Liz Sagal Movies
- 2005
Natalie (Traylor Howard) and Lt. Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) attend the wedding of her brother Jonathan (Robert P. Benedict)--an event that is anything but festive for Natalie, since she has been long on the outs with her wealthy and highly judgmental parents. Soon, however, Natalie has a lot more to worry about than family friction when Disher is seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. Arriving on the scene, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) begins questioning all the guests, despite his discomfort over the possibility that one of Natalie's relatives--or even Theresa (Ashley Williams), the bride-to-be--is a potential murderer. Just before the case is solved, a hostage crisis breaks out during the cutting of the wedding cake! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) have spent four months trying to conceive, with absolutely no success. Desperately, the couple uses the influence of obstetrician Mark (Richard Kind) to get into an exclusive organic fertility enhancement program. Mark's ex-wife, Fran (Leila Kenzle), further advises Paul and Jamie to take a romantic weekend at a ritzy hotel. Will any of this help? (Hint: There are still nine episodes left in season four). ~ All Movie Guide
- 1988
Attendees of a Southern California cocktail party find themselves reevaluating their convoluted, faulted lives following a major earthquake and a series of aftershocks in this hip comedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Perry, Jennifer Holmes, (more)
In this sci-fi comedy from executive producer George Lucas, Howard the Duck is an extra-terrestrial fowl who is accidentally beamed to earth by physicist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones) and his assistant Phil (Tim Robbins). The two go looking for Howard and find him in the home of Beverly Switzer (Lea Thompson), who was rescued by the interstellar duck from some mean-looking thugs. Beverly and Phil are friends, and when the government finds out about Howard, she helps Phil and Dr. Jenning hide him from the authorities until they can zap him back home. In the meantime, several wild chases and spectacular special effects keep the picture rolling along. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, (more)
Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel-mill welder by day, and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet, she is given financial support in this endeavor by her boss Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri) and moral support by demanding but big-hearted instructor Hanna Long (Lilia Skala). The film's signature scene is, of course, Alex's water-drenched dance audition, largely performed in long shot by her dance double Marine Jahan. Essentially an old-fashioned backstage yarn, Flashdance was given a contemporary spin by its pulsating, musical score featuring the Oscar-winning Best Song, Flashdance...What a Feeling, (music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, (more)
Given the runaway success of Grease, which became the biggest-grossing movie musical of all time, it was all but inevitable that there would be a sequel, and four years later this follow-up brought a new group of kids back to Rydell High. It's 1961, and Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the tough leader of the Pink Ladies, while Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield) is a clean-cut British exchange student. Michael likes Stephanie, but the Pink Ladies' by-laws prevent her from dating guys who aren't members of the T-Birds, their affiliated male gang. However, when a Zorro-like masked avenger on a motorcycle rescues Stephanie from a gang of ill-mannered toughs, she's eager to get to know the hero with the cool wheels. Any guesses as to who he might be? Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, and Dody Goodman return from the first film as members of the Rydell High faculty, while actual '50s teen icons Tab Hunter and Connie Stevens are on board as new members of the staff; Didi Conn as Frenchy is the only one of the students to appear in both movies. Patricia Birch, who served as choreographer on Grease, made her debut as a director on Grease 2; while she's remained active as a choreographer, she hasn't directed again since. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maxwell Caulfield, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
