Leslie Bevis Movies
- 1996
The fourth season of Deep Space Nine came to a close with this episode, which was originally broadcast June 17, 1996. Rushed to the infirmary after suffering a seizure in Garak's shop, Odo is diagnosed with a strange malady which prohibits him from maintaining his human form. Stumped by this hitherto unknown disorder, Bashir declares that the only hope for Odo's recovery rests on his home planet, deep within Dominion territory. While delivering Odo to his destination, the Defiant is intercepted by the Jem'Hadar, whereupon a female shapeshifter (Salome Jens) suddenly materializes, announcing that Odo is to be put on trial for murder. "Broken Link" was written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Robert Steven Behr from a story by George A. Brozak. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
The academic world proves as lethal as the "real" world during a controversy over naming the next headmaster at Cabot Cove's prep school. Throughout the process, the school and its principal rival play a number of traditional pranks on one another, presumably in the spirit of good sportsmanship. But when a professor is murdered, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) takes time off of her lecture duties at the school to put and end to the so-called "fun and games." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In the first episode of a two-part story, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is in Ireland, staying at a bed-and-breakfast at Ballynook Castle. Rumor has it that the castle is haunted by the ghost of a murdered woman, and the locals are convinced that the spirt is responsible for the death of a kitchen worker. Suspecting that the victim was murdered by "live" culprits who are searching for a hidden treasure, Jessica follows a trail of clues that may well lead her into a death trap! Rod Taylor and Fionnula Flanagan, both of whom had appeared in previous episodes filmed in Ireland, show up here in different roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is still in Ireland, investigating the mysterious (and deadly) goings-on at ancient Ballynook Castle. In her efforts to prove that a legendary ghost was not responsible for the death of a kitchen worker, Jessica had become trapped in the castle's dank and gloomy dungeon. Meanwhile, the genuine culprits, who may or may not be involved in an intricate antique-smuggling scheme, remain at large. Rod Taylor and Fionnula Flanagan, both of whom had appeared in previous episodes filmed in Ireland, show up here in different roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
An infant rescued by DS9 from a wrecked ship suddenly begins growing and maturing at an alarming rate. Able to speak and reason, the boy -- now a teenager, and now played by Bumper Robinson -- reveals himself to be a Jem'Hadar, one of the soldiers of the dreaded Dominion. Taking a paternal interest in the boy, Odo tries to deflect him from a life of violence and murder. Meanwhile, Sisko looks askance at his son Jake's latest girlfriend, a Dabo named Marta (Jill Sayre). Written by D. Thomas Malo and Steve Warnek and directed by Avery Brooks, "The Abandoned" first aired November 5, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Deep Space Nine launched its second season with this episode, which originally aired on September 24, 1993. Richard Beymer guest stars as Li Nalas, a legendary Bajoran freedom fighter. Hoping to rescue Li Nalas from a prison colony, the hero-worshipping Kira risks sparking a war between the Cardassians and the newly reunited Bajoran radical factions. Another of the series' many "loyalty vs. duty" exercises, "The Homecoming" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Jeri Taylor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Troma, that little independent tiffany company that produced such delicate bon-bons as The Toxic Avenger and Surf Nazis Must Die, set up their own specialty branch, 50th Street Films, to release films requiring a more delicate touch. So what better outfit to handle a quiet little direct-to-video release about presidential assassination like The November Men? Director Paul Williams stars as Arthur Gwenlyn, who organizes a gang of revolutionaries, terrorists, war veterans, and cut-throats to journey to Washington to kill then-President George Bush. Williams, going the Oliver Stone route, utilizes a bevy of actual footage of George Bush and other political leaders, charmingly framed in gun sights. But as Gwenlyn's men move closer to Washington and their target, Gwenlyn's own motives for bringing the group to the nation's capital become more mysterious and obscure. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Williams, James Andronica, (more)
Sammy Bodean is the newest, most promising recruit according to the advertisement of the California Angels--and has to prove it come game time. Following the team's sale to young business whiz Gil Lawrence (Terry Kinney), ex-player Virgil Sweet (Edward James Olmos) has to prove himself as the team's talent scout to keep his job. Via a car break-down near a small farm-town in Idaho, Virgil stumbles across young Sammy Bodean (Jeff Corbett) who performs mean pitching skills in a rural sandlot. After bringing Sammy to LA where he pitches out the team's best, owner Gil begins a massive media campaign in which he appears in a press conference and not only brags of the boy's talent but of his intention to feature him--without warm-up or orientation--in the big game the following week. Virgil, though promoted to assistant manager, is upset at Gil's exploitative measures to save the slagging Angels at the expense of Sammy. Game day arrives and the pressure is on to keep the other team swinging, which causes young Sammy to choke. Or not. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, Lorraine Bracco, (more)
- 1990
Two almost-identical bank robberies have resulted in two deaths--and Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) have nary a clue. Gradually, Hunter deduces that there had been an "inside" man at each bank. As it turns out, a beautiful but deadly female criminal (Leslie Bevis), using multiple aliases, has been seducing bank managers into becoming her unwitting accomplices--a fact that comes crashing down upon one of the unfortunate managers, who intends to take the law into his own hands! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this vaguely allegorical science fiction-crime film, a Los Angeles cop tries to solve the murder of his best friend with the help of his new partner -- a member of a star-faring alien race. In the near-future world of Alien Nation, the "Newcomers" are a race of formerly enslaved humanoids seeking refuge and integration into Earth society. These unusual immigrants face anger and resentment from some humans, including Matthew Sykes (James Caan), a cop whose partner, Tug (Roger Aaron Brown), was killed in a shoot-out with several Newcomers. In order to get some insight into Newcomer society and track down the "slags" who killed Tug, Sykes volunteers to take on a new partner,Sam "George" Francisco (Mandy Patinkin), the first alien ever promoted to the rank of detective. As Sykes tries to overcome his bigotry against George and his kind, who eat raw beaver and get drunk on spoiled milk, the friendly, helpful George soon learns the identity of Tug's killer: William Harcort (Terrence Stamp), a pillar of Newcomer society who is secretly manufacturing the same powerful narcotic that was used to enslave his race. It's up to Sykes and George to stop Harcort before he turns his fellow Newcomers into drooling addicts and pulls the skeletons out of his race's closet for all of humankind to see. Omen 3 director Graham Baker made his screenwriting debut with Alien Nation, as did co-writer Rockne S. O'Bannon. Kenneth Johnson, creator of the miniseries V, would adapt Alien Nation into a weekly television show in 1989 and several made-for-TV movies in the mid-'90s. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, (more)
- 1988
A notorious pimp is the latest victim of a vigilante killer who targets known criminals and leaves a silver bullet at the scene of each murder. Though Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) suspect that the vigilante is actually an ill-tempered undercover vice officer (Edward Wiley), the pimp's bosses have pinpointed the victim's newest lady friend (Leslie Bevis) as the guilty party. In either case, someone is not long for this world! This final episode of Hunter's fourth season was adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- PG
One of two "dueling" TV biopics of 1988, Liberace stars Andrew Robinson (who'd once played the giggling killer in Dirty Harry!) as the titular flamboyant entertainer. The film recounts Liberace's rise to fame thanks to TV exposure during the 1950s, but does so with distressing disregard of the facts: at one point, Liberace manages to mispronounce the name of his Wisconsin home town! A thin veneer of authenticity is maintained by the use of Liberace's actual piano-shaped swimming pool and his real jewelry and wardrobe. The AIDS angle is barely touched upon in the final scenes, thanks to the intervention of the entertainer's family and lawyers. Of the two Liberace films, Liberace runs a distant second to Liberace: Behind the Music (telecast the following October week of 1988 by a rival network), though Robinson does rather well in the leading role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A space bum helps rescue a princess from an evil overlord with the help of a benevolent elder in this Star Wars send-up written and directed by Mel Brooks. Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his half-man, half-dog co-pilot, Barf the Mawg (John Candy), are content to scour the galaxy living the easy life. But they reluctantly come to the rescue when Druish Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) is threatened by the evil Lord Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis), who wants to steal all of the air from her planet, Druidia. Trapped on a harsh desert world with Vespa and her robot chaperone, Dot Matrix (voice of Joan Rivers), Lone Starr and Barf are helpless to prevent Helmet from kidnapping the girl. But assistance arrives in the form of Yogurt (Brooks), a wizard who turns Lone Starr on to a mysterious power known as The Schwartz. Catching up with Helmet just as he's transforming his spaceship into a giant vacuum cleaner in orbit around Druidia, the reluctant heroes stage a dramatic showdown. Although it borrows most of its plot from the Star Wars series, Spaceballs also pokes fun at Star Trek, Snow White, and Planet of the Apes -- as well as the entire videocassette and movie marketing industries. The large supporting cast includes Dick Van Patten, Jim J. Bullock, and the voice of Dom DeLuise. John Hurt makes a cameo in a parody of the exploding chest scene he played in Alien. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Brooks, John Candy, (more)
- 1987
This is the first of four "Day in the Life" episodes, in which Harry (Harry Anderson) must judge a huge number of cases before a predetermined deadline. In this instance, Harry wants to dispense justice to 200 defendants in order to beat a midnight "general amnesty" ordered by a retiring federal judge. Among those appearing before Harry is NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who pleads on behalf of a Nielsen family that doesn't want to go to jail before they get a chance to watch Misfits of Science! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- PG13
In this comedy, artistic con man Harry (Michael Keaton) teams up with lady detective Rachel Dobs (Rae Dawn Chong) to trick a corrupt TV lottery-show host into revealing how he has been rigging the contest to benefit the Mob. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Keaton, Rae Dawn Chong, (more)
- 1986
In this made-for-TV movie, Meredith Baxter plays Kate, a homemaker who suffers from the eating disorder bulimia. On the surface, slim, attractive Kate's life seems perfect. Her husband, Jack (Ben Masters), is a successful lawyer, while her daughter, Becky, a Junior Girl Scout, adores her. But between strenuous workouts and gossip sessions with Gail (Shari Belafonte), her best friend and personal trainer, Kate binges on junk food and then purges by vomiting. Any stressful situation can set off these bulimic episodes, and Kate has three separate sources of aggravation to deal with: Jack is about to make partner in his firm; Monica (Leslie Bevis), another lawyer, is making a play for Jack; and Kate's controlling mother (Georgann Johnson) has just arrived for an extended visit. Soon, Kate's vomiting spirals out of control as she binges everywhere from a grocery-store dairy aisle to her own suburban kitchen. One afternoon, weak from lack of food and too much exercise, Kate crashes her car, almost killing herself and Becky. Soon an eating-disorder specialist, Dr. Resnick (Edward Asner), reveals Kate's secret to her husband and mother, and Kate must enter a clinic to face her demons in the company of the other bulimics and anorexics. Her roommate, Patch (Tracy Nelson), a gorgeous young model, teaches Kate the therapeutic ropes, but the road to healing isn't as smooth as either woman would like. Kate's Secret premiered on November 17, 1986. In addition to Family and Family Ties star Baxter and Mary Tyler Moore Show vet Asner, Kate's Secret featured fellow sitcom survivor Mackenzie Phillips, of One Day at a Time fame, as another clinic patient. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the first episode of a two-part story, Dan (John Larroquette) insists upon disobeying his doctor's orders by returning to work immediately after minor ulcer surgery. Predictably ending up back in the hospital, Dan is still determined to prove that he's far from incapacitated, this time by making whoopee with sexy Sheila (Leslie Bevis) in his hospital bed. This, coupled with some angry words from Harry (Harry Anderson) , causes Dan to lapse into a coma--and to very nearly become a candidate for the morgue! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Gentle giant Bull (Richard Moll) is hopelessly in love with an attractive young woman named Renee (Randee Heller). So euphoric is Bull that his coworkers haven't got the heart--or the guts--to tell him that Renee is--to put it as discreetly as possible--a "working woman." Will this be a Pretty Woman love-conquers-all situation, or is Bull riding for another fall? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Hauled into court for stealing electronic communication components, a man (Kenneth Tigar) claiming to be from the planet Saturn pulls out a gun and holds the courtroom hostage. This proves to be most inconvenient for Dan (John Larroquette), who has finally managed to line up a date with his latest object of affection Sheila (Leslie Bevis). Things get worse when the wrong person consumes the drugged meat intended to incapactite the self-proclaimed Saturnian. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This made-for-TV fantasy was directed by former Starsky and Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser. In one of her earliest roles, Madeleine Stowe plays Dr. Sharon Fields, who stumbles upon a secret plot by a covert organization of women to take over the world and execute all the men. The veteran cast of this silly timekiller includes cult favorites Stella Stevens, Tamara Dobson, and William Schallert, as well as more mainstream performers such as Peter Scolari, Nicholas Pryor, and Jennifer Warren. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
In a comedy as flat as the cardboard cut-outs of movie stars that appear in one scene, Steve Martin plays Larry Hubbard, a wild and lonely guy who has been dumped by his girlfriend. Since misery loves company, he takes up with Warren, a fellow Lonely Guy (Charles Grodin), and eventually both Warren and Larry find some surprising companions, especially after Larry writes a best-selling Lonely Guy Guide. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Martin, Charles Grodin, (more)
