Martha Coolidge Movies

The abysmal teen comedy Joy of Sex is stripped down to just sex in every line and in every joke except where other bodily functions come into play. Alan (Cameron Dye) lusts after Leslie (Michelle Meyrink), whose father is a phys ed instructor with the heart of an army drill sargent and no tolerance for Alan -- though Alan is willing to go through almost anything to win Leslie's interest. As this love quest is going on, an undercover agent is out to make a major drug bust at the high school where these teens endure classes -- and some kind of a nut is gluing up odd objects in strange places at school. The bad dialogue is unfortunately matched by continuity gaffs (someone at a motel knocks down the door of room 302 to barge in on a couple in room 319) and other problems, making this a sure loser compared to the book of the same name, which has nothing to do with this movie. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Martha Coolidge directed this comedy taking place at fictional Pacific Tech, concerning incoming freshman Mitch (Gabe Jarret), a high school student whose Science Fair project made important inroads into laser beam technology. Mitch has been recruited by famed physics professor Hathaway (William Atherton), who asks Mitch to work in his laboratory. On campus, Mitch becomes roommates with the brilliant Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), legendary as the smartest freshman in the history of the college; but now, as a senior, he is less interested in his studies and more interested in having fun. It turns out that Hathaway is enlisting his students, unbeknownst to them, as a slave labor force to do research in developing a state-of-the-art laser device for the Defense Department (he uses his government grant funds to build a house). But Chris and Mitch begin to suspect that something is amiss with Hathaway's project. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Glory Days might have easily been titled "A Glorified Robert Conrad Home Movie." Actor Robert Conrad both produced and directed, while his co-star was his son Shane Conrad. The plot concerns a 50-year-old family man who feels that life has passed him by. Determined to fulfill a long-standing dream, he closes down his business, enrolls in the same college attended by his son, and goes out for the football team. It seems superfluous to add that he becomes the team's star quarterback: could any less have been expected of Bob "Iron Man" Conrad? This two-hour production originally aired December 11, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A yuppie couple find themselves marooned on a desert isle with only the company of two others--a native girl and her American boyfriend. Stripped of their accustomed world of gadgetry as well as most of their clothes, they find the situation prompts them toward a more introspective mode, and they examine the nuts and bolts of their relationship. ~ All Movie Guide

Set amidst the glorious greens and blues of one of the many islands of Washington's Puget Sound, this made-for-cable television family drama centers on three generations of women and their lovers. The main story centers on one insecure bride who though madly in love with her spouse, still cannot quite trust him. She berates herself because she can see no obvious reason for her distrust. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Angie is the study of a believable Italian-American woman who takes an honest look at herself and sees she's on a predictable path that will soon include an altar and a baby carriage. "There's gotta' be more!" she feels, and she's one gal with courage enough to find the answer. Geena Davis stars in this worthwhile effort. ~ All Movie Guide

In this offbeat comedy set in the 1950s, Patrick Swayze plays Jack McCloud, a drifter and beatnik who enters the conservative suburban life of the Holman family after Jeanne Holman (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) accidentally hits him with her car. Jeanne takes Jack into her home while he recovers from his injuries. McCloud offends the neighbors and friends of the Holmans with his unorthodox behavior, including nude sunbathing and Buddhism. He tells the children, Tom (Joseph Mazzello) and Gunny (Seth Mumy), stories of a genie who has taken the form of a dog. Jeanne and her kids come under his sway as Jack's mystical powers help the kids' Little League team win a big game. Martha Coolidge directed the film from a script by Elizabeth Anderson, based on a short story by Ellen Green. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

Dorothy Dandridge was a singer, nightclub entertainer, and actress who became the first African-American woman to receive an Academy award nomination as Best Actress (for her standout performance in 1954's Carmen Jones; she lost to Grace Kelly). However, despite her striking beauty and obvious talent, Dandridge was a sexy, glamorous black femme fatale at a time when Hollywood pin-up queens were supposed to be giggly blondes. The film industry didn't know what to do with her, and while her nightclub act was a bit too smooth for the Southern roadhouse circuit, as a black performer she wasn't allowed to stay in many of the hotels and resorts where she performed. Dandridge also had a sad personal life, filled with tragedy and romantic disappointment, and she died of an overdose of pills in 1965, at the age of 41. This made-for-cable biographical drama stars Halle Berry as Dorothy Dandridge, supported by Brent Spiner, Obba Babatunde, and Klaus Maria Brandauer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This three-part drama, produced for HBO, examines the changing tides of the lives of lesbians in America, both politically and personally, as we eavesdrop on three stories taking place in the same house over a span of five decades. In 1961, the house is home to Edith (Vanessa Redgrave) and Abby (Marian Seldes), an elderly lesbian couple whose lifestyle is not accepted or acknowledged by their families. When Abby suffers a serious stroke and is on the verge of death, her family rallies to her side, but not understanding the nature of her relationship with Edith, she is not included as her loved ones say their final good-byes. After Abby's death, her nephew (Paul Giamatti) and his wife (Elizabeth Perkins) arrive from out of state with plans to sell the house, without consulting Edith. In 1972, the house is now home to four college students, Michelle (Amy Carlson), Linda (Michelle Williams), Karen (Nia Long), and Jeanne (Natasha Lyonne), all of whom are actively involved in the women's movement and also happen to be lesbians. The four find themselves at odds with the campus women's group when they try to promote an all-women's dance, while the other members of the group feel that feminism, not lesbianism, should be the focus of the group. Similarly, Linda faces hostility from her friends when she becomes involved with Amy (Chloe Sevigny), a very butch townie; Linda's friends see Amy's masculine attire and attitude as a form of self-loathing against being a woman, and while Linda cares deeply for Amy, she's not always comfortable with her and isn't sure that she wants to be public with their relationship. In 2000, Fran (Sharon Stone) and Kal (Ellen DeGeneres), a happy and firmly committed couple, are sharing the house, and after much discussion, they decide that they want to take their relationship to the next level and have a baby. However, deciding that they want a child and dealing with the practicalities of getting pregnant are two different things; Fran and Kal first debate about going to a sperm bank as opposed to asking one of their male friends to help out, and later, either going to a doctor to perform the procedure or trying it at home. DeGeneres' significant other, Anne Heche, wrote and directed the final segment; the 1972 story was directed by Martha Coolidge, and the 1961 episode was directed by Jane Anderson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Based on the novel by Larry Baker, this bittersweet comedy-drama focuses on Hubert T. Lee (Brian Benben), an eccentric man with big dreams, who, along with his wife Edna (Elizabeth McGovern) and adopted children Louise Janine (Olivia Oguma) and Abraham Jacob (Christopher Larkin), relocates to Northern Florida in the mid-'60s. When Hubert is able to make a good deal on a large piece of land, he gets a brainstorm and opens the world's largest drive-in movie theater, which he sets out to promote with a variety of increasingly bizarre publicity stunts. However, Hubert's brash demeanor and the festive atmosphere of the drive-in rubs his neighbor Turner Knight (William Hurt) the wrong way; Knight not only lives next door to the Lee family, he runs the formerly quiet funeral home across the street from the drive-in. Produced for television, The Flamingo Rising was first aired as part of the acclaimed anthology series The Hallmark Hall of Fame. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Upon arriving at Big's (Chris Noth) apartment one fine evening, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is greeted by the unexpected sight of packing boxes. When she asks him what gives, Big (Chris Noth) tells her that he's moving to Napa, where he's bought a vineyard. Uncertain about how she feels but definitely upset about the prospect of no more let's-be-friends nooky, Carrie dances with Big to his favorite song, "Moon River," and downs a glass of wine. Carrie's feelings of neglect are mirrored by those of Samantha (Kim Cattrall), who's smarting from Richard's (James Remar) inability to arrive on time for their planned rendezvous. Although she has her suspicions about the reasons for his tardiness, Samantha keeps them in check, and instead presents the cheating lout with a token of her love, a framed portrait of hearts. Charlotte (Kristin Davis), however, is living it up after being asked out by Eric (Terry Maratos), a cute guy on the tour she was leading at the Museum of Modern Art. Unfortunately, despite the fact they have lots in common, Eric shoves his foot down his throat when, upon seeing Charlotte's decked-out Park Ave. apartment, he makes a series of insulting remarks about her being a rich girl. Thus, another fledgling relationship ends and another round of self-reflection begins: Carrie, touched by Big's departure and Samantha's Richard woes, wonders heavily about the nature of fate and relationships (again). She perks up in time for her last date with Big, though, which culminates with a carriage ride through Central Park. Just as they start to make out, however, Carrie's cell rings: it's Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and she's in labor. Arriving at the hospital, Carrie is there to see her friend give birth to a baby boy, whom Miranda names Brady. Samantha, on the other hand, experiences anything but joy when she heeds her suspicions and catches Richard in bed with another woman, and proceeds to smash the framed picture she gave him. Finally, Carrie rushes to the airport to try to catch Big before he leaves; failing, she goes to his apartment, where she finds the "Moon River" record and a ticket to Napa. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide