Bill Bastiani Movies
- 1991
While Next Generation began its run with a two-part episode, and it trafficked in two-part season-ending "cliffhangers," this was the series' first "sweeps week" two-parter. It also represented the return of Leonard Nimoy in the role of the supremely logical Mr. Spock. Now an ambassador of the Federation, Spock curiously embarks upon an unauthorized mission to the hostile planet Romulus. Disguising themselves as Romulans, Picard and Data investigate Spock's highly unorthodox behavior. Just when it seems that an explanation is at hand, the picture freezes, and the viewer is told to return next week. Mark Lenard, who like Leonard Nimoy was a veteran of the original Star Trek, recreates his familiar role as Spock's father Sarek. First aired November 9, 1991, part one of "Unification" carried a pre-show dedication to Gene Roddenberry, who had died eleven days earlier. The episode was written by Jeri Taylor from a story by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this fictionalized account based on true figures, a foursome of young thugs decides to team up and take control of New York's east side from the aging bosses who control it. Bugsy Siegel (Richard Grieco) and Frank Costello (Costas Mandylor) control the physical elements of the operation, while Lucky Luciano (Christian Slater) and Meyer Lansky (Patrick Dempsey) bring up the business end. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey, (more)
- 1990
Billy Zane stars in this direct-to-video gem as a spectacularly unsuccessful car thief. Hoping to reform by leaving LA, Zane must scare up $400 worth of exit money. He decides to pull off one last job, stealing a TV from William Bastiani. An ill-tempered criminal, Bastiani stabs Zane, who then runs off blindly into a cemetary ("Blood" and "Concrete": get it?) Weaving around the tombstones, Zane makes the acquaintance of would-be suicide Jennifer Beals. Love blooms, but it might be too late for both of them: Bastiani is found murdered, and Zane is suspect number one-forcing him to hide out from both the cops and the mob. Luxuriating in its tawdriness and cheapness, Blood & Concrete: A Love Story actually has an offbeat charm all its own. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Zane, Jennifer Beals, (more)
Independent filmmaker Nancy Savoca's True Love stars Annabella Sciorra as a none-too-bright young lady who evinces untapped brilliance in getting her boyfriend Ron Eldard to the altar. Sciorra's work is certainly cut out for her: Eldard, who prefers chumming around with his old high school chums, is a virtual stranger to the word "commitment." Even so, a wedding date is set, and the guests begin gathering. Will the bells peal for Sciorra, or is she in for another let-down? Hardly original material, True Love scores in its "little truths" about the characters: these are people that you and I know all too well, no matter what our social standing in life. Co-written by Nancy Savoca and her husband Richard Guay, the film won first prize at the Utah-based US Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annabella Sciorra, Ron Eldard, (more)
- 1989
Belgian director Chantal Akerman avoids her usual "real time" technique in Histoires D'Amerique. The anecdotal nature of the subject matter compels Akerman to fragment her narrative, rather than offer it in one, uninterrupted continuum. Still, another Akerman trademark -- permitting the "drama" to emanate from the actors rather than the situations -- is very much in evidence. This informal history of Jewish life over the past 100 years is related in a series of eyewitness accounts, re-created by a group of largely unknown actors. Also known as American Stories, the Belgian/French Histoires D'Amerique began building an audience when it was shown at the Berlin Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Amitin, Eszter Balint, (more)
