Berlinda Tolbert Movies
A successful, homosexual African American lawyer working in New York returns to the rural Louisiana town in which he was raised to investigate the lynching death of his childhood friend, only to discover that the virulent racism and homophobia still holds power over the small-town citizens in director Kyle Schickner's searing, socially conscious drama. William Boyals childhood friend Kelvin has been brutally murdered, and as a successful attorney Boyals is not willing to let the killers go unpunished. In the bayou, bigotry festers deep though, and as Boyals is forced to come face the very kind of narrow-minded hatred he so desperately tried to escape once before, a deadly alliance of backwoods lawmen and violently anti-homosexual locals threatens the highly-respected lawyer with the same bleak end that befell his ill-fated friend. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Radio sex therapist Kate Vernon could use a slice of her own advice in the R-rated Dangerous Touch. Against her better judgement, she falls hard for charismatic Lou Diamond Phillips. As the relationship intensifies (and we see plenty of that intensification), Phillips inveigles Vernon in a hellish world of crime, double-cross and death. Why is it that we would know enough not to get in so deep, but the characters on the screen don't seem to have any sort of built-in early warning system? Why? Because someone has to watch movies like Dangerous Touch, and yell such things as "Look Out!" "Don't Trust Him!" and "What the heck were you thinking of?" at the screen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In Patriot Games, Harrison Ford plays former CIA agent Jack Ryan, taking over from Alec Baldwin, who had played author Tom Clancy's brainy protagonist in Hunt for Red October. This time around, Ryan foils an attempted assassination, thereby incurring the wrath of a maniacal Irish radical (Sean Bean). After seemingly neutralizing the villains, and deciding to celebrate the occasion with his wife (Anne Archer) and daughter (Thora Birch), everything appears to be back to normal; then all hell breaks loose. Author Tom Clancy himself bemoaned the liberties taken with his novel in the final sequences; the picture scored with audiences, however, and soon inspired a followup, A Clear and Present Danger (1994), also starring Ford. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, (more)
Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty, kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's best-selling Wiseguy, the true-life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true-to-period rock soundtrack, the story details the rise and fall of Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters, running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino), who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens, Hill (Ray Liotta) is inducted into the world of petty crime, where he distinguishes himself as a "stand-up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on, he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy (Joe Pesci), he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant; however, he quickly learns that, like his mentor Jimmy (Robert DeNiro), his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy," an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters, who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, (more)
- 1989
In this loose adaptation of Mark Twain's biting satire, a hip little girl from the 1980s somehow ends up in medieval England and there has many magical adventures. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Eddie Murphy, in addition to starring as Quick, the son of 1930s Harlem gambling-house proprietor Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor), also wrote and directed the film. The plotline details the combined efforts of Quick and Sugar Ray to prevent white gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) from muscling in on their operation. The supporting players include Redd Foxx, Danny Aiello and Jasmine Guy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, (more)
In this comedy, a wealthy teen convinces a burglar to kidnap him so he can get his family's wayward attention. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Young, Martin Sheen, (more)
- 1985
In this first episode of a two-part story, Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert make return appearances as Lionel and Jenny Jefferson. Back home after an extended trip to Japan, Lionel and Jenny tell their respective parents that they are about to make an important announcement. Naturally, everyone assumes that Jenny is pregnant again -- but the news is not happy by any stretch of the imagination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
In this second episode of a two-part story, Lionel (Mike Evans) and Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert) shock their respective parents when they announce that they plan to divorce. This bombshell leads to a huge fight between the Jeffersons and the Willises, which does not abate even during family night at Jessica's school. Upset by all the dissension and bitterness, Jessica (Ebonie Smith) runs out of the school and into the mean streets of New York. This episode represented the final series appearances of Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
The fact that this made-for-TV movie is derivation of the megahit Airport is obvious by the presence of novelist Arthur Hailey in the credits. Gil Gerard heads the cast as David Montgomery, manager of a huge and extremely busy airport. As David wrestles with personal problems at home and a crisis with a burned-out air traffic controller (Bill Bixby) at the workplace, his burden is increased by the news that a Hawaii-bound jet has taken off with a bomb on board. George Kennedy, who'd appeared in all of the Airport theatrical films, here contributes an extended cameo role. International Airport first aired May 25, 1985, on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Irwin Keyes returns in the role of Hugo Mojelewski, the hulking, thick-eared former bodyguard of George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley). Although George's daughter-in-law, Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert), has no confidence in his abilities as a fashion designer, Hugo expresses unbridled admiration of her work. But his interest is not entirely motivated by his fashion sense: Hugo has fallen in love with Jenny, and never mind that she already has a husband. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1983
George (Sherman Hemsley) refuses to loan Florence (Marla Gibbs) the money to purchase a TV set. The angry Florence warns George that his pinchpenny attitude will prevent him from ever entering the gates of Heaven. George scoffs at this prediction -- and then he has a dream in which his entry into Paradise is contingent upon a familiar-looking game called "The Wheel of Forever." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1983
In order to strike up a business deal with celebrated fashion designer Camille Hendricks (Georgann Johnson), George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) persuades his daughter-in-law, Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert), to bring some of her own designs to the Jefferson apartment. Unprepared for Ms. Hendricks' presence, Jenny accepts the invitation. A shattering disappointment follows -- and it is all George's fault. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1983
Long before an episode of David Lynch's Twin Peaks was narrated by a log, this installment of The Jeffersons featured a talking dollar bill. During a brief stopover at his old Queens dry-cleaning store, George recalls the day that he opened the store back in 1968. Inevitably, George's thoughts drift back to his first customer -- and, of course, his first dollar. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
The Jeffersons and the Willises plan a surprise party for the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence (Marla Gibbs). But thanks to a misunderstanding, Florence thinks that the two couples are throwing a wing-ding to which she hasn't been invited -- and, even worse, at which she will be expected to act as a mere servant. Deeply hurt, Florence grabs a 500-dollar bottle of George's wine and gets good and plastered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
When his Brooklyn store burns to the ground, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) finds that the store's alarm had malfunctioned due to faulty wiring. Both Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) and the insurance company urge George to sue the person responsible for installing the alarm. Unfortunately, the "guilty party" is George's own son Lionel. Original scheduled to air on January 10, 1982, but shown instead on January 31, this episode features former series regulars Mike Evans (as Lionel) and Berlinda Tolbert (as Jenny), now billed as "guest stars." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
After Lionel and Jenny's apartment is burglarized, Lionel's dad, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), wants to buy a gun. George's wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), is adamantly opposed to having a weapon in the house, so George buys a gun without her knowledge -- and with potentially disastrous results. Frank DeVol makes his final series appearance as Sammy the songwriter (DeVol had been advertised as a "new regular," but it didn't pan out). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Jenny Jefferson (Berlinda Tolbert) has agreed to let the gospel group organized by Florence (Marla Gibbs) sing at the baptism of baby Jessica. What Jenny and Florence don't know is that Jenny's father-in-law, George (Sherman Hemsley), has already secured the services of famous gospel singer Andrae Crouch (played by -- who else? -- Andrae Crouch). Fans of Sherman Hemsley's later sitcom Amen will be amused by George's brief impersonation of a clergyman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
In the concluding episode of a two-part story, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), defeated by a down-and-dirty price war with the rival Big Sky dry-cleaning firm, decides to sell out to Big Sky and retire. With nothing else to do while hanging around the house, George drives everyone crazy with his unsolicited (and never-ending) advice. Intended as the finale of The Jeffersons' eighth season, "Laundry is a Tough Town" was instead used as the opener for season nine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) is jealous when his wife, Helen (Roxie Roker), agrees to go to lunch with her old boyfriend Darryl. Daydreaming, Tom imagines that he has been transported to the Old West, doing battle against "Pecos Darryl" over Helen's honor. Not surprisingly, several of the other Jeffersons cast members also show up in cowboy apparel. This was the final episode of the series' eighth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
In this pilot episode for the Marla Gibbs sitcom Checking In, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) tries to land a lucrative hotel dry-cleaning contract by appealing directly to the hotel's owner, Mr. Claymore (John Anderson). But Claymore is far more interested in George's sassy housekeeper, Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs). In fact, he is so impressed that he offers Florence a job as his hotel's executive housekeeper. Originally telecast as single 60-minute episode on March 29, 1981, "Florence's New Job" has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
In this pilot episode for the Marla Gibbs sitcom Checking In, Florence Johnston (Gibbs) has left the employ of the Jeffersons and has accepted a job as executive housekeeper in a posh downtown hotel. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Florence is faced with two unpleasant tasks: Firing an old friend, and breaking the news to her ex-boss, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), that the hotel has turned down his bid for a dry-cleaning contract. Originally telecast as a single 60-minute episode on March 29, 1981 -- thereby bringing season seven of The Jeffersons to a close -- "Florence's New Job" has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) is touched and impressed when her neighbor Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) writes a Valentine's Day poem to his wife, Helen (Roxie Roker). Is it any wonder, then, that Louise is outraged when her own husband, George (Sherman Hemsley), not only forgets the holiday, but then crassly offers her money to compensate for his bad memory? Hoping to get back into Louise's good graces, George commissions a love song from composer Sammy (played by real-life composer Frank DeVol, in his first appearance on The Jeffersons). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) exaggerates the size and importance of his business in order to get into an exclusive tycoons' club. Inevitably, George pays the price for his prevarications during the club's fundraiser for a local park fountain. Thinking he is only making a 100-dollar donation, our hero is appalled to discover that he was marked down for a 100,000-dollar bid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) has had just about enough of his contentious store manager, Wendell Thomas (Earl Billings) -- a sentiment shared by the rest of George's employees. Alas, just as George is firing Wendell, the much-despised manager drops dead. Can things get any worse? You bet: George is called upon to deliver the eulogy at Wendell's funeral. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
