Paula Abdul Movies

Ex-football player Carl Weathers stars in this violent action film as Detroit policeman Jericho Jackson. The dedicated but brutal cop is plunged into nefarious doings concerning a crooked industrialist (Craig T. Nelson) and his drug-addicted girlfriend (pop-singer Vanity), breaking many people's bones before solving the case. Sharon Stone stands out in a cast of genre veterans including Nicholas Worth, Sonny Landham, and Robert Davi. Heavy on the sex and violence, this film harkens back to the glory days of 1970s blaxploitation, but is a bit too mean-spirited to be as much fun. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Having made an overnight star of aspiring pop singer [$Kelly Clarkson at the end of American Idol's first season, the producers return to perform the same magic on another unlucky unknown as the twice-weekly Fox talent show launches Season Two. And it's going to take quite a bit of doing to select the best of the best: Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of American Idol's maidedn season, no fewer than 50,000 hopefuls have shown up for the audition held all over the country. Ryan Seacrest is back as host, this time flying solo with the departure of cohost Brian Dunkelman. And of course, the contestants are still at the mercy of the three-person panel of judges: Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and the redoubtable Simon Cowell. New to the proceedings is Kristin Holt, a first-season contestant and former member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, now on hand as a "special correspondent" to offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of this season's aspirants. Other changes include the mode of selection for the final "wildcard" contestants, with each of the three judges choosing his or her favorite, with a fourth hopeful chosen via public call-ins. This means that during the season's final stretch there will be 12 rather than 10 finalists, with one contestant eliminated per week for the next twelve weeks, and with a different "celebrity" judge participating on each show. Also, for the first time Fox will offer a special "best of the worst" episode with highlights (or lowlights) from the most execrable and ear-shattering auditions. Along the way, there'll be a bit of controversy when semifinalist Corey Clark is removed from the running, not because of his singing but due to his off-screen misbehavior (it turns out that he'd once assaulted his own sister). Unfortunately, it will not be the last we'll hear from the contentious Mr. Clark. And in a slightly more amusing development (most of which was edited from the show), curmudgeonly Simon Cowell is senn preparing to lower the boom on a brace of "brothers" auditioning in Austin, Texas, when it is suddenly revealed that these two supposed no-talents are actually British comedians Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the original hosts of American Idol's British prototype Pop Idol, who are playing a practical joke on Mr. Cowell. The season ends in virtually a dead heat, with contestants Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken tying for the million-dollar grand prize--a tie ultimately broken by a margin of a mere 130,000 of the 24 million votes cast by the viewers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Now seen three times per week, Fox's amazingly popular talent contest American Idol launches its fourth big season on January 18, 2005. As in previous seasons, the festivities get under way with several episodes devoted to auditions in such locales as Washington DC, St. Louis, New Orleans and Las Vegas. During this elimination process, regular judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are joined by a vast array of celebrity judges, including LL Cool J, Gene Simmons, Kenny Loggins and Brandy Norwood Finally the 200 regional winners are boiled down to 24--12 boys, 12 girls--in Hollywood, with a second round of auditions taking place over a span of four episodes. These 24 are whittled down to 20 and finally the Top 12, all of whom are given a chance to perform in an episode originally telecast March 15, 2005. Although it isn't evident on screen, the series' fifth season was briefly tainted by a scandal, when rejected second-season contestant Corey Clark, reportedly angling for a book deal, alleged that he had had an affair with series judge Paul Abdul. Although not backed up with any credible evidence, Clark's allegation very nearly got Abdul bounced from the show; fortunately, she was able to discredit the story and clear her name with the help of an independent counsel hired by Fox. Just before the final episode of the season, the network will offer up a special, American Idol Presents the World's Worst Auditions, featuring the "cream of the crop" from all over the world. Finally, it's down to the two last semifinalists: Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood (and for the benefit of all three of you who don't know who won, we'll keep you in suspense here!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

More than anything else, 13-year old New Jerseyite Josh (David Moscow) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd-looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning, Josh wakes up-only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! (At this point, the part is taken over by Tom Hanks). Still a 13-year-old mentally and emotionally, Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid-at-heart McMillan (Robert Loggia). By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business, Josh rises to the top-and in process, he falls in love with fellow employee Susan (Elizabeth Perkins). But he's still a kid, and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall, who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own. The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld, who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family. That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Borrowing a chapter from the John Hughes school of teen comedy, this likeable caper was a box office success. Patrick Dempsey stars as Ronald Miller, a high school nerd about to enter his senior year, who longs for acceptance as one of the "cool kids." His next-door neighbor Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) is a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls in school, but she doesn't even know that Ronald exists. When she ruins an expensive outfit of her mother's, Ronald offers the $1,000 needed to replace it, if she will pretend to date him for one month. Although skeptical about Ronald's plan, Cindy agrees, and her "new boyfriend" turns out to be right about what he thinks dating Cindy will do for him -- he becomes accepted by the school's snobs because of his association with one of their own. At least, for a while. Originally titled "Boy Rents Girl," Can't Buy Me Love (1987) was the first production launched by former studio executive Thom Mount after leaving his high-profile post. His company went on to produce weightier material such as Bull Durham (1988), The Indian Runner (1991), and Natural Born Killers (1994). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Dance to Win is set in the outer fringes of Hollywood. A gang of delinquents, jealously observing the "haves", see no way out of their lot other than petty thievery. The gang is redeemed when they are organized into a dance troupe specializing in interpreting vintage rock 'n' roll themes. Charles Gomez, Daniel Quinn and Sally Stewart are among the leading players; the film's choreography was handled by no less than Paula Abdul. Filmed in 1989, Dance to Win remained on the shelf until picked up for cable exposure in 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Paula Abdul opens up her life to the cameras with this reality-based show that delves into the day-to-day operations of the washed up pop star turned American Idol judge. From business dealings to the daily grind of living the celebrity dream, Bravo brings viewers face-to-face with what can happen when the American dream truly does come true. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Singer, performer, and choreographer Paula Abdul has assembled a 45-minute high-energy dance workout tape. The video has two dance routines for viewers to follow along as Abdul walks through each one step-by-step, including the warmup. She introduces a 16-pattern routine that begins slowly, then picks up the rhythm while adding onto each step until the viewer/exerciser at home has the pattern down and is in-sync with her. Abdul is assisted by two dancers from her tour and a room filled with other people who are following along with the routine. The video is a simple watch-and-do exercise with high-energy dance and jazz music, all designed to pump your blood and burn fat. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide