Judge Reinhold Movies
Following his training at the North Carolina School of the Arts, actor Judge Reinhold worked in regional repertory, dinner theaters, and "outdoor" dramas. He gained prominence in TV roles as gawky teenagers, notably the lead in the syndicated Capital Cities Special A Step Too Slow. In films from 1979, Reinhold's first major role was high schooler Brad in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He hit his stride in 1984, playing the nice-guy detective sent to trail Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop (1984). Though he has proven a convincing villain when the need has arisen, Judge Reinhold has thrived in parts calling for decency and dependency. Reinhold's career slowed down a bit during the '90s and in the early part of the decade he seemed destined to be relegated to B-movies and television films such as Four Eyes and Six Guns (1993), but in 1994, he appeared in two major features, Beverly Hills Cop III and The Santa Clause. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1984
A Matter of Sex is the calculatedly misleading title of a based-on-fact TV movie, which originally bore the more suitable title Women of Willmar. In 1976, the women working in a bank in Willmar, Minnesota become incensed because less-qualified men are being promoted over them. Head teller Jean Stapleton, with the help of attorney Peter Dvorsky and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, organizes an employee's union. When the chauvinistic bank officers cause negotiations to break down, Stapleton and seven other female employees go on strike--a job action which lasts for two years, despite political and social pressure from the community. Director Lee Grant, whose daughter Dinah Manoff is cast as one of the strikers, had previously helmed a documentary based on the same incident, The Willmar Eight--which was telecast on PBS the night before the January 1984 network premiere of A Matter of Sex. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
Gabriel Byrne and Marianne Basler star in this drama about the relationship between a British sergeant and a French woman during WW II. Once a Resistance member, the woman had an affair with a German officer and is a target for the group's execution. Coming to her rescue, the sergeant protects her, and they engage in an odd affair. Before long, however, he must choose between her and his military duties. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marianne Basler, Paul Wyett, (more)
A teen learns that all the gadgets in the world can't help him overcome his awkwardness around the opposite sex in this big-budget family entertainment. In Agent Cody Banks, Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz plays a young man plucked from suburban obscurity to be trained as a CIA super-agent. His mission? Get friendly with his classmate Natalie (played by another teen TV star, Lizzie McGuire's Hilary Duff) so that he can uncover her father's diabolical scheme to create indestructible robots. To compound his problems, Cody also has to deal with the same stresses as any adolescent: nagging parents, insufferable classwork, and a fragile sense of self-esteem. Agent Cody Banks was produced by MGM, not coincidentally the studio responsible for another popular spy franchise, the venerable James Bond series. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Muniz, Hilary Duff, (more)
- 1994
- PG13
This made-for-television mystery is a medical-thriller with a twist. Crystal Bernard stars as Susan, an L.A. newcomer who finds a new friend in ulcer-sufferer Nicole (Traci Lords). When Nicole (who has no medical insurance) needs emergency surgery for her ulcer, Susan comes to the rescue and offers to let Nicole use her identity and health insurance. The charade seems to work until the unexpected happens -- Nicole mysteriously dies after her operation and takes Susan's identity with her. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Crystal Bernard, Judge Reinhold, (more)
- 1992
Carol Kane plays the wife of a murdered Mafia bookkeeper in Baby on Board. With her baby in tow, Kane tracks the hitman to the airport, intending to shoot the man. A pickpocket causes the gun to discharge prematurely, and now it's Kane who is being pursued. She commandeers a cab driven by Judge Reinhold, and the chase is on. As light as a feather, Baby on Board gets plenty of laughs from the basic situation as well as the fevered rapport between Kane and Reinhold. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judge Reinhold, Carol Kane, (more)
- 1993
In this awful black comedy, an aging bank robber tries to pull off one final caper. Things go awry and he ends up staying in a raunchy hotel. The crime is well-publicized, but fortunately the equally seedy residents there keep mum. Unfortunately, they are determined to literally nickel and dime him to death by making him pay dearly for even the smallest favors. Things look bleak until a kindly hooker falls in love with him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Lisa Bonet, (more)
Beethoven the Saint Bernard is back in this comedy for the whole family, in which the Newton Family (with their rather large pet in tow) hops into their camper for a cross-country vacation. Along the way, they encounter a gang of bad guys. Can Beethoven help bring them to justice? Beethoven's 3rd stars Judge Reinhold, Julia Sweeney, Jamie Marsh, and Michaela Gallo. Charles Grodin, star of the first two films, opted not to appear in this one. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The rude, crude, slobbering St. Bernard known as Beethoven is on thin ice with the parents who run the Newton household. If he destroys dad's (Judge Reinhold) artwork and drools on mom's (Julia Sweeney) briefcase one more time, he's history. The loving children of the family (Joe Pichler and Michaela Gallo) secretly enroll the dog into an obedience school in hopes of Beethoven learning a few manners. Meanwhile, Michelangelo, the pampered St. Bernard of the ultra-wealthy Sedgwick family -- a dog so well mannered it not only wipes its feet on a door mat but can also fold a dinner napkin -- accidentally winds up at the Newton's while Beethoven ends up at the Sedgwick estate, confusing the humans who live in both households. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judge Reinhold, Julia Sweeney, (more)
The debut feature from writer/director Tom Small, this family-friendly sci-fi comedy finds Earth threatened when it's caught in the crossfire of an intergalactic war. Humankind's only hope for survival are the kids of Betaville, a camp where the children of Earth's heads of state spend their summers. Betaville's cast features the likes of John Astin, Judge Reinhold, and soul singer Lou Rawls. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
What's that wisecracking young black guy (Eddie Murphy) in that beat-up Chevy Nova doing in lily-white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley, a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble, Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above-the-law Steven Berkoff, the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher, Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion, which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, (more)
Detroit cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) has seemingly smoothed out his differences with his Beverly Hills superior Bogomil (Ronny Cox), but there's trouble ahead for both men, not to mention two other holdovers from the first Cop film, officers Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggart (John Ashton). The "untouchable" heavy this time out is masterminding a series of violent robberies, committed by leather-freak hoods Dean Stockwell and Brigitte Nielsen. Unaccumstomed to this nastiness, Bogomil entreats street-smart Foley to help find the miscreants. But mean-spirited chief of police Lutz (Allen Garfield) will brook no interference from outsiders-especially the profanely insouciant Mr. Foley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, (more)
The third entry in the popular Beverly Hills Cop series finds Detroit cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returning yet again to Southern California, this time on the trail of two car thieves turned murderers. As he teams up again with L.A. cop Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), Foley's investigation leads him to Wonder World, a theme park that is also the front for a major counterfeiting ring. More action and less wit are the trademarks of this film, which features Murphy dishing out his usual wisecracks, but with less flair and freshness than in the original film. Alan Young plays the old man who runs the amusement park, an interesting setting that still adds little to the tired premise. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, (more)
- 1992
In this satirical made-for-cable feature, a young man loses sleep when his dead cousin decides to haunt him. Unable to stand it any more, the fellow returns to his cousin's town and begins investigating his death. Along the way, he finds himself falling in love with his late relative's former girlfriend who may or may not be a witch. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
For once, a kid from the science club really does impress someone with his latest experiment, though it hardly works out the way he planned in this horror opus with a darkly comic undertow. Frank Stein (Matthew Lawrence) is a brilliant but geeky teenage outcast who wishes he could hang out with the cool kids and has a furious crush on Macy (Christine Lakin), the prettiest girl at school. Socially inept Frank isn't especially popular with his classmates, but there's one student who fares even worse -- Karl (Ryan Reynolds), a goth kid who is a magnet to bullies. One day, a gang of jocks decide to beat up Karl for fun, but they go too far and accidentally kill him. Frank, seeing an opportunity, decides to prove just how bright he is by bringing Karl back to life. Frank's peers are indeed impressed by the reanimated Karl (whose presence allows them to avoid murder charges), and Macy starts showing an encouraging interest in Frank, but there's one little problem -- Frank replaced Karl's damaged brain with one from a psychotic multiple murderer, and soon gloomy Karl is displaying an uncharacteristic thirst for violence. Also released under the title Big Monster on Campus, Boltneck also stars Judge Reinhold and Shelley Duvall. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Lawrence, Justin Walker, (more)
A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life, in a dark but light-hearted family comedy directed by Jeff Hare and starring Peter Falk. Morris (Falk) has lived a full life, but now the time has come to end his impressive run. When Morris goes to mortal extremes to reunite his three estranged children, his morbid declaration helps his offspring to realize that, even in old age, the importance of one individual should never be underestimated. David Paymer, Laura San Giacomo, and Judge Reinhold co-star in the one comedy that proves you're never too old to stir up a bit of mischief. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, Laura San Giacomo, (more)
Clifford the Big Red Dog finally arrives on the big screen in the animated adventure Clifford's Really Big Movie, directed by Robert Ramirez. Clifford (voice of the late John Ritter) lives on Birdwell Island with his owner Emily Elizabeth Howard (voice of Grey DeLisle). Even though he loves the Howards, Clifford starts to think that his enormous size is too much of a problem for them. Feeling unwanted, he runs off and joins the circus with his friends Cleo (voice of Cree Summer) and T-Bone (voice of Kel Mitchell). They fall in with a gang of other runaway animals, including a Chihuahua and a ferret. The dogs compete in a big contest in order to win a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies. Clifford's Really Big Movie encourages preschoolers to develop trust, independence, and confidence. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Ritter, Wayne Brady, (more)
- 1997
- PG
Two children learn their father is going to Chicago for a job interview and jump to the conclusion that it means Mom and Dad are getting a divorce. They then devise a plan to ruin the interview in hopes that it will bring their folks back together. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This well-wrought made-for-TV comedy drama about a playboy divorced father who must take responsibility for his troubled daughter following his ex-wife's death is a great choice for those in need of warm-fuzzies and heart-tugging moments. With an inane but best-selling book, beaucoup bucks, a luxurious apartment and all the beautiful women he wants, pop psychologist Dr. Jason Fielder (Judge Reinhold) has been living the high life since his divorce. That all changes when his pre-pubescent daughter Sam (Stephi Lineberg) is forced upon him. Angry, alone and unable to deal with her grief, she proves a rebellious handful for Jason whose only solution is to try and buy her love with expensive gifts. In no time, both father and daughter have reached a seemingly insurmountable impasse. Fortunately, especially for Stephi, a winsome, wise guardian angel (Carol Kane) shows up to watch over her and help her reach out to her dad. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judge Reinhold, Stephi Lineburg, (more)
- 1990
- PG13
- Add Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will? to QueueAdd Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will? to top of Queue
This screen version of Del Shores' play follows a dysfunctional Southern family as they squabble among themselves over the family fortune. As the title would suggest, Daddy (Bert Remsen), the patriarch of a large family in the deep South, is reaching the end of life's journey as his health and energy slip away and he watches midget wrestling on a television that isn't even turned on. Daddy's children have all returned to the family home, ostensibly to show their support in their father's final hours, but mainly because they're eager to know how Daddy's estate will be divided. Sara Lee (Tess Harper) has arrived with her new fiancé, Clarence (Keith Carradine). Evalita (Beverly D'Angelo), the high-spirited "black sheep" of the family, also has her new beau in tow, a pot-addled musician and health-food salesman named Harmony (Judge Reinhold). Orville (Beau Bridges) has brought along his wife, the patient and long-suffering Marlene (Patrika Darbo). And Lurlene (Amy Wright) is a born-again Christian who isn't shy about expressing her views on sin and salvation. As the siblings and their companions bicker, Daddy announces that he can't remember where he put his will, leading to a frantic search. The film was directed by Jack Fisk, who made his name in film as an art director and production designer (he's also the husband of actress Sissy Spacek). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beau Bridges, Beverly D'Angelo, (more)
Seattle bomb-squad operative Lt. Tom Royko (Judge Reinhold) forms an uneasy alliance with brilliant but aloof heart surgeon Dr. Gillian Hayes (Penelope Ann Miller) to investigate a bizarre series of events, wherein three of Hayes' former patients have literally exploded. The culprit is a disgruntled lunatic (Timothy Busfield), determined to avenge the death of his son in a surgical accident. The modus operandi: a small explosive device, implanted in the pacemakers of the unfortunate patients. As Royko races against time to rescue a whole slew of "walking time bombs," Hayes is forced to come to terms with her own shortcomings as a medical professional -- and as a human being. Filmed in Vancouver, Dead in a Heartbeat premiered March 3, 2002 on the TNT cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
How does a man convince the woman he loves that attempting to make him the toast of Broadway could be a really bad idea? Paul Halpern (David Paymer) is a cynical, middle-aged comedy writer who primarily works in television. Paul once had dreams of becoming a successful playwright, but after a passionate, short-lived relationship with a beautiful woman, he wrote a stage drama that became a notorious flop when it was presented for the first (and only) time by a Los Angeles theater company. Paul has come to believe that his play is cursed, and he has spent years trying to distance himself from the ill-fated project. Paul is more single than he'd like to be these days, and he's encouraged when he's approached by Carla (Rosalind Chao), an attractive, intelligent woman who seems quite fond of him. However, while Carla is attracted to Paul personally, she also has a professional interest in him. Carla is a director who wants to stage Paul's play in New York, and while he'd like to make her happy, he thinks it would be inviting disaster to put his drama back on the boards. Enemies of Laugher also features Judge Reinhold as a filmmaker directing a documentary about Paul, Peter Falk and Bea Arthur as Paul's parents, and cameos from Marilu Henner and Kathy Griffin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Paymer, Judge Reinhold, (more)
- 1990
- R
Enid only looks like she's sleeping. In fact, she's dead. Shortly after Enid caught her husband Harry (Judge Reinhold) in bed with her sister June (Elizabeth Perkins), a row ensued, whereupon June accidently killed Enid. June's problem now is to hide the truth from the authorities--including her police-officer husband Floyd (Jeffrey Jones). Then she decides to reveal Enid's demise, albeit rearranging the damning evidence to make the whole thing look like the accident it really was. Widely praised when it was sneak-previewed for critics, the darkly hilarious Enid is Sleeping was timorously re-edited by its distributor for its general release. Lovingly and laboriously, star Elizabeth Perkins and director Maurice Phillips reassembled the film into its original form. That version currently exists on videotape under the title Over Her Dead Body. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judge Reinhold, Elizabeth Perkins, (more)
- 1997
In this family-friendly comedy, a band of orphans are taken to a summer camp by their accident-prone guardian Harry (Leslie Nielsen). However, they soon find that they have to fight to keep the place open when greedy land tycoon Jeffrey Shayes (Judge Reinhold) decides that he wants to buy the camp -- and then tear it down. Family Plan also stars Joely Fisher, Emily Procter, and Zachary Browne. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Judge Reinhold, (more)
Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre (the teen sex comedy), and kick-started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young, innocent high-school student who, as the film opens, is asking for advice from her friend, the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates). Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner (Brian Backer), but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend, Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). When not concerning itself with these four characters, the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston). The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, (more)
