Nealla Gordon Movies
Monster's Ball producer Lee Daniels follows up his 2005 directorial debut, Shadowboxer, with this adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel about an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. Clareece "Precious" Jones is only a teenager, yet she's about to give birth to her second child. Unable to read or write, Clareece shows little prospect for the future until discovering that she has been accepted into an alternative school. There, with a little help from a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) and a kindly nurse (Lenny Kravitiz), the young girl receives something that most teens never get -- a chance to start over. Mo'nique co-stars in an inspirational drama featuring the debut performance of screen newcomer Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabourey Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz, (more)
Two friends who've convinced themselves they would never make a good couple discover they might just be wrong in this romantic comedy. Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda Peet) first met when they were college students sharing a flight from California to New York; Emily spontaneously seduced Oliver on the plane, and they spent the next few days together in the city. When they parted, however, Emily decided not to pursue a relationship with Oliver, even though he was obviously interested. Over the next several years, circumstances kept putting them in one another's paths, and over the years Oliver and Emily became close friends and confidantes. Both are still certain, though, that they're entirely wrong for each other on a romantic level. However, after nearly a decade, with both Oliver and Emily edging into their thirties, they begin to wonder if they've allowed a great opportunity to pass them by. A Lot Like Love also stars Kathryn Hahn, Ali Larter, and Kal Penn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashton Kutcher, Amanda Peet, (more)
- 1998
Having long since renounced his Jewish faith, Jake Weiss (Bruce Davison) has degenerated into a flint-hearted slumlord. Arrested for housing-code violations and ordered to spend two weeks in one of his own squalid tenements, Jake feigns an epiphany in order to escape his sentence, claiming that he must be given time off to celebrate Passover with his mother and son. Posing as a ode-enforcement officer, Monica (Roma Downey) gives Jake a break, hoping he means what he says--but it takes a serious medical crisis to teach Jake the true meaning of Passover, and awaken him to his real purpose in life. Series regular Della Reese) (Tess) sings "Go Down, Moses". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Although she knew from the outset that she'd never be a "traditional" mother, Murphy (Candice Bergen) nonetheless is willing to shed her unorthodox approach to parenthood when she concludes that she hasn't spent enough quality time with baby Avery. This explains how Murphy came to join a group of new mothers who are dedicated to such old-school customs as singing nursery songs and playing games with their offspring. Of course, it doesn't take long for Murphy and the other moms to get on each other's nerves in a spectacular fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
With Jason (Alan Thicke) and Maggie (Joanna Kerns) out of town, Mike must handle a major family crisis all by himself. To wit: the long-absent father (Gary Grubbs) of Mike's foster-brother Luke (Leonardo DiCaprio) has come to town, demanding that the boy he deserted years ago be returned to him immediately. It soon becomes apparent that, without the input of his parents, Mike may do something very desperate and very foolish to keep Luke in the Seaver household. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
