Jerry Adler Movies
An ambitious young woman who can't afford to pay for college throws caution to the wind by moving to New York City and attempting to break into the toughest stand-up comedy circuit in the country. Melissa Brooks (Christine Evangelista) is down on her luck, but she's determined to live her life to the fullest despite the fact that she can't afford a higher education. Shortly after moving into the cramped, one bedroom apartment shared by her eccentric brother Robbie and his boyfriend Miller, Melissa wanders into a local comedy club and lands a job as a waitress. As the owner of the club takes Melissa gently under his wing, the aspiring comedienne bides her time between slinging drinks to customers and carefully observing the many comics who take the stage. After learning valuable lessons from both her new mentor as well as such acclaimed comics as Donnell Rawlings, Kevin Corrigan, and Sal "The Stockbroker" Governale, Melissa finally gains the courage to test her material on some of the nation's most unforgiving audiences. As if the stress of making one's stand-up debut on the New York City stand-up circuit isn't enough to deal with, the pretty young comic soon finds herself involved in a complicated love triangle while attempting to resolve some serious issues from her sordid past. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christine Evangelista, Kevin Corrigan, (more)
Discover how some remarkable soldiers found the strength to face almost certain death to save the lives of others in this documentary tracing the history of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to the Iraq war. It was during the Civil War that the Medal of Honor was first created. Though one woman was bestowed the Medal of Honor at that time, that commendation was soon revoked. Since then, many brave men have received the Medal of Honor. These are their stories. From the Holocaust survivor who single-handedly defended a hill from advancing enemy forces during the Korean War to the Navy Seal who swam two hours in the ocean with his wounded comrades in tow and the Marine who cleared a fiery path for his demoralized company at Iwo Jima, these tales are some of the most inspirational stories of bravery every to emerge from the battlefield. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alfre Woodard
- 2008
For Lukas (Mark Webber), an ambitionless, socially isolated tollbooth worker, each day is indistinguishable from the next -- filled, from the onset of work until the end of shift, with thousands of cars that slide through his station. Day in and day out, he must contend with the monotony of the work, the rage of the drivers, and the nauseating stench of exhaust. Lukas' life turns an odd corner when a bigoted driver haphazardly tosses a copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf into his booth in lieu of a fare; curious, Lukas retrieves the book and begins to comb through it, which catches the eye of yet another driver, this one a Holocaust survivor. Mistakenly inferring that the boy is a neo-Nazi, the gentleman passes Lukas a videocassette of his testimony about the Holocaust, produced by an organization that specializes in creating such films. Lukas not only takes this as a cue and seeks out the said organization to learn more about it, but (devoid of memories from his own past) begins to acquire a persistent delusion that he himself is both Jewish and a Holocaust survivor; in time, he becomes deeply emotionally involved and smitten with Mira Zweig (Rachel Miner), the attractive daughter of an actual survivor (Jerry Adler). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Webber, Rachel Miner, (more)
- 2001
The title character in this WB Network sitcom was Matt Stewart, played by Full House graduate Bob Saget. A widower, Matt used wisecracks and wry comments to shoulder the responsibilities inherent in raising his two daughters, Sarah (Kat Dennings) and Emily (Brie Larson). Sound familiar? But here's the clincher: Daddy Matt was an English teacher -- in the same high school attended by Sarah and virtually all of her would-be boyfriends. Dispensing the usual sage grandfatherly advice was Matt's own live-in dad, Sam Stewart (Jerry Adler). Part of a Friday-night WB comedy block, Raising Dad (working titles: In Your Dreams and Wake Up Dad) debuted on October 5, 2001, its original September 14 premiere date preempted by continuing coverage of the World Trade Center tragedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, Kat Dennings, (more)
- 2000
The life of one of the most famous American women of the last half of the 20th century receives yet another retelling in this made-for-TV drama. Raised by a harsh, domineering mother (Frances Fisher) and a charming but unfaithful (and alcoholic) father (Fred Ward), Jacqueline Bouvier (Joanne Whalley) is born into privileged circumstances but learns early on that wealth and power do not guarantee happiness. Jackie falls in love with John F. Kennedy (Tim Matheson), the son of a family even richer and more influential than her own, and is by his side as he becomes President of the United States -- though she soon discovers that, like her father, his charm and position make him very attractive to other women, a temptation he does little to resist. After the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, Jackie becomes America's best-known widow, and is forced to struggle through her mourning in the glare of the public eye. Alone and with expensive tastes, Jackie eventually becomes the trophy wife of Aristotle Onassis (Philip Baker Hall), yet another wealthy and flamboyant man. Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was first aired in two parts on November 5 and 8, 2000, by the CBS television network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanne Whalley, Tim Matheson, (more)
- 1999
A mob boss finds he can't escape his true identity, while his cousin learns that the music industry is as crooked as organized crime in the tenth episode of the HBO series. New Jersey Mafia chieftain Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is delighted to receive an invitation to play golf with his well-to-do neighbor, Cusamano, at his exclusive country club. Happy to socialize with non-mobsters for once, Tony quickly realizes that Cusamano has extended the invitation simply to impress his buddies with his powerful crime boss pal. Tony's cousin and soldier Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) and his girlfriend Adriana (Drea de Matteo) meet Massive Genius, a rap star with a financial grudge against Soprano family advisor Hesh (Jerry Adler). Genius is immediately attracted to Adriana and makes a deal with Christopher: in exchange for Christopher setting up a meeting between Genius and Hesh, the musician agrees to consider signing a band that Adriana wants to represent, but it becomes clear that Genius is only interested in Adriana sexually. Meanwhile, Tony gets even with Cusamano by asking him to "hold on" to a package wrapped in plain brown paper, sending his neighbor into a panic over the possibly illegal narcotic contents. Episode 10 first aired March 14, 1999. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Writer-director Aaron Harnick debuts with this quirky romantic comedy set in New York. Jordan (Ben Shenkman) works in his father's upscale liquor shop. Over the years, he has honed both his wine-tasting skills and a deep fear of commitment. One day, he goes on a blind date with Sarah (Arija Bareikis), a television casting director. Before he knows it, he is engaged to her, and she is introducing him to her parents. Meanwhile, Jordan's childhood buddies are themselves starting to settle down, especially Brad (Thomas McCarthy), who is marrying Sarah's friend Lauren (Catherine Kellner). As the wedding plans plod along, Jordan's panic mounts. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Shenkman, Arija Bareikis, (more)
- 1999
The sixth episode of the HBO mob series finds New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) deciding to do the noble thing and cede control of the family to his rival and uncle, Junior (Dominic Chianese), much to everyone's surprise and dismay. In reality, Tony is maintaining control of the family. With the agreement of the other families in the tri-state area, Junior is being set up as a frontman without his knowledge. Immediately, however, Junior causes trouble by ordering tribute to be paid by Tony's top lieutenants, including a long-time family advisor, Hesh Rabkin (Jerry Adler). Tony shocks his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), by declaring that he's falling in love with her during a session, and then kisses her. Junior learns that his tailor's grandson committed suicide because of a crippling drug addiction and orders two of his men to throw the drug dealer off a bridge in retaliation. Tony's medication is causing his sex drive to become nonexistent, much to the chagrin of both his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and his mistress. At a dinner celebration, the FBI conducts surveillance on the Sopranos, aware that Tony is still the real power behind the criminal organization. "Pax Soprana" first aired on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1999. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) agree to tend the rooftop garden maintained by building superintendent Mr. Wicker (Jerry Adler). And if that doesn't turn out to be a source of discord, there is always the toy belonging to a neighbor's child which is dearly coveted by baby Mabel. Or, perhaps, the central conflict in this episode is Jamie's dismissive reaction to Paul's latest film project. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
With Jamie (Helen Hunt) incapacitated, Paul (Paul Reiser) must wait on her hand and foot. His already difficult job is complicated by the lack of heat in the Buchmans' apartment -- and by an unscheduled kidnapping. At one point, it appears as though this episode should have been titled "Her Houseboy, Wolfgang Puck." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Using computerized records, detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) try to determine time of death for a woman found murdered in an elevator. The next step is to identify the body and track down the perp. Assistant D.A.'s McCoy (Sam Waterston) and especially Ross (Carey Lowell) have difficulty pursuing the case in court thanks to an imperious and verbally abusive judge (Jerry Adler) -- leading to an extremely difficult decision for D.A. Schiff (Steven Hill). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Looking for the perfect third-anniversary gift causes Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) to lose confidence in their relationship. In the course of events, Jamie receives a cryptic message: "This note entitles the bearer to one magical night." Truer words were never written. Originally telecast as the hour-long finale of Mad About You's third season, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Looking for the perfect third-anniversary gift causes Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) to lose confidence in their relationship. In a rare "alternate reality" situation, the Buchmans are permitted to experience what might have happened had they never met. Originally telecast as the hour-long finale of Mad About You's third season, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Despite the objections of her husband, Paul (Paul Reiser), Jamie (Helen Hunt) and her friend Fran (Leila Kenzle) are determined to hook up the Buchmans' bedroom TV with "stolen" cable service. The ladies' combined efforts result in a citywide power blackout of 1965 dimensions. Will Tom Brokaw ever get out of that stalled elevator? "Pandora's Box" was original one of three sitcom episodes telecast on the same Thursday evening over the same network (NBC), all of them built around a special "Blackout Thursday" promotion (the other two series involved in this stunt were Friends and Madman of the People). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
When news arrives that their apartment building may go co-op, the Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) finds themselves embroiled in a battle with their snooty English neighbors, the Conways. As their neighbors plot a strategy to grab hold of the Buchmans' apartment, a Montague-and-Capulet romance blossoms between Paul and Jamie's stupid mutt, Murray, and the Conways' precious pooch, Sophie. Though Judy Geeson returns as Maggie Conway, the role of Maggie's husband, Hal, is now played by Jim Piddock rather than Paxton Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
After a fight with his wife over the proverbial "other woman," building super Mr. Wicker (Jerry Adler) moves in with Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt). An additional crisis arises when it develops that Jamie needs glasses -- or would contact lenses go better with her "trapezoidal face?" Best moment: the faux Dickens recital. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Preparing for an important college exam, Jamie (Helen Hunt) is unable to sleep. While trying to lull his wife back to dreamland, Paul (Paul Reiser) succeeds only in locking Jamie and himself out of their apartment, leading to an all-night odyssey from basement to rooftops. Highlights include the tango performed by that guy who looks and acts like John Astin, and an unexpected celebrity drop-in at Riff's. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
While cleaning out their apartment, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) come across a bundle of WWII-era love letters written by the former tenants. Sentimental Jamie believes that the story told in these tender missives has a spiritual connection with the relationship between herself and Paul. But Jamie is in for a surprise when she tracks down the now-elderly authors of the letters. Jerry Adler makes his first series appearance as apartment superintendent Mr. Wicker (though the actor had previously shown up in different roles). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
TV journalist (and recovering alcoholic) Marcy Singer (Suzanne Somers) is promised an Exclusive by anonymous phone an caller. Singer is advised to show up at a well-known bar at an appointed time. Once she's arrived, she finds six corpses awaiting her. Investigating, Singer follows the trail of evidence to an unexpected-and all-too-close-source. Joe Cortese and Michael Nouri co-star in this made-for-TV melodrama. Exclusive originally aired October 4, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Somers, Michael Nouri, (more)
- 1986
Once upon a time, National Lampoon was on the cutting edge of satire and scatology. By 1986, the magazine was on its last legs, a doddering shadow of what it once had been. The performers in the 86-minute review National Lampoon's Class of '86 give it the old college try, but they're hampered by scads of hit-and-miss material. This video was labelled "adults only", though it's hard to imagine anyone over the age of 15 who will be amused. The title Class of '86 is only half right: it has no class, but it certainly deserves to be eighty-sixed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The miracle of plastic surgery is the unifying factor for this made-for-TV movie. Three women, all "of a certain age," are having problems with the men in their life. Rich widow Millie Gorman (Janet Leigh) is convinced that her sex appeal has waned along with her looks and youth; bored housewife Sandy McLaren (Loretta Swit) is none too pleased that her husband regards her more as a pal than a lover; and former model Vanessa Wagner (Lee Meriwether) fears that her much-younger sweetheart will begin seeking out a partner his own age. As the story progresses, Sandy gets a breast implant which has precisely the opposite of the desired effect on her husband; Vanessa gets an eye-lift, only to find out that her lover isn't worth the trouble; and Millie suffers the consequences of one too many face-lifts. Mirror, Mirror first aired October 10, 1979, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Jack Albertson stars as an old-time Borscht Belt comic who owns his own nightclub. Albertson's public has been dwindling for years, and his club is in danger of folding. He decides to renovate his business by changing his establishment into a Comedy Store-like operation, opening his doors to aspiring young comedians, then inviting show-biz biggies (including George Burns, playing himself) to watch the parade of new talent. Coincidentally, this film was originally telecast opposite another TV movie titled Telethon, in which a washed-up comic (Red Buttons) desperately tries to sign celebrities for an all-night fundraiser. Despite its title, this is pure drama in its staging, characterizations and resolution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
US Air Force colonel Glenn Ford has a dilemma on his hands. He knows for a fact that two jets under his command were last seen chasing a UFO. But the military higher-ups have no intention of filling Ford in on further developments. Despite these stonewalling tactics, Ford steps up his own investigation--and uncovers an insidious right-wing plot to overthrow the government. Bradford Dillman, who has probably made more TV movies than Karen Valentine even, costars in The Disappearance of Flight 412. The film was telecast two months after Watergate, a time in which "conspiracy" movies were breeding like rabbits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Bradford Dillman, (more)
