Jason Alexander Movies
Most everyone who went to high school in Livingston, NJ, with Newark-born Jason Alexander knew that the lad was destined to become a major actor. Though inclined to stoutness -- and baldness -- from age 16 onward, Alexander had such a commanding stage presence that he was invariably cast as the star in school plays, in roles ranging from romantic leads to elderly character parts. While attending Boston University, the 20-year-old Alexander was cast in the lead of the Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along, which might have made him an overnight star had it not closed almost as soon as it opened. Alexander's first film role was in 1981's The Burning; that same year he made his TV-movie bow in Senior Trip. By 1989, Alexander had two major industry awards to his credit: the Tony and Grammy, both for his participation in Jerome Robbins' Broadway. In 1990, he was cast as clueless loser George Costanza in the popular sitcom Seinfeld (the character was allegedly based on series co-creator Larry David). And in 1994, his voice could be heard each week on the USA cable network as the web-footed, sex-obsessed private eye hero of the animated cartoon series Duckman. Though still best-known for his portrayal of George Costanza, Alexander's feature film career picked up speed during the '90s as both a character actor in major comedies such as Dunston Checks In and a voice-over artist on such animated Disney features as Aladdin and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In 1997, he played a more dramatic role as an AIDS-afflicted drag queen who finds romance in Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997). After a disappointing blink-and-you-miss-it comeback to the small screen as a self-help guru in Bob Patterson, Alexander leapt back to the big screen opposite Jack Black in the Farrelly brothers' Shallow Hal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Are you ready for a new kind of superhero -- a thirty-something virgin in long underwear? Darryl Walker (Damon Wayans) is a bright but socially inept man with a gift for inventing things but little skill for functioning in the real world. His brother Kevin (David Alan Grier) works on a low-class tabloid news show featuring beautiful anchorwoman Kimberley Jonz (Robin Givens), whom he secretly loves. The Walkers live in Metro City, Illinois, a city that's been hit with a massive crime wave after the mayor is kidnapped by gangsters. After his grandmother is killed, Darryl builds a collection of crime-fighting robots from household junk, invents bullet-proof long underwear (made from his grandmother's old housecoat), and becomes Metro City's newest crime fighter, Blankman. Blankman's escapades put fear into the heart of mob boss Michael Minelli (Jon Polito), and when Kevin turns out to have an inside track on Blankman's activities, it brings him closer to Kimberley. But how long can a superhero with no superpowers last against the forces of organized crime? Damon Wayans wrote the original story for Blankman as well as co-writing the screenplay and playing the title role, which was based in part on his "Handi-Man" character from the TV comedy series In Living Color. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, (more)
"The Coneheads" were a sketch on the Saturday Night Live television show of the late '70s which were expanded to feature-length proportions with this film. The story concerns Beldar (Dan Aykroyd) and Prymaat (Jane Curtin), who leave the planet Remulak to prepare for an invasion of Planet Earth. But due to a malfunction, they find themselves plunged into the Hudson River and forced to take up residence in Paramus, New Jersey where Beldar gets work as an appliance salesman and makes a deal for a phony social security card. Before long, all thoughts of invading Earth are left behind as Beldar and Prymaat quickly adapt to suburban life -- except for their coneheads and metallic-sounding voices, they become a typical middle-class suburban family. The Coneheads have a child, Connie (Michelle Burke) and Beldar becomes a New York cab driver and starts up his own driving school. Connie grows into a teenager and a neighborhood boy, Ronnie (Chris Farley), develops a crush on her because he likes to rub her conehead. But a nefarious INS agent, Gorman Seedling (Michael McKean), and his toady assistant, Turnbull (David Spade), are hot on The Coneheads' trail because of Beldar's false social security card. Not only that, but the Remulakian Highmaster (Dave Thomas) is beginning to wonder what ever happened to Beldar's invasion of the third rock from the sun. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, (more)
Even though it's supposed to be the "show about nothing," Seinfeld actually provides something of a continuity from one episode to the next throughout its fourth season. Things get started with the two-part "The Trip," in which Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and George (Jason Alexander) head to California for the dual purpose of locating Kramer (Michael Richards) -- who has delusions of stardom since his Murphy Brown gig -- and appearing on The Tonight Show. This little escapade segues into a plot strand wherein NBC executive Russell Dalrymple (Bob Balaban in his first series appearance) asks Jerry to develop a sitcom about his life (now who'd watch something like that?). By the time Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) returns to New York after a trip to California, however, the sitcom deal is gone -- but not forgotten, as it continues coming back to life for the duration of the season, culminating in the hour-long season finale, "The Pilot." In other classic moments, Jerry and George run afoul of "The Bubble Boy"; Elaine disposes of a certain "Crazy Joe" with a well-aimed spurt of cherry Binaca; the gang makes its first foray to a theater showing the deathless cinematic masterpiece "Rochelle, Rochelle"; and yada yada yada? If for nothing else, season four will always be remembered for two landmark episodes. In "The Outing," a college journalist makes the false assumption that George is gay (all together now -- "not that there's anything wrong with that"). And in "The Contest," the gang places bets as to see who among them is truly "master of their own domain." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, (more)
- 1992
While George begins seeing a friend of Elaine's, Jerry finds himself attracted to a woman who was the culprit in a hit-and-run accident. Meanwhile, Kramer finds himself experiencing violent seizures that seem to be brought on by the voice of Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart. Melinda McGraw, Ann Talman, Joseph Malone, and Helen Slater guest star in this episode directed by Jason Alexander. Originally airing March 4, 1992, "The Good Samaritan" was the 19th episode shot for the show's third season, despite being the 12th one shown. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "High Noon" and "Endangered Species." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
After two "mini-seasons" of six and 12 episodes each, Seinfeld finally gets off the ground in season three, toting up a whole 23 episodes -- and are they beauties! Things get off to a rousing start with "The Note," in which Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) prevails upon his dentist to commit insurance fraud on behalf of George (Jason Alexander) and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Next up is "The Truth," which poses the question: how much trouble can an ex-girlfriend who works for the IRS really be? A choice Seinfeld running gag is inaugurated in "The Pen" (the one that writes upside down, remember?). Other classic episodes include "The Parking Garage" (or "Four People in Search of Whatever"); "The Tape," which demonstrates how to talk dirty and influence people; "The Nose Job," which largely consists of a chess match with sexual undertones between Jerry's brain and his -- er -- other brain; "The Alternate Side," the one in which Kramer (Michael Richards) utters the immortal line, "These pretzels are making me thirsty"; "The Subway," the one with the fat naked man, the 600-dollar traffic fine, and the best man en route to the lesbian wedding; "The Pez Dispenser," which is all that and more; and the hour-long "The Boyfriend," which details Jerry's fateful encounter with ballplayer Keith Hernandez. And as a bonus, Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) makes one of her rare non-Murphy Brown appearances (it makes sense in context). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, (more)
- 1992
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "Don't Cross the Boss" and "Wesayso Knows Best." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- PG
Jason Alexander stars in this sweet-natured romantic comedy, marred by some overblown stereotypes. Alexander plays shoe salesman Bernie Fishbine. Bernie is lonely and shy and ever conscious about his weight problem. He stills lives at home with his mother Sarah (Lainie Kazan) and grandpa Irving Fein (Lou Jacobi). One night, taking a bus back home, he meets Theresa Garabaldi (Nia Peeples), an attractive graduate student in psychology who works at night as a singer in her uncle's Italian restaurant. Bernie falls in love with her, and he thinks she loves him too. To make her proud of him, Bernie stops eating the chocolate kisses he purchases every day from Frieda's (Eileen Brennan) candy store and, instead, works out at a gym to lose weight. But Bernie is crestfallen to learn that Theresa is being friendly to him because she is using him as the subject of her graduate thesis entitled "The Psychological Study of an Obese Male." ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Alexander, Nia Peeples, (more)
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series. "Mighty Megalosaurus" finds a new member in the family, while "Hurling Day" concerns a frustrating mother-in-law. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "The Howling" and "The Mating Dance." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Quite a lot happens in the "show about nothing" during season two of Seinfeld -- even though only 12 episodes were produced. For starters, there's the opening episode, "The Ex-Girlfriend," the one in which Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) doesn't want to get mixed up with the former girlfriend of George (Jason Alexander) -- except that she seems to have this "psychosexual" hold on him. Next up is the Emmy-nominated "The Pony Remark," said remark getting Jerry in a lot of trouble when the woman is most offended by it drops dead soon afterward. Veteran movie tough guy Lawrence Tierney makes his first (and only) appearance as the father of Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in "The Jacket," with the title "character" causing Jerry a lot of grief when he turns it inside out on a snowy night. In other episodes, George tests the "man with the wedding band" theory while looking for girls in "The Apartment," which also offers the spectacle of Kramer (Michael Richards) with mousse in his hair; "The Revenge" consists of a potent drink slipped to George's ex-boss, not to mention Kramer's sabotage of a washing machine with a bag of cement; Elaine falls for a doctor who only has eyes for her tongue in "The Heart Attack" (a classic episode, complete with "Flaming Globes!"); George has "unequivocally the worst date" of his life in "The Baby Shower"; and in the season's finale episode, "The Busboy," the hero of the piece loses his cat and nearly his life thanks to "helpful" George. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, (more)
The animated Christmas story Jingle Bells concerns a poor family headed by a father who sacrifices something the rest of the family wanted to keep in order to buy everyone a present. Luckily, Santa saves the day. This film features the voices of Don Knotts, Shelley Long, and Jason Alexander. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "Power Erupts" and "A New Leaf." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "When Food Goes Bad" and "Fran Live." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
Screenwriters Ted Tally and Alvin Sargent adapted the novel by Glenn Savan into this intelligent comedy-drama about a May-December romance where the woman is the senior partner. James Spader is Max Baron, a 27-year-old St. Louis advertising executive who has completely shut himself off from the world in the two years since the auto accident death of his wife. When he meets free-spirited, 43-year-old burger joint waitress Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon), his attraction to the earthy, outspoken woman is immediate and overpowering. The difference in age isn't their only obstacle happiness: Nora's into Marilyn Monroe, drinking beer, and lives in Dogtown, the city's low-rent district, while Max is cultured, sophisticated, and wealthy. Despite their differences, Max and Nora are alike in their suffering and in their deep need for connection, but their charged relationship is put to the emotional test when it becomes clear that Max is hiding his affair with Nora from his upper middle-class, Jewish social circle. White Palace co-stars Renée Taylor, Eileen Brennan, Kathy Bates, Jason Alexander, and Corey Parker. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Susan Sarandon, James Spader, (more)
Self-involved corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel, he makes the acquaintance of free-spirited hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and decides to put her on a 3,000-dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course, the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern-day fairy tale, Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences, Roberts' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall's stock company of actors, including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden-hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers, but more box-office-savvy heads ultimately prevailed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, (more)
A tortured man finds himself caught in a middle-ground between hallucination and reality in this supernatural thriller, scripted by Bruce Joel Rubin of Ghost (1990) and My Life (1993).
Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post-Vietnam experience in 1970s New York, where he feels consistently traumatized, but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son (Macaulay Culkin). Though well educated, Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co-workers, Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena), after divorcing his wife. Soon, Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him; he is nearly run over by a subway train, pursued by faceless demons in cars, and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality, or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis (Danny Aiello), a kindly chiropractor, as his ex-wife Sarah (Patricia Kalember), fellow Vietnam vet Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and enigmatic stranger Michael (Matt Craven) all try to help the tortured soul. Jason Alexander, Ving Rhames and Eriq LaSalle highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post-Vietnam experience in 1970s New York, where he feels consistently traumatized, but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son (Macaulay Culkin). Though well educated, Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co-workers, Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena), after divorcing his wife. Soon, Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him; he is nearly run over by a subway train, pursued by faceless demons in cars, and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality, or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis (Danny Aiello), a kindly chiropractor, as his ex-wife Sarah (Patricia Kalember), fellow Vietnam vet Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and enigmatic stranger Michael (Matt Craven) all try to help the tortured soul. Jason Alexander, Ving Rhames and Eriq LaSalle highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
- 1990
Before taking off and becoming one of the most popular and critically acclaimed sitcoms in the history of television, Seinfeld was just a little show about nothing, still struggling to find an audience. In its first season, viewers were introduced to the principal quartet of Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Kramer (Michael Richards), though the pilot episode had no Elaine character and Kramer was known as Kessler. Only five episodes long, the season was still able to establish such recurring gags as George's pseudonym, Art Vandelay, and Kramer's idea for a make-your-own pizza restaurant. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, (more)
Harrison Ford delivers one of his most-acclaimed performances in Peter Weir's adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel (scripted by Paul Schrader). Ford plays Allie Fox, an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son, Charlie (River Phoenix), "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife (Helen Mirren) and kids -- Charlie, Jerry (Jadrien Steele), April (Hilary Gordon), and Clover (Rebecca Gordon) -- to the rain forests of Central America, where he plans to create a new civilization starting with his own nuclear family. Allie's family compliantly goes along with his scheme to build a free society, but slowly notices that his obsession has turned him into a tyrannical fascist. Rather than create a utopia, Allie's driving egomania demands total subservience from his downtrodden brood. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, (more)
- 1981
The final made-for-TV movie of the calendar year 1981 (it was originally telecast on December 30), Senior Trip combines music, comedy and pathos to tell the story of a group of graduates from a staid Ohio high school. Though tightly chaperoned on their titular trip to New York City, the kids intend to cut loose and go crazy, or at least to pursue their hearts' desires (in fact, the only two students who actually want to do some sightseeing before returning home are treated like social pariahs). Among the principal characters are would-be business tyro, Roger (Scott Baio); wannabe singer, David (Randy Brooks); aspiring actress, Judy (Liz Callaway); budding artist, Jon (Jeffrey Marcus); and self-styled Lothario, Fred (James Carroll). It takes a few run-ins with the seamier denizens of the Big Apple to convince the teens that maybe the old high school wasn't so bad. Part of the film is an extended plug for the then-current Broadway smash, Sugar Babies, with Mickey Rooney showing up as himself in one of the sequences. Buried among the minor players are two promising young actors named Jason Alexander and Robert Townsend. Senior Trip was a CBS presentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Apart from early appearances by Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, an interesting score by Rick Wakeman, and some typically effective work by effects icon Tom Savini, this slasher film is also among the more frightening of its kind. The plot concerns a summer-camp caretaker named Cropsy (Lou David) who is horribly burned by mischievous teen campers during a botched practical joke. Years later, he leaves the hospital as a disfigured gloppy mess with an axe (actually, hedgeclippers) to grind. After dispatching a local prostitute, Cropsy heads out to the wilderness to terrorize a group of campers. They're the usual bunch of horny, obnoxious teenagers, but there are some interesting performances by Larry Joshua as a mean-spirited bully and Brian Backer (of Fast Times at Ridgemont High) as a put-upon nerd. The campers visit an island and, in a scene heavily cut by the ratings board prior to release, several of them die in a horrifying mass slaughter aboard a boat. The remaining teens are brutally picked off one by one until Cropsy is finally defeated. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, (more)
