Steve Kravitz Movies
- 1997
The guys are appalled to discover that their coffee-flavored Buzz Beer has an upscale rival in the form of "Cap-Beer-Cino", created by shady entrepreneur Gus Vandekamp (Ed Begley Jr.). Actually, Gus brazenly stole the idea from the guys, but thanks to a legal loophole they can't do anything about it--nor are they able to retaliate when Gus hires not only sabotages the Buzz Beer operation, but also hires supermodel Rachel Hunter to lure away Buzz' best customers. In the end, it is Kate (Christa Miller) to the rescue--and, indirectly, Mimi (Kathy Kinney). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Drew (Drew Carey) finally manages to halt Mr. Wick's ruthless firing spree by proposing a more humane downsizing plan. Unfortunately, Drew's strategy results in the dismissal of a guy named Trent (Mark Benninghoffen), who happens to be the fiancee of Drew's former girlfriend Lisa (Katey Selverstone, in her final series appearance)--who in turns jumps to the conclusion that Drew is merely trying to get even with her. Elsewhere, Lewis (Ryan Stiles) and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) pad their incomes by taking temp jobs as elves for a drunken and abusive department-store Santa (Ben Slack), who saves his most obstreperous behavior until the very end (HIS very end, that is). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Comedian Billy Crystal made his directorial debut with this biography of fictional comedian Buddy Young Jr. (portrayed by Crystal himself), whose self-destructive tendencies prevent him from rising to top of the show business ladder during his five-decade career. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Crystal, David Paymer, (more)
- 1990
Most TV movie reference books have given up mentioning the hundreds of unsold pilots that dot the video landscape. Parker Kane, originally telecast in 1990 and then rerun in 1992, is one of those orphans that has fallen through the research cracks. It's possible the film is due for a revival thanks to the present-day popularity of its star Jeff Fahey. Fahey plays Parker Kane, a cop turned private eye. Always a maverick, albeit an honest one, Kane supersedes the authority of his p.i. license when a close friend is murdered. The trail of clues leads to a major-scale scam involving the dumping of toxic waste. Guest star Patti LaBelle plays a nightclub singer during the less hectic moments of Parker Kane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
This exploitation film finds the aging stripper Harlow (Sandahl Bergman) taking on young protégé Joni (Kim Evenson) to peel off her clothes in the strip club called Kandyland. Bruce Baum adds much-needed comedy relief as the club comic Mad Dog. The film is an excuse to show attractive females in various stages of undress. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kimberly Evenson, Charles Laulette, (more)
In this sci-fi comedy from executive producer George Lucas, Howard the Duck is an extra-terrestrial fowl who is accidentally beamed to earth by physicist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones) and his assistant Phil (Tim Robbins). The two go looking for Howard and find him in the home of Beverly Switzer (Lea Thompson), who was rescued by the interstellar duck from some mean-looking thugs. Beverly and Phil are friends, and when the government finds out about Howard, she helps Phil and Dr. Jenning hide him from the authorities until they can zap him back home. In the meantime, several wild chases and spectacular special effects keep the picture rolling along. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, (more)
Gene Wilder's remake of this 1976 French comedy is a Hollywood version of what happens when Theodore (Wilder), an ordinary ad agency executive, is captivated by a gorgeous woman (Kelly Le Brock). The woman just happens to be standing on a grate when her skirt blows up over her waist (a scene first made famous by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven-Year Itch), and one glimpse is enough to change Theodore's whole life. Although he is married, he is willing to risk his happy relationship with his wife for a romp in the hay with the beautiful stranger. Unfortunately, even when he tracks down the object of his lust he is woefully inept at sneaking out on his wife to consummate his desire. Three of his male office mates help him as much as they can, but Ms. Milner (Gilda Radner) is really incensed when she finds out that the object of Theodore's attention is not herself. Stevie Wonder's score included his hit song "I Just Called to Say I Love You", which received an Oscar nomination. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Wilder, Charles Grodin, (more)
In this fourth installment of the Dirty Harry series, Harry has been banished temporarily from San Francisco because his superiors are uncomfortable about his feud with a local crime boss. He goes to an oceanside small town for a little rest and recuperation but finds the town has been traumatized by a series of brutal murders. Harry meets and falls in love with Jennifer Spencer (Sandra Locke), a young artist. Jennifer and her sister were brutally raped a few years previously by a group of men, leaving her sister catatonic and Jennifer filled with a rage that is expressed in her disturbing artworks. Harry investigates the killings and the rapes, and one by one he dispatches Jennifer's rapists, one of whom is the son of the local police chief (which explains why the police have done little investigating). Finally, Harry finds out that Jennifer also dispenses her own brand of justice because she cannot rely on the criminal justice system. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, (more)
