Shirley Prestia Movies
- 2005
Created by Rob Lotterstein, the Fox network sitcom The War at Home tackles a problem faced by millions of parents of the early 21st century: how can one who was raised in the "anything goes" 1970s and 1980s, with no barriers, boundaries, or taboos, suddenly be expected to discipline their own children and set down ground rules without coming off as a hypocrite? This was the dilemma of Dave (Michael Rapaport) and Vicki (Anita Barone), who despite the many wild oats sown in their own teen years felt obliged to go through the motions of tough-love parenthood with their three hormone-driven kids: 15-year-old Larry (Kyle Sullivan), who may or may not be gay; 16-year-old Hillary (Kaylee DeFer), just entering the dating scene; and 13-year-old Mike (Dean Collins), obsessively dedicated to his violent video games and precious little else. One critic cited the series as an amalgam of amusing leftovers from All in the Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Arrested Development. The War at Home debuted September 11, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Rapaport, Anita Barone, (more)
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Narrative feature at the 2004 Slamdance, director Nancy Hower's off-the-wall mockumentary Memron serves up a thinly-veiled parody of the Enron corporate scandals and bankruptcy of 2001. Hower's film concerns the (apocryphal) corporation of the title, whose crooked suits "fixed" its ledgers and stole millions from lower-level employees and shareholders, including a copious number of little old ladies. Now, the deposed Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Clay (Michael McShane) dominates the golf course at the local prison yard and a team of terminated middle managers scramble to rebuild the company from the ground floor up. Tim Bagley, Claire Forlani, Mary Pat Gleason, Jeffrey Hayenga, John Lehr, Christopher Liam Moore and Evie Peck co-star. Hower and Robert Hickey are credited as co-scenarists, though the film relies heavily on improvisational dialogue.
~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Bagley, Claire Forlani, (more)
Fresh from Iowa, Holly (Melissa Joan Hart) and Calvin (Ryan Browning) arrive in New York, there to pursue careers as actors. Alas, money is mighty tight for the new arrivals, and decent housing is well night impossible to find. Eventually, Holly is forced to move in with her eccentric, cat-crazy Aunt Agatha (Lynne Marie Stewart), who lives in a rent-controlled apartment in the middle of an upscale neighborhood. When Aunt Agatha dies of natural causes, a desperate Holly hits upon a brilliant idea: she and Calvin will pretend that Auntie is still alive, the better to remain in the apartment for a minimal price. The couple enlist the apartment building's feckless elevator operator Dennis (Andrew Kavovit) as their co-conspirator, then spend much of the rest of the movie trying to keep their landlord's suspicious son Vincent (Joseph D. Reitman) from stumbling upon the truth. Filmed in 2002, Rent Control did not make its ABC Family Channel debut until September 9, 2005, by which time the made-for-cable film had been extensively re-edited to accelerate its pace. The film has since been released abroad under its working title Aunt Agatha's Apartment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Melissa Joan Hart, Ryan Browning, (more)
- 1998
After Murphy (Candice Bergen) generously arranges a reunion between her cancer support-group friend Lisa (Tracy Nelson) and Lisa's high school crush Wally (Eric Allan Kramer), the "FYI" gang decides to do the same for our heroine. It seems that Murphy once carried a torch for Dennis Page (Michael McKean), who'd starred in her high school musical. The "FYI"-ers manage to track down Dennis, who has kept up his singing into adulthood--but with an unexpected twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Lindsay Frost makes her first series appearance as a high-profile, high-powered Seattle criminal defense attorney named Samantha. Upon seeing the gorgeous advocate, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is instantly smitten, and a romance soon develops. Unfortunately, Frasier is used to being the dominant party in his relationships -- but with "Sam," he is as submissive as a wounded puppy. Talk-show host Larry King briefly shows up as (who else?) himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Having finally figured out the Shadows' strategy, Sheridan launches a pre-emptive strike against the enemy forces. Dr. Franklin has an epiphany and tries to do a good deed -- nearly losing his life in the process. And Delenn gains a valuable ally on behalf of the Rangers. Melissa Gilbert makes a significant guest appearance. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Shadow Dancing" first aired in America during the week of October 21, 1996, some six weeks after its British TV bow on September 15. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
Fine special effects, eclectic casting, and the freeze-frame-worthy, clothing-free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction/horror hybrid a cut above its B-grade roots. At a top-secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley), scientists have created "Sil" (Natasha Henstridge), a half-human, half-alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately, Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate, and, with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature, puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists (Forest Whitaker, Michael Madsen, Marg Helgenberger, and Alfred Molina), to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time, Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic-flavored alien designs for Species were provided by H.R. Giger, the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of Alien (1979). When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget-trimming, Giger personally financed this $100,000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, (more)
- 1994
