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Tico Wells Movies

1998  
 
A frustrated Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) threatens to flunk Cory (Ben Savage), Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) unless they try to meet a set of personal "perseverance" goals he has established. Shawn's goal would seem to be the most unattainable: he is to locate two Super Bowl tickets with Cory's help--and without Topanga butting in! Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) and Jack (Matthew Lawrence) try to use random selection to find their "ideal" girlfriends. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1997  
 
Winfred-Louder holds a contest for the best desk decorations, with a grand prize of two tickets to Bahamas. The winners turn out to be Drew's "edible desk" and Kate's curious combination of decoration and performance art. This of course means that Drew (Drew Carey) and Kate (Christa Miller) will be sharing the same hotel room, which not only upsets Kate's current beau Oswald (Diedrich Bader), but also doesn't sit well with Drew--who is worried that being in such close proximity with Kate will force him to, uh, "forget" himself. Thus it is that Drew tries to gull Kate into relinquishing her ticket to Nicki (Kate Walsh)--while at the same time, Oswald stows away on a Bahama-bound flight! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1996  
 
A lawyer is murdered, and high on the list of suspects is the dead man's abrasive girlfriend. Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) track down the suspect, only to discover that "she" is really a "he." As if that wasn't baffling enough, another suspect suddenly resurfaces, one who might be protectively shielding the genuine culprit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1993  
 
This well-mounted made-for-cable film zeroes in on the personal story of Ernest Green, the only senior among the nine black students who integrated Arkansas' Little Rock High School in 1957. Faced with pressure from both his taunter and his peers, Ernest manages to survive a harrowing year with his courage and intellect intact. Morris Chestnut of Boyz in the Hood fame stars as Green, while Ossie Davis co-stars as Ernest's grandfather. Though produced for the Disney Channel, the dialogue in The Ernest Green Story is occasionally as raw and uninhibited as the subject matter demands. The film debuted January 17, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1988  
 
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Elvin (Geoffrey Jones has trouble believing that Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) is going into labor after three false alarms. However, Sondra's dad Cliff (Bill Cosby)--who's had a certain amount of experience in these matters--declares that it's the "real thing" this time. As Elvin goes into full panic mode, Cliff frets over the fact that someone other than himself will be helping Sondra deliver. Meanwhile, Theo's girlfriend Justine (Michelle Thomas) doesn't accept the premise that Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) can remain "just friends" with drop-dead-gorgeous Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1988  
 
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl, whom she names Nelson and Winnie (as in "Mandela"). Grandfather Cliff (Bill Cosby) is of course elated, but he's also worried that Sondra's husband Elvin will not be able to shoulder his new financial responsibilities--but Elvin has a surprise for all concerned. Meanwhile, Clarice (Phylicia Rashad) and Mrs. Tibedeaux (Marcella Lowry) adjust (sort of) to being grandmothers; and Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) continues to be attracted to his pal Howard's girlfriend Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell), which doesn't bother Howard (Roy Wilson) but certainly annoys Theo's girl Justine (Michelle Thomas). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1987  
 
Having arranged a blind date with a guy whom she's met over the phone, Denise (Lisa Bonet) nearly embarrasses herself when she mistake Cliff's young intern for her "mystery man." Later on, Vanessa's former boyfriend Robert (Dondre T. Whitfield) shows up to discuss his romantic tribulations with Cliff (Bill Cosby)--and refuses to leave the house until his problems are resolved. Rare indeed is the episode in which Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) bids fair to emerge as the sole "voice of reason." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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2007  
R  
Add Sister's Keeper to Queue Add Sister's Keeper to top of Queue  
A military-trained assassin is caught in a deadly quagmire of deception, family secrets, and forbidden love while attempting to carry out his last job in this thriller featuring Eric Roberts. Jacob Tate has seen his fair share of death, and now he's looking to get out of the game. His latest target is Diane Shaw, a small town schoolteacher who mistakes him for the brother she never met. Diane's mother vanished without a trace thirty years prior, and with the help of her brother she hopes to solve a lingering family mystery. Believing that salvation is in sight, Jacob assuredly assumes the role of Diane's brother. But the closer Jacob gets to Diane, the deeper he falls for her. Strangely, his feelings seem to be reciprocated by the confused Diane, who can't deny her attraction, but resists her instincts in an attempt to sort out her true feelings. Just as Jacob prepares to untangle his sordid web of lies, however, the same men who hired him show up to finish the job, and sins of Diane's mother reach down through the family bloodline. With their lives on the line, Jacob must now choose between being Diane's protector, or her most feared predator. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Kent FaulconDenise Boutte, (more)
 
2002  
R  
Add Big Ain't Bad to Queue Add Big Ain't Bad to top of Queue  
Directed by Ray Culpepper, Big Ain't Bad chronicles a young couple's (Sean Blakemore and Jenise Dixon) rocky path to the altar. Though they are well matched and seemingly happy, the groom finds himself too weak to resist engaging in a one-night stand, which, understandably, sends the would-be bride running in the opposite direction. Luckily, or so it would seem, she finds a wealthy suitor perfectly willing to include her among his accolades. Blakemore, now thoroughly lovelorn, sets off in hopes of proving that status and expensive gifts aren't valuable if there's no love involved. The film also features Tico Wells, Jemmerrio, Reginald Ballard, and Montana Taylor. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Starring:
Sean BlakemoreJade Janise Dixon, (more)
 
1992  
R  
Add Trespass to Queue Add Trespass to top of Queue  
Maverick director Walter Hill, who had a big hit with 48 Hrs., indulges his customary yen for violent and disturbing scenes in this overlooked action film, which was also released under the name Looters. Set in the economically-depressed town of East St. Louis, IL, the film's release was delayed several months because its riot scenes were too similar to those that actually took place in the summer of 1992 in L.A. Bill Paxton plays Vince and Bill Sadler plays Don. They are a couple of good-old-boy firefighters who are tipped off that some stolen gold treasures have been hidden in an old warehouse. They find and enter the building but witness a brutal murder. The gangland killing is part of a turf battle between two rival drug lords. When one of them finds out that the firemen have seen the execution, he orders the witnesses murdered. But they have found the treasure and have kidnapped one gang leader's brother. An elaborate and violent series of skirmishes and chases ensue. Rapper-actors Ice-T and Ice Cube have roles as leading gang members. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Starring:
Bill PaxtonIce-T, (more)
 
1992  
R  
Add Universal Soldier to Queue Add Universal Soldier to top of Queue  
Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren play archenemies from beyond the grave in this action film. During the Vietnam War, Luc (Van Damme), hoping to be sent home, comes upon blood-crazy Scott (Lundgren), who is starting a one-man genocide program. When Luc tries to stop Scott's carnage, Scott fights back and they end up killing each other. But now the government gets involved, cryogenically freezing their corpses and using their bodies in a secret government project call "UniSols" --turning the dead men into android fighting machines. Luc and Scott are now metallic fighting members of a robot SWAT team. But Luc begin to have flashbacks to the final moments of his life in Vietnam, as does Scott, who recalls that one of his final thoughts was to kill Luc. Meanwhile, a snoopy reporter named Veronica (Ally Walker) stumbles upon the secret of the UniSols, and soon Luc is trying to save both himself and Veronica from the wrath of Scott, who is trying to kill them both. All of the action culminates in a wild chase between a prison bus and a UniSols van, racing around hairpin turns on desert precipices. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Jean-Claude Van DammeDolph Lundgren, (more)
 
1991  
R  
Add Mississippi Masala to Queue Add Mississippi Masala to top of Queue  
Mississippi Masala is a tale of how prejudice makes victims and instigators of us all. In 1972, Indian Jay (Roshan Seth), a resident of Uganda, is forced by the bigoted Amin regime to take his family and flee the country. He vows to hate and distrust all blacks--at least until he is able to reclaim the real estate stolen from him by the Ugandan government. Flash-forward to 1990: Jay and his family have settled in Mississippi. Seth's daughter Mina (Sarit Choudhury) makes the acquaintance of African-American Demetrius (Denzel Washington), the prosperous manager of a carpet-cleaning business. At first attracted to Mina because he is fascinated by her African background, Demetrius slowly falls in love with her. The situation causes Jay to exercise the same racial prejudice by which he was himself victimized. Ironically, Demetrius behaves just as foolishly, blaming Jay's ethnic chauvinism for a drop in his business. Both Jay and Demetrius must learn to bury their pasts and their prejudices to go on with their lives. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Denzel WashingtonSarita Choudhury, (more)
 
1991  
R  
Add The Five Heartbeats to Queue Add The Five Heartbeats to top of Queue  
Loosely based on the life and times of several R&B artists (The Dells, The Temptations, Frankie Lymon, Sam Cooke and others) The Five Heartbeats traces the rise and fall of a popular African-American 1950s singing aggregation. The story is told from the point of view of one of the "Heartbeats," played by Robert Townsend (who also co-produced, directed and co-wrote the script with Keenan Ivory Waynans). The film is an amalgam of anecdotes drawn from real-life experiences: the long struggle upward, the first rush of success, the dishonest record-company executives, the hard-nosed but nurturing managers, the sex, the drugs, the isolation and the precipitous downward slide. The film begins and ends in the 1990s, as the middle-aged "Duck" (Townsend) ruminates on the past and makes the best of the present. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Robert TownsendMichael Wright, (more)
 
1990  
R  
In this actioner, Eddie Baker is brutally murdered by drug dealers. Later expatriate, reformed drug-dealer Superfly is conned into returning to the US from Paris by federal drug agents. He then must let his former cronies know that he wants back into the drug business. Superfly hasn't been a dealer for over twenty-years, and doesn't realize that drug dealing has become a deadly game. His sudden reappearance rouses the suspicion of the two crooked cops controlling the city's drug flow. They are unsure which side of the law he is on and are not anxious to allow him a piece of the action. Fortunately for "Fly" a good buddy fills him in on modern drug trafficking. He decides to go back to Paris, but then the US agents force him to change his plans. Later Superfly is beaten by the drug lord's men and his lady friend is shot. Now nothing will prevent the enraged hero from getting his revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Nathan PurdeeMargaret Avery, (more)
 
1989  
R  
Heart of Midnight is a involving, well-above-average erotic, psychological thriller directed by Matthew Chapman. Carol (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is recovering from a nervous breakdown. She inherits a nightclub from her uncle and moves in. There she discovers strange and frightening secrets about her uncle and begins to remember details of their past relationship. She battles for her sanity as her surroundings begin to seem menacing and she cannot be sure what is real and what is a hallucination. This above-average film features good performances by Peter Coyote and Jennifer Jason Leigh who have an unusual, intriguing sexual chemistry. Viewers should note a small supporting role by Steve Buscemi. Heart of Midnight, offbeat and interesting, is highly recommended. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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Starring:
Jennifer Jason LeighPeter Coyote, (more)
 
1989  
PG13  
Add The Dream Team to Queue Add The Dream Team to top of Queue  
The eponymous team consists of four residents of a New Jersey psychiatric hospital: ex-postal worker Henry Sikorsky (Christopher Lloyd), who fancies himself a doctor; one-time ad agency exec Jack McDermott (Peter Boyle), suffering from a Messiah/martyr complex; writer Billy Caulfield (Michael Keaton), who cannot abide the "idiots" in the world (namely, everyone but himself); and TV-obsessed Albert Ianuzzi (Stephen Furst). Permitted a field trip to a baseball game, the four unfortunates wander off when psychiatrist Dr. Weitzman (Dennis Boutsikaris) is waylaid by two corrupt police officers after he witnesses them killing a third cop. The innocent inmates are accused of attacking Dr. Weitzman, but it is they who team up to bring the actual culprits to justice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Michael KeatonChristopher Lloyd, (more)
 
1987  
PG13  
Add Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam to Queue Add Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam to top of Queue  
Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam was first telecast April 3, 1988, over the HBO cable service. Based on the book of the same name, the program is devoted to poignant recitations of letters to and from American participants of the Vietnam war. The letters are heard over images culled from news footage, home movies and still photography, with contemporary music added to put things in the proper historical context. The 2-hour film, featuring readings from various well-known actors (see cast list), was a co-production involving Bill Couturie, a previous Emmy winner for Vietnam Requiem, and the Vietnam Veterans Ensemble Theatre Company. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Tom BerengerEllen Burstyn, (more)