Betsy Russell Movies

A familiar urban legend gets a chilling new twist when a group of high school friends all receive a chain e-mail claiming that someone close to them will soon die if they fail to keep the message circulating. At first Jessie Campbell (Nikki Reed) thought it might just be a sick joke, but when her friends break the chain and people start to die, she realizes it's only a matter of time until the Chain Man comes to claim her, too. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) might be dead, but his traps live on in this fifth Saw entry, which finds the series' production designer David Hackl at the helm for his debut directing gig. Costas Mandylor reprises his role as Hoffman, the detective whose involvement in the string of grisly murders turns out to be more than meets the eye. Picking up where the fourth entry left off, Hoffman is revealed to be a hidden accomplice in Jigsaw's grisly games of death, which look to be continued by the lawman. The plot bounces back and forth from the beginning of their relationship to the present, as Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) delves farther into the case. Also in the cast are Dexter's Julie Benz and One Missed Call's Meagan Good as victims of another one of Jigsaw's lessons in morality. Saw IV scribes Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan return to pen the screenplay for the Twisted Pictures/Lionsgate co-production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) is back, and this time he's concocted his deadliest set of traps yet in this gore-soaked sequel written by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, and directed by Saw II's Darren Lynn Bousman. Picking up directly where its predecessor left off, Saw III finds Jigsaw near death and fighting to stay alive for one final game. Determined to show his protégé, Amanda (Shawnee Smith), what it truly means to carry out his deadly game, the ailing Jigsaw instructs his apprentice to kidnap unsuspecting doctor Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) in order to ensure that he survives long enough to see how his latest victim Jeff (Angus MacFadyen) fares when faced with the prospect of imminent death. As Lynn and Jeff both struggle to beat the clock and carry out their tasks before Jigsaw draws his final breath, a much larger plan begins to emerge that shows just how cunning the legendary killer can truly be. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Investment banker Jack Scalia would give anything to escape his wealthy but empty existence. He fantasizes about becoming an Italian movie star, like his idol George Hamilton. Shedding himself of his wife and job, Scalia heads to Tinseltown to realize his dream, changing his name and adopting a Mediterranean accent along the way. He manages to succeed within these terms-except in the field of romance. He may be a matinee idol to the world, but poor Scalia can't get to first base with the new love of his life, scriptwriter Kathy Ireland. Elliott Gould, Katherine Helmond, James Doohan, Norm Crosby and Frank Gorshin are among the familiar faces popping up in this surprisingly obscure romantic comedy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A clueless group of sorority sisters inadvertently triggers the apocalypse when they set out on a weekend camping trip in this unhinged schlock classic starring Betsy Russell and Vince Van Patten. When a group of beautiful young campers arrives at a secluded campsite, they mistakenly assume they are alone until a gang of menacing bikers shows up to harass and terrorize them. As if that wasn't enough to ruin a relaxing weekend in the country, a rampaging Druid giant is soon constructing a mock-Stonehenge on which to commit human sacrifices and the Loch Ness Monster has abandoned his watery home and taken to terra firma to feast on human flesh! With earthquakes, lasers, the Lambada, and sexy starlet Michelle Bauer, this weekend getaway may be the last bash for humanity! ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

In this grim actioner, two city dudes head out for the country and find themselves involved in a feud when one of them falls in love with a country boy's gal. The jealous lover belongs to the murderous clan that runs the area and now the city boys, one of whom is a Vietnam vet, must team up or die. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Face (Dirk Benedict) is given a trial membership at an exclusive country club, an honor that proves to be a mixed blessing when he finds out that Murdock (Dwight Schultz) is already a guest at the club--and that the A-Team's perennial nemesis Fullbright (Jack Ging) is a fully paid-up member. But that's not the worst of it; another member, crooked bank executive McKeever (Kevin McCarthy), is masterminding an elaborate counterfeiting scheme right on the club grounds. Ingredients vital to the action are a deadly golf game, an escape on a private jet, and a most unusual celebrity "roast." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A young tomboy learns about love in this undistinguished story that focuses on the coyly named Tommy Boyd (Betsy Russell) who has a penchant for riding motorcycles, expertly tinkering with the mysterious inner workings of car engines and moving parts, and playing basketball. Her interest in men is nonexistent until she meets a handsome racecar driver (model Jerry Dinome) who manages to divert her attention a few degrees away from the underside of a car. After establishing their relationship, the couple have a serious argument that does not seem easy to settle. And so the two end up in a Daytona 500 race in which he drives his usual souped-up version of automotive splendor, and she counterattacks with a super-improved, four-wheeled wonder she put together before the race. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Betsy Russell takes over as part-time prostitute Molly Stewart in this disappointing sequel to the surprisingly good Angel (1984). Old pals Rory Calhoun and Susan Tyrrell are along for the search for the killer of the cop who saved Molly's life in the first film, joined by street magician Johnny Glitter (Barry Pearl). More brutal and hard-edged than the original, this installment is just another violent action movie, despite some slick camerawork and a fast pace. One peculiar touch is the frequent use of Bronski Beat's savage dance hit "Why?" which, although it has appropriately exciting music, it concerns gay-bashing and has no relation whatsoever to the storyline. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Three of the hallmarks of education in America -- nudity, teenage sex, and big, destructive gags -- are on plentiful display in this teen comedy. Christine (Phoebe Cates), a student at an exclusive all-girls private school, is in love with Jim (Matthew Modine), who attends an academy for boys nearby. Christine's archrival Jordan (Betsy Russell) also has her eye on Jim, and she is willing to do whatever she can to steal him away. Jim's über-slob buddy Bubba (Michael Zorek) is going with Betsy (Kathleen Wilhoite), Christine's cynical friend, though he would probably be unfaithful if any other woman were willing to get near him. Bubba and his pals sneak into the girls' school dressed in drag in hopes of reaching the Promised Land (better known as the women's shower room), while Christine and Jim run away together for the weekend, though their escapade isn't as romantic as they had hoped. Among the adults observing the chaos are Ray Walston, Fran Ryan, Martin Mull, and Sylvia Kristel; one of the sexy students on display is future scream queen Brinke Stevens. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi