Michael Ralph Movies
- 1993
Lena Horne (playing herself, of course) arrives at Hillman to dedicate a scholarship in her grandmother's name. In honor of Ms Hornes' visit, Whitley organizes a musical testimonial to the singer--haughtily refusing to let Mr. Gaines (Lou Myers) cater the affair because he isn't "classy" enough. But it is Whitley who ends up with egg on her face when Lena chooses the "modest" home-cooked dinner provided by Gaines, who turns out to be an old friend of the legendary vocalist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Whitley (Jasmine Guy recommends that E.H. Wright engage the services of the new temp agency run by Jaleesa (Dawnn Wright)--and that, boys and girls, is how Freddie (Cree Summer) ends up working as a secretary. Unfortunately, an argument over Affirmative Action gets Freddie fired, and at the same time casts a very negative light on both Whitley and Jaleesa--and also involves Jaleesa's husband Col. Taylor (Glynn Turman) in the brouhaha. Elsewhere, Terrence (Cory Tyler) and Lena (Jada Pinkett) try to make sense of Shakespeare. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
To enhance the popularity of his new band X-Pression, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) hires Kim (Charnele Brown) as vocalist. Unfortunately, this tantalizing brush with success and stardom turns Kim into a prima donna--and worse, Ron can't fire her without losing his gig at a local club. Meanwhile, Col. Taylor (Glynn Turman) tries to prove that he's "young" enough for wife Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) by buying a motorcycle and taking dance lessons...but this isn't nearly as startling as the news Jaleesa has for him. Series regular Charnele Brown sings "With You I'm Born Again". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The pressures of earning a living are driving newlyweds Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley (Jasmine Guy) apart. Out of frustration, Whitley decides to articulate her sexual woes on The Montel Williams Show (with Mr. Williams playing "himself", of course). This piquant moment in TV history is witnessed by virtually all of Whitley's female friends, who have gathered together for a "Montel Party" held by Gina (Ajai Sanders). Somehow, all this culminates in a showdown between Kim (Charnele Brown) and Freddie (Cree Summer) over Ron (Darryl M. Bell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
At the request of the girl's father, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) allows her student Dashawn Curtis (Jonell Green) to stay at her house over the weekend. Appalled at Dashawn's tomboyish behavior, Whitley admonishes her to act more like a lady--resulting in chaos when Dashawn decides to play a few practical jokes. Meanwhile, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) and Freddie (Cree Summer) put together a dance marathon as a fundraiser for Amnesty International, which nearly degenerates into a riot thanks to Ron's money-grubbing tactics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Upset by the news that Julian (Dominic Hoffman) is engaged, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) begins fantasizing about the luxurious lifestyle she would have had if she and Julian were wed--much to the dismay of Dwayne, who breaks off their relationshp. Ultimately, Whitley tries to pull herself out of her funk by consulting a psychiatrist (played by episode director Debbie Allen). Meanwhile, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) and Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) are both bedeviled by sports-related issues. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Dean Davenport (Jenifer Lewis) assigns her students to write a hypothetical conversation between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Unfortunately, Terrell (Patrick Y. Malone) lowers the level of the assignment several degrees when, as a result of a previous run-in with a gang of punks, he brings a gun to class--and is nearly expelled on the spot. Elsewhere, Kim (Charnele Brown) hesitates at accepting Spencer's (Michael Ralph) marriage proposal (even though we've already seen her accept in an earlier episode). This final network telecast of A Different World was originally scheduled to air in February of 1993, then reshuffled to June and finally July. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Led to believe that Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) can't afford to give her a surprise birthday party, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) manipulates Kim (Charnele Brown) into planning the festivities (a plotline taken from an actual experience in the life of episode scriptwriter Thomas Perry Dance). Elsewhere, Charmaine (Karen Malina White) and Terrell (Patrick Y. Malone) balk at being tutored by Gina (Ajai Sanders) for their French exam, but they aren't above planting a "bug" on Gina to get the right answers. In this episode, we finally learn the name of Col. Taylor's new daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Even though the "official" finale of A Different World had aired in May of 1993, there were still seven unbroadcast episodes on the shelf. In this one we've apparently gone back in time several months, with Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) still in the process of applying for his "dream" job with Kineshawa. To this end, he invites the company's vice president to dinner. Alas, the man can't make and sends his assistant in his place--and that assistant turns out to be Dwayne's former girlfriend Kinu (Alisa Gyse-Dickens), who may still bear a grudge against Dwayne for breaking up the romance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Even though Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley (Jasmine Guy) are on the verge of getting back together, Dwayne may mess up the reconciliation by dwelling on the past. Elsewhere, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) disses homeless people in history class, only to be forced to eat his words when he meets Ray Nay (Lee Weaver), a shabby street person who'd once been a successful entrepreneur. Featured in a small role is Michael Ralph, in the first of several nondescript Different World assignments before he settled into the part of Kim's (Charnele Brown) boyfriend Spencer Boyer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
As this year's Valentine's Day project, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) is doing a "Men of Hillman" calendar. Naturally, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) wants to participate, but Whitley rejects him on the grounds that he isn't "buff" enough. Elsewhere, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) lands in hot water when he makes three dates for the same night; Jaleesa's (Dawnn Lewis) Valentine celebration with Col. Taylor (Glynn Turman) ends abruptly and painfully; and Freddie (Cree Summer) is dismayed when she learns the identity of her secret admirer. and And yes, that girl playing "Jaclyn" is a young, pre-Academy Award Halle Berry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
His friends organize a farewell roast for Walter (Sinbad), who announces that he is leaving Hillman to accept a job in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) learns to his horror that he is ineligible to graduate because he has skipped a required history course. Sinbad makes his final series appearance in this episode, which includes highlights from the second-season offerings "I've Got the Muse in Me" and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
When Freddie (Cree Summer) goes camping with Shazza (Gary Dourdan), Ron (Darryl M. Bell) tries to renew his relationship with Kim (Charnele Brown)--who at the moment is having problems in her anatomy class. Unable to participate in a dissection without becoming nauseous, Kim turns to her lab partner Spencer Boyer (Michael Ralph in his first regular series appearance) to boost her confidence. Alas, though Kim seems to have solved her classroom problem, her romantic life is still in shambles. Meanwhile, Charmaine (Karen Malina White) is the latest in a long line of series regulars to find employment at The Pit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Reducing to borrowing from her own tuition money to pay the rent, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) must go looking for a job. After several setbacks, she tries to raise the necessary funds by throwing a good old-fashioned rent party, organized by Ron (Darryl M. Bell)--who suffers mightily as a result. Meanwhile, Col. Taylor's son Terrence (Cory Tyler) has decided to become a Muslim. . .and never mind that he knows next to nothing about the religion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Whitley (Jasmine Guy) goes power-mad when placed in charge of the Alpha Delta Rho sorority pledges, prompting Kim (Charnele Brown) to lead a revolt against her. One thing leads to another, and before long Whitley and Kim have challenged each other to a fistfight. And while handling pledges for the Kappa Lamda Nu fraternity, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) must somehow "rehabilitate" the self-centered Terrence (Cory Tyler). This episode was directed by series regular Glynn Turman (Col. Taylor), who does not otherwise appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Having decided to make show business his life, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) is pouring all of his money into his singing career--leaving nothing to help Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) pay the household bills. Before long, Ron's life has been turned inside out: Not only has Dwayne kicked him out of the apartment, but the rest of his band has walked out on him en masse. Elsewhere, Freddie (Cree Summer) is so in love with Shazza (Gary Dourdan) that she can't think about anything else...driving everyone, including Shazza, absolutely crazy. Cast as the faux boy band "Mice 2 Men," real-life singing group The Boys performs "Crazy". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In the first episode of what was meant to be the two-part Different World series finale, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Ron (Darryl M. Bell) have a serious falling out when Dwayne pitches a new video-game concept to Kinishewa which Ron claims was partly his idea. Meanwhile, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) wonders if she might be pregant--and also if she can afford to be pregnant at this time. And elsewhere, the relationship between lab partners Kim (Charnele Brown) and Spencer (Michael Ralph) intensifies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) lands a lucrative job with the Kineshawa company--one that will force him and Whitley (Jasmine Guy) to move to Japan. En route to her new home, Whitley delivers her baby, somewhat to the surprise of her friends, who hadn't even been informed that she was pregnant. Back at Hillman, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) prepares to sue Dwayne for copyright infringement, thereby alienating Freddie (Cree Summer); and Kim (Charnele Brown) and Spencer (Michael Ralph) announce their engagement. Though intended as the series finale for A Different World, this episode was ultimately followed by seven "leftover" episodes, two of which did not air until the series left NBC and entered syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
In this politically- and racially-themed satire, Bruford Jackson Jr. (Eriq LaSalle) is an African-American advertising man working for a major agency who has been assigned to campaigns selling Mumblin' Jack Malt Liquor and General Otis' Fried Chicken (complete with the Confederate flag on the bucket) to the black community. Bruford swallows his misgivings and goes along with his employer's wishes for the sake of his high-paying job. One day, Bruford is visited by the D.R.O.P. Squad (D.R.O.P. standing for "Deprogramming and Restoration Of Pride"). The Squad leader, Rocky Seavers (Vondie Curtis-Hall), uses extreme but non-violent psychological methods to teach African-Americans who are helping to destroy their community the error of their ways. However, his partner Garvey (Ving Rhames) has started to wonder if non-violence is really the best way to deal with the enemies of the Black community. Drop Squad was executive produced by Spike Lee, who also makes a cameo appearance endorsing the new "Gospel-Pak" of General Otis' Fried Chicken (complete with bible verses on the napkins). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eriq La Salle, Vondie Curtis-Hall, (more)
- 1996
Having endured four consecutive night shifts, Greene (Anthony Edwards) reluctantly tackles night number five with only a skeleton crew -- and an inordinately large influx of patients. Among those passing through the doors of the crowded ER are an abusive husband whose wife has retaliated in a violent fashion, a lap dancer, a teenager who has swallowed antifreeze, and a young girl who was injured in a car accident that Greene had witnessed while grabbing a sandwich at a nearby restaurant. At the end of it all, Carter (Noah Wyle) can only express admiration for Greene's handling of a near-impossible job -- not to mention a last-minute innovation in patient care. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Robert Townsend directs this biopic on the life of one of the great early rock & roll entertainers -- Little Richard (played by Leon). The film charts Richard's rise from his humble origins in Macon, Georgia, to his chart-topping success to his much-reported return to the Church. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon, Jenifer Lewis, (more)
Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later, it jumps back to World War II-era Boston, where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult, he turned to a life of crime, which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail, Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed, who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman, Jr.) upon exiting prison, and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows, after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks, however, and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot, X leaves the Nation of Islam, embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs, his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech, Malcolm X is shot and killed, reportedly by Nation of Islam members. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, (more)
In Marked for Death, Steven Seagal is told to "try to find the gentle person inside yourself." But he doesn't spend too much time looking, preferring instead to crack the spines of his victims. Seagal plays John Hatcher, a burned-out narcotics agent who resigns from the Drug Enforcement Administration after his partner is killed. He returns to his hometown and finds the city in the thrall of a vicious Jamaican drug gang, led by the nasty Screwface (Basil Wallace). He meets an old friend, now a high school football coach, who tells John about losing his best player and his 13-year-old nephew to drug overdoses. Soon John's family is threatened and his prize Mustang stolen, so John joins forces with his buddy to take on Screwface and the drug gang themselves. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Seagal, Basil Wallace, (more)
- 1994
- PG13
- Add National Lampoon's Last Resort to QueueAdd National Lampoon's Last Resort to top of Queue
Inasmuch as National Lampoon magazine was on its last legs in 1994, the title National Lampoon's Last Resort was all too prophetic. The film takes place at, yes, a summer resort, which is threatened with extinction by (in unison, please) Evil Land Developers. Can the Corey boys -- Haim and Feldman -- save the camp? You might get some incidental fun by predicting precisely when the first bathroom joke is about to occur (it doesn't take long). Unlike previous National Lampoon features, Last Resort went direct to video. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, (more)
The new night watchman at New York's Museum of Natural History finds that the job comes with more responsibility than he ever dreamed in this wild fantasy comedy directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Mickey Rooney, and Dick Van Dyke. Larry Daley (Stiller) is a kind-hearted dreamer who always knew that he was destined for greatness, he just never quite knew how. None of his ideas or inventions has panned out, so with a heavy heart, he takes a regular job as a lowly graveyard-shift security guard at the Museum of Natural History in order to provide a more stable life for himself and his ten-year-old son. His first night on the job, however, he finds that guardianship of the museum is far from stable -- at nightfall, an Egyptian spell brings the artifacts and wax figures to life! With Attila the Hun charging to war through the hallways, the diorama miniatures embroiled in a deadly feud, and a two-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex nagging to play fetch, Larry has half a mind to turn tail and run. On top of cleaning up after two million years of historical chaos every night, he also has to make sure that not a single museum piece leaves the building -- from the bratty Capuchin monkey in the African exhibit, to the life-sized Neanderthal in the prehistoric display -- because if morning light falls on an escaped artifact, it will turn to dust. Larry turns to a wax replica of President Roosevelt (Williams) for a little advice on keeping things in tact, but Teddy seems to think that a man of Larry's greatness needs little help. Larry isn't sure if the former commander in chief is right; this is hardly what he signed up for, but he can't pass up the chance to care for a museum where history really does come to life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, (more)
