Barbara Schillaci Movies
- 1992
- PG
- Add Brain Donors to Queue
Brain Donors is a game attempt to redo the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera in a contemporary setting. John Turturro plays the "Groucho" character, a shifty lawyer (he's even given a Grouchoesque three-barrelled moniker). Bob Nelson is the "Harpo" counterpart, a puckish handyman. And Mel Smith completes the trio as a Chico-like cabbie. All three conspire to save a failing ballet company on behalf of dowager Nancy Marchand, who does a film-length impersonation of Margaret Dumont. At times, Pat Proft's script comes off more like a 3 Stooges short than a Marx Brothers romp, but that's not so bad. What hurts the film is its fluctuating pace, which shifts into neutral just when it should go into hyperdrive. Will Vinton's Claymation opening titles supply some of the film's biggest laughs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Turturro, Bob Nelson, (more)
Ellen Barkin stars in this mystical comedy about a detestable male chauvinist temporarily reincarnated into the body of a woman. Steve Brooks (Perry King) foolishly accepts an invite for an evening of debauchery from three former girlfriends, and thinks he's got it made when he shows up to find them waiting for him in a hot tub. Eager to exact revenge on the scoundrel, the women proceed to drown him, and Steve is cast into a purgatory in which two unseen voices are deciding whether to send him to heaven or hell. Steve is given one chance to save himself from damnation -- if he can find a woman alive who actually liked him. To complicate his task and teach him a lesson, Steve is reincarnated as a sexy woman (Barkin), just the type who would have been the target of his cheesy advances. Sloppily adjusting to his new body, Steve (now Barkin) tells people he is the sister of the missing Steve Brooks, and begins working at his old advertising agency as a means toward completing his arduous task. As Steve's sister, he also enlists the help of his best friend, Walter (Jimmy Smits), despite the complication that Walter is noticeably attracted to the woman he has become. Steve's homophobia -- and several of his other hateful traits -- are put to the test. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ellen Barkin, Jimmy Smits, (more)
- 1988
While their house is being fumigated for termites, the Bundys move into the shoe store where dad Al (Ed O'Neill) works. This relocation may prove to be a boon to daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate), who is planning to escape her family and attend a rock concert despite being grounded. Though series regulars David Garrison and Amanda Bearse (Steve and Marcy Rhodes) do not appear, we are given ample glimpses at the guest stars, former Playboy centerfolds Teri Weigel and Hope-Marie Carlton. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1988
Night Court moved from Thursday to Friday evening for this episode, which though adverstised as the series' 100th installment was actually only Number 97. In his efforts to help Russian defector Yakov (Yakov Smirnoff) obtain a re-entry visa to visit his ailing mother in "the old country", Harry is sidetracked by gorgeous Soviet consul Ludmilla Federova (played by future Dallas regular Irena Ferris). Meanwhile, Christine (Markie Post) obsesses over an all-but-imperceptible birthmark over her left eye. Tonight Show host Johnny Carson makes a cameo appearance (which, curiously, was not mentioned in the original network publicity). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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