Brian Peck Movies
Writer-director Joshua Beckett also stars in this romantic comedy, winner at the 1997 Hollywood Film Festival. Self-confident wedding photographer Nick Evans (Beckett) has a domineering Jewish mother, Muriel (Liz Sheridan) and a pregnant sister, Donna (Polly Draper). But womanizing maneuvers are Nick's central preoccupation. Thus, Nick is somewhat taken aback to find himself developing a more lasting interest in clothing-designer Anne Kidwell (Marcia Cross). They begin living together and all is well until Anne begins to question Nick's commitment. At the same time, Nick starts to contemplate his career choices. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joshua Beckett, Marcia Cross, (more)
- 1999
Feeling left out of things on Valentine's Day, Cory (Ben Savage) takes charge of the baby shower that Topanga (Danielle Fishel) has arranged for his mom Amy (Betsy Randle). Unfortunately, Cory's notions of a "shower" are a bit chauvinistic; he sets up what amounts to a bachelor party for girls, replete with a male stripper! Just when the outraged guests are about to exact retribution on Cory, Amy prematurely goes into labor. Elsewhere, Shawn (Rider Strong) continues his soul-searching road trip; and acknowledging that Jack (Matthew Lawrence) and Rachel (Maitland Ward) are in love, Eric (Will Friedle) simply wants to fade away. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
At long last, Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) are husband and wife. While enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii, the newlyweds are enchanted with their tropical surroundings, so much so that they decide to never, ever return to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle), who has surreptitiously tagged along with the honeymooners, does all sorts of things to help them enjoy their stay in the islands--all the while managing to keep his presence a secret from them! Naturally, it falls to Eric to subtly persuade the couple to return home...but it isn't easy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- R
- Add Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest to QueueAdd Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest to top of Queue
With no more rural Midwestern adults left to slaughter, two brothers from Gatling, Nebraska are sent to foster homes in the Windy City. The little brother, who murdered his own father, is a disciple of the dreaded "He Who Walks Behind the Rows" and has brought a few corn seeds with him so his evil mentor will have a place to stay. The seeds grow and soon the demon is harvesting a fresh crop of recruits to do his murderous bidding. Though based on a novel and film by Stephen King, the author had nothing to do with this sequel. Those turned off by gore and bloodshed may not want to watch. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The "space pirates" of the title are a band of renegade Argonites. Materializing on a space beacon, the TARDIS finds itself in the middle of an Argonite attack against the Army Space Corps. The pirates succeed in capturing the TARDIS and leaving the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions stranded a billion miles from nowhere. Written by Robert Holmes, the six-part "The Space Pirates" began its original TV run on March 8, 1969. At present, all but episode two of this adventure is missing from the BBC archives. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Space Pirates," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) miraculously saves himself and his companions Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) from being marooned in space forever. Landing on the planet Ta, the TARDIS crew locates the hiding place of the Argonite space pirates. Alas, no sooner have they done so than the Doctor and his friends are captured by the villains. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Space Pirates, Part 3" originally aired on March 22, 1969. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Space Pirates," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions have become enmeshed in a series of intrigues involving the Instellar Mining Corps, a band of renegade Argonite pirates, and eccentric mining expert Milo Clancey (Gordon Gostelow). Captured by the pirates, the Doctor, Jamie (Frazer Hines), and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) are aided in their escape by the enigmatic Clancey. Unfortunately, the foursome runs right into a trap set by pirate chieftain Craven (Dudley Foster). Written by Robert Holmes, "The Space Pirates, Part 4" originally aired on March 29, 1969. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Space Pirates," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his friends are once more in the clutches of Argonite pirate leader Craven (Dudley Foster). Salvation arrives from an unlikely source: Madeleine Issigi (Lisa Danniely), the daughter of Craven's partner Dom (Esmond Knight). But the Doctor has precious little time to enjoy his freedom: He now faces an even deadlier peril than the pirates. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Space Pirates, Part 5" originally aired on April 5, 1969. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Space Pirates," Argonite pirate chieftain Craven (Dudley Foster) draws up plans to destroy the Space Corps -- and the entire planet Ta -- with a super bomb. It is up to the Doctor (Patrick Troughton), his friends Zoe (Wendy Padbury) and Jamie (Frazer Hines), eccentric miner Milo Clancey (Gordon Gostelow), and reformed pirate-girl Madeleine (Lisa Danniely) to prevent this catastrophe. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Space Pirates, Part 6" originally aired on April 12, 1969. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1961
Barbara is the long-lost sister of no-good Mike Roscoe (Ronald Hines). Paula Brown (Maureen Connell) is the stripper whom Mike hires to pose as Barbara. It's all part of a scheme to fool Mike's ex-convict dad Sam Roscoe (Mervyn Johns). The son hopes to entice Sam into revealing the whereabouts of his stolen money, and Paula is hopefully going to do the trick. Based on a novel by Jonathan Burke, Echo of Barbara is a better-than-usual British programmer, entertaining despite its surplus of unpleasant leading characters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A talented but troubled high-school rugby star gets a second shot at redemption after being sentenced to serve time in a Salt Lake City boys' home and landing a coveted spot on the famed Highland High School rugby team in this inspirational sports drama from director Ryan Little (Saints and Soldiers, Everything You Want). Rick Penning (Sean Faris ) was the star player on his Arizona rugby team until his life took a turn for the worse. Now, after a fateful brush with the law, Rick finds himself out of the spotlight and forced to ponder the consequences of his actions in a Salt Lake City juvenile detention center. As fate would have it, however, Salt Lake's famed Highland High rugby team could use a player like Rick. With a little help from coach Larry Gelwix (Gary Cole), Rick may even be able to lead the Highland High team to the national championships. When Rick discovers that the team they'll be competing against is none other than his old team from Arizona, which is coached by his father, Richard Penning (Neal McDonough), the deciding game takes on a newfound sense of gravity in the eyes of the ambitious young athlete. Arielle Kebbel and Sean Astin co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Faris, Gary Cole, (more)
- 1991
Determined to prove that Mike (Kirk Cameron) isn't ready for the Real World, Jason (Alan Thicke) allows the boy to flunk out of college and audition for a major role on the TV soap opera "Big City Secrets." Astonishingly, Mike makes it all the way to the final readings, where his main competition is Lyle Douglas (Forry Smith), a "name" actor with extensive TV and movie credentials. It is while watching Douglas suffer through the humiliating audition process that Mike finally realizes there is absolutely no such thing as "security" in show business. Watch for a cameo appearance by Kirk Cameron's father Robert Cameron--and listen to the unique rendition of the series' theme song in the opening scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the first episode of a two-part story, Mike (Kirk Cameron) bristles at the household rules and regulations set down by dad Jason (Alan Thicke), feeling that, as an 18-year-old college student, he should be treated as an adult. Things come to a head when Jason refuses to let Mike go on a skiing trip, even after the boy's college classes have been postponed. In high dudgeon, Mike runs out of the Seaver house--and spends the next several days living in his car! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Two weeks have gone by since the death of Ed Malone, and Maggie (Joanna Kerns) still hasn't come to terms with her grief over her father's passing. In hopes of cheering up his wife, Jason (Alan Thicke) whisks Maggie off on a Hawaiian getaway...which turns out to be a protracted search for the Purpose of Life. And back at home, Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Carol (Tracey Gold) adopt a "divide and rule" policy to take care of younger siblings Ben (Jeremy Miller) and Chrissy (Ashley Johnson)--as if ANY policy can make this task any easier! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this wild spoof of The Twilight Zone in general and that series' 1960 episode "A World of Difference" in particular, Ben (Jeremy Miller) expresses the wish that Real Life were more like TV. In true "be careful what you wish for" fashion, Ben dreams that he and his family are actually characters in a TV sitcom called "Meet the Seavers"--and that he is really an actor named Jeremy Miller! The concept is played for all it is worth, with the rest of the Growing Pains cast members identified by their real names, not to mention cameo appearances by the series' production staff and by Joanna Kerns' daughter Ashley Kerns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The Seavers arrange to hold a fundraiser for a free mental-health clinic in their own home. Unfortunately, Jason (Alan Thicke) uses last year's calendar to select the date for the event--and as a result he and his family are caught short when the Big Day arrives one day too early. Frantically, Jason and Maggie (Joanna Kerns) scramble about to find a caterer for the fundraiser...with only 23 minutes to go before the guests arrive! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Dr. Jack Hammond (Dudley Moore) is a noted heart surgeon whose personality is switched with his teenage son Chris (Kirk Cameron) in this uninspired comedy. The ingestion of a brain transference serum is the catalyst for the comic catastrophe and the confusion that follows. Sean Astin and Patrick O'Neal co-star with Margaret Colin and Catherine Hicks. A decent idea for a comedy that has since been done better in Brian Gilbert's 1988 comedy Vice Versa starring Fred Savage and Judge Reinhold. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dudley Moore, Kirk Cameron, (more)
An 18-year old rock & roll fan finds her crafty scheme to have a little fun in the sun with her favorite musician thwarted in this romantic teen comedy starring Amanda Bynes and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Jenny (Bynes) is a wide-eyed teen who has recently been hired to work at a popular tropical resort for the summer. When Jenny learns that handsome rock star Jason (Chris Carmack) will be a guest at the posh resort, her excitement is simply too powerful to contain. Fortunately for Jenny, fate is on her side this summer, and when Jason falls overboard from his cruise ship Jenny reflexively dives in to save him. Upon rafting to the safety of a nearby shore, Jenny convinces the hunky rocker that the pair are castaways on a deserted island paradise. Of course, considering that the luxury resort is just a stone's throw away, this minor deception is a bit of a stretch, but what's a little white lie when the object of her affections is none the wiser? Jenny's brilliant plan for romance is soon complicated, however, when her romantic rival, Alexis (Sigler), washes ashore pretending to be shipwrecked as well. Now, as the pair competes for Jason's affections, Jenny's deception rapidly begins to unravel. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amanda Bynes, Chris Carmack, (more)
- 1963
This routine wartime drama is set at sea and involves a British convoy trying to elude a group of German U-Boats. After one of the U-Boats is singled out and captured, the British admiral in charge of the current operation hits upon an ingenious but almost suicidal way of defeating the Nazi boats. He orders Lt. Commander Tarlton (Edward Judd) and a group of men to get in the captured U-Boat and then join the other U-Boats as though they had simply wandered off course for awhile. If done quickly and efficiently, Tarlton should be able to radio back the position of the enemy for a fast British offensive. Not an easy task in itself, and made much worse considering that the RAF and other British ships are going to consider the decoy U-Boat to be the enemy. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Judd, Laurence Payne, (more)
- 1970
- R
A trio of aspiring crooks plan to steal a million dollars in this crime comedy. Lord Nicholas (David Warner) and his Swiss wife Britt (Ursula Andress) are the jet-set couple who have spent all their money and seek a loan from the bank. She asks Graham (Stanley Baker) for a loan, but the mid-level manager has plans of his own to pad his retirement account by means of larceny. Graham approaches both Nicholas and Britt to help him in his plan. Britt sleeps with both men, willing to take off to Rio with the first one who gets his hands on the money. Nicholas and Graham both are under the assumption they are the masterminds of the plot that is highlighted by amusing twists. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ursula Andress, David Warner, (more)
- 1950
Portrait of Clare is largely offered in flashback. The title character, played by Margaret Johnston, spends 10 years in seclusion with her son (Jeremy Spenser) after the death of her young husband (Ronald Howard). For her son's sake, Clare enters into a loveless marriage with lawyer Dudley Wilburn (Robin Bailey). But she doesn't find true happiness until turning to her cousin, Robert Hart (Richard Todd). Produced by British Pathe, Portrait of Clare was released in the U.S. by Pathe's sister-firm Monogram (aka Allied Artists). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margaret Johnston, Richard Todd, (more)
- 1967
Nigel Kneale's Quatermass TV series spawned a brief film series produced over an eleven-year period; 1967's Quatermass and the Pit, released in the US as Five Million Years to Earth, was the third and (until 1979's Quatermass Conclusion) last. As in previous chapters in the Kneale saga, the film begins with a baffling scientific discovery. This time it's a bunch of prehistoric skulls, discovered during a subway excavation in the heart of London. Sequestered in a lab, the skulls start to emanate a bizarre force over the populace, resulting in death and destruction. Professor Quatermass (Andrew Keir) concludes that the skulls are the residue of an extraterrestrial invading army -- a theory which (as usual) is scoffed at by the authorities until it's almost too late. Blessed with superb special effects and an expertly sustained tension level, Quatermass and the Pit is easily the best of the short-lived "Quatermass" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Donald, Andrew Keir, (more)
A more straightforward horror film than the darkly comic Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988), this third chapter in the "Living Dead" saga was directed by Brian Yuzna and is quite similar plot-wise to his earlier film, Bride of Re-Animator (1990). J. Trevor Edmond and Mindy Clarke star as Curt Reynolds and Julie Walker, a young couple in love. Curt's father is Col. John Reynolds (Kent McCord), a scientist working on a top-secret project at a nearby military compound. When Curt steals his dad's security pass and sneaks Julie into the base, they discover that the project involves bringing corpses back to life using the powerful gas Trioxin, responsible for events in the previous films. The military hopes to use the mindless, flesh-consuming zombies as weapons, but the experiment goes gruesomely awry. Later, Julie is killed in an accident on Curt's motorcycle and the grief-stricken boyfriend brings her to the base and exposes her to the gas. As she begins craving human flesh, Curt must try to keep her alive while also facing down a local street gang he's unintentionally crossed, as well as the soldiers seeking Julie, led by his father. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mindy Clarke, J. Trevor Edmond, (more)
- 1988
- R
- Add Return of the Living Dead Part II to QueueAdd Return of the Living Dead Part II to top of Queue
A virtual remake of its predecessor, Return of the Living Dead (1985), which itself was a tongue-in-cheek rip-off of director George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968), this follow-up adheres strictly to a gore and gags formula. Jesse Wilson (Michael Kenworthy), is a young boy being bullied by thugs from the neighborhood when all of them discover a sealed drum containing a zombie corpse. The release of a gas from the container reanimates the dead in a nearby graveyard, thus releasing an army of the undead, which mindlessly crave living human brains. As Jesse tries to contact the military to put a lid on the situation, the zombies are dispatched through a variety of gruesome methods. Two stars of the first film, James Karen and Thom Mathews, return in essentially the same parts, but with different names, as their characters were previously slaughtered. Followed by a third entry in the seires, Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Karen, Thom Matthews, (more)
- 1961
In this wartime drama, a band of soldiers prefer to drink, steal, and leave the army to fighting. They change their tunes when they are assigned a suicide mission. Their brave commanding officer leads the men to successfully blow up an important bridge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
