John Mariano Movies
Director Gavin O'Connor collaborates with Narc director/screenwriter Joe Carnahan on this family-focused police drama concerning an honest homicide detective (Edward Norton) assigned to investigate the precinct run by his potentially crooked older brother (Noah Emmerich). As the investigation begins to reveal some troubling facts about the precinct, it gradually becomes apparent that the policeman who is also the older brother's best friend (Colin Farrell) may be the man orchestrating many of the suspected crimes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, (more)
The naughty little monkey from Margret Rey and H.A. Rey's beloved children's stories makes the leap to the big screen in this animated adaptation. Ted (voice of Will Ferrell) is an explorer with a large yellow hat who is good friends with Bloomsberry (voice of Dick Van Dyke), who runs a natural history museum. Bloomsberry's greedy son, Bloomsberry Junior (voice of David Cross), wants to tear down his dad's museum and put a parking ramp in its place, but the elder Bloomsberry is convinced that a spectacular new exhibit could save the museum from the wrecking ball. Ted heads to Africa on an expedition to find some special artifacts that will keep his friend in business, but while he's there he befriends a playful monkey he calls George (voice of Frank Welker). While George is friendly, he has a taste for mischief and seems to always get Ted in hot water; Ted thinks he's seen the last of his simian friend when his ship heads back to America, until he discovers that George managed to hide aboard the boat before it set sail. Ted's search for a eye-catching exhibit proved to be a failure, and Ted and his good friend Maggie (voice of Drew Barrymore), a schoolteacher who's sweet on him, struggle to find of a way to save Bloomsberry's museum. But time becomes precious for Ted when George has an entire new city to explore. Curious George features a handful of original songs composed for the film by surfer-turned-singer/songwriter Jack Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, (more)
Anthony (Vincent Pagano) is a white fledging actor who is in a happy relationship with Alissa (Victoria Rowell), who is beautiful, gainfully employed, and black. In spite of being sharply reminded that it has been 30 years since Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Anthony is reluctant to introduce her to his large traditional-minded family. Yet when Alissa does accompany Anthony home when his grandfather dies, he learns that race is only one of many issues this eccentric family contends with; two of Anthony's cousins are under the mistaken belief that they are wanted by the mob, his uncle talks endlessly about his testicles, and his aunt takes Alissa aside and tells her that the only way to survive in this wacky family is to drink. A Wake in Providence was screened at the 1999 Boston Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Pagano, Victoria Rowell, (more)
Two roommates, both strippers, are murdered, sending Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) off on another trail of contrary clues. Tipped to a possible assassination by ex-cop Sheedy (Jason Andrews), Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) wants to pose as a hitman to catch the perp, but it is determined that Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) would be better casting. Jill (Andrea Thompson) and Diane (Kim Delaney) deal with a possible diamond necklace robbery. And Diane is more convinced than ever that a baby is on the way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
New York City is held in the grip of terror when a white tiger escapes from its underground home -- an abandoned subway tunnel -- and goes on a rampage. In their efforts to capture the beast, the Quest team must also contend with a slimy tabloid-TV host named Vince Vance, who intends to milk this potential disastrous situation for all it is worth. Another treat for fans of "real" animation (rather than the limited stuff usually foisted upon TV viewers), "Manhattan Maneater" was originally broadcast on September 2, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- J.D. Roth, George Segal, (more)
In wake of the ongoing crisis involving his ailing mother, the customarily brusque and arrogant Benton (Eriq La Salle) astonishes everyone with his courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) is ordered to see a psychiatrist after punching a patient, and also agrees to coach the Little League team in which Diane's (Lisa Zane) son is a player. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) angers Swift (Michael Ironside) by heading to Milwaukee in hopes of reconciling with Jenn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When a group of women invade the sanctity of Al's bowling alley and favorite nudie bar, Al (Ed O'Neill) retaliates by creating his own anti-feminist group, the National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood--or NO MA'AM for short. The group's first act is to stage a coup at the TV talk show "The Masculine Feminist", bind and gag host Jerry Springer--yes, THAT Jerry Springer--and deliver their macho manifesto. Dan Tullis Jr. makes his first series appearance as Officer Dan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this erotic thriller, Los Angeles is being terrorized by a serial killer, and detectives Sam Stone (Michael Nader) and his ex-wife Hannah (Shelley Hack) are thrown together in an attempt to capture the murderer. Working as an undercover agent, Hannah develops a soft spot for one of the prime suspects who threatens to blow either her cover, or her ex-husband's cool. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
As prank, a "National Lampoon"-like humor magazine offers a man-of-the-year award to Mel Torme. Unfortunately, Harry (Harry Anderson doesn't know it's a prank, and is willing to go to impossible lengths to get his idol to accept the prize. Meanwhile, Dan (John Larroquette) has teamed up with the redoubtable Will (William Utay) to capture fugitives for a price. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Harry (Harry Anderson) has been offered a full professorship at Koch Community College. This prompts Dan (John Larroquette) to suck up to Harry big-time, in hopes of becoming his replacement in Night Court. Meanwhile, Bull (Richard Moll) does not appreciate the "paternal" remonstrations of courtroom maintenance man Art (Mike Finneran), who has begun dating Bull's mom. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In a rare Sunday-night telecast of Night Court, Harry (Harry Anderson) agrees to teach a law class on a part-time basis. His first class proves quite an eye-opener thanks to a bizarre aggregation of students. And back in Night Court, Dan (John Larroquette) prompts courtroom artist Tommy Gamble (Fred Applegate) to make a sketch of Christine (Markie Post) that is guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows--among other things. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas team up one last time in Tough Guys. Harry Doyle (Lancaster) and Archie Lang (Douglas) are two old-time train robbers, who held up a train in 1956 and have been incarcerated for thirty years. After serving their time, they are released from jail and have to adjust to a new life of freedom, now as old men. Harry and Archie realize that they still have the pizzazz when, picking up their prison checks at a bank, they foil a robbery attempt. Archie, who spent his prison time pumping himself up, easily picks up a 20-year-old aerobics instructor named Skye (Darlanne Fluegel). Harry, on the other hand, has to waste away his days in a nursing home. They both have festering resentments --Archie for having to endure a humiliating job as a busboy; Harry for having to endure patronizing attitudes toward senior citizens. The two old pals finally go back to what they know best. After successfully robbing an armored car, they decide to rob the same train that they robbed thirty years ago. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, (more)














