Jack Blessing Movies
- 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, Rovi
- 1989
In an episode reminiscent of the Tracy Hepburn film Adam's Rib, the Blue Moon office finds itself sharply divided along gender lines (to the musical accompaniment of "Dueling Banjos" as the result of a sexual harassment case. The problem: Is Robin Fuller (Jayne Atkinson) justified in shooting a gun at the boss who has been harassing her, or does this action make Robin a harasser herself? Catch the quickie joke about Bert Viola's beard (most of the viewers didn't) -- and revel in the closing scenes, featuring a series of bloopers culled from previous episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1989
Colleen Dewhurst guest stars as Betty Russell, a famous divorce lawyer better known as "The Barracuda." Exhibiting a hitherto well-hidden conscience, Russell hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to reunite Lydia and Nathan Kraft (Jane Hallaren, Lawrence Pressman), whose union Betty may have wrongly rent asunder. A special gift and an unanticipated murder both figure into the story, as does a discussion wherein the two stars ponder the possibility of staging a nude scene to improve Moonlighting's ever-sagging ratings! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
It's been two weeks since David (Bruce Willis) has seen Maddie (Cybill Shepherd), his partner at the Blue Moon Detective Agency--and his lover, or so he'd been led to believe. With no one else around, David teams with the obsequious Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) for his latest case, involving another missing person. This time, David's quarry is a reluctant groom who left his bride waiting at the altar several years earlier--a situation that unfortunately strikes extremely close to home for our hero. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
Three weeks have gone by since David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) have seen each other. Having retreated to her parents' house in Chicago, Maddie is more depressed than ever, prompting her mom (Eva Marie Saint) and dad (Robert Webber) to throw her a cheer-up party. Meanwhile, back in LA, David and his erstwhile buddy Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) have decided to forget their problems by going on a prowl for new girlfriends. Suffice to say that one of the boys is luckier than the other! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1988
The Blue Moon's latest client is Nora Cooper (Karen Landry), who is looking for the husband to whom she was married for only five days--and who has been missing for ten years. Searching for the absent hubby, David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) enter the rarefied world of poolrooms, sharks and hustlers. And as a bonus, the episode offers another "tumble-on" unbilled role for C. Thomas Howell. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
A nervous gentleman named James Bower (Stephen Godwin) hires David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) to solve a mystery involving his late wife. It seems that Bower has of late been receiving telephone calls and gifts from his missus, who is supposed to be dead. And if anyone should know that Mrs. Bower is no longer among the living, it is her husband--after all, he killed her himself and buried the body. Jack Blessing makes his first series appearance as Blue Moon employee MacGillicudy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1989
Evil land developers, those most ubiquitous of 1980s movie villains, are the chief antagonists in the made-for-TV Mothers, Daughters and Lovers. Helen Shaver plays a truckstop/motel owner in the rural Northwest. She manages her business with the help of her two budding teenaged daughters--one studious (Perrey Reeves), one a rebel (Marcianne Warman). All three ladies ward off unwanted lotharios, entreat the attentions of those whom they care about, and band together to stop a new real estate development from eliminating their place of business. Mothers, Daughters and Lovers was written by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, the team responsible for American Graffiti (73). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1999
Suggested by a real-life homicide case which occurred in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1986, the made-for-TV Murder at 75 Birch gets underway when the wife of dentist Rick Todson (Gregory Harrison) is killed. According to Rick, his late spouse Pat (Wendel Meldrum) had been murdered by a burglar, a story the police find hard to swallow. One person who is willing to stand by Rick is his sister-in-law Gwen (Melissa Gilbert)--and when Gwen's own husband Dave (Vyto Ruginis) dies in a car accident, she turns to Rick for comfort and solace. Ultimately Gwen falls in love with Rick, but their relationship begins to unravel after a series of strange incidents which suggest that the authorities' suspicions concerning Rick's involvement in his wife's death were not entirely groundless. Reaching a tense climax as Gwen and the police work together to crack the case, Murder at 75 Birch first aired February 9, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gregory Harrison, Wendel Meldrum, (more)
- 1998
The mutilated body of a woman is found, and the principal suspects are her two sons. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) tries to figure out if the guilty party is the son who shows no remorse or the one lost in a haze of drugs and alcohol. When one of the suspects kills himself, Andy wonders if the dead man could serve as a heart donor for the still-ailing Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits). Meanwhile, Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) locates another possible donor -- a brain-dead cop whose grieving wife may not grant permission. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1998
One of the most intensely dramatic episodes in the history of NYPD Blue begins as the ex-wife (Debra Monk) of Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) prepares to defend herself against a DWI charge. As this plot strand plays itself out (with indications that the story is far from over), Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) emerges from heart-transplant surgery. At first, his recovery seems imminent, but complications quickly ensue. Ultimately, Bobby's wife, Diane (Kim Delaney), is given the bad news: it is only a matter of time. While fans of NYPD Blue were well aware that this episode (which earned two Emmy awards) represented the final appearance of series star Jimmy Smits, few were prepared for its shattering conclusion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
In the first episode of a two-part story, Quincy (Jack Klugman) and his lady friend Janet (Diana Muldaur) are enjoying a luxury cruise to Tahiti, when tragedy strikes. One man suddenly jumps overboard and drown, while another is murdered--and the murderer subsequently dies himself. It turns out that a mysterious but deadly illness is rapidly spreading throughout the cruiser...and unless Quincy is able to isolate the source of the disease, no one will ever set foot on shore again. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Quincy (Jack Klugman) races against time to locate and neutralize the mysterious neurological disease that has already claimed three lives on a luxury liner. Though some of the pasengers have managed to escape to shore, the ship is now quarantined and prohibited from docking at any port. Thus Quincy must not only stem the epidemic, but also track down those on dry land who may still be spreading it--and worse yet, his own girlfriend Janet (Diana Muldaur) is now gravely ill. Originally telecast over a two-week period, Slow Boat to Madness has since been syndicated as a single two-hour "TV movie." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1991
Everyone needs Roseanne's time in this episode. Jackie needs her help to practice her lines for a community play. Dan is sick with the flu and wants her to wait on him. Also, Roseanne has to take D.J. to a Scouts ceremony and show a little enthusiasm through her usual sarcasm in honor of his new merit badge. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- 1992
- PG
When an adopted 21-year-old finds that she was adopted, she forsakes her adopted parents and goes on a crazed hunt to discover her real parents. When at last she finds them, she is disappointed to discover that they are very empty and shallow people; her adoptive parents earn a new respect in her eyes. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Martha Plimpton, Dermot Mulroney, (more)
Shrek and Fiona's (Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, respectively) fairy-tale wedding has gone off without a hitch, yet just as the beaming newlyweds prepare to enjoy their blissful "happily ever after," the sudden death of King Harold (John Cleese) finds everyone's favorite ornery ogre being reluctantly fitted for the royal crown. Troubled to learn that not only will he be compelled to rule Far Far Away, but that he and Fiona are also expecting a little ogre, Shrek determines to track down his new bride's rebellious cousin, Artie (Justin Timberlake) -- the one true heir to the throne -- in order to focus on fatherhood without the added distraction of having to preside over the kingdom. As Shrek sets out with faithful companions Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to locate the medieval high-school slacker and bring him back to become the reigning sovereign of Far Far Away, handsome snake Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) slithers back to the castle in the company of the dreaded Captain Hook (Ian McShane) to stage a diabolically timed coup and assume control of the throne. Now, as Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots do their best to wrangle up the feisty Artie, Fiona must enlist the aid of fighting princesses Snow White (Amy Poehler), Sleeping Beauty (Cheri Oteri), Rapunzel (Maya Rudolph), and Cinderella (Amy Sedaris) to barricade the castle and fend off Prince Charming's invading army of fairy-tale villains until her beloved husband can return with the cavalry to save the day. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, (more)
- 1996
First telecast November 4, 1996, this Deep Space Nine episode was a harkback to the classic 1967 Star Trek installment "The Trouble with Tribbles." Charlie Brill, a holdover from the original episode, reprises his role as renegade Klingon agent Arne Darvin, who sets the plot in motion by hurtling the Defiant and its crew some 105 years into the past. Upon getting their bearings, the crew finds themselves on board the original Enterprise, where they come face to face with James T. Kirk, not to mention thousands and thousands of those pesky and prolific Tribbles, one of which has been booby-trapped. "Trials and Tribble-ations" was scripted by Ronald D. Moore and Rene Echevarria from a story by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
College girl Nancy McKeon, up until recently the picture of normality, suddenly displays signs of schizophrenia. She hears voices, commits sudden acts of violence, and switches moods without warning. McKeon's parents Valerie Harper and Stephen Macht are at a loss to contend with the sudden change of personality. With the help of psychological experts (and scene after scene of dry statistics), Harper and Macht are able to reclaim their daughter. Made for television, Strange Voices merely tiptoes through territory more successfully mapped out by such TV earlier films as Promise (86). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
On the eve of his Hawaiian vacation, irresponsible high school teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) is forced into teaching a summer-school class. His students are all malcontents and layabouts with the standard repertoire of teenaged hang-ups and hostilities (two of the kids, who can't see enough slasher movies to suit them, are hilarious precursors to Beavis and Butt-Head). Harmon would rather spend his time with history teacher Robin Bishop (Kirstie Alley), but she doesn't think much of his laziness and lack of dedication. Shoop finally begins to take his job seriously when he realizes his students' problems are not all of their own making. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, (more)
- 2006
- PG13
- Add Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby to Queue Add Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby to top of Queue
When America's number one NASCAR speed-demon is issued a direct challenge from a gay, French Formula One racer with a hunger for the top spot and a mean talent for tight-cornering, the race is on to become the number one man in all of NASCAR in a full throttle comedy starring Will Ferrell and directed by Anchorman cohort Adam McKay. Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) is a national hero with a "smokin' hot" trophy wife, pair of borderline-abusively precocious sons, and an endless line of endorsement deals filling his mansion with toys and driveway with sports cars and Hummers. His racing partner and lifelong friend Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), never fails to provide him with a hand on the racetrack, frequently performing their trademark "slingshot" maneuver to shoot Ricky into first place, leaving Cal in second. While the public loves these buddies (popularly known by the meaningless childhood nicknames they find so exceedingly cool: "Shake and Bake"), a wedge comes between the two, as Ricky Bobby's longstanding winning-streak is broken by flamboyand French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), robbing Ricky of everything in an instant as the trauma leaves him unable to drive. Ricky's wife takes his fortunes while Cal takes his wife, and now he's back with his mother (Jane Lynch) and long-estranged father (Gary Cole). Things look bad for Ricky, but his father was once a race car driver himself, and now with the help of a training montage, a live cougar, and the courage to drive without his gleaming white Wonder Bread endorsement, Ricky might be ready to face the track again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, (more)
Vin Diesel returns as the nocturnally gifted antihero Riddick in this sequel to the 2000 cult item Pitch Black. Riddick, on the run from the law and evading mercenaries eager to claim the price on his head, seeks refuge on the planet of Helion, only to discover he's walked into a world in chaos. Helion has been seized by the Lord Marshall (Colm Feore), leader of the Necromongers, a race of bloodthirsty warriors determined to wipe out humanity throughout the universe. Aereon (Judi Dench), leader of Helion's "elementals," pleads with Riddick to join them in their fight for survival; Riddick agrees, hoping to fill out some of the blank chapters in his history along the way. As he plots his battle strategy against the Necromongers, Riddick becomes reacquainted with Kyra (Alexa Davalos), whom he knew as a girl but has since grown into a strong and beautiful woman eager to join him in the fight against the Lord Marshall. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, (more)
- 1994
Soon after announcing the cancellation of her engagement, actress Sharon Stone appears on The Larry Sanders Show, and an elated Larry (Garry Shandling) proposes that the two go on a date. Despite the fact that all seems to be going well during their first date, Artie (Rip Torn) warns Larry that he may be headed for rough waters with his new relationship. When the womanizing host gets a taste of his own medicine, Larry proves fairly resilient, though Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) doesn't take the break-up quite so easily. Special guest stars include David Paymer, Jack Blessing, Julianne Phillips, Sid Newman, Lisa Edelstein, and, of course, Sharon Stone. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Graham Greene stars as Ishi, the lone survivor of the Yahi Indian tribe, who is discovered and cared for by anthropologist Albert Kroeber (Jon Voight) in this made-for-cable docudrama. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
- Starring:
- Graham Greene, Jon Voight, (more)
Making great fun of the '70s, this lively sci-fi comedy centers on a trio of time travellers who go into the past in hopes of retrieving the Constitution to celebrate America's 300th birthday. Unfortunately, the travelers end up in 1976 not 1776. The trouble is, they don't realize it. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Cassidy, Olivia D'Abo, (more)
- 1987
It's a slow night at the local single's bar, so three guys end up sitting around sharing their widely-differing viewpoints on finding romance. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
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