Michael D. Roberts Movies
- 2000
Ross (David Schwimmer) is honored to learn that his thesis has been put in the NYU library. But his happiness is soured when he finds out that the section in which the thesis is squirreled away has been adopted as a student "passion pit." Elsewhere, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) hadn't intended for his recent one-night stand to be chosen as the girl for him by Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow); and Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) are put on the spot when the troublesome Janice (Maggie Wheeler) is accidentally invited to their upcoming wedding. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristin Davis, Maggie Wheeler, (more)
Daniel Benzali stars as a scowling pit bull of a car salesman in this comedy directed by Roger Nygard. Bobby (Louis Mandylor) seeks employment at Southside Motors, where Reggie (Benzali) trains his employees to bilk his customers out of as much cash as possible. Things go astray in Reggie's tightly run venture when loan sharks visit to call in some of Bobby's substantial debts. Suckers was screened at the 1999 AFI/L.A. Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Benzali, Louis Mandylor, (more)
- 1996
Kramer (Michael Richards) switches apartments (and several other things) with Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) when he is kept awake by a huge neon sign promoting Kenny Rogers Roasters. Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has to go to the end of the earth -- or at least to Burma -- to get her expense account okayed. Jerry manages to get an old friend fired from his job, but this works out to the benefit of the "plot." And George (Jason Alexander) hopes that a big hat will help him land a second date with an attractive saleswoman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This horror film begins on a typical night in 1978 as seven-year-old Griffin Davis' parents are telling him a bedtime story about the Sandman. Meanwhile a serial killer with a taste for slaughtering families is dangerously close. Each of the families had a boy Griffin's age. His parents finish their story and leave the room. Later the police arrive just in time to save the frightened boy and capture the killer. Seventeen years pass and the murderer, known as The Sandman, is being prepared for execution. At the same time, Griffin, a rookie journalist and Megan, a photographer feel attracted to each other as they wait for the death. In his death row cell, Sandman is visited by a strange clergyman who bestows the killer with supernatural powers. After he is executed, his body changes into real sand. Assuming human form, the walking dune takes off after Griffin to finish what he started so long ago. Mayhem and murder ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
On the eve of his televised execution, a serial killer (Bruce Davison) takes a TV newswoman (Joanna Cassidy) hostage. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Davison, Joanna Cassidy, (more)
- 1991
The mother of the title is played by Meredith Baxter. Her daughter (Carrie Hamilton) is raped by an unknown assailant who leaves no tangible clues behind. Obsessed with bringing the rapist out in the open, Ms. Baxter sets herself up as a potential assault victim. Farfetched though it sounds, A Mother's Justice was based on an actual case that occurred in Portland, Oregon. This TV movie had the rotten luck to be scheduled opposite Monday Night Football and a CBS M*A*S*H retrospective when it was first telecast on November 25, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Self-centered, avaricious Californian Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is informed that his long-estranged father has died. Expecting at least a portion of the elder Babbitt's $3 million estate, Charlie learns that all he's inherited is his dad's prize roses and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster. Discovering that the $3 million is being held in trust for an unidentified party, Charlie heads to his home town of Cincinnati to ascertain who that party is. It turns out that the beneficiary is Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman), the autistic-savant older brother that Charlie never knew he had. Able to memorize reams of trivia and add, subtract, multiply, and divide without a second's hesitation, Raymond is otherwise incapable of functioning as a normal human being. Aghast that Raymond is to receive his father's entire legacy, Charlie tries to cut a deal with Raymond's guardian. When this fails, Charlie "borrows" Raymond from the institution where he lives, hoping to use his brother as leverage to claim half the fortune. During their subsequent cross-country odyssey, Charlie is forced to accommodate Raymond's various autistic idiosyncracies, not the least of which is his insistence on adhering to a rigid daily schedule: he must, for example, watch People's Court and Jeopardy every day at the same time, no matter what. On hitting Las Vegas, Charlie hopes to harness Raymond's finely-honed mathematical skills to win big at the gaming tables; but this exploitation of his brother's affliction compels Charlie to reassess his own values, or lack thereof. A longtime pet project of star Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man was turned down by several high-profile directors before Barry Levinson took on the challenge of bringing Ronald Bass' screenplay to fruition (Levinson also appears in the film as a psychiatrist). All three men won Oscars, and the movie won Best Picture. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, (more)
- 1988
In the first episode of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) suspects that his Vietnam war buddy Randall Fain (introduced in the previous season's episode "Jade Woman") did not commit suicide as has been reported. Despite Fain's guilt over a tragic wartime blunder which had nearly wiped out his unit, Hunt is certain that the man was murdered, and that the motive was a fortune in stolen emeralds. The key to solving the case may be in the hands of Fain's Oriental mail-order bride Rose--who since returning to prostitution has completely dropped out of sight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The title of this Anglo-Canadian TV production is tinged with irony. So far as the main characters are concerned, home is a still a long way to go. Set in the months following World War I, the film takes place in a squalid Welsh "halfway" camp, where Canadian soldiers are kept for an interminable period of time before the British government deigns to ship them home. Fed up with go-nowhere bureaucracy and the shabbiness of their surroundings, the Canadians stage a violent revolt. Based on a true story, Going Home represented the directorial debut of veteran costume designer Terry Ryan. Heading the cast are veteran Canadian actors Nicholas Campbell, Paul Maxwell and Eugene Lipinski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Harry tries to prevent overzealous Federal Agent Moody (Michael D. Roberts) from shooting down misguided patriot Nesbit Sherman (Jeremy Lawrence), who is holding an original draft of the U.S. Constitution hostage. Meanwhile, Roz (Marsha Warfield) continues to cavort wildly on the courthouse roof, still under the influence of an insulin overdose. Can these problems be resolved before President Reagan arrives to tape a TV special? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Red Dragon, the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world, was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter. Ace criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Brian Cox), as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina visits Will at his home, showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). In order to test his mental strength, Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (Stephen Lang), as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal) became box-office blockbusters, Manhunter was re-made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William L. Petersen, Kim Greist, (more)
In this undistinguished parody of the sci fi genre, Robert Urich is Jason who leads a band of pirates in redistributing the wealth of the few to the coffers of the needy. He also joins up with Princess Karina Mary Crosby in searching for her father and a possible source of water in the next galaxy. Meant to be a campy romp through the sci fi genre, the film stops short of achieving a goal that should have been effortless. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Urich, Mary Crosby, (more)
In this surprisingly chaste and some would say bland movie, car clubs in East L.A. with their low-riding, decorated, custom vehicles provide the background for gang rivalry and a blossoming romance between Beto (Fernando Allende in his first English-speaking role) and the blonde newcomer to the neighborhood, Kim (Dawn Dunlap). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fernando Allende, Dawn Dunlap, (more)
Steve McQueen's last film concerns a modern day bounty hunter who searches for bail jumpers. Based on real life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, the film details his exciting life, traveling from one city to another, trying to track down fugitives and continually risking his life in the process. Buzz Kulik directed the confusing mish-mash that, nevertheless, features stunt work that anticipates the Lethal Weapon series. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, (more)
- 1977
The "heavy" in this episode is a crooked federal narcotics agent. Enjoying a brisk sideline of peddling dope during his off-hours, the agent commits murder when one of his customers discovers his true identity. Meanwhile, undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) tries to root out the rotten apple in the law-enforcement barrel. Originally slated to air on January 5, 1977, "Don't Kill the Sparrow" was bumped forward to January 12. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1977
The title character in this episode is Sister Barbara (Edith Diaz), a feisty and fearless nun who works in a barrio street clinic. Undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) admires the way in which Sister Barbara is able to reform the various drug addicts in her care. Less admiring is an unknown assailant who murders one of the nun's patients -- then prepares to kill her off as well. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1977
An Italian-American neighborhood is in the clutches of a swaggering Mafia don. By holding the residents in a grip of terror, the don manages to extort a great deal of money -- and undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) is helpless to do anything about it, thanks to the refusal of the locals to speak up. This episode affords ample acting opportunities for the versatile Ross Martin and the tempestuous Katy Jurado. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1977
Mario Roccuzzo guest stars as Joey, a reformed alcoholic. As a personal favor to his friend, undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake), Joey pretends to fall off the wagon. It is all part of a scheme to get the goods on Joey's former boss, a blackmailer/pornographer/pimp who sidelines in murder. Onetime Bonanza star Pernell Roberts makes quite a meal of his supporting role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake
- 1977
Oscar-winning character actor Strother Martin makes a return visit to Baretta, this time in the role of an embittered doctor named Shaner. Having given up on humanity, Shaner has become a professional bounty hunter. Undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) finds himself in the uncomfortable position of preventing Doc Shaner from killing a scuzzy drug pusher who caused the death of a wealthy banker's daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1976
A doctor is murdered, and the chief suspect is a grieving young father who held the victim responsible for his son's death. Placed in custody, the perpetrator escapes, embarking upon a seemingly senseless murder spree. In his efforts to nab the rampaging killer, undercover detective Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) tries to figure out his quarry's motives -- and his next move. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1976
In order to bring a vicious motorcycle gang to justice, undercover detective Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) needs the testimony of one of the gang members. Unfortunately, the intractable Assistant District Attorney (Alan Mandell) refuses to plea bargain with the witness. As a result, Baretta is forced to infiltrate the gang to save his inside informant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1976
After a two-week preemption for network Olympics coverage, Baretta returned on February 18, 1976 with this episode. The focus is on Billy Truman (Tom Ewell), the manager of the fleabag hotel that undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) calls home. The tension begins to mount when Billy is kidnapped, and the ransom demanded is the 500,000 dollars in stolen bonds that Baretta may have recovered after thwarting a robbery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1976
Joan Collins guest stars as female undercover officer Lynn Stiles. Teaming up with Tony Baretta (Robert Blake), Stiles tries to nab a murderous pimp who covets full control of the city's prostitutes. In an incredibly suspenseful climax, Baretta is forced to place Stiles in grave danger for the sake of justice. Star Robert Blake's wife Sondra Blake appears as Candy Lee, a character she'd introduced in the first-season episode "The Mansion." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
