Julie Brown Movies
A woman who wears many hats, funny lady Julie Brown has proved her mettle on television, in feature films, and as a recording artist. As a film actress, she made her film debut in Bloody Birthday (1980). As a screenwriter, she co-penned the script for Earth Girls Are Easy (1989), a film in which she also played a leading role. The film title came from one of Brown's songs. She has starred and directed a few cable comedy specials, notably Showtime's Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful, which won a Cable-Ace Award (she was nominated for four). The show also earned her a Charlie Coffey Writers Guild Award. In 1992, Brown starred in the short-lived Fox comedy sketch series The Edge and had a series on MTV called Just Say Julie (1989-1992). She has also recorded albums and had a couple of minor hits, including "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun" and "Cause I'm a Blonde." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The Jonas Brothers star in this Disney Channel Original Movie about a working class girl determined to refine her musical talent at an acclaimed summer workshop, and the newfound sense of confidence she gains after meeting the singer of a popular musical act. Camp Rock is the place where young musicians go to grow into talented musicians. Mitchie Torres has always dreamt of spending a summer at Camp Rock, but her family can't afford the tuition costs. When Mitchie's mother announces that she got her daughter a discount on tuition by agreeing to work as the camp cook, the young musician is overjoyed at the prospect of actually attending Camp Rock. Though at first intimidated by the more privileged campers, Mitchie soon strikes up a friendship with the decidedly down-to-earth Caitlyn, who dreams of some day becoming a music producer. Later, Mitchie tries to impress popular girls Tess, Peggy, and Ella by claiming that her mother is a powerful executive at Hot Tunes TV, a tall tale that ultimately gets her invited to sing back up for the catty clique. Meanwhile, Connect 3's summer tour has been cancelled, and lead singer Shane Gray seems to have lost his passion for music. His bandmates Jason and Nate think that a stint in Camp Rock would be the perfect thing to help the singer get his ego back in check, and soon after arriving Shane is captivated by Mitchie's voice. Unlike the other campers, Mitchie seems to genuinely appreciate Shane's creativity rather than simply fawning over his stardom, and it before long the pair has become fast friends. But Tess is jealous of Mitchie and Shane's budding friendship, and upon discovering the truth about the humble singer's mother, the scheming mean girl makes it her mission to get ensure that neither Mitchie nor Caitlyn perform at the upcoming Final Jam competition. Later, as Shane, Nate, and Jason take their seats on the judge's panel for the Final Jam, Mitchie attempts to overcome her fear, step into the spotlight, and show everyone her true talent. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, (more)
A lazy day lounging under the California sun turns into a cash windfall for two high school surfers who create a new sport that starts to spread like wildfire. Bored teens Ty Neptune and James James were just attempting to have a bit of fun when they spotted a refrigerator box in a dumpster, slapped some wheels on it, and ventured out to take their new creation for a test drive. The result is a new sport called Boxboarding, and it isn't long before a local news crew arrives on the scene and word of this quirky new sport begins to spread. Before long, the boys are celebrities in their high school and the hilly streets of Laguna Beach are filled with aspiring Boxboarders. But of course where there's fame competition is sure to follow, and a scheming rich kid Alexander Keene attempts to organize a "winner takes all" event in which the best Boxboarder secures all the rights to this popular new sport. While folks like Ty and James are in it purely for fun, others like stuck-up hanger-on Tara are just trying to cash in on the Boxboarding craze and get a little exposure on MTV. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Immekus, Austin Basis, (more)
Documentarist Christopher Monger's Special Thanks to Roy London profiles famed acting coach London (1943-93), a man with resounding professional success (including a litany of former pupils who graduated to A-list Hollywood triumph) but a rocky and notoriously complicated personal life. In this program, Monger examines London through the eyes of many of the said pupils, including Jeff Goldblum, Hank Azaria, Garry Shandling, Geena Davis and Patrick Swayze. The title, of course, refers to the "special thanks" mention to fall in the end credits of many a feature film. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Stretching from the 1970s to the 1990s, The Trip chronicles the often turbulent romance between two gay men. One night in 1973, teenagers Tommy (Steve Braun) and Alan (Larry Sullivan) meet at an L.A. party. While Tommy is openly gay and organizes for gay civil rights, Alan, an aspiring journalist, is a repressed, button-down member of the Young Republicans who is working on his first book, a thick volume about the evils of homosexuality. On the pretext of interviewing him for his book, Alan invites Tommy to his house for dinner, where the sexual tension between the two is so throbbingly blatant that Alan's girlfriend makes a hasty exit. An intense romance between the two men follows. When we next see them, it's 1976, and Alan's book has been published anonymously and is being used by right-wingers who are supporting Anita Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign in Florida. Unfortunately, Tommy finds out that Alan wrote the book and leaves him, and subsequently takes up with Peter (Ray Baker) an affluent closet case. It isn't until the '90s that Alan and Tommy meet again, and are confronted by the romance they thought they had long left behind. The Trip was screened at the 2002 Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Sullivan, Steve Braun, (more)
- 2000
Brassy, bosomy Julie Brown headlines an ensemble cast in this Comedy Central series set in that scourge of consumer culture, the strip mall. Brown plays Tammi, a former child actor who fell upon hard times after assaulting an elder co-star. Now she's pushing drinks at a desolate mini-mall watering hole. As a remedy to her situation, she plots to marry and subsequently kill the mall's dry-cleaning entrepreneur, Harvey (Jim O'Heir). Meanwhile, other wacky store-owning neighbors show up: the lesbian duo who helm the strip mall's Chinese restaurant; the Russian emigrant who juggles wedding videography with his amateur pornography business; the spacey wicker artisan who can't sell a basket to save her life; and the smarmy insurance agent a few doors down from Tammi's bar. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Brown, Tim Bagley, (more)
Bob Koherr directed this predictable parody of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, offering variations on the film's familiar scenes, plus satirical jabs at other titles, including Reservoir Dogs, Natural Born Killers, Forrest Gump and Nell. Tarantino's hit men are replaced here with exterminators Jimmy (Paul Dinello) and Julius (Tommy Davidson). Subbing for Marsellus and coke addict Mia are compulsive eater Mimi (Julie Brown) and her husband Montello (Robert Costanzo). Instead of coffee-shop thieves Honey Bunny and Pumpkin, writer wannabe Bunny Roberts (Sandra Bernhard) arrives with the Forrest Gump-like Bumpkin (Dan Castellaneta). Psychos Nicky (Matthew Glave) and Vallory (Pamela Segall) disrupt the criss-crossing storylines, and so do nuns with guns. At the Independent Cafe, employees are costumed like various characters from independent films. The talented Juliette Lewis is mocked by Pamela Segall in a re-creation of a Natural Born Killers scene, and Kane Picoy impersonates Christopher Walken. When Plump Fiction played theatrically, it was accompanied by a three-minute short film Swing Blade (a spoof of Swingers and Sling Blade). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Davidson, Julie Brown, (more)
- 1997
The "FYI" staffers find themselves trapped on the office balcony, and it looks like they'll be there all weekend; the only person who can release them is Murphy's most recently fired secretary (played by no less than Julie Brown), who has no intention of doing so. While the other staffers bemoan their fate, Kay (Lily Tomlin) is unusually calm and benign, feeling that their entrapment has occurred to serve "a greater purpose." As much as Murphy (Candice Bergan) and the others may scoff, at the end of the episode Kay is proven right! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The first of several sight gag and slapstick-rich comedies he produced without the team of Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, this lowbrow comedy from executive producer and star Leslie Nielsen suffers by comparison to his work with the "ZAZ" team. Nielsen plays Dick Steele, secret agent WD-40, called out of retirement to stop the world-conquering plans of his old nemesis, General Rancor (Andy Griffith), an armless madman determined to avenge himself upon Steele (who is responsible for Rancor's lack of appendages). With the help of Russian agent Veronique Ukrinsky (Nicolette Sheridan), Steele prepares to battle Rancor at his tropical island lair, where the daughter of Steele's long-ago love is being held captive. Along the way, such films as True Lies (1994), Speed (1994), Jurassic Park (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) are spoofed. Director Richard Friedberg had previously directed Nielsen in a series of automobile rental commercials and goofy "how-to" golf videos. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Nicollette Sheridan, (more)
This animated Disney feature is based on a popular afternoon television show. The story centers on Goofy's teenage son, Max, who is terrified that he will grow up to be as dorky a dog as his daffy daddy. Just as shy Max has screwed up enough courage to ask his dreamgirl, Roxanne, on a date, Goofy stumbles in and announces that they need to spend some quality time together, and then drags Max off on a vacation. Just before they leave, Max tells Roxanne that he will be in the audience at the next Powerline concert, which is to be televised. As Goofy heads for the forest for some huntin' and some fishin', "hyuk," Max schemes to get them to LA where he hopes they will be able to sneak backstage after the concert and fulfill his promise to Roxanne. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, (more)
Jane Austen might never have imagined that her 1816 novel Emma could be turned into a fresh and satirical look at ultra-rich teenagers in a Beverly Hills high school. Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne (Stacey Dash), both named after "great singers of the past that now do infomercials," are pampered upper-class girls who care less about getting good grades than wearing the right clothes and being as popular as possible. But Cher, who lives with her tough yet warm-hearted lawyer dad (Dan Hedaya) and hunky, sensitive stepbrother (Paul Rudd), also has an innate urge to help those less fortunate -- like the two introverted teachers she brings together ("negotiating" herself improved grades in the process) and new friend Tai (Brittany Murphy), who starts out a geek and ends up a Cher prodigy. Cher also possesses her own sensitive side, and she is looking for the perfect boyfriend, whom she ends up finding where she least expected. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, (more)
- 1993
- R
In this romantic comedy, a pair of disparate yuppies attempt to bridge the considerable disparities between them and have a relationship. During their tempestuous struggles, their two best friends offer expert commentary. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arye Gross, Courteney Cox Arquette, (more)
- 1993
- R
After his work day ends, airline luggage-handler York Daley (Bill Pullman) has 90 minutes to run home, pick up his lover Nancy (Julie Brown), and return to the airport to catch an eight o' clock flight to Rio de Janeiro. A collection of colorful characters and bizarre mishaps guarantee that York's simple plan goes quickly and horribly wrong. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Pullman, Julie Brown, (more)
Bob (Bruce Jones) lives with his wife Anne (Julie Brown) and his daughter Coleen (Gemma Phoenix) in a poor English town. Bob scrapes by with whatever odd jobs come his way -- working as a bouncer, stealing green turf, cleaning septic tanks. Although Bob has no money and is living on the dole, he is determined to buy his daughter a dress for her first communion. The local parish priest (Tom Hickey) suggests that Bob settle cheaper and get a second-hand dress for Coleen's communion. But Bob will have none of that. Bob wants a new dress for his daughter, and no matter what it takes he will get a dress for her. Unfortunately, Bob has only murky ideas about how to earn the money to buy it. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Jones, Julie Brown, (more)
This black comedy chronicles the fall of one of the world's most unlovable clowns as he plies his trade and tries to survive in Palukaville a town where everyone is more or less a Bozo. Shakes loves women and more than that, he loves his booze. Like many of his painted peers, ol' Shakes likes to hang out at The Twisted Balloon, the favorite local pub where he hoists a few, beats up on mimes (the lowest caste in Palukaville) and causes trouble with his girl friend Judy, a woman who cannot say the letter "L." Because the slovenly Shakes can't seem to make it to birthday parties sober and on time, he is fired from his booking agency, causing him to go on a big drinking binge. Later, Shakes awakens and learns that Binky, a lousy TV-clown, is framing him for beating up Shake's former boss with a juggling pin. Now poor Shakes must clear his name. He must also rescue "Juwee" who has been kidnapped by the nefarious Binky, and he must come to grips with his alcohol problem (perhaps the film could be therefore titled "Clown and Sober?"). Keep an eye peeled for cameos by Robin Williams, as a mime instructor, and Florence Henderson as one of Shake's illicit sexual conquests. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bobcat Goldthwait, Julie Brown, (more)
- 1992
Comedienne extraordinaire Julie Brown writes and directs Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful, a direct spoof of the documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare. Brown stars as Medusa, a hypersexual egomanic singer on a world tour dubbed "The Blonde Leading the Blonde." Filmed in black-and-white with color performance footage, this mockumentary parodies the original film almost scene-for-scene. For example, Medusa visits her dead dog in the pet cemetary and performs fellatio on a watermelon on a dare. Songs include "Expose Yourself," "Everybody, Be Excited," and "Vague." Also starring comedians Bob Goldthwait and Chris Elliott. Julie Brown and co-writer Charlie Coffey won an award from the Writers Guild of America for their script. Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful was originally aired on Showtime before it was released on home video. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Brown
Making great fun of the '70s, this lively sci-fi comedy centers on a trio of time travellers who go into the past in hopes of retrieving the Constitution to celebrate America's 300th birthday. Unfortunately, the travelers end up in 1976 not 1776. The trouble is, they don't realize it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Cassidy, Olivia D'Abo, (more)
In this madcap comedy, Geena Davis plays Valerie, a manicurist living in the valley with her cold fiancé, Dr. Ted Gallagher (Charles Rocket). At the Curl Up and Dye beauty salon where she works, Valerie enlists the help of her boss, Candy Pink (Julie Brown), for some style advice to try and win back Ted's affections. After undergoing a brand-new hairstyle, Valerie learns that Ted is having an affair and she kicks him out of the house. Soon, while lounging around in her bikini, a spaceship from the planet Jhazzalan crash-lands in her swimming pool. Curious, Valerie befriends the ship's inhabitants -- three horny aliens covered in fur named Mac (Jeff Goldblum), Whiploc (Jim Carrey), and Zeebo (Damon Wayans). Introducing her new friends to Candy, the aliens get a shave and a total makeover transformation into hot, available dates. They all go out dancing at L.A. nightclubs and party. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, (more)
- 1985
- PG13
- Add Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment to QueueAdd Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment to top of Queue
In this weak, undistinguished sequel to the successful Police Academy, Mahoney and his cohorts have now graduated from their police training and are ready to tackle real criminals. The first assignment for the enthusiastic former cadets is to halt the graffiti-scribbling antics of a local gang of marauding toughs. The new lieutenant at the station (Art Metrano) is not anxious to see them succeed -- and begins to roadblock their efforts against the graffiti artists. Not to be easily outmaneuvered, Mahoney and friends plot an appropriate revenge. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, (more)
- 1983
Hoping to stir up new business, George (Sherman Hemsley) holds a Miss Jefferson Cleaners contest. Alas, George is forced to give the award to the punk-rocker niece of his landlord, Whittendale (Jack Fletcher) -- or face immediate eviction. The girl in question is played by singer Julie Brown, a few years before attaining rock-video and cable-TV superstardom. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Rhonda (Leslie Easterbrook) informs Carmine (Eddie Mekka) that auditions are under way for the leading role in a movie musical about famous ex-boxer Rocky (played by genuine ex-boxer Ric Mancini). Naturally, Laverne (Penny Marshall) jumps to the wrong conclusion when she overhears Rhonda and Carmine rehearsing a romantic scene, convincing herself that Carmine is cheating on Shirley (Cindy Williams). But the episode's real crisis doesn't occur until Carmine is chosen as one of the finalists for the part of Rocky--and ends up in a "faked" fight that is anything but. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
With this episode, Laverne & Shirley becomes essentially Laverne, as Penny Marshall goes it alone without her longtime costar Cindy Williams. Having abruptly gone overseas to be with her new husband Walter, Shirley (Williams) vacates Burbank without so much as a goodbye. All Shirley has left behind is a brief, brusque note, which says nothing about her lifelong friendship with Laverne (Marshall)--who immediately spirals into a deep depression. Hoping to cheer up Laverne, her friends begin beating the bushes for a few likely new roommates, including (inevitably!) a couple of ladies named Patti and Maxine (the latter played by Penny Marshall's real-life sister Ronny Hallin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