We'd rather not rehash the sordied Menendez murder case in this space; besides, it isn't necessary, inasmuch as no fewer than two TV movies were produced on the subject in 1994. The first was Fox's Honor Thy Father and Mother; the second, telecast less than a month later, was Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills. Two hours longer than the first film, Menendez spends half of its running time recounting the events leading up to the Menendez brothers' murder of the parents, while the second half devotes itself to their overpublicized trial. Lyle and Eric Menendez are played, respectively, by Damian Chapa and Travis Fine. Edward James Olmos and Beverly D'Angelo costar as the ill-fated parents, while Margaret Whitton is cast as attorney Leslie Abramson. Once past the most lurid aspects of the case-notably the Menendez boys' insistence that their crime was motivated by extreme parental abuse-this 4-hour wallow gets pretty tiresome. Menendez was originally telecast in two parts, on May 22 and 23, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, Beverly D'Angelo, (more)
- 1994
NYPD Blue begins its second season with 15th Precinct police officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman) on trial for the killing of mob functionary Marino. Despite having suppressed evidence that would have incriminated Janice, Detective John Kelly (David Caruso) testifies on her behalf -- and outside chambers, Kelly tells Robin Wirkus (Debrah Farentino) of his innermost feelings. Elsewhere, the squad investigates a series of robberies targeting drug dealers, and Andy Sipowicz, (Dennis Franz), busy on a case involving a battered wife, must agree to signing a contract with his AA sponsor, Dan Breen (Peter Boyle), before renewing his romance with another recovering alcoholic. With this episode, Gail O'Grady (Donna Abandando), Gordon Clapp (Greg Medavoy), and Sharon Lawrence (Sylvia Costas) graduate from recurring-characters to full "series regular" status. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
The jury reaches a verdict in the murder trial of Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman, in her final NYPD Blue appearance). Internal Affairs wants answers from Kelly (David Caruso) regarding his involvement in Janice's defense and Detective Medavoy's (Gordon Clapp) ledger. Kelly and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) investigate a series of robberies targeting drug dealers and also a double murder. And Andy and Sylvia (Sharon Lawrence) renew their relationship over dinner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The life of powerful union leader Jimmy Hoffa is the subject of this biographical drama. The focus is strongly on Hoffa's public and political life, from his early days as a labor organizer to his later conflicts with the Federal government -- and, eventually, his mysterious disappearance. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, (more)
In Final Analysis, Richard Gere stars as Isaac Barr, a San Francisco psychiatrist whose alluring patient Diana Baylor (Uma Thurman) is being treated for traumatic memories. In order to find out more about her trauma, Diana suggests that Isaac speak to her sister and question her about what went on between them in the past. But when Isaac sets eyes on Diana's sister Heather (Kim Basinger), they become involved in a torrid and steamy sex affair. Unfortunately, Heather is married to psychotic sadist Jimmy Evans (Eric Roberts). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Kim Basinger, (more)
In this made-for-TV comedy, a self-made man (Jack Lemmon) tries to teach is idle son (Jonathan Silverman) and greedy wife a lesson by giving away his hard-earned wealth. However, the plan doesn't go quite as smoothly as expected. Released on video under the title Father, Son and the Mistress. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Talia Shire, (more)
- 1992
Based on a true story, this is the case of Carolyn Warmus, a teacher from Westchester County who was convicted of the murder of her lover's wife. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Upset that she is the only woman in the neighborhood who hasn't been victimized by a Peeping Tom, Peg (Katey Sagal) begins setting out milk and cookies in hopes of attracting the guy's attention. Meanwhile, a prankish Bud (David Faustino) goes through the motions of tutoring Kelly (Christina Applegate), who is anxious to graduate from high school. Former Playboy centerfold (Luann Lee) makes an appearance in this, the final episode of Married... With Children's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
It's Halloween, and the Night Court staff is spooked by the possibility that the courtroom is haunted by a pesky poltergeist. By accident, Mac (Charlie Robinson) comes across the record of a 50-year-old case that was never resolved because the defendant dropped dead. Reasoning that the "ghost" is that restless defendant, Harry (Harry Anderson)--already preoccupied by the disappearance of his pet bat Tito--agrees to conduct a retrial of the old case, with the help of self-proclaimed "Affordable Exorcist" Madame Rochelle Greenberg (Shirley Prestia). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
For the first time since ALF moved in, the Tanners decide to throw a party--a Hawaiian luau, in fact. ALF of course wants to be part of the fun, but he has been exiled to the attic lest his existence be tipped off to the Tanners' friends. The rest of the evening proves to be a battle of wits and wills, with a barbecued suckling pig at the center of it all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Hospitalized for appendicitis, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) is miffed when none of the Cheers gang pays him a visit. Figuring that his abrasive personality has driven away his friends, Cliff returns to the bar a newer, kinder, gentler man. Once they've gotten over the shock of this transformation, Cliff's chums begin to miss the obnoxious blowhard they all know so well. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) braces for an interview with a Boston lifestyles magazine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
- R
- Add Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams to QueueAdd Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams to top of Queue
Here, the dope-smoking duo are working on an ice-cream truck, and their specially treated confections are more than just a hit for the kids. Nice Dreams is the third in the series. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, (more)
