens but can remember nothing about herself or the events leading up to the tragedy. This makes it all the more painful when she discovers that a man and his little boy were killed in the crash, one that she may have caused. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynda Carter, Dee Wallace, (more)
- 1992
This instructional video is an introduction to the martial arts for children. Techniques and demonstrations are featured. ~ All Movie Guide
In this thriller set against the majestic backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, the late John Denver stars as a retired FBI agent seeking to clear the name of a close friend. Disillusioned with his job as a G-man, Jim Clayton retires from the FBI and goes into the airfreight business with his best friend. When Clayton's pal is murdered and branded a bootlegger, the former agent embarks on his most treacherous mission to date - clearing the name of an innocent man. Martin Kove, John Rhys-Davies, and Richard Masur co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Denver, Martin Kove, (more)
- 1985
Involved in a minor accident at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) ends up with a fractured leg. Over her protests, she is whisked off to a nearby hospital for treatment. You guessed it: A murder occurs--the victim is the head of the hospital--and Jessica must spend most of her forced confinement doing her trademarked amateur sleuthing. 1940s film favorites Martha Raye and Eddie Bracken show up in featured roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It will come as quite a shock to discover the venerable James Earl Jones and José Ferrer slumming in this Greek-lensed ultra-cheapie about a legendary sea creature aroused from centuries of sleep off the shores of a Greek island by an opportunistic American archaeologist (Jones). It seems the beastie's legacy is well known by some of the island's old-timers (namely Ferrer), including the part about appeasing the monster with a virgin sacrifice -- namely the alluring Deborah Shelton. The exotic locations and the presence of the gruff Jones (who apparently saw this as a paid vacation) lend a great deal of production value, but apparently Jones' salary came out of the filmmakers' special-effects budget -- because the feared creature of ancient legend looks like a sock puppet! This film is also known as Red Tide and Demon Lake. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Earl Jones, José Ferrer, (more)
- 1982
In this mystery a psychiatrist and his wife are surprised to find that the quiet seaside town they just moved to is plagued by strange deaths that occur during mysterious storms. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this drama, union organizers, desperate to control the lumber and mining empire of a wealthy family, resort to sabotage. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The Laboratory is the principal setting for this derivative sci-fier. A few cultures, left alone in petri dishes, begin spontaneously generating tiny and malevolent creatures. It all turns out to be the handiwork of predatory extraterrestrials. Once the lab mutations have reached maturity, they set about to take over the world. Camille Mitchell, Corine Michaels (the same person? Have you ever seen them photographed together?) costar in The Laboratory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
