Joseph Plager Movies
- 2005
Originally titled Secret Santa, this made-for-cabe holiday treat stars Howard Hesseman as Fred Nickells, a lonely old eccentric who intends to spend Christmas Eve driving around town in a limo and tossing huge wads of money to deserving pedestrians. To this end, Nickells hires chauffeur Shannon McManus-Johnson (Andrea Roth), a single mom who'd much rather spend the Night Before Christmas with her son Trevor (Jason Spevack). Meanwhile, reporter Peter Archer (Yannick Bisson), determined to learn the motive behind Nickells' Yuletide generosity, uncovers a startling secret that could well determine the future of himself and Shannon--but will it be for the better? Chock full of cute "inside" references to earlier Holiday films, Crazy for Christmas made its Lifetime network bow on December 7, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
- PG13
- Add Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story to QueueAdd Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story to top of Queue
The often-controversial story of one of the world's most popular entertainers comes to life in this made-for-cable biographical drama. Michael Jackson (played by Flex Alexander) grew up in the spotlight as a member of the popular R&B combo the Jackson 5, but his youthful success came with a price -- robbed of a normal childhood, as he grew to be a man, Jackson found himself increasingly eager to remake his life into the childhood he never had. In the 1980's, Jackson's solo career caught fire, and his album Thriller became the biggest selling album of all time, moving over 40 million copies and making him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. But as Jackson struggled to repeat its success, his public image and reputation became increasingly eccentric, and as allegations of drug abuse, excessive plastic surgery, and inappropriate behavior with children were thrown at him, Jackson found himself trapped between his desire to entertain his fans and proving to the world that he was a normal and law-abiding man. Produced for the VH1 cable network, Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story was first aired in 2004 as court proceedings were scheduled to begin against Jackson, who had been accused of child molestation. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Flex Alexander
Steve Guttenberg stars in this thriller as a once-respected reporter who has fallen on hard times and is now working for a sleazy tabloid. He happens upon a story that he hopes might put him back in the good graces of better newspapers; in 1939, five people disappeared in an accident aboard the elevator of a luxury hotel. It's believed that their ghosts haunt the old building, and an old woman claims to have the key to their secrets. The cast also includes Kirsten Dunst and Nia Peeples. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Kirsten Dunst, (more)
- 1994
Olivia Newton-John stars in this sentimental TV movie as Julia Stonecypher, an impoverished widow with two daughters. Living in a remote mountain cabin, Julia relies upon the meager income received from the cakes she bakes for the local townsfolk. Unfortunately, it isn't quite enough to pay the mortgage, and just before Christmas straight-laced bank manager Brian Harding (Gregory Harrison) shows up at Julia's doorstep, announcing that he'll be forced to foreclose on her. Startled by Julia's violent reaction, Brian rushes away from her house, only to be involved in a car accident. With a snowstorm fast approaching, Julia takes the injured Brian to her house to take care of him. Forced by the bad weather to remain longer than expected, Brian inevitably falls in love with Julia -- but will romance supersede his financial responsibilities? In addition to heading the cast, Olivia Newton-John also sings the opening song "The Way of Love." Filmed on location in Vancouver, A Christmas Romance first aired December 18, 1994, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Olivia Newton-John, Gregory Harrison, (more)
