Jack Blessing Movies
- 1985
Stars Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Montgomery manage to rise above the melodramatic trappings of Amos. Douglas plays the title character, a fiercely independent senior-citizen baseball coach, forced to live in a retirement home after an auto accident. During his stay, Amos conducts a battle of wills with overbearing head nurse Daisy Dawes (Montgomery). This Cuckoo's Nest-derived setup has an added wrinkle: Amos suspects, quite rightly as it turns out, that Dawes has been systematically murdering her more troublesome charges. Made for TV by Douglas' own Bryna Productions, Amos first aired September 29, 1985 ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Barry B. Benson (voice of Jerry Seinfeld) is your average honeybee. Despite having recently received his diploma from bee college and being virtually guaranteed a bright future in honey, Barry feels he has the skills to pursue a number of different career paths and resents the fact that his employment opportunities are strictly limited to producing the sweet nectar. Upon breaking away from the hive and developing a friendship with an insect-loving New York florist (voice of Renée Zellweger), Barry makes the shocking discovery that human beings eat honey in mass quantities. Having finally found his calling in life, the infuriated Barry decides to sue the human race for stealing all of the honey that his fellow bees work so hard to produce. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, (more)
- 1986
Blind Justice is a fact-based TV movie starring Tim Matheson, here made to look "normal" with glasses and mustache. The innocent Matheson is fingered by witnesses as an armed robber/kidnapper/rapist. For the next 14 months, his life is hell. Too much circumstantial evidence surrounds the case, and too much information leaks out to the public; even if Matheson beats the rap, he'll be ruined in his community. Blind Justice was first telecast on March 9, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Mimi Kuzyk, (more)
Master of disguise Sacha Baron Cohen hits the road to explore America as the crude Kazakstani reporter Borat in a feature mockumentary that brings one of the Da Ali G Show star's most popular characters to life on the big screen. Sent by the Kazakh Ministry of Information to gain a better understanding of American culture and bring his findings back home, Borat and faithful producer Azamat (Ken Davitian) set their sights in New York City. When the citizens and interview subjects of the Big Apple seem less than receptive to Borat's distinctively unrestrained approach and the curious Kazakh television personality stumbles across an episode of Baywatch while channel-surfing in his hotel room, he becomes instantly smitten with screen siren Pamela Anderson. Now confident that the only way to discover the true essence of America is to travel to California and make the bikini-clad beauty his bride, Borat purchases a ramshackle ice-cream truck in which he and Azamat will make their way across the Great Plains and on to the sunny West Coast -- all the while coming into contact with a wide variety of "typical" Americans. Within this loose, scripted framework, Borat engages in his usual misbehavior with unsuspecting strangers, from accidentally releasing a chicken from his suitcase on a New York subway ride to a formal interview with Alan Keyes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, (more)
Children of a Lesser God is a love story about a speech teacher who falls for a beautiful yet distant deaf girl in a small New England school for the deaf, and the obstacles that they face due to their differences. William Hurt plays James Leeds, a renegade teacher with an unconventional approach to education and a resume that includes stints as a bartender and a disk jockey. Upon his arrival, he is warned by school administrator Dr. Franklin (Philip Bosco) not to get creative with his instruction. Naturally, Leeds already has his mind set on his teaching plan and proceeds to play loud rock music in class in order to teach the students to feel the vibrations of the music and get them to try to speak phonetically. But a new element enters his life when he meets the attractive custodian, Sarah (Marlee Matlin). An exceptionally intelligent yet extremely bitter young woman, Sarah is a graduate of the school who has decided to remain there, in the confines of her world of silence; it's safer for her to be with her own "people" than to face what she perceives as a cruel and uncaring world. She hardly seems interested in James and will only communicate with him through signing, although she can read lips and even speak a little. James learns from Sarah's mother (Piper Laurie) that Sarah was sexually molested as a teenager; this explains why she is so wary of his attempts to form a relationship with her and why she is so full of fear. Eventually, James does get through to Sarah and the two fall in love, although both have to learn new ways to communicate their feelings. Though it seldom resembles the Mark Medoff play on which it was based, this directing debut from Randa Haines won an Best Actress Oscar for Matlin, for her first screen performance. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hurt, Marlee Matlin, (more)
- 1997
The death of Gant causes a major blowup between Carter (Noah Wyle) and Benton (Eriq La Salle). Ross (George Clooney) uncovers some facts about battered homeless teen Charlie (Kirsten Dunst). HIV-positive Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) dates Greg Fischer (Harry J. Lennix), a specialist in infectious disease. And woefully understaffed during the nurses' "sick-out," Carol (Julianna Marguiles) makes a fatal error in judgment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This suspenseful drama tells the chilling true story of up-and-coming model Marla Hanson who was viciously attacked by a make-up man after she rejected his advances. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Pollak, Dale Midkiff, (more)
- 1981
- R
Also known as Planet of Horrors, this film follows a group of astronauts as they travel into space to retrieve the survivors of a spaceship crash. When they arrive on the planet, the crew runs into some hostile aliens who attempt to gorily wipe them out. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Albert, Erin Moran, (more)
- 1986
- R
In addition to sexual encounters and nudity, toilet humor is on a roll in this story about some teens trying to finish a 12-week course in fast-food service -- yes, 12 weeks to study how to make and sell a hamburger. As their final exam, the teens have to run a burger place. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leigh McCloskey, Dick Butkus, (more)
The crush felt by a young boy for his father's girlfriend creates heartbreak when the adults call the relationship off. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1986
Randy Quaid avoids caricature and cliché in his multifaceted portrayal of Lyndon Baines Johnson in LBJ: The Early Years. This made-for-TV film chronicles the years 1934 through 1963, tracing the beginnings of Johnson's public career, chronicling his reputation for down-and-dirty politicking, and following his progress from congressman to senator to majority leader to vice president. Staunchly at LBJ's side through thick and thin is faithful-wife Lady Bird (Patti LuPone), whose fidelity remains unshaken even while Johnson dallies with other women. Charles Frank co-stars as John F. Kennedy, whose assassination catapults the reluctant Johnson into the presidency that he'd always wanted to win on his own merits. Less than six days before LBJ: The Early Year premiered on February 1, 1987, author Larry L. King picked apart the film's inaccuracies in a TV Guide article. Audiences cared not for absolute truth, and had a grand old time watching Randy Quaid impersonate the amazing Mr. Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In the concluding episode of a two-part story, Klinger (Jamie Farr) has been arrested on the suspicion that he is responsible for the crime wave that has spread through the 4077th. Though Klinger was apparently caught red-handed, Charles (David Ogden Stiers) agrees to act as his defense consul at the court-martial proceedings. But it is B.J. (Alan Alda) and Hawkeye (Mike Farrell), victims both of the elusive thief, who come to the rescue by uncovering the actual miscreant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Underpublicized and underappreciated, the US ice hockey team heads for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. Driven a manner than can be described as merciless by coach Herb Brooks (Karl Malden), the team has learned how to swallow months of defeat and disappointment press on to success. The result: A stunning victory over the high-profile Russian and Finnish skating teams. Actual scenes from the Olympic finals are seamlessly blended with recreations of the event in this made-for-TV movie. Miracle on Ice costars Andrew Stevens as team captain Mike Eruzione. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Based on the true story of Carolyn Sapp, a Miss America pageant winner, this is a behind-the-scenes look not only at the goings-on of the pageant but also at the abusive relationship between Ms. Sapp and her boyfriend which led her to request police protection from him. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Its first episode delayed by a lengthy writers' strike, the fifth and final season of Moonlighting begins with one of the series' most famous--and controversial--installments. Star Bruce Willis shows up wearing bonnet and diapers in the role of "Baby Hayes", the as-yet-unborn offspring of David Addison (also Bruce Willis) and Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd). From his vantage point in Heaven, Baby Hayes is given the low-down on his future parents by friendly angel Jerome (Joseph Maher). Alas, the episode ends with a heartbreaker for David and Maddie, but at least Baby Hayes can take comfort in the possibility that he'll eventually be added to the cast of another series like Growing Pains or The Cosby Show). This episode's curious blend of comedy and pathos is counterpointed by an opening scene in which the cast and crew promises that they'll deliver a full 22 episodes this season, come Hell or high water. (But they don't). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Still grieving over her miscarriage, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) buries herself in her work, while David (Bruce Willis) ponders the option of leaving town. Among Maddie's many cases involves Joan Spring (Cristina Raines-Crowe), who is worried that she will lose her husband to his ex-wife. Once again, what starts off innocuously enough as a case of domestic discord quickly deepens into a murder investigation--two murders, in fact. This one ends with a perilous balloon chase (yes, a balloon chase!) high above the Mohave desert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In this conclusion of a two-part story, David (Bruce Willis) attempts to escape from a chain gang in order to be reunited with his pregnant sweetheart Maddie (Cybill Shepherd, who is represented only by her voice in this episode). It looks like David's only hope for freedom is to follow the "musical" advice of his fellow inmates. Meanwhile, with one of the Moonlighting stars out of circulation, the nervous ABC executives begin auditioning potential "David Addison" replacements! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In the second episode of a two-part story arc (originally networkcast out of sequence), David (Bruce Willis) is still ga-ga over Maddie's cousin Annie (Virginia Madsen), even though she already has a husband. Meanwhile, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) is placed in round-the-clock police protection after witnessing a murder. The "fun" begins when the detective assigned to watch over Maddie is suspected of the murder himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Now that he knows Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) is pregnant, David (Bruce Willis) is pressured to do the "right thing" by Maddie's overprotective father Alexander (Robert Webber). Meanwhile, our harried hero must also deal with the increasingly disgruntled employees of the Blue Moon Detective Agency. It is clear by this point that David and Maddie love each other--and also that they may very well allow false pride to impede their future happiness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This is the only Moonlighting episode in which neither Cybill Shepherd nor Bruce Willis appear. Instead, the focus is on nerdish detective Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong), who has gone into a deep blue funk over an imagined slight from Blue Moon secretary Agnes Dipesto (Allyce Beasley). In the course of a very long night in which Bert is required to guard an "experimental grapefruit", he dreams of his future with Agnes, in sequences inspired by Rudolph Valentino's silent "Shiek" pictures and the 1940s classic Casablanca (in which "As Time Goes By" is replaced by "Chopsticks"!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
A strange man who had come to Blue Moon hoping to hire a bodyguard abruptly drops dead in the office. Subsequently, David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) find themselves "babysitting" their would-be client's corpse. The plot may be wrapped around a missing lottery ticket and a strange tattoo--and then again, maybe it isn't, who knows? The episode's title refers to a lengthy dream sequences in which Maggie finds herself in the Afterlife with some suspiciously familiar-looking ghosts and goblins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
There must be an inviolate law on the TV statute books demanding that every series turn out at least one takeoff of the 1946 film classic It's a Wonderful Life. Moonlighting's contribution to this ongong Yuletide tradtion finds a disgruntled Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) wondering what her life would have been like had she sold the Blue Moon Detective Agency as she originally planned. The "Clarence" character this time out is a most unangelic angel named Albert, played by Richard Libertini. Guest appearances include model Cheryl Tiegs as herself, and Lionel Stander in his "Max" character from the earlier TV detective series Hart to Hart (which had previously occupied Moonlighting's Tuesday-night network timeslot!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This final episode of Moonlighting finds Bert (Curtis Armstrong) and Agnes (Allyce Beasley) getting married, just as David (Bruce Willis) is breaking up with Annie (Virginia Madsen), the cousin of his partner and former lover Maddie (Cybill Shepherd). At the same time, the Blue Moon Detective Agency closes its doors, whereupon ABC network executive Walter Whitebread (Mark L. Taylor) solemnly begins dismantling the set. An eleventh-hour effort to save the Agency--and the series--is foiled by the demographic evidence supplied by big-time Hollywood producer Cy (played by Dennis Dugan, billed under his Moonlighting character name of Walter Bishop). Even worse--the Anselmo Case (you remember the Anselmo Case) may never be solved! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
David (Bruce Willis) finally meets Walter (Dennis Dugan), the man whom Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) has impulsively married. Rather than get angry or exhibit jealousy, David generously offers to throw a bachelor party for Walter. That David might have an ulterior motive is evidenced when the stripper hired for the party doesn't show up--and Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) takes her place! Highlights of this episode include a chaotic hospital scene, and the formation of "The Royal Order of Napkin Heads." Also: Brooke Adams makes a return appearance as Terri Knowles, the pregnant woman whom David met in a Lamaze class a few episodes back. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
A dying burglar hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to investigate a heist committed 25 years ago. No, the old man doesn't want to clear his name; instead, he wants to prove to the cops that he has committed the "perfect crime." Maddie wants no part of this, but David is intrigued. And besides, it will get their minds off the much-talked-about "Anselmo Case" (remember?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
