Robert Kya-Hill Movies
- 1978
We're not sure who the gentlemen are in this TV movie adaptation of Nora Ephron's Perfect Gentlemen, but there's no doubt as to the identity of the ladies. The plot revolves around three convict's wives. Sandy Dennis owns a bankrupt deli; Lisa Pelikan is pregnant and broke; and Lauren Bacall (in her TV movie debut) is the wealthy wife of an incarcerated labor leader, who has just learned that her husband was cheating on her. Teaming up, the three ladies plan to steal the million dollars that was supposed to secure the release of Bacall's errant hubby. Along for the ride is Lisa Pelikan's mother-in-law Ruth Gordon, a veteran safecracker. Perfect Gentlemen sags a bit a midpoint, but overall is good underhanded fun. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In the second half of Good Times' sixth-season opener, the Evans kids are celebrating the return of their mother, Florida (Esther Rolle), who has come back to attend the wedding between her daughter, Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), and up-and-coming football player Keith Anderson (Ben Powers). The combination of the impending nuptials and Keith's anticipated big-bucks contract with the Chicago Bears does not prevent Thelma from having second thoughts about tying the knot. And another crisis is looming on the horizon: Having lost his job, Thelma's brother J.J. (Jimmie Walker) may not be able to afford a big wedding. Originally telecast as a single one-hour episode, "Florida's Homecoming" has since been re-edited as two half-hours for syndication purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This drama about a man who takes the law into his own hands was wildly controversial upon first release, sparking much debate about the perceived pro-vigilante stance of the story, and established Charles Bronson as a major box office draw in the United States. Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) is a liberal architect living in New York City. One day, a group of drug-crazed thugs break into his apartment while he's gone, killing his wife Joanna (Hope Lange) and brutally raping his married daughter, leaving her comatose. When the police are unable to find the culprits, Kersey arms himself and begins patrolling the streets, killing muggers and thieves as he encounters them. While his obsessive search for street justice sickens him at first, in time Kersey begins to enjoy it and becomes a hunted man himself, as Police Detective Frank Ochoa (Vincent Gardenia) tries to find the man who is doing the police's job for them, and a bit too well. Jeff Goldblum made his screen debut as one of the lunatics who attacks Joanna. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Hope Lange, (more)
This is the hurriedly produced sequel to Gordon Parks' trend-setting hit Shaft. Richard Roundtree is on hand once again, portraying "the cat who's a bad mutha." In this installment, Shaft investigates the murder of a well-respected Harlem figure and funeral-home director, Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill), who is blown to smithereens after stashing money in a coffin. Cal's funeral is attended by Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn), the local Harlem boss. Since Bumpy is attending Cal's funeral, Shaft suspects some dirty dealings between Bumpy and Cal's business partner Kelly (Wally Taylor). After the funeral, Shaft returns home to find that his place has been ransacked. Kelly arrives to inform him that he is taking over Cal's funeral-home business. When Kelly leaves, Captain Bollin (Julius Harris) makes an appearance and takes Shaft downtown for questioning about Cal's murder. Bollin reveals that Cal and Kelly were in cahoots -- running a numbers racket and involved with Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo), another local gangster. Bollin agrees to let Shaft go on the provision that he will inform him of any leads. Now Shaft must track down the real killer to get his Harlem neighbors off the hook. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, (more)
- 1969
- R
Luke (Ossie Davis) is the loyal slave of a Kentucky horse breeder who is sold to the cruel Mississippi plantation owner MacKay (Stephen Boyd). The evil slave owner has the black beauty Cassie (Dionne Warwick) as his mistress, who longs to escape the clutches of her lecherous master. With the arrival of Luke, Cassie and the other slaves revolt in a desperate attempt to gain their freedom. MacKay offers Luke his freedom in exchange for selling out the rest of the slaves, but the loyal Luke chooses to fight and joins the side of his oppressed brethren. Bobby Scott writes five songs that Warwick sings off camera in this story of social upheaval in the days preceding the Civil War. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ossie Davis, Nancy Coleman, (more)
