Lisa Boynton Movies
- 1997
- R
In this martial arts actioner, a karate teacher who has committed his life to improving the lives and futures of inner-city kids by using martial arts to teach self-discipline and respect finds his world torn apart when Hatsushita (Denis Agana), a powerful local crime lord, begins trying to recruit him to get involved in his crooked fight. When Niko, the teacher, does not respond to Hatsushita's first request, the gangster resorts to a terrible act of violence against the instructor's favorite student. Thus persuaded, Niko goes to work for Hatsushita. Though a gifted teacher, Niko is at first outmatched by the gangster's more experienced thugs, especially Takamura, the one who murdered Niko's student. Still it is to Takamura's martial arts advisor that Niko goes for help. With the master's guidance, Niko slowly prepares for the climactic final match. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Billy Blanks, Mako, (more)
- 1992
- PG13
Based on the book by Meg Wolitzer, This Is My Life is the directorial debut for Nora Ephron, who adapted the script with sister, Delia Ephron. Dottie Engels (Julie Kavner) is a single mother with aspirations of becoming a standup comedian. When her Aunt Harriet dies, Dottie gets an apartment in Manhattan with her daughters, teenaged Erica (Samantha Mathis) and ten-year-old Opal (Gaby Hoffmann). Soon, Dottie's career is taking off and her agent, Claudia Curtis (Carrie Fisher), gets her on a comedy tour. Everything seems to work out well for Dottie, except that her daughters are left without a mother. Erica, who has just started dating Jordan (Danny Zorn) gets especially mad when she hears Dottie talking about her personal information on a talk show. The two girls are further upset with their mother's choice for a boyfriend, Arnold Moss (Dan Aykroyd). Eventually, Erica and Opal try to track down their real father, Norm (Louis di Banco), in upstate New York. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Julie Kavner, Samantha Mathis, (more)
