Sandy Webster Movies

Introduced in the first-season episode "The Man Who Knew Too Little", compulsive liar Ian MacDonald (Rino Romano) returns to make the lives of Fraser (Paul Gross) and Ray (David Marciano) miserable. This time out, Ian claims that extraterrestrials kidnapped his girlfriend Audrey (Amanda Tapping) just as he was about to propose to her. This turns out not to be the case--but even so, the story somehow ends up at Hangar 57 in Roswell (Roswell, Illinois, that is!) First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on February 23, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This slick throwback to the giant-mutant-insect movies of the 1950's has built a small reputation solely on its irrelevant title -- the film contains no monkeys, blue or otherwise -- which confused both reviewers and viewers alike. (This dilemma was solved in its second video incarnation, under the more honest title Insect.) The story begins when a gardener becomes infected with a plant-borne insect larva, which he disgorges upon his arrival at the County Memorial Hospital. When the bug-baby ingests a large dose of growth hormone called NAC-5 (hospitals are always leaving that stuff around where bugs can get at it), it immediately bulks up to the size of a bulldozer. The plot quickly shifts into Alien mode, as scientists, police (namely wild-eyed cop Steve Railsback) and hospital personnel creep down the hospital's labyrinthine corridors in search of the insectoid monster, which they hope to destroy with conveniently-provided experimental laser equipment before it can test the capacity of the maternity ward with a few million larvae. Despite the lurid promotional materials (showing pretty nurses SCREAMING IN HORROR!!), the story is played quite straight -- more of an homage to films like Them! than a parody of same -- and benefits from good performances (John Vernon is great as the hospital director), a tight script and a strong emphasis on suspense and action from director William Fruet. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Created by Eric Koch and David Walker, It's the Law represented a collaboration between the CBC and the Canadian Bar Association. In the traditon of the old Saturday Evening Post feature "You Be the Judge," the series illustrated everyday legal situations, usually by dramatizing actual court cases. The purpose was to demonstrate the workings of justice, and to allow the viewer to second-guess the solutions of cases involving personal rights and ethics. Telecast on Tuesday nights from May 1 to June 26, 1956, It's the Law was more or less revived four years later as Case for the Court. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide