Peter Bartlett Movies
After being summoned back to the Mouse House by Pixar founder John Lasseter in 2006, Alladin and Treasure Planet directors Ron Clements and John Musker join forces once again for this traditionally animated 2-D fantasy for the entire family, set in New Orleans. Former Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose will voice the lead character Tiana, Disney's first African-American heroine in their long heritage of fairy tale animated features. Also in the voice cast is Keith David, lending his baritone chords to the film's villain, Dr. Facilier. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, (more)
A despondent Brooklyn housewife whose life has become a boring and predictable routine finds her entire perception of the universe changed upon experiencing a close-encounter in her very own kitchen. Joanne Schwartzbaum (Cara Buono) has been sleepwalking her way through life for as far back as she can remember, but when an alien force reveals itself to her she is instantly snapped out of her complacent existence. Upon seeing a flier for a UFO support group during her weekly outing to the grocery store, Joanne determines to attend the meeting in hopes that it will provide her with a better understanding of her strange experience. When Joanne strikes up a friendly conversation with African immigrant Abraham Kanga (Isaach De Bankole) and realizes that they have both been branded by their extraterrestrial abductors, she enlists the aid of the amiable cab driver and market worker in solving the perplexing mystery. In the days that follow Joanne's frantic sleuthing activities become increasingly troubling to her incredulous husband Brain (David Lansbury), who soon begins to suspect that his wife is having an affair. Later, when Joanne sees a television news broadcast announcing the discovery of an unusual papyrus Egyptian scroll, she enlists the aid of her UFO support group to break into the Brooklyn Art Museum, snatch the curious artifact, and save the human race. Director Barry Strugatz helms a sci-fi spoof that gleefully pays homage to the B-movie hits of yesteryear while offering an absorbing tale of one woman's quest to stave off an impending alien invasion. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cara Buono, Isaach de Bankolé, (more)
- 1999
A teenager is found dead in a hospital ER. The subsequent investigation leads to a bizarre religious ritual, "dictated by a saint." Once the D.A.'s office takes over the case, they must deal with a self-styled prophet with a powerful gift for mass persuasion -- which may prove problematic once the fanatical defendant faces a jury of peers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Before retiring, recording producer George Martin, famed for his for association with The Beatles, returned to The Beatles songbook, shaping performances by several artists not usually associated with The Beatles, and some not even recognized for their musical abilities. This documentary captures studio sessions for the recording (issued October 1998 by MCA), and also features conversations about the selected songs and concepts, as Martin works closely with his chosen talents, opening with Phil Collins (Golden Slumbers) and then moving on to Robin Williams/Bobby McFerrin (Come Together), Goldie Hawn (A Hard Day's Night), Jim Carrey (I Am the Walrus) and John Williams (Here Comes the Sun). Filmed in England, the hour-long TV documentary first aired in the U.S. November 12, 1998 on Bravo. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Martin, Jim Carrey, (more)
Based on Paul Rudnick's hit Off-Broadway play, this romantic comedy centers on the chaotic love life of Jeffrey (Steven Weber), a gay man who swears off sex only to fall in love with his ideal man (Michael T. Weiss). Jeffrey's vow of chastity is inspired by a fear of AIDS, a prospect which has started to terrify him so much that he decides he'd be better off never making love again. He is happy and relieved for a time, until he meets Steve, a handsome, charming dreamboat who also happens to be HIV-positive. Jeffrey wants nothing more than to be with Steve, but his anxiety over the disease and fear of commitment stand in the way. Much of the humor falls to Jeffrey's friends, including the sharp-tongued Sterling (Patrick Stewart), an outwardly catty but surprisingly good-hearted interior decorator, and his young boyfriend Darius (Bryan Batt), a performer in the Broadway musical Cats. Nathan Lane also contributes a memorable cameo as a questionable priest. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Weber, Michael T. Weiss, (more)
- 1973
Looking as if he's just stepped out of a 16th century painting, Rex Harrison plays the title role in this TV-movie adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' classic satirical novel Don Quixote. Accompanied by his reluctant but loyal squire Sancho Panza (Frank Finlay), the ageing, slightly addled "Man of La Mancha" takes up the cudgel of honor and chivalry for his beloved homeland of Spain, charging off on his noble steed to right all wrongs and defeat any villain that might cross his path. Alas, Don Quixote's eyesight and sense of reason are not quite up to his courage, thus he ends up tilting at windmills thinking they were dragons, freeing wretched road-gang prisoners whom he assumed to be fellow aristocrats, and mistaking a grimy kitchen wench named Aldonza for a highborn lady named Dulcinea. A coproduction of America's Universal Studios and Britain's BBC, The Adventures of Don Quixote first aired in England as a Play of the Month presentation on January 7, 1973, and in the U.S. as an IBM-sponsored CBS network special on April 23, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Peter Watkins' The War Game, which was filmed in handheld documentary fashion, speculates on the aftereffects of a nuclear war. Some of the images are almost impossible to look at; they truly illustrate the theory that, in the wake of such a holocaust, the living will envy the dead. The most heartwrenching scene is the simplest. Asked what he wants to be when he grows up, a sullen young boy, physically unhurt but with obviously deep emotional scars, mutters "I don't want to be nothin'." Filmed for BBC television, The War Game was rejected by that august concern as being too graphic. The 47-minute film was released to theaters, making it eligible for the Best Documentary Academy Award, which it won in 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
