LeVar Burton Movies

In this episode of the Reading Rainbow series, the featured story, Someplace Else, tells about Mrs. Tilby, a woman who seeks a more exciting place to live than her own little town. She visits many locales before settling on the solution that is perfect for her needs. Host LeVar Burton discusses all the traveling he's done and shares some of his fondest memories and souvenirs with young viewers. The program provides a look at the diverse places that people live, including Hawaii and New York City. Books with a related theme are reviewed by the young critics, including Town Mouse, Country Mouse, Me on the Map, and Somewhere in the World Right Now. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The award-winning Reading Rainbow series points out the virtues of reading for pleasure, while also addressing important social and cultural topics for young children. In Uncle Jed's Barber Shop by Margaree King Mitchell, Uncle Jed has always wanted to have his own barber shop, but there were always obstacles in his path. Regina Taylor reads the book, which also addresses racial issues. Back at his barbershop, LeVar Burton reminisces about haircuts he had as a youngster and introduces the Persuasions, an a cappella quartet. Other books in the program include A Peddler's Dream and Alvin Ailey. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The first "Trek" film to feature the cast of the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series without any of the members of the original series, this action-packed hit was well received at the box office. The Federation comes under attack by its ongoing enemy, the Borg, a cybernetics-enhanced race that once kidnapped Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), "assimilating" him into a drone. As a former prisoner of the Borg, Picard is ordered to stay out of the new battle, but he cannot resist and orders the brand-new starship Enterprise into the fray. The Enterprise follows the only surviving Borg ship through a time tunnel, where they intend to conquer Earth in an earlier era. The Borg have targeted the work of Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell), inventor of warp drive, the device that makes interplanetary travel possible. As the Enterprise crew attempts to stop the Borg from interrupting the work of Cochrane and his assistant, Lily (Alfre Woodard), Borg drones invade the Enterprise and take it over piece by piece, while Data (Brent Spiner) is captured and seduced by the Borg Queen (Alice Krige). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

The featured book of this episode is written by Marjorie Priceman, and read by Helen Mirren. When a pie maker cannot buy the ingredients needed to make an apple pie at the market, she takes an international journey to find them all. Chef Curtis Aikens shows LeVar Burton some basic cooking skills, and confides to Burton that he could not read for a long time. When he reached 26, he began to learn. Viewers will see the chemistry involved in making ice cream, and can listen as the kids on the review panel analyze What Food Is This? and Kids Around the World Cookbook. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In this program, young viewers will learn about newspapers and how they are produced. Reading Rainbow: Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper is another in the popular series that encourages kids to read for pleasure. The featured book is full of facts about the steps involved in the making of a newspaper. In one segment of the show, Ray Billingsley discusses his comic strip Curtis, and his reasons for presenting the adventures of an African-American child. The team of kid book reviewers analyzes What's It Like to Be a Newspaper Reporter, Great Newspaper Crafts, and Newspapers. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

John Colicos guest stars as Kor, a legendary Klingon warrior. With a worshipful Worf and a reluctant Dax in tow, Kor begins a search for the Sword of Kahless, an Excalibur-like ancient artifact which may have the power to unite the Klingon Empire. In the course of the quest, Worf becomes possessed with the notion that he, not Kor, has been divinely chosen to lead his people back to glory. First telecast November 20, 1995, "The Sword of Kahless" was scripted by Hans Beimler from a story by Richard Danus, and directed by former Next Generation regular LeVar Burton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this highly acclaimed series hosted by LeVar Burton, youngsters are encouraged to participate in the fun of reading. Each episode features a picture book, usually read by a celebrity, with activities and field trips related to the subject. In addition to the main story, other books are highlighted and reviewed by young students. Reading Rainbow: Archibald Frisby concerns a character who wonders how things work. Burton discusses the importance of science, and its role in the creation of roller coasters and Velcro. Kid-reviewed books include What Makes Popcorn Pop and Science Magic With Lights. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The purpose of the Reading Rainbow series is to make reading fun for youngsters. Each episode features a picture book, a field trip related to the story, and activities to help kids appreciate the worlds that can be opened through books. In Reading Rainbow: Alejandro's Gift, viewers will learn that water is the most precious commodity in a desert, and that is what Alejandro brings to the animals in the story. Host LeVar Burton discusses water with a naturalist in a California oasis. There is also a trip to Niagara Falls, and a lesson about how electricity is produced. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

This episode in the Reading Rainbow series explores the world of shadows. The featured book, My Shadow, inspires the crew to look at how shadows can affect work and play. A guest on the show, Andrea Davis, explains how people in the arts, especially photographers like her, are very aware of the role of light and shade in their imagery. Host LeVar Burton also takes a look at shadow puppets, with the help of a guest puppet master. Among the other books reviewed by the young critics are Shadows and Reflections, Shadow Graphs, and I Have a Friend. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In addition to presenting the positive aspects of reading for young people, the Reading Rainbow series also explores thought-provoking issues related to different cultures. This episode's featured book is Lotus Seed, written by Sherry Garland and read by Rona Figueroa. In the story, a young girl must leave her home country of Vietnam, and she decides to take a lotus seed with her as a remembrance of her homeland. Other segments of the show feature a Muslim boy and a Vietnamese girl in an American school. Related books reviewed by the young critics include Grandfather's Journey, I'm New Here, and Halmeni and the Picnic. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In this popular series of programs aimed at preschool through fourth grade children, the many pleasures of reading are emphasized. Reading Rainbow: Borreguita and the Coyote is the story of how a lamb outsmarts a coyote, and host LeVar Burton gives the show a Mexican-American flavor. He explores the culture by introducing a family of guitar makers, and visiting a mural painter and her class. The group Los Lobos performs some of their pieces, and the kid reviewers analyze Coyote Dreams, Diego, and Three Little Havelinas. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Directed by Linda Yellen, this made-for-cable movie originally aired on the Showtime network and featured a star-studded cast including Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli, and James Belushi. The plot centers around several fraternity and sorority graduates who have decided to regroup at their alma mater. Nick (Belushi), a determined but gloomy reporter, attends on the sole hope of finding some good gossip. His highest hope lies within the career ties of his ex-lover Winnie (JoBeth Williams), who now serves as publicist to rising politician Rebecca Ferguson Stone (Patricia Wetig). Fellow alumni Charlie (Ben Gazzara) is returning for equally dishonest reasons--he's hoping to convince his ex Francie (Gena Rowlands) to pay off his gambling debts. Francie, however, has found herself more interested in bonding with a single mom/housekeeper (Ally Sheedy). All of their lives take a turn for the unexpected when the big man on campus mysteriously dies. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Anne Jackson reads Stellaluno by Jannell Cannon, a tale about a baby bat adopted by birds. Host LeVar Burton explores the world of bats and other nocturnal animals in this episode of Reading Rainbow. He discusses with a guest scientist the habits of creatures who come out only at night. Other segments of the show look at the need for sleep and the nature of dreams. Books reviewed by the youngsters include Sleep Is for Everyone, Amazing Bats, and Step Into the Night. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide