Connie Sawyer Movies
Critically acclaimed director David Gordon Green takes a break from the brooding drama that defined such early efforts as George Washington and Undertow for this action-flavored buddy comedy concerning two pot-smoking friends (Seth Rogen and James Franco) who unwittingly become involved with a vicious gang of drug dealers. Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson produce a script co-penned by star Rogen and Evan Goldberg. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Seth Rogen, James Franco, (more)
In keeping with the light and slick tones of her earlier film What Women Want, Nancy Meyers writes and directs the romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give. Jack Nicholson plays Harry Langer, a swinging sixtysomething entertainment executive surrounded by plenty of young girlfriends. His latest romance is young petite sophisticate Marin (Amanda Peet), who takes him to her mother's beach house in the Hamptons for a weekend fling. However, Marin's successful Broadway playwright mother Erica Barry (Diane Keaton) is already vacationing at the house with her sister Zoe (Frances McDormand). Marin and Harry stay anyway, and Harry ends up having a heart attack. He goes to the hospital and is looked after by thirtysomething doctor Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves). Impressed by her writing, Dr. Mercer finds himself pursuing a romance with Erica. Because of his serious health condition, he orders Harry to stay near the hospital. While Marin returns to Manhattan, Erica agrees to stay on and look after Harry. Of course they are repulsed by each other at first, but they end up falling in love throughout the recovery process. Also starring Jon Favreau as Harry's assistant. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, (more)
Stretching from the 1970s to the 1990s, The Trip chronicles the often turbulent romance between two gay men. One night in 1973, teenagers Tommy (Steve Braun) and Alan (Larry Sullivan) meet at an L.A. party. While Tommy is openly gay and organizes for gay civil rights, Alan, an aspiring journalist, is a repressed, button-down member of the Young Republicans who is working on his first book, a thick volume about the evils of homosexuality. On the pretext of interviewing him for his book, Alan invites Tommy to his house for dinner, where the sexual tension between the two is so throbbingly blatant that Alan's girlfriend makes a hasty exit. An intense romance between the two men follows. When we next see them, it's 1976, and Alan's book has been published anonymously and is being used by right-wingers who are supporting Anita Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign in Florida. Unfortunately, Tommy finds out that Alan wrote the book and leaves him, and subsequently takes up with Peter (Ray Baker) an affluent closet case. It isn't until the '90s that Alan and Tommy meet again, and are confronted by the romance they thought they had long left behind. The Trip was screened at the 2002 Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Sullivan, Steve Braun, (more)
- 1999
Weaver (Laura Innes) tries to determine if elderly terminal patient Kathy Brennan (Connie Sawyer) is really her long-lost biological mother. In other developments, Carol (Julianna Margulies) wonders if she should keep her baby. And in his efforts to apply for chief residency, Carter (Noah Wyle) takes over Greene's 24-hour shift while Greene is off trying to prevent the deportation of Nigerian janitor Mobalage (Djimon Hounsou). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The four Sliders materialize on a topsy-turvy parallel Earth, where it is mandatory to take hallucinogenic drugs. This is the method by which the Government keeps everyone under control--and also saps all vestiges of individuality from such people as the short-tempered Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) and the eccentric Colin (Charlie O'Connell), who, under the influence of controlled substances, begin living a life of bland, white-bread marital bliss. Meanwhile, the Drug Empowerment Administration puts out an A.P.B. for the fugitive Quinn (Jerry O'Connell), who is a dead ringer for a notorious anti-drug revolutionary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In the conclusion of Boy Meets World's two-part Season Six opener, Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) have eloped, but Topanga can't bring herself to say "I do" before the the Justice of the Peace--and never mind that it was she who proposed to Cory in the first place. Having decided that they aren't ready for marriage, the couple returns home, only to find that their families have arranged an elaborate newlywed party for them. So it shouldn't be a total loss, the festivities are changed to a retirement party for Mr. Feeny (William Daniels)--at least until an angry Eric (Will Friedle) has his say in the matter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
As Season Six of Boy Meets World gets under way with the first episode of a two-part story, Cory still does not know how to respond to Topanga's sudden marriage proposal. The rest of Cory's friends and family members offer varying degrees of advice and comfort: Shawn's girlfriend Angela (Trina McGee-Davis) , for example, thinks that Cory and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) are too young to marry, while Cory's parents Alan (William Russ) and Amy (Betsy Randle) are in no position to say anything since they themselves had eloped. Our hero's indecision extends all the way to the wedding ceremony--at which point, guess who announces that it isn't the right time yet? Maitland Ward joins the regular cast in the role of Rachel McGuire, the new and very attractive roommate of college boys Eric (Will Friedle) and Jack (Matthew Lawrence). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The ninth and final season of Seinfeld begins with Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) enthusing over NBC's interest in his concept for a situation comedy "about nothing." However, he's less than enthusiastic over the omnipresence of his eternal nemesis, second-rate comedian Kenny Bania (Steve Hytner). Meanwhile, Kramer (Michael Richards) discovers that butter makes a great after shave lotion -- but Newman (Wayne Knight) is spooked by the smell. George (Jason Alexander) lands a new job only because he's still using a cane long after his hospital stay. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) sets out on a month-long trip to Europe with the redoubtable Puddy (Patrick Warburton). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
- R
Alien invaders descend upon a peaceful desert community and take over the minds and bodies of the residents. Now only a brave photographer can save them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Kerwin, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place; the guys also have a certain problem (not difficult to understand) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary, and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport, he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight (though not for lack of trying). Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog (to promote his failing dog-grooming business), and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money, which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally, Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago, he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, (more)
- 1994
Peter Hunt (Scott Bakula) is back, and Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) has got him--for a date. Naturally, Peter anticipates a revival of his torrid romance with Murphy. And naturally, Murphy anticipates Peter's anticipation--but for some reason, she insists upon delaying the Big Moment. This episode earned yet another Emmy award for series star Candice Bergen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
- R
In this romantic comedy, a pair of disparate yuppies attempt to bridge the considerable disparities between them and have a relationship. During their tempestuous struggles, their two best friends offer expert commentary. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arye Gross, Courteney Cox Arquette, (more)
- 1992
- Add Something to Live For: The Alison Gertz Story to QueueAdd Something to Live For: The Alison Gertz Story to top of Queue
Something to Live For: The Alison Gertz Story was one of a myriad of early 1990s TV movies centering around the AIDS issue. Molly Ringwald stars as Alison Gertz, an upscale Manhattanite who thinks she knows her way around. Still, Alison conducts an "unprotected" one-night affair, which results in her contacting the AIDS virus. Despite her alleged smarts, Alison continues to seek out sexual partners and can't understand why they're reluctant to sleep with her, even though she belatedly offers to use contraceptives. Perhaps if it had been made five years earlier, and perhaps if it didn't have its characters speaking fluent pop profundities, Something to Live For might have been one of the truly important made-for-TV AIDS sagas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A U.S. general confronts the struggle of her lifetime when she decides to run for president in this drama. ~ All Movie Guide
Long before she was in Friends, Courteney Cox had to deal with a few enemies in Blue Desert. A rape victim, Cox is given the runaround by the New York police. Fed up with city life, she heads for the wide open spaces of Arizona. Not long afterward, she is propositioned by lowlife Craig Sheffer. She reports this to sympathetic local cop D.B. Sweeney, who replies matter-of-factly that this is not the first time that Sheffer has been accused of a sexual offense. To her amazement, Cox is later visited by Sheffer, who agitatedly warns her not to trust the supposedly sweet-natured Sweeney. Someone is lying about something-and Cox plain doesn't know who to believe. When she finally finds out, it's nearly too late. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Courteney Cox Arquette, D.B. Sweeney, (more)
- 1991
While attending a convention in Las Vegas, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) links up with Susan Hartley (Amy O'Neill), the daughter of her editor Ted Hartley (Bruce Gray). When Susan's boyfriend is accused of murdering a nasty casino manager, Jessica steps in to prove the poor fellow's innocence. In so doing, our heroine places her own life in dire jeopardy. Andrew Brye makes his second appearance in the semi-regular role of Ahmed Shanker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Brian De Palma's Hollywood sanitization of Tom Wolfe's scabrous satire stars Tom Hanks as Sherman McCoy, the "master of the universe," a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Melanie Griffith), a Southern belle golddigger. Sherman and Maria are driving back to Maria's apartment from the airport when Maria takes a wrong turn on the expressway and the two find themselves in the South Bronx. She sees a black youth approaching Sherman's car and Maria, frightened, guns the engine, running over the teenager and killing him. The two drive away and decide not to report the accident to the police. Meanwhile, indigent alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow (Bruce Willis), anxious for a story to make good with his editor, comes upon the hit-and-run tale through local black community activist, Reverend Bacon (John Hancock). Bacon plans to use the hit-and-run case as a rallying point for the black community, while Fallow recognizes the press coverage inherent in prosecuting the callow Sherman. As Sherman is brought to his knees, the New York community fragments into different factions who use the case to suit their own cynical political purposes. Finally, Sherman is left without any allies to support him except for the sympathetic Judge White (Morgan Freeman) and the remorseful Fallow. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, (more)
- 1990
- R
Actress Dyan Cannon, whose 1976 directorial debut Number One was nominated for a "best short subject" Academy Award, moves on to feature-length projects with The End of Innocence. In addition to directing, Ms. Cannon wrote the screenplay and played a leading role in this story of a young girl spiritually torn apart by forces beyond her control. Rebecca Schaeffer plays Stephanie Lewis, unwanted and ignored by her eternally squabbling parents. Mom and Dad do further damage to Stephanie's battered psyche by giving her mixed messages concerning sex and religion. The girl's self-esteem dwindles to microscopic proportions thanks to a series of no-good boyfriends. Suffering a nervous breakdown, she is placed in an asylum, where for the first time she treated as a human being rather than a nuisance by compassionate psychiatrist John Heard. Completed in the late 1980s, End of Innocence was released in 1990, one year after the death of star Rebecca Schaeffer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dyan Cannon, John Heard, (more)
Rob Reiner's romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the title pair. The film opens with the two strangers, both newly graduated from the University of Chicago, share a car trip from Chicago to New York, where they are both going to make their way. During the trip, they discuss aspects of their characters and their lives, eventually deciding it is impossible for men and women to be "just friends." They arrive in New York and go their separate ways. They meet a few years later on an airplane and Harry reveals he is married. They meet again at a bookstore a few years after that where Harry reveals he is now divorced. From that point on, the two form a friendship. Eventually their closeness results in their respective best friends (played by Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby) meeting and falling in love with each other. At a New Year's Eve party Harry and Sally confront the complex tangle of emotions they feel for each other. The soundtrack consists primarily of Harry Connick Jr. crooning standards like "It Had to Be You." ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, (more)
Former child star and one-time scandal magnet Drew Barrymore had her first teenage role in this offbeat thriller with comic overtones. Charlie Cross (Matt Frewer) is vacationing with his 15-year-old daughter Joleen (Barrymore). Charlie and Joleen are stranded in an Arizona trailer park when they run out of gas, and they quickly get to know their temporary neighbors, including ill-tempered landlady Agnes Reed (Susan Tyrrell), her son Jimmy (Andras Jones), friendly but scrambled Viet Nam vet Duckett (Richard Masur), fellow travelers Amy (Jennifer Tilly) and Louise (Karen Austin), and geeky Pinky Sears (Anthony Rapp). However, it turns out that a psychotic murderer is in their midst, and Sheriff Bill Childers (Dick Miller) joins with the mobile home dwellers in trying to catch the killer before he can strike again. Far From Home marked the directorial debut of Meiert Avis, while screenwriter Tommy Lee Wallace previously worked with co-star Frewer as a director for the TV series Max Headroom. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt Frewer, Drew Barrymore, (more)
- 1987
In this low-budget romance, a handsome fashion photographer embarks upon a search for the extraordinarily beautiful homeless gamine whose picture he inadvertently snapped during an on-location photo shoot. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is a mighty big place. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth David Gilman, Priscilla Harris, (more)
- 1986
Retired police lieutenant Barney Kale (Pat Hingle) insists upon reopening a 10-year-old murder case which he had never been able to solve. Heading to the murder scene, a lakeside mountain resort, Kale gathers together all of the likely suspects--including Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom), an old friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). When a new murder occurs, it appears obvious that there is an hidden agenda related to the revived investigation--but whose agenda, and why? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
- R
An softcore film featuring sado-masochism and bondage, Hot Chili concerns four teen-age boys who go to work at an exclusive Mexican spa. In spite of the orders of the manager, they are soon sexually involved with innumerable buxom and in sometimes kinky guests, ranging from a Nazi to a swinging elderly couple from Texas. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Schillaci, Allan J. Kayser, (more)
- 1985
Given the credibility of the story and the sincerity of the players, it is surprising to learn that the made-for-TV Do You Remember Love? is not based on a true story. Joanne Woodward stars as a brilliant college professor and poet, struck down in her prime by Alzheimer's disease. Her husband Richard Kiley tries to cope, but is ultimately disheartened by Woodward's degenerating condition. Even sadder is the fact that Woodward, in her cogent moments, is fully aware that she is losing her ability to function. Written by Vickie Patek, this potentially depressing drama has a logically conceived uplifting finale. Do You Remember Love? was first telecast May 21, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
On a bitterly cold January day in 1982, Air Florida flight #90 crashed into the Potomac River while approaching Washington DC. Though many passengers were killed, many more were rescued. Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac is the story of the survivors, the rescuers, and the anxious friends and relatives of both the living and the dead. The crash itself is never shown, while the icy Potomac is represented by a heated Hollywood pool and chunks of Styrofoam (the actors do their best, however, to appear to be chilled to the bone). Thankfully, the cast is comprised of character actors rather than stars or "celebrities," adding an air of authenticity to the proceedings. Made for TV, Flight No. 90: Disaster on the Potomac was first telecast April 1, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
