ABCs at the Movies: The Doubles Round!

[Fran]

Michelle Pfeiffer played an attorney named Rita Harrison Williams in "I Am Sam."

From IMDb:

Sean Penn as a devoted father (Sam) who despite mental challenges fights for the right to raise his child is convincing in a complete departure from his usual "bad guy" characters. Michelle Pfeiffer plays his reluctant "pro bono" elite lawyer, who eventually puts 110% into this case.

The love between Sam and his 7-year-old daughter is evident in many sweet scenes (got Kleenex?), best described by a reclusive neighbor (wonderfully played by Dianne Wiest) who overcomes her hermit-like condition long enough to testify in Sam's behalf. Even the social workers who insisted on doing everything to "help the child" appear to be fighting emotions over this unusual case. The "support system," which includes several equally challenged "buddies," a very supportive employer, and many other people in the community gives evidence of our changing society, fostering inclusion and tolerance. Eventually, even the prospective adoptive parents of Sam's daughter can't go on fighting against this exemplary father.

[memento]

Uma Thurman played Georgia Elkans in this film.



IMDB: It's recruiting time and despite being short and scrawny, Johnny Walker is America's hottest young football prospect. His dilemma: should he take one of the many offers from college talent scouts or should he attend the local state college with his girlfriend and give up his football career?

Tagline: Every college in the country wants Johnny. 'Cause when he's good he's very very good. And when he's bad he's better.

[Meryl]

Uma Thurman played The Bride in this flick.

[Fran]

Michelle Pfeiffer starred as Lurene Hallett in this film.

From IMDb: 

Michelle Pfeiffer plays a middle-class 60s housewife who idolizes Jackie O. When JFK is assassinated, she leaves her husband and road-trips to his funeral to show solidarity with her icon. Along the way she meets a black man (Dennis Haysbert) and his young daughter. She immediately befriends them but realizes they are hiding a secret. Soon she is swept up in their lives and finds herself on the run from the FBI.

This is the best performance I've ever seen by Pfeiffer. She is practically unrecognizable -- her Southern accent is perfect and her Jackie O-inspired look is classic. She adds a welcome dose of humor to a film that is often emotionally overwhelming. The movie alternates between adorable and disturbing but never gets too extreme either way. The plot gets a bit contrived at times, but the movie serves to question the comfort of routine middle-class existence, so it works. I am surprised this is not a well-known film. It is one of the best ones I've seen from the early 90s.

[southendmd]

Michelle Pfeiffer played Angela de Marco in this film.

Long before the Sopranos, there was this spoof.  Mercedes Ruehl steals it.

[memento]

Kim Basinger played the part of Domino Petachi in this film.

IMDB: James Bond 007 makes his way for one last mission. Two American nuclear warheads have been stolen by the SPECTRE organisation and its leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The British reactivate their '00' section and sends Bond off to the Bahamas to recover them. A millionaire named Max Largo has been noticed by Bond, who also has become suspicious of his Largo's female friend, Fatima Blush. Bond continues to investigate Largo, whilst dragging Largo's girlfriend, Domino into the mess.

[Fran]

"Ocean's Eleven" featured Julia Roberts, who appeared in "Mona Lisa Smile" with Maggie Gyllenhaal.

From IMDb:  Danny Ocean and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

[southendmd]

Kim Basinger played Kitty Potter in this film.

Plot:  A fashion show in Paris draws the usual bunch of people; designers, reporters, models, magazine editors, photographers. Lots of unconnected stories which all revolve around this show, and an all-star cast.

[memento]

Jennifer Jason Leigh played the role of Lisa in this film and also costarred with Michelle Pfeiffer in "A Thousand Acres."



IMDB: This movie came very close to being a good flick. The direction needs to be a bit smoother to progress from one piece to the next to make it more plausible. In particular: The main character's need to escape is not explicit enough. Is he trying to kill himself? Is he trying to escape? His life does not seem to be that bad, so it makes it more difficult to swallow that he wants to leave his life so much. Also, it is not very clear how much "in love" he has fallen with Jennifer Jason L. If the movie was reworked with some more attention to these details, it would have been Great. On the other hand, for an indy flick, it's pretty good! Maybe if you have a couple of drinks, to dull the logical thinking, it would be more fun...

[Meryl]

Maggie Gyllenhaal played Amelia in this movie.