Joe Maffei Movies
- 2002
The Kent family brings a teenager whom Martha (Annette O'Toole) accidentally struck with her car into their home. The teen turns out to be lad named Ryan James (Ryan Kelley), who has the power to read minds -- and who was fleeing from his homicidal stepfather at the time of the accident. Ryan's plight is peripherally linked with the efforts made by fertilizer mogul Lionel Luthor (John Glover) to persuade his own son, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), to accept a new job in Metropolis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In this strikingly original independent drama from Canada, a young woman finds that her obsession with death is challenged when she falls in love with a handsome medical student. Sandra Larson (Molly Parker) was fascinated with the dead from an early age; as a girl, she and her best friend would find the bodies of birds and small animals and devise funeral rituals for them, though Sandra always took these adventures far more seriously than her compatriot. As Sandra matures into womanhood, her obsession with the deceased begins to develop a sexual component, but her necrophilia is not about lust so much as a spiritual yearning for the light and calm of death's embrace. In college, Sandra studies embalming, which allows her to study and embrace death on a daily basis, and she finds work at a funeral home owned by Mr. Wallis (Jay Brazeau), a man who in his way shares her obsessions. One day at a coffeeshop, Sandra meets Matt (Peter Outerbridge), who is studying to be a doctor; she senses that he knows her secrets, and a tentative romance blooms between them. But while Matt wants to "cure" Sandra of her intimate feelings for death, she finds that he's not capable of understanding her erotic nature, which is directed within herself more than outward toward others. Understandably controversial upon its initial release (though far more subtle and poetic than one might expect given the subject matter), Kissed was the first feature film from director Lynne Stopkewich, who previously distinguished herself as a production designer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Molly Parker, Peter Outerbridge, (more)
In this Canadian children's drama, a young British Columbian boy attempts to build a moon rocket in his backyard. To do so, he must face many of the usual obstacles faced by boys in movies like this, including household chores, and bullies. His parents also take in foster kids. His newest foster brother is the androgynous looking native boy, Sam who at one point is mistaken for a girl. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cody Serpa, Simon Baker, (more)
- 1994
In this unofficial remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice, an ex-con gets a job at a run-down roadside diner owned by a blind former prison guard. He commences an affair with the owner's wife, and they both plan to kill him and find a hidden treasure. Their plan starts to unravel, however, and a deputy sheriff and another ex-con start to cause problems for the couple. ~ Brian Gusse, Rovi
- Starring:
- C. Thomas Howell, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1993
Duncan's troublesome Immortal ex-girlfriend, Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen), comes back into his life. Amanda insists that she is no longer a thief, but Duncan (Adrian Paul) doubts her word when two FBI agents show up. It seems that Amanda is in possession of some counterfeit plates that she picked up during WW2 -- and since she plans to print her own money, that isn't really stealing, is it? Things go far beyond petty larceny when one of the FBI men murders the other and frames Duncan and Amanda for the crime. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Adrian Paul, Stan Kirsch, (more)
- 1992
In a post-apocalyptic world prone to a dangerous virus, roving motorcycle gangs replenish their draining blood supplies by abducting helpless females. A would-be victim (Melanie Kilgour) decides to fight back with her friend (William Smith) and two hippie-rebels (Andrew MacGregor and Joe Maffei). ~ John Bush, Rovi
- 1992
In this tense and surprising thriller, a parish priest is torn between honoring his vow to never violate the sacred trust between a confessor and a cleric and telling the law that one of those he listens to is a serial killer who is ritually killing the women in his congregation. Devout and kindly Father Cusack is still new to the priesthood and takes his vows very seriously. Because he cannot tell the police, he tries to stop the killer on his own and nearly loses his life in the process. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
