Walter Williams Movies
Director Jonathan Lynn followed up the surprise hit The Whole Nine Yards with this musical comedy starring Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding plays Darrin, a shallow New York advertising executive, who travels to a small town in the deep south upon receiving word that his aunt has passed away and left him a sizable inheritance. But once Darrin gets into town, he is informed that he will only receive the money if he successfully leads a local gospel group to victory at an upcoming competition. Reluctant but strapped for cash, Darrin takes on the task of finding the best singers in town and shaping the group up. Along the way, he becomes acclimated to the town with the help of his cousin Lucius (Mike Epps) and meets Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), a single mother who not only possesses an incredible voice but also the ability to warm Darrin's cold heart. Along with Knowles, the supporting cast features a number of other real musicians, including Faith Evans, Melba Moore, Angie Stone, Montell Jordan, and The O'Jays. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyoncé Knowles, (more)
The sons of a Chicago fireman who gave his life in the performance of his duties, firefighting brothers Kurt Russell and William Baldwin carry their lifelong sibling rivalry into their work. Russell is convinced that Baldwin hasn't got what it takes to remain in the fire department. Baldwin is transferred to a "safe" assignment, assisting arson investigator Robert DeNiro, who is trying to make sense of a series of fires involving an oxygen-induced ball of fire called a backdraft. The investigation reveals a link between corrupt alderman J. T. Walsh and imprisoned pyromaniac Donald Sutherland. The trail of evidence leads Baldwin to suspect that his brother Russell, a much-decorated hero, may be the "inside" man setting up the arsons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, (more)
- 1980
This Anglo-Italian production was first seen as a five-part, five-hour miniseries on Britain's ATV in 1980. In Italy to pay a visit to her blind sister, British musician Barbara (Prunella Ransome) was told that her sibling had disappeared -- and may well have been murdered by a serial killer who specialized in knocking off sightless women. In despair, Barbara formed a friendship with fellow Briton David Malcolm (Jeremy Brett), who had exiled himself on a small off-coast island after his wife and son were killed in a diving accident. While pretending to be blind in hopes of trapping her sister's "killer," Barbara discovered that David's son was not dead after all, and might very well be the man she was looking for. But was her sister really dead -- and what did David know that he wasn't telling? After airing on British TV, Seagull Island was reedited and shown theatrically in Italy under the title L'Isola del Gabbiano. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
