Leonard Lightfoot Movies
- 1994
As part of a promotional book tour, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) agrees to appear in a TV informercial. Also appearing is Matt Matthews (Anthony Zerbe), a once-popular author laid low by alcoholism. It turns out that Matthews--who of course is an old friend of Jessica's--is acquainted with a member of the informercial's studio audience, and with a blackmailing professional extra, both of whom are murdered in the course of the action. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
A metal sculpture created by artist Kim Mitchell (Loretta Swit) proves quite versatile when it used as a murder weapon. The victim is Philip Jovi (Edward Hibbert), an art gallery owner with whom Kim did not see eye-to-eye. Fortunately for Kim, her friend Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is on hand to help her beat a murder rap...maybe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
George Segal plays the well-nicknamed Daffy Dave Navarro, who has recently been acquitted on charges of murdering his first wife. Now Daffy Dave is determined to sue for a generous share of royalties from a book written by Jessica (Angela Lansbury) and purportedly based on his case. But this time, Dave may have overplayed his hand--and another murder is the result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The 200th episode of Murder, She Wrote finds Jessica (Angela Lansbury) supporting an effort to preserve a New York brownstone where Ernest Hemingway once wrote a novel. At the center of the conflict is a feud between Jessica's editor and a powerful land developer. Murder enters the scene when the brother of the man who opposes destroying the building is killed. And it is a bad kill. And nobody is dreaming about the lions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Unscrupulous media mogul Harrison M. Kane (Alan Thicke) is murdered. The main suspect is writer Dean Richards (Scott Valentine), a freelance contributor to one of Kane's rivals--and in whose sauna bath Kane's body was found. But as Jessica investigates the case, it becomes apparent that there's an elusive "phantom killer" at large. Perhaps it is significant that at least one of the episode's main characters goes under two different names (Only perhaps?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
To improve her grades so that she can keep her engineering scholarship, Lena (Jada Pinkett) writes a florid "biographical" essay, heavily fictionalizing the accomplishments of her father Grover James (Ron Canada). Certain that no one will ever learn the real story, Lena is terror-stricken when dear old Dad shows up to watch her win a journalism award. Meanwhile, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) takes a crash course in politics in hopes of helping Byron (Joe Morton) win the senatorial election. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Just released from prison, Carlos Delgado (Luis Guzman) attends his grandson's christening, where he is reunited with his mobster father Ernesto (Joe Santos). Though Carlos wants to go straight, Ernesto pressures him into remainng with the Organization for one more "hit"--and to make matters worse, Carlos' own son Tomas (Raymond Cruz) likewise insists that his dad resume his life of crime. As a mobster's son himelf, Hunter (Fred Dryer) takes a special interest in this extreme example of family loyalty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
After suffering a bump on the head, Al (Ed O'Neill) sees six little green space aliens stealing his socks. Or at least that's what he thinks he sees--and try getting anyone else to believe him. The punch line of the episode is provided via a "Star Wars"-type scroll, which not proves that Al is telling the truth, but also that he's let another golden opportunity to advance himself slip right through his grubby fingers. And remember: the secret word is "Mizzoozoo." This episode received a 1991 Emny nomination for outstanding achievement in costuming. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
In this slice-n-dicer acclaimed pop psychologist Dr. David Kelley hosts a radio call-in show in LA. The current topic of discussion is a baffling series of murders that has been occurring throughout the town. All of the victims are beautiful real estate agents. One day he gets a strange call from "Harry," who claims that each of the victims deserved everything they got, because he believes that the real estate agents encourage the further displacement of the poor and homeless. He also describes their murders in detail. When the calls become more frequent, Dr. Kelley becomes even more concerned. He should be because his own lady love is a real estate agent. The film features considerable gore, nudity and simulated sex. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Bottoms, Adrienne Barbeau, (more)
- 1985
- R
In an unusual comedy by Joan Darling, Brian Dennehy and Anne Archer star as the Richard, a druggist, and his wife Peggy, a pair of debt-ridden parents who rebel against the system. Nothing goes right while they try to uphold the system, then things get even worse when they leave it. Richard decides to pull the plug on modernity when he cannot meet his utility bills and creditors are at his door like wolves. He shuts off the electricity and sets up candles, buys a goat, and digs a well in the back yard. He finally does hit water, but it happens to be the city's water main. Peggy is not quite as crazed as her husband so she goes to see a shrink -- who promptly dies on her. If anything can go wrong for Richard and Peggy, it will. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Anne Archer, (more)
- 1984
Bikinis and rippling, manly muscles abound in this lively, youth-oriented Southern California-set adventure that chronicles the experiences of a curvaceous high school graduate who decides to work as a life guard for a summer before going to med school. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julianne Phillips, Ted Shackelford, (more)
- 1982
In this first episode of a two-part story, both George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) and his messenger, Ed (Will Gill Jr.), are brutally beaten up by a tough street gang. Making things all the more depressing is the fact that the gang is comprised of teenaged girls. Irwin Keyes makes a return appearance as George's erstwhile bodyguard, Hugo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) becomes a local hero when he rescues a woman from a mugger. But George's gallantry may prove to be his downfall when the mugger escapes from the authorities, threatening dire consequences to the man who turned him in. Irwin Keyes makes his first series appearance as George's new bodyguard, Hugo Molejewski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
After emigrating to the United States in 1969, Czech-born director Ivan Passer finally broke through to American audiences with his fourth film, a unique blend of mystery and social commentary. Cutter's Way is set in Santa Barbara, CA, a community of wealth and power. Its main characters, however, are among the town's have-nots: Richard Bone Jeff Bridges, a beach-boy gigolo starting to go to seed; Bone's best friend Alex Cutter (John Heard), a Vietnam veteran maimed in body and spirit; and Mo (Lisa Eichorn), Cutter's alcoholic wife. When Cutter spots one of the community's most prominent citizens in the act of covering up a murder, Bone insists that the police would never take their word over that of a man of wealth and prestige. Cutter seizes the opportunity to blackmail the killer, as a means of striking back at a system he thinks sent him off to an unjust war and ruined his life. The film was fortunate to fall into the hands of United Artists Classics, a new division of the company crippled by the financial disaster of Heaven's Gate. UA Classics adroitly marketed Cutter's Way, riding a wave of rave reviews and good word-of-mouth among more discriminating filmgoers to modest box-office success. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, John Heard, (more)
- 1977
Italian filmmaker Ovidio Assonitis, who had ripped off The Exorcist with his successful Chi Sei? (1974) here turns his attentions to the post-Jaws ecokill film with silly results. The titular beast kills swimmers and divers before attacking a sailing regatta (an idea which, paradoxically, was re-appropriated for the American Jaws 2). The film's most outstanding feature is its cast, which includes John Huston, Shelley Winters, and a phoned cameo by Henry Fonda. Bo Hopkins and Claude Akins are also along for the minimal excitement. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Huston, Shelley Winters, (more)
