Grand L. Bush
Elizabeth Montgomery stars in this made-for-television movie about a liberal reporter whose views are challenged after she becomes the victim of random crime. Montgomery stars as Katherine McSweeney, a divorced, single-mother news reporter assigned to cover crime in her lower-middle-class neighborhood. After being mugged in her hallway, Katherine finds little sympathy from her colleagues or the police who feel her left-wing tendencies left her wide open for crime. The film shows how she transforms from a tolerant woman into a frightened and judgmental citizen, who is angry at her loss of innocence, but determined not to give in to her fear. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
Gregory Harrison is the Angel of Death in this made-for-TV suspenser. In love with artist Jane Seymour, escaped convict Harrison vows to protect Seymour and her six-year-old son Brian Bonsall from any and all antagonists. Trouble is, Harrison is apt to love Seymour and her boy to death. If you don't care for the melodramatic angle, you'll love the scene wherein Harrison gains Seymour's confidence by agreeing to pose nude for her! Angel of Death premiered on October 2, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Originally prepared for European release under the title Catchfire, Backtrack wasn't given a wide distribution until 1991, and then only to capitalize on the Oscar win of Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster. In Backtrack, Foster plays a youngish innocent who witnesses a mob hit. Professional assassin Dennis Hopper is contracted to silence Foster for keeps. Instead, he falls in love with her. Directed by star Hopper, Backtrack has some of the feel of his earlier, better Easy Rider: the cast is populated by such old Hopper chums as Dean Stockwell, Charlie Sheen, Joe Pesci, Bob Dylan, Vincent Price and Julie Adams; and, like Easy Rider, it looks as though the story was improvised during filming. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Jodie Foster, (more)
Successful LA marketing analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) seemingly has it all-except a sense of self-confidence. Enigmatic drifter Alex (Rob Lowe) enters Michael's life and immediately begins to exert a negative influence. As Michael's self-esteem zooms (aided by generous dollops of sex and drugs) he allows himself to be dragooned into a life of crime by the demonic Alex. The "doppelganger" aspects of Bad Influence, and the film's many unexpected twists and turns, echo films of Alfred Hitchcock, especially Strangers on a Train. The film's boldest stroke is to cast the likeable Lowe as the bad guy (albeit a charming one) and the often villainous Spader as the malleable milquetoast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Lowe, James Spader, (more)
Beulah Land is an edited, movie-length version of the three-part TV miniseries adaptation of Lonnie Coleman's multi-part novels. The film is set in the Old South, with a time span ranging from 1827 to the postwar Reconstruction Era. Lesley Ann Warren stars as Sarah Kendrick, young belle of the Beulah Land plantation, who finds herself in love with a "damn Yankee." Sarah must also contend with a weakling brother (Paul Rudd) and a former slave (Dorian Harewood) who demands freedom as a right rather than a privilege. Beulah Land took forever to get before the cameras due to protests from black historical organizations; when it was finally telecast on October 7-9, 1980, NBC conducted a low-pressure ad campaign, as though the network was still fearful of stepping on toes despite the testimonial of a black Yale history professor, who commended the production for its "special sensitivity." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lesley Ann Warren, Michael Sarrazin, (more)
Garr Hagar's Gerald McRaney son is killed by white supremacists. Expecting justice from the usual legal channels, Hagar is outraged when the jury acquits his son's murderers. Though the audience is primed to expect violence, this doesn't happen: Hagar opts for an insidious, psychological cat-and-mouse game to exact vengeance on the criminals. And he's always in the shadows -- always watching. Sustaining its subtlety and restraint throughout, Blind Vengeance is infinitely preferable to the usual USA Cable Network mayhem-fests. The film was first telecast on August 22, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The seventh cinema adaptation of the venerable stage farce Brewster's Millions stars Richard Pryor as Montgomery Brewster, a third-rate baseball player. Much to his amazement, Brewster discovers that he is related to deceased millionaire Rupert Horn (Hume Cronyn, who appears only in a videotaped "living will"). Even more amazing is the fact that Horn has left Brewster his entire $300 million fortune. The catch? Brewster must spend $30 million within 30 days, or he'll be left with nothing (in the earlier incarnations of Brewster's Millions, the hero was required to spend only a million, but this was, after all, the inflationary '80s). Aiding and abetting Brewster in his efforts to divest himself of his money are his catcher pal (John Candy) and an erstwhile lady friend (Lonette McKee), while his principal antagonist is a snotty attorney (Stephen Collins). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, John Candy, (more)
In director Dennis Hopper's comedy reminiscent of The Last Detail, Rock Reilly (Tom Berenger), a gruff naval veteran who plays by the rules, arrives at a Marine base, in tow with his wheeler-dealer companion Eddie Devane (William McNamara), and finds himself assigned to escort the voluptuous Toni Johnson (Erika Eleniak) to military prison, Toni being sentenced from seven to ten years for assault and going AWOL. As in The Last Detail, the three service-persons get to know each other (in the case of Toni and Rock, they get to know each other intimately) as they make their way across the Southeastern seaboard to deliver Toni to prison. As they travel on, Toni repeatedly tries to escape from the two men as the trio encounters an array of guest-star cameos (Gary Busey, Seymour Cassel, Crispin Glover, Dean Stockwell, Frederic Forrest, and Marilu Henner -- among others). Even Hopper himself makes an appearance -- as a dirty old man with an inflatable date. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Berenger, Erika Eleniak, (more)
Colors stars Robert Duvall and Sean Penn as partners on the LAPD's gang crime division. Duvall had hoped to spend more time with his family, but he's pulled back into active service because of a step-up in gang activity. He makes no secret of his contempt for his novice partner Penn, but eventually comes to rely on the younger man as a valuable street contact. The central crisis is the battle for supremacy between the "Crips" and the "Bloods", with every effort to call a truce stymied by the gang members themselves and by undue police intervention. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, (more)
The plot of this action film begins in 1996, with Los Angeles in a violence-crazed conflagration. One of the LAPD's most notorious cops, John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone), known as "the demolition man," is in hot pursuit of blonde-haired psychopath Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes), who is so nasty he even kills sometimes just because he feels cranky. John captures Simon, but not before Simon kills innocent hostages. John is blamed for the deaths of the hostages, and both he and Simon are cryogenically frozen to remove their brand of ultra-violence from a society that is simply just too violent. The film shifts to the future world of 2032, where Los Angeles has become a megalopolis called San Angeles. There is no poverty, Arnold Schwarzenegger was (at one time) president of the United States, and Taco Bell is the sole survivor of the Franchise Wars. Into this peaceful and bland society, Simon is summarily defrosted by reigning benevolent dictator Dr. Cocteau (Nigel Hawthorne) to have Simon murder Edgar Friendly (Denis Leary), the leader of a group of underground rebels. But Cocteau bites off more than he can chew when the melted-down Simon proceeds to go on a murder-and-looting spree. Reluctantly, Cocteau defrosts John to hunt down his old adversary. As John adjusts to self-driving cars and having sex wearing helmets, he pairs up with Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock), a bored cop with a nostalgic fascination for 20th-century culture. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, (more)
Navy SEAL Brascoe (Dan Andersen), is forced out of the service in disgrace after being framed by his partner Cody (Olivier Gruner) regarding a conflict gone wrong. Now a civilian without direction, Brascoe learns that his bad luck hasn't run out yet: His young son is dying from cancer and Brascoe needs $5 million to finance a radical new treatment that may save his life. Brascoe asks an arrogant billionaire, Baker (Michael Ironside), for a donation, but is stiff-armed by burly body guards. Desperate for the money, Brascoe rounds up a gang of crack thieves -- including Sparks (Michael Madsen) and Brady (Grand L. Bush) -- to steal the cash from Baker. The heist completed, Brascoe's men are slaughtered one at a time -- but it's not by a vengeful Baker. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
James Brolin costars with his son Josh in the made-for-cable Finish Line. The film's ad copy says it all: "His father made him run. The steroids made him win." In a justifiably melodramatic fashion, the film, based on a true story, examines the win-at-any-cost mentality of high school athletes and their parents. As is proven in the wrenching finale, that cost is a precious one. Finish Line premiered January 11, 1989, on the TNT cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Geoff Murphy directed this time-travel chase movie. Emilio Estevez stars as Alex Furlong, a racecar driver from 1991, who is just about to experience a deadly crash in his Formula Atlantic. But at the last moment Alex finds himself transported to the streets of New York in 2009. He is saved from certain death and zapped into the future by 21st-century bounty hunter Vacendak (Mick Jagger), who wants to take over Alex's body. Alex escapes Vacendak's clutches and decides to look up an old girlfriend. When he locates Julie (Rene Russo), he enlists her support to help him from being captured by Vacendak. Much to Alex's surprise, he discovers that Julie now works as a top executive for a giant corporation presided over by McCandless (Anthony Hopkins). Julie, separated from Alex for almost twenty years, must decide whether to renew their relationship. But there is not much time for thought by either party, since Vacendak is still coming after Alex. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emilio Estevez, Mick Jagger, (more)
Set on the last day of 1999, Generation takes place during a family reunion. Richard Beymer plays an inventor who has created high-tech prosthetic devices in order to help his younger brother Drake Hogestyn. Once a star athlete in the brutal (and sometimes fatal) game of combat hockey, Hogestyn wants to maintain his status as a public hero, and to that end has no qualms about turning bionic. On a less fantastic note, the boys' social activist sister Cristina Raines rejects the reconciliation efforts extended by her macho-man father Bert Remsen. The pilot for a never-produced TV series, Generation was originally telecast May 24, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the first episode of a two-part story, the financially strapped Evans family again faces eviction by usurious landlord Nathan Bookman (Johnny Brown). If things don't get better soon, Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) may very well drop out of college to help support her family. Even worse, J.J. has agreed to accept a job as a neighborhood numbers runner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the conclusion of a two-part story, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) has gone to work as a numbers runner in order to financially bail out his family. Although J.J. doesn't know at first that the gamblers to whom he is indebted are also trafficking in drugs and prostitution, he considers it wise to lie to his family, claiming that he's landed a job as an ad man. But J.J.'s mom, Florida (Esther Rolle), is fully aware of what her son has gotten himself into -- and when he refuses to quit his unsavory activities, Florida kicks him out of the apartment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Milos Forman's adaptation of the tribal rock musical Hair stars John Savage as Claude, a quiet young man from the Midwest who becomes friendly with a group of New York hippies on his way to begin basic training in the military. The repressed Claude is quite taken with Berger (Treat Williams) and the group of freedom seekers who reside in Central Park. The group encourages Claude to go after a debutante named Sheila (Beverly D'Angelo). Legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp masterminded the dances, which attempt to flow from the natural settings of the film. The film includes most of the more famous songs from the original play, including "Donna," "Aquarius," "Easy to Be Hard," "Let the Sunshine In," "Good Morning Starshine," "Frank Mills," and the title number. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Savage, Treat Williams, (more)
- Starring:
- Carl Marotte, Charlaine Woodard, (more)
Set in 1963, this drama looks at the life of Barnie Margruder (Carl Marotte), a teenager dealing with school bullies, his bickering parents, his conflicting feelings about sex, and an often strained relationship with his girlfriend. Barnie's life begins to change when he makes friends with Winona (Charlaine Woodard), an African-American girl from the other side of the city, who gives him a new perspective on his town and the world. Hard Feelings, also known as Hang Tough, was partially filmed in Canada; the film enjoyed a brief theatrical run there, though it never opened in theaters in the United States. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Marotte
This satirical look at the ambivalent relationship between Hollywood power brokers and African-American performers marked the writing, producing, and directing debut of Robert Townsend. The filmmaker also stars as Bobby Taylor, a struggling actor looking for his big break despite his family's and co-workers' reservations about his chosen career path. While working a day job flipping burgers, Bobby heads out to insulting cattle calls where white casting agents pass judgement on whether he seems "black enough." Meanwhile, he imagines himself playing Sam Spade, Rambo, and other movie heroes rather than the stereotypical roles actually available to him. When Bobby actually does win one such pimp-daddy part, however, he is forced to choose between accepting work that opens doors, but ultimately demeans him and returning to obscurity with his principles intact. Hollywood Shuffle's enormous supporting cast includes a wealth of black actors, from then-unknowns such as Damon Wayans to veterans such as 227 star Helen Martin. Self-financed and filmed on scraps of hand-me-down celluloid, the film helped establish actor Townsend as a director of note and also kick-started the career of co-screenwriter and co-star Keenen Ivory Wayans, who would cast Townsend in his own directorial debut the following year. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Townsend, Anne-Marie Johnson, (more)
When a pregnant woman is caught in the crossfire of a mob hit, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) find themselves faced with two daunting tasks. Not only do they have to locate the killer, but they must also establish the identity of the brain-dead victim in order to save the life of her unborn child. A crucial decision by the compassionate McCall caps this pivotal episode, which was directed by series star Fred Dryer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Just released from prison, Carlos Delgado (Luis Guzman) attends his grandson's christening, where he is reunited with his mobster father Ernesto (Joe Santos). Though Carlos wants to go straight, Ernesto pressures him into remainng with the Organization for one more "hit"--and to make matters worse, Carlos' own son Tomas (Raymond Cruz) likewise insists that his dad resume his life of crime. As a mobster's son himelf, Hunter (Fred Dryer) takes a special interest in this extreme example of family loyalty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Season Four of Hunter begins as police detectives Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the seemingly motiveless murder of a skid-row derelict. It turns out that the "bum" was anything but, and that he had been deliberately targeted by a hit man. Despite the interferences of the Feds, Hunter is determined to get the whole truth--and to save the life of the hapless bag lady (Beah Richards) who witnessed the hit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After rape victim Rhonda Burke (Sonia Curtis) suffers a fatal attack, one of the many suspects comes forth with a confession--which is promptly thrown out of court. Outraged by this breach of justice, Rhonda's sister Sheila (Lauren Tewes) swears vengeance on all those suspected of assaulting Rhonda. Subsequently, two suspects are killed, and Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are ordered to go after Sheila--even though Hunter cannot reconcile himself to the notion that Sheila is a murderer. Attorney Melvin Belli and TV journalist Ines Pedroza appear as themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this independent drama, Sarah Paulson stars as Acey Rawlin, a troubled teenager who discovers that she's pregnant after spending a night with a man she had just met. Acey has few friends to confide in, and her most trusted companion, a fisherman named Bob (Jeremy London), may be a spirit guide or just an imaginary friend. So with nowhere else to turn, Acey talks with her mother Anna (Ann Magnuson) about her dilemma. Anna, however, chooses this moment to tell Acey that she's actually adopted, and Acey sets out through a world distorted by her own hallucinations to find her biological mother, Sara Fulton. Guiding Acey along her journey is the music of all-night jazz deejay Downbeat (Ernie Hudson), who spins classic blues sides for Acey and occasionally offers advice and comes to her aid. In an interesting casting twist, Ann Magnuson plays both Acey's adpoted mother Anna and her birth mother Sarah. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Paulson, Ernie Hudson, (more)






















