Amazing Stories: Book 6 1992  PG, 95 min.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Director: Matthew Robins, Norman Reynolds, Kevin Reynolds, Ken Kwapis
Cast: John Scott Clough, Lisa Jane Persky, Mark Hamill, David Rappaport, Royal Dano, Forest Whitaker, Charles Durning, Kathy Baker, Priscilla Pointer
Four more episodes of Spielberg's TV series are presented: "The Main Attraction" directed by Matthew Robins "Gather Ye Acorns" directed by Norman Reynolds "You Gotta Believe Me" directed by Kevin Reynolds "Lane Change" directed by Ken Kwapis
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The Best Little Girl in the World 1981 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Sam O'Steen
Cast: Charles Durning, Eva Marie Saint, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Melanie Mayron, Viveca Lindfors, Jason Miller, Jessica Lange, Ally Sheedy, Michael Dudikoff, Pat Corley
Anorexia nervosa is the theme of this made-for-TV movie starring Jennifer Jason Leigh as a model teenager who becomes a victim of the eating disorder.
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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 1982  R, 114 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Colin Higgins
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Charles Durning, Dom DeLuise, Jim Nabors, Lois Nettleton, Noah Beery Jr., Barry Corbin, Theresa Merritt, Robert Mandan
The story of the sheriff (Burt Reynolds) and the town madam (Dolly Parton) is brought to the screen in this musical. Watch for Charles Durning's fantastic dancing–and he received an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor.
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Big Trouble 1986 R, 93 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: John Cassavetes
Cast: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Beverly D'Angelo, Charles Durning, Robert Stack, Paul Dooley, Valerie Curtin, Richard Libertini, Steve Alterman, John Finnegan
"The In-Laws" duo (Peter Falk and Alan Arkin) are back with some funny moments, but not as many as in the original film. An insurance agent (Arkin) needs more money if he wants to get his boys through college. One way is to help the flighty Blanche (Beverly D'Angelo) in her plot to kill her husband (Falk).
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Bleacher Bums 2002 R, 115 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Saul Rubinek
Cast: Peter Riegert, Brad Garrett, Wayne Knight, Hal Sparks, Sarain Boylan, Matt Craven, Jeff Geddis, Stephen Markle, Mary Walsh, Charles Durning, Maury Chaykin
Based on a play by Chicago's Organic Theater Company, this film follows diehard Chicago Bruins fans who frequent the bleachers at the games though the Bruins seldom win. Yes, this sounds like–and the play was about–the seldom-winning Chicago Cubs. The ball park and the team's name were changed due to a lack of endorsement resulting from the gambling theme, among other "sins."
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Breakheart Pass 1976 PG, 95 min.
Genre: Western
Director: Tom Gries
Cast: Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Jill Ireland, Richard Crenna, Charles Durning, Roy Jenson, Ed Lauter, David Huddleston, Archie Moore, Boyd "Red" Morgan
Undercover agent John Deakin (Charles Bronson) puts an end to the exploits of murdering desperadoes. One highlight of this film is the great fight between our hero, Bronson, and Archie Moore.
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Brenda Starr 1989  PG, 87 min.
Genre: Action
Director: Robert Ellis Miller
Cast: Brooke Shields, Timothy Dalton, Tony Peck, Diana Scarwid, Charles Durning, Eddie Albert, Jeffrey Tambor, June Gable, Henry Gibson, Ed Nelson
Brenda Starr's (Brooke Shields) illustrator, Mike Randall (Tony Peck), enters his own comic strip and gets involved with his heroine's investigation of a German scientist who possesses a secret formula. Yuk.
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Cat Chaser 1989 R, 95 min.
Genre: Action
Director: Abel Ferrara
Cast: Peter Weller, Kelly McGillis, Charles Durning, Frederic Forrest, Tomas Milian, Juan Fernandez, Kelly Jo Minter, Phil Leeds, Tony Bolano, Adrienne Sachs, Roberto Escobar, Maria M. Ruperto
George (Peter Weller), an ex-soldier of fortune in the Dominican Republic, is running a hotel in Florida when he is drawn into a trip back to the Dominican Republic. After arriving, he gets involved with the wife, Mary (Kelly McGillis), of General DeBoya (Tomas Milian). Mary and George can't keep their hands off each other and leap into a passionate affair. Meanwhile, George has been talked into ripping off the general. Murder and mayhem ensue.
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The Choirboys 1977   R, 119 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Robert Aldrich
Cast: Charles Durning, Louis Gossett Jr., Perry King, Clyde Kusatsu, Stephen Macht, Tim McIntire, Randy Quaid, Don Stroud, James Woods, Robert Webber
Based on a Joseph Wambaugh novel, this story, naturally, is about LA cops. But, this film deviates so widely from the book that Wambaugh disavowed the film version. Foul and obnoxious and a waste of all that talent. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Cruel | Me 02/28/2007 | Ugly and boring and very cruel film.
Based on a Joseph Wambaugh novel, this story, naturally, is about LA cops. But, this film deviates so widely from the book that Wambaugh disavowed the film version. Foul and obnoxious and a waste of all that talent
What has happened here for you to allow this film on TV? |
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Deadhead Miles 1972 R, 93 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Vernon Zimmerman
Cast: Alan Arkin, Paul Benedict, Hector Elizondo, Oliver Clark, Charles Durning, Loretta Swit, Ida Lupino, George Raft, Allen Garfield, Barnard Hughes
This film sat on the shelf for 10(!) years before release and is the meandering story of a meandering trucker and the people he runs across during his long-distance hauling. The interesting cast and offbeat story make this watchable.
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Death of a Salesman 1985 TV, 150 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Volker Schlondorff
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Kate Reid, John Malkovich, Stephen Lang, Charles Durning, Louis Zorich, Jon Polito, Tom Signorelli
Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich were both winners of Emmys for their performances in Arthur Miller's classic drama about the traveling salesman who spends his life on the road and, only when it is too late, realizes that he has sacrificed his family for his profession.
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Desperation 2006 R, 131 min.
Genre: Horror / Fantasy / Mystery / Drama / Thriller
aka: Stephen King's Desperation
Director: Mick Garris
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Steven Weber, Annabeth Gish, Charles Durning, Matt Frewer, Ron Perlman, Shane Haboucha, Kelly Overton, Sylvia Kelegian, Henry Thomas, Sammi Hanratty, Ewan Chung, Tom Parker
Collie Entragian (Ron Perlman) is the sheriff in Desperation, Nevada, where the streets are littered with the bodies of townsfolk. He arrests travelers Peter and Mary Jackson (Henry Thomas and Annabeth Gish) and then Steve (Steven Weber), Cynthia (Kelly Overton), and John (Tom Skerritt) who are tossed in jail where they meet young, mysterious David (Shane Haboucha) who seems to have strange powers and an idea of what is going on. They realize that something very eerie is happening in Desperado. But, can these mere mortals really put an end to the devastation, or will friendly ghosts come to their aid?
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Detective 2005 TV, 170 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: Arthur Hailey's Detective
Director: David S. Cass Sr.
Cast: Tom Berenger, Annabeth Gish, Rick Gomez, Frank Whaley, J. Karen Thomas, Renee Rizzo, Wanda De Jesus, Cybill Shepherd, Sean O'Bryan, David Atkinson, Thomas Rosales Jr., Charles Durning
While awaiting his execution on death row, serial killer Elroy Doil (Sean O'Bryan) confesses his crimes to police detective Malcolm Ainslie (Tom Berenger) who, in turn, must distinguish between fact and fiction in the confession.
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 Dinner at Eight 1989  TV, 100 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Ron Lagomarsino
Cast: Lauren Bacall, Marsha Mason, Charles Durning, Ellen Greene, Harry Hamlin, John Mahoney, Joel Brooks, Tim Kazurinsky, Stacy Edwards, Lenore Kasdorf, Kelly Connell, Jane Alden, Julia Sweeney
This made-for-TV update of the 1933 version, which is based on the George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber play, is adequately done, but the first version certainly is better. It tells the story of a social-climber (Marsha Mason) getting ready to throw an extravagant dinner party for the elite. Lauren Bacall is great as a "trash" novelist.
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 Dirty Deeds 2005  PG-13, 93 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Kendall
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Lacey Chabert, Charles Durning, Zoe Saldana, Matthew Carey, Alex Solowitz, Tom Amandes, Michael Milhoan, Billy L. Sullivan, Ray Santiago, Arielle Kebbel
In order to impress Meg (Lacey Chabert), Zach (Milo Ventimiglia) takes on a series of challenges that must be performed between dusk and dawn on the first night of West Valley High's Homecoming Weekend.
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Dog Day Afternoon 1975  R, 130 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller / Comedy
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon, Sully Boyar, Penelope Allen, James Broderick, Gary Springer, Lance Henriksen, Marcia Jean Kurtz, John Marriott
In order to finance a sex-change operation, Sonny (Al Pacino) and his accomplice Sal (John Cazale) attempt to rob a bank. But, the bank vault is empty, and now the bank is surrounded by police. Sonny's solution: hold the bank employees hostage–not a good idea because events quickly get out of control. The film is excellent as it touches emotions from comedy to pathos. The film received several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Actor (Pacino), Director, and Supporting Actor (Chris Sarandon) and won the award for Best Writing.
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An Enemy of the People 1977  G, 103 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: George Schaefer
Cast: Steve McQueen, Charles Durning, Bibi Andersson, Eric Christmas, Richard Dysart, Michael Higgins, Richard Bradford, Ham Larsen
Adapted from the Ibsen play, this screenplay by Arthur Miller is about Doctor Thomas Stockmann (Steve McQueen) who tries to prevent the opening of a new health spa in his town because he has found that the hot springs are polluted. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Memorable and Timely | Anonymous 09/20/2007 | | An outstanding performance by McQueen in this classic story in which one person has the courage to stand against evil regardless of others who choose to cower and criticize. Ibsen and McQueen clearly demonstrate once again that one person can change the world while also demonstrating the real danger of sometimes having that courage of conviction. I saw this sadly-unrecognized film in the late 1970s and it has "haunted" me ever since. I dearly wish it were available on DVD to view over and over and over. |
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Far North 1988 PG-13, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Sam Shepard
Cast: Jessica Lange, Charles Durning, Tess Harper, Donald Moffat, Ann Wedgeworth, Patricia Arquette, Nina Draxten
A Minnesota farming family deals with adversity, showing how each member has different values, especially when Bertrum (Durning) is nearly killed by a runaway horse. Good cast, bad movie.
