Michael McDonald Movies
A closeted Chicago architect wrestles with the prospect of coming out to his Irish Catholic brothers following the death of their parents in Stolen Summer writer/director Pete Jones' affectionate family comedy. His entire live, Bobby Riley (Jones) has been living a lie. The product of a traditional Irish-Catholic family, Bobby is a typical guy who likes beer and loves sports. In fact, the only notable difference between Bobby and your average Chicago Irish-Catholic is that Bobby happens to be gay. For years, the only person who knew Bobby's well-guarded secret was his sister Maggie (Julie R. Pearl) - a no-nonsense lawyer with an open mind and no time for secrets. Though his live-in boyfriend Andy (Michael McDonald) longs for the day he will be able to express his love openly, Bobby insists on projecting a heterosexual image with a little assistance from longtime lesbian gal pal Carly (Dana Gilhooley). On the heels of their father's death, Maggie attempts to convince Bobby that the time has come to tell his brothers the truth about his lifestyle. The only problem is that Bobby's brothers aren't simply straight - they're fairly narrow as well. Of course prankish Luke (Nathan Fillion) and unstable Connor (Stoney Westmoreland) could probably come to grips with the truth, but what about Jack (Dev Kennedy)? The eldest sibling and a devoted clergyman, Jack would most certainly have an adverse reaction to such a life-changing announcement. When Bobby determines to reveal his secret and becomes suddenly tongue tied at the last minute, it's up to outspoken sister Maggie to set the record straight whether Bobby likes it or not. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathan Fillion, Pete Jones, (more)
Three lifelong cheaters wise up in this gross-out college comedy, which marks the second feature role for Rushmore star Jason Schwartzman. It's the last semester of senior year for roomies Dave (Devon Sawa), Sam (Jason Segel), and Jeff (Michael C. Maronna), a trio of twenty-somethings whose enthusiasm for higher learning is matched only by their enthusiasm for root canals performed without the aid of anesthesia. As such, their entire collegiate existence has been an elaborate series of cons and scams designed to plagiarize essays, skip midterms, and covertly manipulate bell curves. When deranged geek Ethan (Schwartzman) -- who harbors a psychotic fixation for a flaxen-haired co-ed named Angela (James King) -- gets wind of their scheming, he blackmails Dave and the gang into contriving a date between him and his crush. But as Dave cozies up to Angela, he realizes that no amount of scheming can hide the fact that he's the one that's truly in love. Slackers went by a number of working titles while in production at the ill-fated upstart Destination Films; when Destination went belly-up, the film sat on the shelf for over a year before being picked up for release by Sony's Screen Gems division. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Devon Sawa, Jason Schwartzman, (more)
- 1998
In order to secure a much-coveted promotion, Drew (Drew Carey) must literally race against the clock to arrive in the Winfred-Louder boardroom before Mrs. Louder (Nan Martin) changes her mind. Even before the gauntlet begins, Drew wrecks two shirts and runs afoul of an hysterical store clerk. Other obstacles include a stuck elevator, a near-sexual encounter, an idiotic shaggy-dog story spun by Lewis (Ryan Stiles), and the inevitable last-minute roadblock devised by the demonic Mimi (Kathy Kinney)--while Mrs. Louder continues ticking off the seconds via the store's Orwellian loudspeaker! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
- NR
This DVD karaoke disc features a selection of well-known songs re-recorded for the popular sing-along format. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
George (Jason Alexander) opens his home to Ethan (Patrick Bristow), wig master for the road company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kramer borrows Ethan's "backup" dreamcoat, along with Elaine's walking stick. As for Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), she is hit upon by a sales clerk with whom Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is feuding. And Susan (Heidi Swedberg) doesn't quite understand when George finds a condom in his car, which he has left in a suspiciously cheap parking space. Listen for the voice of Larry David in the final scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
- R
Young lovers accused of robbing stores and killing their owners flee across the West. Their ordeal begins after Keli (Amy Locane) has a fight with her mother and takes off. Seeing Rafe (Kevin Dillon) thumbing a ride, and not realizing that he has just robbed a gas station, she decides to pick him up. Something clicks between them and after a bottle of wine and a bout of lovemaking they become a couple. The only dark moment comes when Keli discovers a gun underneath Rafe's pillow. She soon learns that he is indeed a robber, but that he has only been stealing drug money from crooked merchants. When the news announces that he is also wanted for killing the storekeepers, the couple realize that they are in big trouble and take off. They are pursued by two FBI men, both of whom have sinister ulterior motives for catching Rafe and Keli before any other law-enforcement personnel. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Dillon, Amy Locane, (more)
When an ex-con manages to schmooze her way into being a high-priced nanny for a rich family, she promptly tries to control the family's two adorable moppets. Unfortunately for her, the kids are none too keen on starting an early career in a sweat shop, and with Home Alone-like aplomb, they manage to thwart her intentions. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1995
An updated but faithful remake of Roger Corman's 1959 exploitation favorite, this campy horror-comedy chronicles the deviant exploits of a coffee-house busboy whose dream of becoming a famous artist comes true after he accidentally stumbles upon a way to make eerily life-like statues. Directed by Michael James McDonald and executive produced by Corman, the story is adapted from Charles Griffiths' original script. As in the first story, this version takes place in a Venice Beach coffee house filled with quirky performance artists, and "alternative types" (originally beatniks). Anthony Michael Hall replaces the inimitable Dick Miller as the geeky busboy Walter. Originally aired on cable, Buckets of Blood was released on video as The Death Artist. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Michael Hall, Justine Bateman, (more)
A man has a near-death experience and awakens to find himself spiritually attached to another who went through a similar experience in this horror movie. The story is based on a Dean Koontz novel. Hatch Harrison, an antique dealer, finds himself in an extraordinary position following the car wreck in which he was broad-sided by a semi-truck. Although his wife and teenage daughter survive, Hatch was actually dead for two hours before innovative resuscitator Dr. Jonas Nybern was able to bring him back. Hatch tries to resume his normal life, but encounters difficulty when he begins having horrific hallucinations. It turns out that the "visions" are really the experiences of Vassago, a Satanist who ritually kills people. Somehow he and the killer are connected. Vassago, too can experience events in Hatch's life; he begins to threaten Hatch by telling him he will use his daughter for a virgin sacrifice. The two men must battle it out spiritually. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Goldblum, Christine Lahti, (more)
- 1994
The silly spirit of Revenge of the Nerds lives on in this made-for-television sequel. Curtis Armstrong returns as Booger, and this time around the nerds are gathering for his wedding to a wealthy upper-class girl. As the nerds plan a wild bachelor party, the girl's father is busy hiring an investigator to look into Booger's past and hopefully stop the wedding. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
In this "sequel" to Roger Corman's 1971 Von Richtofen and Brown (produced by Corman himself), a toy World War I plane belonging to a young boy (Tobey Maguire) is possessed by the spirit of the deceased Red Baron. The possessed plane begins killing people with real bullets from a toy machine gun. The boy turns for help to his grandfather (Mickey Rooney) -- who just happens to be the man who actually shot down the Red Baron in World War I. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rooney, Tobey Maguire, (more)
- 1994
- PG
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Anxious to quit smoking, a married couple tries hypnosis. When their opportunistic children see how well it works, they decide to use the techniques to improve the quality of their lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanna Kerns, Robert Hays, (more)
- 1994
- R
A thwarted leprechaun exacts his bloody revenge in this darkly comic horror film. A thousand years ago in Ancient Erin, there lived a wee Leprechaun who searched for a comely bride. Legend has it that his proper bride would thrice sneeze. Poor Leprechaun did find his sneezing lass, but just before the third achoo, her daddy, the Leprechaun's slave, thwarts his plans. Angry, the wee man vows to exact his revenge upon the man's fairest ancestor 1,000 years hence. Time flies and the movie moves to modern California on St. Paddy's day. The Leprechaun returns to find the lovely Bridget sneezing. Once. Twice. Thrice. He captures hapless Colleen. To her rescue comes her fearless boyfriend Cody who steals a bit of gold from the Leprechaun. Enraged, the greedy greeny begins systematically killing people. Will Cody prevail? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warwick Davis, Charlie Heath, (more)
- 1992
In this third version of the Nerds theme, the next generation of Nerd boys have by now taken control of Adams College and one of the college trustees is sick of seeing the geeky nerds running everything so he schemes a plan devoted to the return of jock power. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Carradine, Ted McGinley, (more)
- 1992
- R
In this drama, a renegade Los Angeles priest, Father Daniel Tyrone, must return to his gang-land roots to prove himself innocent of killing a stripper. His investigation leads him to the seamy underbelly of the pornographic film industry. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1991
A young stud has to raise $3,000 in three weeks if his father is to allow him to leave his company. He and his friend fail miserably at selling tanning cream but for some reason, are very successful at magnetizing bikinied babes. The two are offered big money by a few nerdly losers to teach them how to be cool enough to pick up the chicks. Will it work??? ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Calvert, Leah Lail, (more)
After several strippers are murdered, a reporter (Barbara Alyn Woods) goes undercover at a seedy club to unmask the killer. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
