LeVar Burton Movies

Star Trek: Insurrection manages to recall the original 1960s series' spirit of liberalism, while transcending it for sheer boldness, embracing issues that are on the political cutting edge in the 1990s and beyond. The fact that the first 30 minutes are presented as a mystery only makes the material more engrossing. While assisting a survey team of Federation allies observing the populace of a distant planet, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) seemingly goes berserk and attacks the survey team, exposing their existence to the populace and jeopardizing the mission. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) brings the Enterprise into orbit to try and apprehend Data and find out what happened . He discovers that the mission isn't one of observation, but the involuntary relocation of a small, peaceful population, undertaken by the Federation and its rogue planet allies the Son'a, supposedly to secure the planet's youth-restoring qualities. As it turns out, there's a much darker side to the plans of the Son'a, and a personal side to the carnage planned by the Son'a leader Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham). Picard and his officers, suitably outraged by this violation of the Prime Directive -- that no Federation mission may interfere with the natural evolution of an alien culture -- take matters into their own hands in an attempt to expose the plot to public scrutiny, risking their lives in the process. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

The extraordinary private and professional life of the 1990's greatest young golfer Tiger Woods provides the subject for this biographical feature. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Young viewers gain a broader understanding of the working world in this Reading Rainbow episode. The featured book, Worksong, written by Gary Paulsen and read by David Canary, honors working people like nurses, farmers, soldiers, and office workers. The program examines a range of jobs, as host LeVar Burton talks to an obstetrician, a potter, and a maker of drums. Other books discussed in the program are A Day's Work by Eve Bunting and Work by Anne Morris. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Thirty years ago, science-fiction editor Art Saha coined the term "trekkies" when he saw a few fans of Star Trek's first season wearing pointy ears. Today, the word is found in the Oxford dictionary, and aficionados of the long-run series have seen their subculture achieve stratospheric status. In this documentary on the fan mania surrounding Star Trek, Denise Crosby (Star Trek: the Next Generation) serves as tour guide, stopping off at a radio talkshow, visiting fans in their homes, interviewing actors of both the original and later series, and visiting fan clubs and conventions. Starbase Dental, a Trek-themed drilling station operated by dentist Dr. Denis Bourguignon, is only one of the unusual fan homages revealed here. World premiere at the 1997 Hamptons and AFI Los Angeles film festivals. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Kira is shocked beyond words when her slain lover Bareil (Philip Anglim) suddenly appears on DS9. It soon develops that this is actually the alternate-universe version of Bareil, and that he has shown up seeking asylum. Nonetheless, Kira finds herself falling love with the duplicate Bareil until she gets wise to his hidden agenda. Written by Michael Taylor, "Resurrection" was originally broadcast on November 17, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Freshly escaped from a Dominion prison, Klingon General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) is assigned to a rescue mission. Bringing Worf and Dax along, Martok assumes command of the Klingon Bird of Prey Rotarron and sets out to fulfill his orders. But as the mission drags on, Worf comes to the sorrowful conclusion that Martok is no longer fit to lead, meaning that according to Klingon protocol, Worf must take control of the ship, even if he is forced to kill Martok in the process. Written by Ronald D. Moore, "Soldiers of the Empire" first aired on April 28, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The excitement surrounding the birth of a child is the focus of Reading Rainbow: On the Day You Were Born, as viewers can follow the progress of a pregnant couple two weeks before the delivery date. As the anticipation builds, the Estes family makes preparations to welcome a baby into their world, which includes three daughters. This special production of the series shows the birth of the fourth Estes daughters. The young reviewers of the show discuss A Teeny Tiny Baby, How You Were Born, and One Round Moon and a Star for Me. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

When money is scarce, Maria and her mother swap their eggs for the necessary ingredients to make chicken sancocho. Saturday Sancocho, story and pictures by Leyla Torres, is the impetus for host LeVar Burton to venture to an auction to find out about the value placed on goods. There's a good deal of math in this episode, as he must estimate and determine prices and trade values. In another segment, a boy trades sports cards, learning about their worth in the process. The Pirate Cook Book, Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice, and Mama Bear are reviewed by the young critics. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The disadvantages of being small are discussed in Reading Rainbow: Hotel Animal, and young viewers are sure to be able to relate to the experiences offered in the program. Math concepts are part of the fun, as workers from the Matchbox car company talk about how cars are scaled down for their toys. Host LeVar Burton has a dream in which he is tiny, and is relieved when he realizes it was all a dream. The featured book concerns two small lizards who book a room at the Hotel Animal, where everyone else is much bigger. Books reviewed by kids include Zoom and Mr. Tall and Mr. Small. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Mysteriously rendered unconscious, Sisko, Dax, Oro, and Garak awaken to find themselves on an alternate DS9, seven years in the past. This is daunting enough, but even more perplexing is the physical state in which the four crew members awaken. Though they appear "normal" to one another, to everyone else they look and behave like Bajorans, and as such have been condemned to death for an act of treason. First telecast November 18, 1996, "Things Past" was written by Michael Taylor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Worf undergoes an extradition hearing to determine if he should stand trial on his home planet. The Klingon Empire has charged Worf with firing upon a civilian transport and killing 444 passengers. Presiding over the hearing is merciless Klingon Advocate Ch'Pok (Ron Canada), who intends to prove that the incident was a deliberate act of aggression and not the tragic accident Worf claims it to be. Directed by former Next Generation regular LeVar Burton, "Rules of Engagement" was scripted by Ronald D. Moore from a story by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, and first aired April 8, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bread is central to the diet of many cultures throughout the world, with some groups regarding the breadmaking process as a bonding exercise. The story in this episode, Reading Rainbow: Bread Is for Eating deals with all the steps involved with making bread, beginning with the planting of the grain. Host LeVar Burton explores the difference between the ways in which Hopi Indians and East Indians treat this staple food, and the methods used in baking. The Tortilla Factory and Bread, Bread, Bread are discussed by the young student reviewers. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

When Henry the Siamese cat hops on board a hot-air balloon, he is in for the time of his life. Henry's flight inspires LeVar Burton to try the experience himself, and he takes off in a colorful balloon too. In Reading Rainbow: Hot-Air Henry, he also goes to National Space Camp to find out what is taught to kids who attend. Another segment shows a group of aircraft that took to the air before they were quite ready. The kid-reviewed books include Easy-to-Make Spaceships That Really Fly by Mary and Dewey Blocksma, The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr, and Just Us Women by Jeannette Caines. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide