Neil Munro Movies

Prague and Ontario stand in for 19th century Vienna in Beethoven Lives Upstairs. Young Chris (Illya Woloshin) lives with his none-too-prosperous mother (Fiona Reid) and uncle (Albert Schultz), who are forced to take in a boarder. Enter a fellow named Ludwig (Neil Munro), with a hearing problem, a mass of eccentricities, and a genius for music. This 52-minute character study features renditions of more than 25 Beethoven pieces. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This sequel to the dreadful but creative 1987 horror thriller The Gate, centers on troubled-teen Terry who tires of being teased for being a nerd, not having dates, and dealing with his unemployed, alcoholic father. After learning about the portal to the gates of hell said to be in his town, Terry decides to cast a spell and see if he can make his life a little better. Using his computer and a book of ancient incantations, the determined young man begins his ritual. Unfortunately before he is finished, the two town bullies and their girl friend intervene and find themselves hopelessly involved when the gates open and out pops a diminutive demon who is more than happy to do their bidding. At first the kids are delighted to finally have their hearts desire, but it is only a matter of time before the demon's true nature manifests itself and all their dreams turn to nightmares. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Terminally ill Bernadette Peters develops a deep friendship with psychologist Mary Tyler Moore in this drama. ~ All Movie Guide

A pair of American pilots are forced to cooperate with their Soviet counterparts on a mission to destroy a Middle Eastern nuclear weapons site in this predictable, low-budget action sequel. The first Iron Eagle's rebellious fly boy Cooper (Mark Humphreys) has returned, as has his gruff mentor Chappy (Louis Gossett Jr. as yet another military man). They must work with two Russian pilots, one of whom is a beautiful woman that handsome young Cooper naturally sets out to woo. An extended build-up, including the requisite government conspiracy, leads to the climactic final battle. Average-at-best production values fail to elevate the film above a derivative screenplay, although the film did find enough success to produce further installments in the series. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Veteran Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent handled the direction of John and the Missus. And who with better right? Pinsent also wrote the novel upon which his screenplay was based. John Munn (Pinsent) is a Newfoundland miner whose town faces extermination when the local copper mine is closed. Everyone else in town is resigned to relocate, but John stands firm, hoping to salvage the home of his father. Jackie Burroughs co-stars as John's wife, or "Missus," who backs up her husband's near-hopeless cause. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Confidential a Canadian-made, low-budget, but stylish thriller directed by Bruce Pittman, is the familiar story of a detective forced to solve a crime. Reporter Hugh Jameson (Neil Munro) disappears while investigating a murder that occurred 30 years ago. A reporter who is interested in the case finds that he now must solve both murders, but much to his surprise, he himself becomes a target. Though it was produced on a shoe-string budget, this is nonetheless a stylish, interesting thriller with decent production values, and Director Pittman makes the most of his cast and his interesting, script. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide