Brian Grant Movies
- 2002
Based on the British series of the same name, the UPN network dramedy As If emulated such "reality" programs as The Real World, albeit with professional actors following sketchy, improvisational scenarios. In standard cinéma-vérité fashion, a team of cameramen follow six twentysomethings as they cope with life in the Big City -- and with each other. The neatly compartmentalized characters included the sullen Sooz (played by Emily Corrie, the sole carryover from the original British As If), the egocentric Rob (Chris Engen), the worldly Sasha (Tracie Thoms), the sexually voracious Nicki (Adrienne Wilkinson), the prankish Jamie (Derek Hughes), and the obligatory gay character, Alex (Robin Dunne). The American version of As If premiered March 5, 2002, in tandem with another brand-new UPN series, Random Years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this comedy, a basketball fan figures she could be a better coach than the guy getting paid millions to do the job -- and then gets the chance to prove it. Edwina "Eddie" Franklin (Whoopi Goldberg) is a limousine dispatcher and sometime driver who is a passionate New York Knicks fan; she loyally follows their every move, attending as many home games as possible from the cheap seats and radioing game updates to her drivers when they play during her working hours. The Knicks are purchased by eccentric Southern millionaire Wild Bill Burgess (Frank Langella) in the middle of a long losing streak; when Wild Bill calls for a limo, Eddie arranges to drive him herself, and gives him a piece of her mind about the sad state of the team. Impressed, Wild Bill makes Eddie an honorary coach for the night, and her spitfire attitude and encouragement of the players impresses her. However, Wild Bill thinks putting on a show to boost attendance is more important than having a winning team, and eventually Knicks coach Bailey (Dennis Farina) quits in disgust. Wild Bill gets the bright idea of hiring Eddie as the team's new head coach; she considers it an honor, and at only $50,000 a year, he considers it a bargain. While Eddie is hardly an experienced leader, she soon learns how to motivate her team, and against all odds she helps pull the Knicks out of their losing streak -- but now has to face Wild Bill, who is losing interest in the team and wants to sell. Several real-life NBA stars make cameo appearances, including Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Rick Fox, and Mark Jackson, while prominent New Yorkers David Letterman and Donald Trump play themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Langella, (more)
- 1995
- R
This direct descendant of Reservoir Dogs revolves around not one bungled heist, but several. A colorful band of criminals from differing walks of life are recruited to rip-off the local crime boss (Tony Curtis) in a series of robberies. They rendezvous at the nightclub owned by their ringleader, Jack (Eric Roberts), only to find, not surprisingly, that a double-cross awaits, and a bloody conclusion is soon to follow. The twisting plot is rather unique and somewhat satisfying, especially as the hidden meaning of the film's title is revealed. However, The Immortals has more success with its casting, which brings together many veteran performers (including Tia Carrere, William Forsythe, Joe Pantoliano, Chris Rock, and Clarence Williams III); all of them seem to migrate between "A-" and "B"-grade movie status, as does the film itself. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Tia Carrere, (more)
- 1994
- R
In this taut erotic chiller, a professor's pretty assistant has no idea that her involvement in his investigation of ESP will put her life in danger. The problem stems from her own natural psychic ability, one that it is so strong that she can pick up the distress and memories of others, even dead people. The assistant's troubles really begin when she begins identifying with a recently slain coed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Kari Wuhrer, (more)
- 1993
Condominium residents are terrified when they learn that two of their neighbors have been brutally raped and that the culprit may be living in their midst. A police manhunt ensues. One officer, who actually lives in the complex, is particularly troubled, for not only do the incidents cause his wife to admit that she was a victim of date rape, he is also the one who had a chance to kill the rapist and didn't. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hart Bochner, Chelsea Field, (more)
- 1991
In this crime drama, ruthless Bobby Stiles busts out of a maximum security prison and makes a bee-line for his hometown where he plans to get revenge upon his double-crossing brother. Bobby ends up hijacking a married couple and forcing them to take him there. It's a long journey and perceptive Bob realizes that their marriage is ready to disintegrate. The opportunistic crook begins sleeping with the sexy wife and then plots the demise of her spouse. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this made-for-cable thriller, Virginia Madsen portrays a photographer who discovers that her husband has hired a hit man to rub her out. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Hoping to impress their prom dates--and to one-up their friend who has rented a limo for the occasion--Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), Denny (Troy Winbush) and Smitty (Adam Sandler) pool their resources and engage the services of a helicopter! Alas, the "big night" flight proves to be a disaster; in fact, the boys and their dates don't even make it to the prom. In his efforts to help his son save face--and to make up for not escorting his wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad) to HIS prom way back when--Cliff (Bill Cosby) ends up hosting an impromptu dance party in the Huxtable living room. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
An uncomfortable Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) tries to avoid visiting his friend Jake (Christopher Collet), who is hospitalized with cancer. Finally, Theo works up the courage to drop in on Jake, who uses humor and good cheer to make things easier for his friend--even though he himself isn't quite as confident about his future as he seems to be. Elsewhere, Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) drops in on the Huxtables and immediately gets into trouble by doing a spot-on impersonation of Cliff (Bill Cosby). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is upset when his sister Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) accepts a date from his friend Lyle (Dennis Singletary), who has a habit of boasting about his "conquests" in the school locker room. Sure enough, the next day Lyle is claiming that he has "scored" with Vanessa, and Theo is outraged. It not only turns out that Lyle is full of hot air, but it is also revealed that Theo is far more concerned about his own reputation than Vanessa's! Elsewhere, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) performs a magic trick which baffles her dad Cliff (Bill Cosby). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