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 The Final Countdown 1980 PG, 103 min.
Genre: Adventure / Drama / Sci-Fi
Director: Don Taylor
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal, Charles Durning, Victor Mohica, Soon-Tek Oh, James C. Lawrence, Joe Lowry, Alvin Ing, Lloyd Kaufman, Mark Thomas, Dan Fitzgerald, Harold Bergman
The nuclear aircraft carrier U.S.S. Nimitz is time-warped from 1980 back to 6 December, 1941. Captain Matthew Yelland (Kirk Douglas) is faced with the dilemma of altering history by interfering with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Senator Samuel Chapman (Charles Durning) has his ideas about the course of action, while Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen) is very concerned about possible outcomes and their effect on the future. Time is running out, and a decision must be made.
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The Front Page 1974 PG, 105 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Susan Sarandon, Vincent Gardenia, David Wayne, Allen Garfield, Charles Durning, Martin Gabel, Harold Gould
This is the third filming (the 1940 version was titled "His Girl Friday") of the Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur play about the intrigue in a Chicago pressroom as news of a jail break brings matters to a head in this excellent comedy/drama. Again remade in 1988 as "Switching Channels."
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The Fury 1978 R, 117 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Carrie Snodgress, Amy Irving, John Cassavetes, Andrew Stevens, Fiona Lewis, Charles Durning, Carol Rossen, Joyce Easton, Daryl Hannah
When a teenager with psychic powers is kidnapped by a government that wants to make use of those powers, his father (Kirk Douglas) will go to any extreme to retrieve his son from its clutches. He is helped by a girl (Amy Irving) who has similar powers. A good, but violent, film that is typica of Directorl De Palma. Daryl Hannah's first film.
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The Grass Harp 1996 PG, 107 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Charles Matthau
Cast: Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek, Walter Matthau, Edward Furlong, Jack Lemmon, Mary Steenburgen, Nell Carter, Roddy McDowall, Charles Durning, Joe Don Baker
Based on Truman Capote's novella, this is the story of a family and the maturing process of Colin (Edward Furlong) who, following his mother's death, is sent to live with his aunts, Verena (Sissy Spacek) and Dolly (Piper Laurie).
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Hard Time 1998 TV, 120 min.
Genre: Action
Director: Burt Reynolds
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning, Robert Loggia, Mia Sara, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Buie, Paco Christian Prieto, Buck Taylor, John D'Aquino, Ja'net DuBois, Gene LeBell, Roddy Piper
Tough, veteran cop Logan (Burt Reynolds) is framed for murder. He breaks out of the maximum security prison and heads to Miami to get the man who framed him. Made for TV.
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Harry and Walter Go to New York 1976 PG, 120 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Mark Rydell
Cast: James Caan, Elliott Gould, Michael Caine, Diane Keaton, Charles Durning, Lesley Ann Warren, Val Avery, Jack Gilford, Carol Kane, Dennis Dugan
A vaudeville team of Harry (James Caan) and Walter (Elliott Gould) become involved in a bank robbery scheme.
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Hi, Mom! 1970 R, 87 min.
Genre: Comedy
aka: Confessions of a Peeping John
Blue Manhattan
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Robert De Niro, Charles Durning, Allen Garfield, Abraham Goren, Gerrit Graham, Lara Parker, Jennifer Salt, Peter Maloney
In this sequel to "Greetings," John Rubin (Robert De Niro) is back–and busy. This time around he is learning how to make pornographic films while his spare time is taken up in the bombing of buildings. A fun flick.
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Hi-Life 1998 R, 90 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Roger Hedden
Cast: Campbell Scott, Eric Stoltz, Daryl Hannah, Charles Durning, Katrin Cartlidge, Moira Kelly, Peter Riegert, Anne DeSalvo, Saundra Santiago, Bruce MacVittie
It's Christmastime, and Ray (Campbell Scott) runs a bar in New York where the usual group is gathered spreading the cheer. Meanwhile, Jimmy (Eric Stoltz) is in debt to Fatty (Charles Durning), and Jimmy needs a way to pay it off–fast. So, maybe the unpopular Jimmy can get his girlfriend (who happens to be the sister of Ray) to get the cash from Ray.
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The Hindenburg 1975 PG, 125 min.
Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft, William Atherton, Roy Thinnes, Gig Young, Burgess Meredith, Charles Durning, Richard Dysart, Robert Clary, Rene Auberjonois, Peter Donat, Alan Oppenheimer, Katherine Helmond, Stephen Elliott, Joanna Moore
In an interesting switch, the Hindenburg explosion is examined as a possible result of the action of saboteurs. In this story, the German government assigns Col. Ritter (George C. Scott) the mission of making sure that no one sabotages the Nazi blimp Hindenburg when it flies to New York. Ritter boards the airship and follows leads that include his ex-lover Ursula (Anne Bancroft), businessman Edward Douglas (Gig Young), suspicious crew members, and the captains Pruss (Charles Durning) and Lehmann (Richard Dysart). Ritter believes that a sabotage is planned and tries to get the blimp landed and the passengers out of danger. But, the Hindenburg explodes over New Jersey, and 36 people are killed.
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Home for the Holidays 1995 PG-13, 104 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Jodie Foster
Cast: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott, Charles Durning, Geraldine Chaplin, Steve Guttenberg, Cynthia Stevenson, Claire Danes, Austin Pendleton, Emily Ann Lloyd, Amy Yasbeck, Zack Duhame, David Strathairn, James Lecesne
Single-mom Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) comes home to Baltimore for the Thanksgiving weekend at her parents' (Charles Durning and Anne Bancroft) home. Her dysfunctional family banters their way through a neurotic nightmare of a family reunion that is not to be believed. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable film about a larger-than-life family who survives the holiday in its own unique manner.
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The Hudsucker Proxy 1994 PG, 111 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Charles Durning, Bruce Campbell, John Mahoney, Peter Gallagher, Steve Buscemi, Jon Polito, Joe Grifasi
In a ploy to drive down company stock prices, Mussberger (Paul Newman) plucks Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) from the mailroom and installs him in the presidential suite. Instead of losing business, Barnes proves himself adept in his new position, and stock prices rise. Different (what else would you expect from the Coen brothers?), 1950s look at big business out of control.
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I.Q. 1994 PG, 95 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Fred Schepisi
Cast: Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Matthau, Charles Durning, Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher, Stephen Fry, Frank Whaley, Tony Shalhoub, Keene Curtis, Alice Playten, Danny Zorn, Helen Hanft
With Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) playing Cupid, Catherine Boyd (Meg Ryan) and Ed Walters (Tim Robbins) find each other in this romantic comedy. Ed starts out as an automobile mechanic (great looks–not so great mentality), but Einstein tutors him so that he can impress mathematician Catherine. It works.
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Jerry and Tom 1998 R, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Saul Rubinek
Cast: Joe Mantegna, Sam Rockwell, Maury Chaykin, Ted Danson, Charles Durning, William H. Macy, Peter Riegert, Sarah Polley, Shelley Cook, Alyson Court
This story begins and ends in a bar where two hit men–Jerry (Sam Rockwell) and Tom (Joe Mantegna)–reminisce about their lives as hired killers.
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Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues 1987 TV, 190 min.
Genre: Western
aka: The Gambler III: The Legend Continues
Director: Dick Lowry
Cast: Kenny Rogers, Bruce Boxleitner, Linda Gray, Jeffrey Jones, George Kennedy, Matt Clark, Charles Durning, Colm Meaney, Dean Stockwell, Marc Alaimo, George American Horse, Terrence Evans
In this, the third episode of the popular "Gambler" series, Brady "The Gambler" Hawkes (Kenny Rogers) and sidekick Billy (Bruce Boxleitner) find that there's corruption in the ranks of the cavalry who steal cattle and blame it on the Sioux. This prompts Brady and Billy into action.
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Lakeboat 2001 R, 98 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Joe Mantegna
Cast: Charles Durning, Peter Falk, Denis Leary, Robert Forster, J.J. Johnston, Tony Mamet, Jack Wallace, George Wendt, Andy Garcia, Roberta Angelica
Graduate student Dale Katzman (Tony Mamet) signs on for a summer job on a Great Lakes freighter where he listens to the tales of hardened, veteran sailors and learns there is more to them than first meets the eye.
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Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving 1995 G, 71 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Fantasy
Director: Roy Allen Smith
Cast: Jeff Bennett, Heather Hogan, Kenneth Mars, John Ingle, Linda Gray, Scott McAfee, Candace Hutson, Charles Durning, Rob Paulsen
Littlefoot and his gang of dinosaurs are threatened when a meteorite crashes and dams up the valley's water supply. Working together, they solve the problem.
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Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists 1996 G, 74 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Fantasy
Director: Roy Allen Smith
Cast: Candace Hutson, Heather Hogan, Rob Paulsen, Jeff Bennett, Kenneth Mars, Charles Durning, John Ingle, Scott McAfee, Linda Gray, Kenneth Mars
A change in the climate turns the valley of the mists into a swamp, and Lightfoot and his fellow dinosaurs must move. Then Grandfather becomes ill. Only the Night Flowers from the valley can save him, and they must return for Grandfather's cure. Fine children's fare.
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Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island 1997 G, 74 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Fantasy
Director: Roy Allen Smith
Cast: Scott McAfee, Candace Hutson, Julianna Hansen, Jeff Bennett, Heather Hogan, John Ingle, Charles Durning, Rob Paulsen, Kenneth Mars, Linda Gray
This pleasant story brings back Littlefoot and his gang of dinosaurs. Leaf-eating bugs are threatening the valley's food supply, and the dinosaurs retreat to an island of carnivores. Another fine film for the young ones.
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The Last Producer 2000 R, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: The Final Hit
Director: Burt Reynolds
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Ann - Margret, Benjamin Bratt, Lauren Holly, Charles Durning, Rod Steiger, Greg Germann, Sean Astin, Robert Goulet, Robert Costanzo, Erin Gray
It's tough growing old, especially when the younger people take over where you once reigned supreme. That's what has happened to Sonny Wexler (Burt Reynolds), a legendary moviemaker, who strives for one last comeback. He intends to purchase the rights to the hottest property in Hollywood but finds it hard to raise the money from so-called friends, while others wanting the script will stop at nothing. Good cast, so-so results.
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The Last Supper 1996 R, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Stacy Title
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Annabeth Gish, Courtney B. Vance, Ron Eldard, Jonathan Penner, Bill Paxton, Charles Durning, Jason Alexander, Ron Perlman, Nora Dunn
This black comedy is about a group of five graduate students who plot to take the law into their own hands and poison dinner guests who expound on evils such as homosexuality and promote right-to-life issues.
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The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains 1987 TV, 115 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Daniel Mann
Cast: Val Kilmer, Charles Durning, Sonia Braga, James Keach, Elisha Cook Jr., William Sanderson, Kyra Sedgwick, Billy Bob Thornton, Clancy Brown, Taj Mahal
A man wrongfully convicted of murder escapes from the chain gang and his adventures start. The story is based on the true adventures of Robert Elliot Burns, which also resulted in the 1932 classic "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang."
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The Man with One Red Shoe 1985 PG, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy / Thriller
Director: Stan Dragoti
Cast: Tom Hanks, Dabney Coleman, Lori Singer, Charles Durning, Carrie Fisher, Edward Herrmann, James Belushi, Gerrit Graham, David Ogden Stiers, Irving Metzman, Tom Noonan, David L. Lander, Ritch Brinkley, Frank Hamilton, Dortha Duckworth
A CIA chief, Ross (Charles Durning), struggles for control, and rival chief Cooper (Dabney Coleman) stands in his way. Ross devises a scheme in which he randomly picks out a man with one red shoe, concert violinist Richard (Tom Hanks), and tells Cooper that the man is suspected of being a super-agent and that Cooper should keep a close eye on him. Cooper brings in Maddy (Lori Singer) to seduce Richard, and Richard falls in love with her–all of which leads to even more complications.
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Mass Appeal 1984 PG, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Glenn Jordan
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Zeljko Ivanek, Charles Durning, Louise Latham, Talia Balsam, James Ray, Alice Hirson, Helene Heigh, Jerry Hardin, Gloria Stuart
An idealistic seminarian, Mark Dolson (Zeljko Ivanek), does not listen to the advice of Father Farley (Jack Lemmon) and delivers a sermon that is spurned by the parishioners. This brings on concern by church officials that Dolson will not make it as a good priest, but Father Farley comes to his aid. From a Broadway play.
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Miracle Dogs Too 2006 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Family / Drama
Director: Richard Gabai
Cast: Janine Turner, Patrick Muldoon, Dustin Hunter Evans, Lesley Ann Warren, Jaleel White, Jonathon Trent, Casey Evans, Preston Jones, Charles Durning, David Keith, Alana Austin, Frances P. Evans
Young Zack (Dustin Hunter Evans) finds a pair of caged dogs abandoned in the woods. He rescues them and brings them home. Later, Zack takes the dogs to the nursing home where his mother (Janine Turner) works, and it is discovered that the dogs have healing powers. Just when everything is going well, a gang of criminals steals the dogs. Will Zack be able to retrieve his four-legged friends?
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Mister Roberts 1984 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Melvin Bernhardt
Cast: Robert Hays, Charles Durning, Kevin Bacon, Marilu Henner, Howard Hesseman, Charley Lang, Raye Birk, Peter Jason, Joe Pantoliano, Christopher Murray, Tyler Tyhurst, John Walcutt, Bruce Wright
Kevin Bacon took on the role of Ens. Pulver in this live production on TV in 1984, while Robert Hays played Lt(jg). Doug Roberts. Both men serve under their calculating captain (Charles Durning), and each deals differently with their unique situations.
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Mr. St. Nick 2002 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Fantasy
Director: Craig Zisk
Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Charles Durning, Katherine Helmond, Elaine Hendrix, Ana Ortis, Lupe Ontiveros, Luis Garcia, Brian Miranda, Wallace Shawn, Lorena Gale, Veena Sood, Beatrice Zeilanger
Playboy Nick (Kelsey Grammer) intends to settle down and marry TV weatherperson Heidi (Elaine Hendrix). But he has a problem: he is the son of Santa Claus (Charles Durning) and is scheduled to soon take over his father's "business." Matters start getting out of hand when he finds out his fiancee isn't all he thought she was and a mean INS agent is after him. Luckily for Nick, Santa's head elf comes to the rescue. Originally broadcast on "Wonderful World of Disney."
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Mrs. Santa Claus 1996 G, 90 min.
Genre: Family
Director: Terry Hughes
Cast: Angela Lansbury, Charles Durning, Michael Jeter, Terrence Mann, Lynsey Bartilson, Bryan Murray, David Norona, Debra Wiseman, Rosalind Harris, Grace Keagy, Chachi Pittman, Linda Kerns
This delightful, made-for-TV, family musical is set in the early 1900s as Santa (Charles Durning) is so busy in preparation for Christmas that he has no time for Mrs. Santa (Angela Lansbury). So Mrs. Santa takes the reindeer and sleigh out for a ride. But bad weather and an injured reindeer force her to make a stop in NYC. Her adventures are many as she sings and dances and saves the day for many before returning home just in time for Christmas.
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The Muppet Movie 1979 G, 98 min.
Genre: Family
Director: James Frawley
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dom DeLuise, Charles Durning, Orson Welles, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Madeline Kahn, Richard Pryor
Jim Henson's muppets are brought to the screen to tell their unique rags-to-riches story of success in Hollywood.
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The Music of Chance 1993 R, 98 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Philip Haas
Cast: James Spader, Mandy Patinkin, M. Emmet Walsh, Charles Durning, Joel Grey, Samantha Mathis, Chris Penn, Pearl Jones, Jordan Spainhour, Paul Auster
After losing in a poker game, Jack Pozzi (James Spader) and James Nash (Mandy Patinkin) must satisfy their debt by building a stone wall for on the estate of Willie Stone (Joel Grey) and Bill Flower (Charles Durning). Meanwhile, Calvin Murks (M. Emmet Walsh) diabolically directs their work efforts.
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North Dallas Forty 1979 R, 119 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Cast: Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, Charles Durning, Dayle Haddon, Steve Forrest, Bo Svenson, G.D. Spradlin, Dabney Coleman, Savannah Smith, Marshall Colt
This film provides a glimpse into the inner workings of professional football. It features an aging star player, Phillip Elliott, who finds that he is just a number when he fails to produce for the financial benefit of the team owner.
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Not for Ourselves Alone 1999 TV, 240 min.
Genre: Documentary
Director: Ken Burns
Cast: Sally Kellerman, Ronnie Gilbert, Julie Harris, Amy Madigan, Keith David, Anne Duquesnay, Wendy Conquest, George Plimpton, Adam Arkin, Kevin Conway, Ann Dowd, Charles Durning
[Full title: "Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony"] Ken Burns brings history to life again with this film, originally a TV miniseries. It is the story of two close but very different friends who did much to bring about changes in women's rights through their movement. Ronnie Gilbert is the voice of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Julie Harris is the voice of Susan B. Anthony. Sally Kellerman narrates.
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 O Brother, Where Art Thou? 2000 PG-13, 106 min.
Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, Charles Durning, Chris Thomas King, Michael Badalucco, Daniel von Bargen, Stephen Root, Del Pentecost, J.R. Horne, Brian Reddy, Wayne Duvall, Ray McKinnon
Basing its characters on those met by Odysseus in Homer's "Odyssey," this comedy adventure revolves around a search by three convicts–Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (John Turturro), and Delmar O'Donnel (Tim Blake Nelson)–who escape from their Mississippi chain gang, intent on finding a buried treasure. Just like Odysseus, they make various stops along the way and meet strangers who are not always what they seem.
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 One Fine Day 1996 PG, 108 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Romance
Director: Michael Hoffman
Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, George Clooney, Mae Whitman, Alex D. Linz, Charles Durning, Jon Robin Baitz, Ellen Greene, Joe Grifasi, Anna Maria Horsford, Sheila Kelley, Pete Hamill, Gregory Jbara, Robert Klein, George Martin
This enjoyable, romantic comedy features Michelle Pfeiffer as single-mom Melanie Parker and George Clooney as single-dad Jack Taylor. When their tots miss the ferry for their school field trip, Melanie and Jack are forced into helping each other. They spend the day swapping kids to allow attendance at scheduled meetings in this satire of today's hectic schedules of working parents who try to meet responsibilities of both the workplace and the home.
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 Sharky's Machine 1981 R, 119 min.
Genre: Action
Director: Burt Reynolds
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Rachel Ward, Vittorio Gassman, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Earl Holliman, Henry Silva, Darryl Hickman, Hari Rhodes, John Fiedler
In the police/action genre, this film fare well. As a member of the vice squad, Sharky (Burt Reynolds) investigates and falls in love with a call girl (Rachel Ward). She is murdered, and to avenge her death Sharky trains his co-workers into the precision tool of a "Machine."
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Sisters 1973 R, 93 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Margot Kidder, Jennifer Salt, Charles Durning, William Finley, Lisle Wilson, Barnard Hughes, Olympia Dukakis, Dolph Sweet, Mary Davenport, Burt Richards, Cathy Berry
In this suspense-filled film, newspaper reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) witnesses Danielle Breton (Margot Kidder) murdering her date. While investigating, Grace learns that Danielle was a Siamese twin, and the separated sister may be involved in the murder. Lots of suspense.
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Solarbabies 1986  PG-13, 94 min.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Director: Alan Johnson
Cast: Richard Jordan, Jami Gertz, Jason Patric, Lukas Haas, Charles Durning, Peter DeLuise, Adrian Pasdar, Frank Converse, Terrence Mann, Sarah Douglas
This is one of Mel Brooks' WORST films. It deals with a group of young people imprisoned in a fortress; their escape is dependent on a mystical force.
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Spy Hard 1996 PG-13, 81 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Rick Friedberg
Cast: Leslie Nielsen, Nicollette Sheridan, Charles Durning, Marcia Gay Harden, Barry Bostwick, Andy Griffith, John Ales, Elya Baskin, Clyde Kusatsu, Downtown Julie Brown
Dick Steele (Leslie Nielsen) returns to the Agency to track down General Rancor (Andy Griffith) who has kidnapped (despite the fact that he has no arms!) the beautiful daughter of Steele's past love and is using her to achieve world domination. Typical Nielsen, stupid but funny.
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Starting Over 1979 R, 105 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, Frances Sternhagen, Mary Kay Place, Charles Kimbrough, Austin Pendleton, Jay O. Sanders, MacIntyre Dixon, Alfie Wise, Wallace Shawn, Kevin Bacon, Richard Whiting, Sturgis Warner
Divorce from the male point of view is the theme of this film in which Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds) is told to "hit the road" because his wife, Jessica (Candice Bergen), wants to go it alone. He later meets and falls in love with Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh). For their work in this movie, Clayburgh received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and Bergen was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
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State and Main 2000 R, 105 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Mamet
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Charles Durning, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clark Gregg, William H. Macy, Patti LuPone, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Paymer, Rebecca Pidgeon, Julia Stiles
Director Walt Price's (William H. Macy) Hollywood movie crew arrives in Waterford, Vermont, after being run out of New Hampshire because the star, Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin), made a play for a local junior-high-school girl. Now the script must be rewritten–to the dismay of playwright Joseph Turner White (Philip Seymour Hoffman)–because the title is "The Old Mill," and Waterford has no mill. While the locals are enthralled with the movie-making glitz, the producer, Marty Rossen (David Paymer), struggles to keep his stars under control and the movie within budget.
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Stick 1985 R, 109 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Burt Reynolds
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Candice Bergen, George Segal, Charles Durning, Jose Perez, Alex Rocco, Richard Lawson, Dar Robinson, Tricia Leigh Fisher, Castulo Guerra
How can Burt Reynolds be so good in some films and so bad in others? This time, he is the latter, but his fans will enjoy the comedy he provides to save this movie as he plays an ex-con out to seek revenge for the killing of his friend.
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The Sting 1973  PG, 129 min.
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Director: George Roy Hill
Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Robert Earl Jones, Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Dana Elcar, Jack Kehoe, John Heffernan, Dimitra Arliss, James Sloyan, Charles Dierkop, Sally Kirkland
To avenge the death of a friend, two small-time con men (Robert Redford and Paul Newman) decide to pull a fantastic scam. They set up a sting operation to cheat the killer, Doyle Lonnigan (Robert Shaw), out of half a million dollars. The film won seven Academy Awards; among them were Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay. Robert Redford received a nomination for Best Actor.
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Switch 1975 TV, 78 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Robert Day
Cast: Robert Wagner, Eddie Albert, Charles Durning, Sharon Gless, Ken Swofford, Charlie Callas, Jaclyn Smith, Marc Lawrence, Alan Manson, Anne Schedeen
An ex-con (Robert Wagner) joins forces with an ex-cop (Eddie Albert) and is determined to prove that a dishonest policeman engineered a diamond robbery. This film prompted a popular TV series.
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A Tiger's Tale 1988 R, 97 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Peter Douglas
Cast: Anne-Margret, C. Thomas Howell, Charles Durning, Kelly Preston, Ann Wedgeworth, William Zabka, Tim Thomerson, Steven Kampmann, Traci Lind, Angel Tomkins, James Noble, David Denney, Sean Patrick Flanery
High-school senior Bubber (C. Thomas Howell) falls in love with his girlfriend Shirley's (Kelly Preston) mother Rose (Anne-Margret). The older woman/younger man scenario takes on new meaning when they enter into an affair, and Rose learns that she is pregnant.
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Tilt 1979 PG, 112 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Rudy Durand
Cast: Brooke Shields, Ken Marshall, Charles Durning, John Crawford, Gregory Walcott, Karen Lamm, Robert Brian Berger, Lorenzo Lamas, Geoffrey Lewis, Don Stark
Young Tilt (Brooke Shields) is a pinball wizard and leaves home to head across country with would-be rock star Neil (Ken Marshall). They hustle their way along, until the ultimate test–a game with pinball champ "The Whale" (Charles Durning). Highlight: watching the game from inside the machine.
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To Be or Not to Be 1983 PG, 108 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Alan Johnson
Cast: Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Tim Matheson, Charles Durning, Jose Ferrer, Christopher Lloyd, James Haake, George Gaynes, George Wyner, Jack Riley
This movie is about Shakespearean actors who get involved with the Polish underground during World War II. They manage to outwit the Nazis in this remake of the 1942 film. Charles Durning was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
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 Tootsie 1982  PG, 116 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Sydney Pollack
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, Geena Davis, Sydney Pollack, George Gaynes, Lynne Thigpen, Doris Belack, Ellen Foley, Debra Mooney, Peter Gatto, Ronald L. Schwary
An out-of-work actor Michael Dorsey's (Dustin Hoffman) agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) cannot find work for his client. Then, Michael disguises himself as a woman named "Miss Dorothy Michaels," and he is able to land an acting job on a soap opera. The show that Michael works on becomes a hit, and he reaches celebrity status in the guise of a woman. But, complications ensue when Michael's relationship with his girlfriend Sandy (Teri Garr) fails, and Michael falls for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange) who believes that Michael/Dorothy is a woman and, in turn, tries to fix Michael up with her widowed father, Les (Charles Durning). An Oscar for Best Supporting Actress went to Jessica Lange. The film also received nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Actor (Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Garr), and Director. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa | sarko 08/19/2009 | | sssssssssssssssssssssssssssss |
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Tough Guys 1986 PG, 103 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Jeff Kanew
Cast: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Charles Durning, Alexis Smith, Dana Carvey, Darlanne Fluegel, Eli Wallach, Billy Barty, Matthew Faison, Nathan Davis
Two old guys finish serving 30 years for train robbery. When they are released, they find they have trouble finding a respectable place in society, so they go back to their old ways. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Xcelent | kiko 06/26/2009 | | great act |
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True Confessions 1981 R, 110 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Ulu Grosbard
Cast: Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Charles Durning, Ed Flanders, Burgess Meredith, Rose Gregorio, Cyril Cusack, Kenneth McMillan, Dan Hedaya, Jeanette Nolan
When a prostitute is murdered, two brothers–a priest (Robert De Niro) and a police officer (Robert Duvall)–take different positions on moral responsibilities for nabbing the assailant.
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Twilight's Last Gleaming 1977 R, 146 min.
Genre: Action
Director: Robert Aldrich
Cast: Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Charles Durning, Melvyn Douglas, Paul Winfield, Burt Young, Joseph Cotten, Vera Miles, Richard Jaeckel, Leif Erickson
As his anti-Vietnam War statement, a deranged U.S. Air Force officer, Lawrence Dell (Burt Lancaster), takes over a nuclear missile base and blackmails U.S. government officials.
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Two of a Kind 1983  PG, 87 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: John Herzfeld
Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Charles Durning, Beatrice Straight, Oliver Reed, Jack Kehoe, Kathy Bates, Ernie Hudson, Scatman Crothers, Gene Hackman
Angels convince God that he should give humanity another chance, and they set out to make Zack (John Travolta) and Debbie (Olivia Newton-John) into better people. Half-star only because it's Olivia; otherwise...
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| 1. Amazing Stories: Book 6 (1992)
2. The Best Little Girl in the World (1981)
3. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
4. Big Trouble (1986)
5. Bleacher Bums (2002)
6. Breakheart Pass (1976)
7. Brenda Starr (1989)
8. Cat Chaser (1989)
9. The Choirboys (1977)
10. Cop (1987)
11. Deadhead Miles (1972)
12. Death of a Salesman (1985)
13. Desperation (2006)
aka: Stephen King's Desperation
14. Detective (2005)
aka: Arthur Hailey's Detective
15. Die Laughing (1980)
16. Dinner at Eight (1989)
17. Dirty Deeds (2005)
18. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
19. An Enemy of the People (1977)
20. Far North (1988)
21. The Final Countdown (1980)
22. The Front Page (1974)
23. The Fury (1978)
24. The Grass Harp (1996)
25. The Greek Tycoon (1978)
26. Hard Time (1998)
27. Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
28. Hi, Mom! (1970)
aka: Confessions of a Peeping John
aka: Blue Manhattan
29. Hi-Life (1998)
30. The Hindenburg (1975)
31. Home for the Holidays (1995)
32. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
33. I Walk the Line (1970)
34. I.Q. (1994)
35. Jerry and Tom (1998)
36. Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues (1987)
aka: The Gambler III: The Legend Continues
37. Lakeboat (2001)
38. Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995)
39. Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists (1996)
40. Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997)
41. The Last Producer (2000)
aka: The Final Hit
42. The Last Supper (1996)
43. The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains (1987)
44. The Man with One Red Shoe (1985)
45. Mass Appeal (1984)
46. Miracle Dogs Too (2006)
47. Mister Roberts (1984)
48. Mr. St. Nick (2002)
49. Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)
50. The Muppet Movie (1979)
51. The Music of Chance (1993)
52. North Dallas Forty (1979)
53. Not for Ourselves Alone (1999)
54. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
55. One Fine Day (1996)
56. Prime Target (1989)
57. Roommates (1994)
58. The Rosary Murders (1987)
59. Sharky's Machine (1981)
60. Sisters (1973)
61. Solarbabies (1986)
62. Spy Hard (1996)
63. Starting Over (1979)
64. State and Main (2000)
65. Stick (1985)
66. The Sting (1973)
67. Switch (1975)
68. A Tiger's Tale (1988)
69. Tilt (1979)
70. To Be or Not to Be (1983)
71. Tootsie (1982)
72. Tough Guys (1986)
73. True Confessions (1981)
74. Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)
75. Two of a Kind (1983)
76. V.I. Warshawski (1991)
77. When a Stranger Calls (1979)
78. When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)
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