When A Stranger Calls Back (1993)

Made for Showtime, airing April 4th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

The story: Five years ago, high school student Julia took the last-minute job of babysitting two small children, for a family she had never met before.

While there, she received many harassing phone calls until a stranger showed up at the door, looking to use the telephone.

When the stranger would not go away, Julia gave in to the stranger's wishes and tried making a phone call to a car repair shop.

Much to her dismay, the phone was dead...

But Julia pretended she was making the phone calls.

Nothing Julia tried mattered because the stranger had it in for her and the children she was babysitting that night.

Luckily for her, she made it out alive.

Present day.

Julia is a college student living alone, off-campus.

She has been experiencing some odd things around her apartment which indicate she is not alone.

When she finds a child's shirt in her closet, she finally reports what she has been experiencing to the police.

They call in the help of Jill Johnson, a woman who had a very similar experience when she was a young babysitter herself.

Jill knows this isn't just some random situation. She knows all about what happened that horrible night when Julia was babysitting.

Stars Jill Schoelen, Cheryl Wilson, Kevin McNulty, Jerry Wasserman, Bobby Stewart, John Destry, Gene Lithgow, Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Duncan Fraser, Babs Chula, Sheelah Megill

Directed by Fred Watson

Rated R
SEQUEL/MYSTERY/THRILLER/TV

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Released January 26, 1990, in the US.

Filmed entirely in Georgia.

The story: It's the 1950s.

Miss Daisy Werthan is a retired elementary school teacher with old money.

She lives alone, has a grown son Boolie , a friend in maid Idella, and is very independent.

When Daisy has a small problem when trying to go off in her car like she always has, Boolie will not let it go.

Miss Daisy is stubborn and likes things the way she likes them.

She also doesn't like Boolie telling her what to do.

Boolie begins looking for a driver for his mother, against her wishes of course.

He finds Hoke, a very helpful and patient Southern man who is more than willing to drive her around in her car.

At first, Daisy does everything she can to try and scare Hoke away.

But instead of running, Hoke becomes a very close friend.

Stars Jessica Tandy, Esther Rolle, Dan Ackroyd, Patti LuPone, Morgan Freeman, JoAnn Havrilla, William Hall Jr, Alvin M Sugarman, Clarice F Geigerman, Muriel Moore, Sylvia Kaler, Carolyn Gold, Crystal Fox, Bob Hannah, Ray McKinnon, Ashley Josey, Jack Rousso, Fred Fraser, Jen Harper, Trilby Beresford

Directed by Bruce Beresford

Rated PG
DRAMA/COMEDY

Take Me To the River (2015)

Released January 26th in the US.

Filmed in Nebraska.

The story: Ryder is a 17-year-old Californian who is out of the closet.

He has to go along with his mother and father to a family reunion at his maternal grandmother's farm in Nebraska.

Ryder wants his mother to tell her family that he is gay, but mom doesn't want to do that.

This makes Ryder extremely uncomfortable but he goes along with his mom's wishes.

After some time being at his grandmother's house, Ryder's 9-year-old niece Molly, who really seems to admire him, begins making a fuss and it's putting her dad on edge.

She wants Ryder to go to the barn with her which Ryder does to appease the child.

But things get heavy and uncertain when Molly's dad suspects Ryder of abusing her.

Stars Logan Miller, Robin Weigert, Richard Schiff, Josh  Hamilton, Ursula Parker, Azura Skye, Elizabeth Franz, Ashley Gerasimovich, Grant Young, Seth Young, Amy Hostetler, Ella Jaixen, Athena Mostek

Directed by (& story written) Matt Sobel

Not Rated

DRAMA/MYSTERY

Paintsville : The April Pennington Story (2017)

Released sometime in 2017 in the US.

Filmed entirely in Kentucky.

The story: Saturday night. May 18, 1991.

16-year-old April Pennington was out with 24-year-old friend Timothy Stambaugh 

Something caused the two to drown at Paintsville Lake , but no one knows how.

Timothy was gravely afraid of the water but April was a very good swimmer, so good that she had been a lifeguard.

The two had been drinking, this is no mystery.

But did the two really die of accidental drowning?

30 years later, without any leads or clues and no other explanations after two autopsies, April's mother takes it upon herself to call in the help of brother Paranormal Investigators The Fourmans to get the answers she so desperately needs.

Stars Josh Fourman, Rocky Fourman, Shaun Foreman

Directed by Shaun Foreman

Rated TVMA

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/TV

Belle de Jour (1967)

Released April 10, 1968, in the US.

Filmed in France.

The story: Pretty, young, distant Severine is married to attractive, young doctor Pierre.

Severine really loves and cares for Pierre, but has an awful time being intimate with him due to some childhood abuse she has endured.

Although she is constantly fantasizing.

When a friend of her's tells her about a woman they know who is working as a courtesan, it gets Severine thinking.

Severine boldly goes to the house where this is taking place and is instantly welcomed as one of their own.

Her only rule is that she be done by 5pm.

This experience, although not an extremely active one but surely secretive, starts making her intimacy with Pierre easier.

Although she did not plan on one of her clients falling in love with her.

Stars Catherine Deneuve , Jean Sorel , Michel Piccoli , Maria Latour , Muni , Genevieve Page , Francoise Fabian , Macha Meril , Claude Cerval , Michel Charrel , Iska Khan , Francisco Rabal , Pierre Clementi

Directed by Luis Bunuel

French w/English subtitles

Rated R
DRAMA

Bad Medicine (1985)

Released November 22nd in the US.

Filmed entirely in Spain.

The story: Jeff Marx is the son of a plastic surgeon.

His mother and sister are also doctors.

Jeff wants to become anything besides a doctor, but his parents won't have it.

So Jeff thinks he should become a doctor.

When Jeff cannot get the grades to stay in an American medical school, his father finds him a spot in a medical school in Latin America.

There it seems Jeff won't really learn anything by the book, but he most definitely learns from working along with friends and experiences.

But Jeff's problem gets worse when the owner of the school Dr. Mederia falls in love with his girlfriend, and because she won't reciprocate Dr. Maderia's feelings, he wants to drop Jeff from the school.

Stars Steve Guttenberg, Bill Macy, Martha Greene, Tresa Hughes, Alan Arkin, Gilbert Gottfried, Eileen Way, Taylor Negron, Joe Grifasi, Julie Hagerty, Curtis Armstrong, Julie Kavner, Robert Romanus, Manuel Pereiro, Candi Milo, Allan Corduner, Arne Gordon, Arturo Venegas

Directed by Harvey Miller

Rated PG13

COMEDY

"The heart isn't right."

Tentacles (1977)

Released June 15th in the US.

Filmed in California and Italy.

The story: Something isn't right on Solana Beach...

Three people, including a baby, have disappeared from the seaside.

When their bodies are found, it isn't good.

There has been some work on the floor of the ocean lately, namely a tunnel being made.

Local, Dr. Turner wants to know what has changed and what could possibly be responsible for the deaths but he cannot quite put his finger on it.

He calls on the help of scuba diver/oceanographer Will Gleason to help find the answers.

Unbelievably, they find that an octopus has grown to an enormous size and is responsible for the deaths.

Unfortunately, they come to this conclusion after more people die and right before the Annual Yacht Race.

Stars John Huston, Shelley Winters, Henry Fonda, Bo Hopkins, Cesare Danova, Delia Boccardo, Claude Atkins, Alan Boyd, Helena Makela, Sherry Buchanan, Franco Diogene, Marc Fiorini, Leonard Lightfoot

Directed by Ovidio G Assonitis

Rated PG
SCIFI/HORROR/MYSTERY

 

"Mommy, you're so plump!"

Fatal Distraction (2020)

Released December 7, 2021, in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: Nicole and Justin Ross Harris were a young, happily married couple.

For ten years they desperately tried to have a baby.

When that dream finally came true, the couple couldn't have been happier.

Busy, working and raising a small child, things get hectic.

Nothing could have been more hectic for the Harris' on the tragic day of July 14, 2014...

After breakfast with his 22-month-old son Cooper, Justin Ross was on his way to work.

But he forgot to drop Cooper off at daycare beforehand, which considering the weather that day, caused his baby son's death from heat stroke due to being in a hot car.

Right after Justin Ross found his son unresponsive, he called the police, who then took Justin Ross straight to jail.

After briefly seeing his wife, Justin Ross was arrested for the death of his son.

As if to say that Justin Ross intentionally killed his 22-month-old son whom he loved with all his heart.

Due to police involvement, speculation, and pure belief in Justin Ross' guilt,  they fed the media.

This brought forth issues within the couple's marriage that had absolutely nothing to do with the accident, which most definitely convicted Justin Ross before he could even get to court.

Stars Nicole Engler, Tim Ryan, Doug Grote, Diana Grote, David Diamond, Carol Harrison, Nicole Gray, Reggie Harris, Leanna Taylor, Amber Rollins, Dee Bien, Janette Fennell

Directed by (& story written) Susan Morgan Cooper

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

"This film is dedicated to

Cooper Harris

Chase Harrison

Remi Engler 

Aslyn Bien

Luna and Phoenix Rodriguez

Shania Blunt

And all the children who have died."

God Knows Where I Am (2016)

Released April 7th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: Linda Bishop was once a brilliant, loving woman with many friends.

She had a very good childhood with loving parents and an older sister whom she was very close with.

Linda went on to marry and have one daughter.

Three years later, she was a single mother working at a local Chinese restaurant.

One day,  out of the blue, Linda moved herself and her young daughter from New Hampshire to Florida.

Linda believed the Chinese Mafia was after her...

What people really didn't realize though was that Linda was mentally ill.

Linda could no longer care for herself like she had.

But when she didn't take her prescribed medications like she should have, things didn't get any better.

Back in New Hampshire, Linda was arrested but deemed unstable to serve prison time due to her mental illness.

She was sent to and treated at the New Hampshire State Mental Hospital.

When she was released, no one who knew and loved her was notified.

Linda was now homeless.

She wandered around New Hampshire until she found herself taking shelter in an old, vacant farmhouse.

No one ever suspected her living in the farmhouse.

Linda kept herself alive for three months, eating only apples.

After thinking and rethinking of what she should do to be free of the restraints of the home and be on her way once again, she rested assured that God was the only one who could save her.

Stars (voice) Lori Singer, Matthew Nelson, Brian Smith, Lora Goss, Joan Bishop, Jennie Duval, Wayne Di Geronimo, Kevin Carbone, Kathy White, Doug Bixby, Caitlin Murtagh, Thomas Scarlato

Directed by Jedd & Todd Wider

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

Killing Spree (1987)

Released sometime in 1987 in the US.

Filmed in Florida.

The story: Tom has been under a lot of stress lately.

He is constantly taking a pay cut at work while paying for a brand new house.

His wife Leeza , who worked as a writer can and wants to get a job to help , but Tom wants her to stay at home.

When they have Tom's best friend over for dinner, he talks about his current relationship with a girl who is young enough to be his granddaughter.
This completely discusses Tom.

When he leaves the room for a few minutes to help a neighbor he returns to find Leeza and his friend quietly whispering.

Tom ends up kicking his friend out of the house.

Tom apologizes to Leeza, explaining his trust issues due to his ex-wife cheating on him and if that ever happens again to him, he will surely not be able to deal.

That night Tom has a nightmare involving his wife and best friend and it's not good.

The next day after work, Tom is tired and returns home just wanting to nap.

To try and unwind, Tom picks up a couple magazines but finds what he believes to be Leeza's diary.

What he reads drives him insane, making him think his wife has been having affairs with everyone and anyone.

Tom loses his shit and begins beating up and killing any man he suspects could be one of her lovers.

Stars Asbestos Felt, Cloe Pavel, Courtney Lercara, Raymond Carbone, Rachel Rutz, Alan Brown, Bruce Paquette, Joel D Wynkoop, Mel Pitler, Dwayne Willis, Tracy Drolet, Vince Miranda

Directed by (& story written) Tim Ritter

Not Rated

DARK COMEDY/SCIFI/HORROR

"'Romping Romance'? Oh, God...What Smut! ....Ah, the new 'Fangoria'...nice..."

Ask Me Anything (2014)

Released December 19th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Katie has just graduated high school.

When she tells her mother and counselor that she wants to take a year off before going to college, her mother isn't happy.

Her counselor suggests she does something useful with her time, like start a blog.

Katie isn't sure about the blog, but one thing is for certain, she has decided not to go away to college because she is seeing an older guy, along with a guy her own age.

When Katie does start blogging, she writes about her life, everything that goes on as well as her thoughts, hopes, and despair.

Her blog begins getting much attention, which fuels Katie to continue writing.

But her life gets more complicated when she gets a job, has to quit that job, starts a job as a nanny, gets involved with her employer's husband, and then gets pregnant.

Katie only tells three people she is with child and that she isn't sure what she will do.

But before she can go any further, she goes missing.

Her mother continues her blog that becomes a book while hoping for her safe return.

Stars Britt Robertson, Sharon OmiMolly Hagan, Andy Buckley, Robert Patrick, Max Carver, Justin Long, Martin Sheen, Zuleikha Robinson, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Christian Slater, Gia Mantegna

Directed by (& story written) Allison Burnett

Not Rated

DRAMA

Another Girl (2021)

Released September 14th in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: Elle is a  just 21-year-old college student without much direction.

After reading and getting really involved with a book, she begins having questions about the author, who is said to be missing.

Against advice and without telling anyone, Elle decides to write to the author, who she assumes is a female.

As far as Elle knows, the author, a female, begins writing back to her, eventually winning Elle's trust and befriending her.

The two continue to email back and forth, while Elle goes through many changes and lots of difficulties.

Elle believes her new friend can relate to her as well as be there, supporting her efforts.

When Elle decides to meet up with her email friend, she expects things to just be like a girls' night.

What happens though, she would have never expected.

Stars Samantha Hanaratty, Peggy Goss, Angela Fornero, Paul Rush, Adrienne Rose White, Peter Gadiot, Jessica Richards, Ryan Alexander Holmes, Tyler Cuccia, Amy Gillespie, Olivia Holmes

Directed by (& story written) Allison Burnett

Not Rated

SEQUEL/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Dominique Is Dead...Or Is She? (1979)

Released on video in the US, date unknown.

Filmed entirely in England.

The story: A year ago, wealthy Mrs. Dominique Ballard took quite the header on the stairs of her mansion.

Since then, she has been getting better but...

Recently, things have been happening to and around Dominique which she believes her husband David is doing, to make her believe she is losing it.

When the new chauffeur refuses to help Dominique expose her mischievous, financially struggling businessman of a husband, she off's herself.

Shortly after Dominique is gone though, David begins believing he is the one losing it.

He has constantly been seeing what has to be her ghost.

Stars Jean Simmons, Cliff Robertson, Jenny Agutter, Jack MacKenzie , Judy Geeson, Ron Moody, Simon Ward, Flora Robson, Michael Jayston, Jack Warner, David Tomlinson, Brian Hayes, Leslie Dwyer

Directed by Michael Anderson 

Rated PG
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

Mae West (1982)

Made for ABC, airing May 2nd in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

Based on truths.

The story: At 7 years old Mae West wanted to be famous.

Her mother was convinced that her daughter was special, talented and that someday she would make it big.

By the time Mae was a young adult, she was performing on Broadway.

After seeing a young man named Frank Wallace perform, Mae took a liking to him.

When the two came to Mae's father to ask permission to travel around the world, working as a team and he approved, both of their careers really started.

Shortly after the two married, Mae took a solo job, which she believed would make her famous.

But the critics weren't impressed.

It wasn't until Mae decided to change her persona that she began getting the recognition she knew she deserved, ultimately making her a big star.

Stars Ann Jillian, James Brolin, Bridgette Andersen, Piper Laurie, Lee de Broux, Debbie Lytton, Blane Savage, Rita Taggart, Jay Garner, Burke Byrnes, Ian Wolfe, Bill Morey, Donald Hotton

Directed by Lee Phillips

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA

"Stars are not pieced together."

Let Him Go (2020)

Released November 6h in the US.

Filmed in Canada.

The story: George and Margaret Blackledge are a proud, happy couple.

Living with them is their adult son James, his wife Lorna, and their young son Jimmy.

The family is just content living a quiet life until James is found dead.

Soon Lorna finds herself new husband Donnie and moves away from the Blackledges with Jimmy.

One day while out to shop, Margaret sees Donnie smacking around little Jimmy and Lorna.

None of that sits well with her.

Margaret goes to visit Lorna and Jimmy and finds that they have moved out of town without a word.

Now she is now even more worried than before.

Margaret becomes convinced that Jimmy and Lorna would be much safer living with her and George once again.

Although unknown to the Blackledges', Donnie's family won't just let them go.

Stars Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Ryan Bruce, Kayli Carter, Otto Hornung, Bram Hornung, Will Brittain, John Treleaven, Heather Lea MacCallum, Bradley Stryker, Booboo Stewart, Jeffrey Donovan, Lesley Manville, Connor Mackay, Adam Stafford, Greg Lawson, Will Hochman, Ryan Northcott

Directed by Thomas Bezucha

Rated R
DRAMA/THRILLER/MYSTERY

The Velvet Vampire (1971)

Released June of 1971 in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Married couple Lee and Susan are in attendance at an art gallery owned and operated by their friend Carl.

While there, they meet and are introduced to mysterious Diane.

Diane takes a quick liking to Lee and invites the couple to her home for the weekend in the desert.

At first, Susan is very reluctant to go, especially due to how Lee seems to really dig on Diane.

But Susan agrees to go anyways and just when Lee is finally ready to leave, Susan wants to stay.

The couple goes back and forth wanting to leave but really cannot due to their car being at the shop and not yet fixed.

But Diane is a killer with the intention of never letting Lee and Susan leave no matter what they do.

Stars Celeste Yarnall, Robert Tessier, Michael Blodgett, Sherry E DeBoer, Gene Shane, Johnny Shines, Jerry Daniels, Paul Prokop, Chris Woodley, Sandy Ward 

Directed by Stephanie Rothman

Rated R
MYSTERY/HORROR

Uncle Sam (1996)

Released on video, July 4, 1997, in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: Three years ago, Sam Harper died by friendly fire, while fighting in Desert Storm.

Present-day, on July 1st, his body is returned to his widow, sister, and nephew, and is currently sitting in the front room of their house.

Sam's sister and widow aren't exactly happy that he has passed but they aren't thrilled that he isn't still alive either...

Sam was a mean and abusive man.

But he means the world to his naive nephew Jody, who didn't know any of that about him.

This year, the 4th of July celebration in the small town that they live in will be unlike any other, considering Sam has come back to life as a mummified, zombified creature of his beliefs.

And that means anyone who disrespects his beloved country and even some that don't will meet their ultimate doom.

Stars William Smith, David "Shark" Fralick, Anne Tremko, Matthew Flint, Christopher Odgen, Leslie Neal, Bo Hopkins, Isaac Hayes, Robert Forster, Timothy Bottoms, PJ Soles, Tim Grimm, Tom McFadden, Morgan Paull, Zachary McLemore, Richard Cummings Jr, Jason Adelman, Frank Pesce

Directed by William Lustig

Rated R
HORROR

"For Lucio"

Habit ; Larry Fessenden's (1997)

Released November 14th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

The story : Living in New York , with not much going for him , Sam is an alcoholic who manages a local Mexican place.

He recently lost his father and broke up with his live-in girlfriend.

Kind of astray , Sam is going through the motions of living.

When he attends a party some longtime friends give , he meets mysterious Anna that he cannot stop thinking about. 

Anna comes on strong , appearing and disappearing without warning.

Sam isnt exactly bothered by this because he is completely smitten with her.

But Sam hasnt been himself and the people around him notice.

At first , he chalks it up to all the stress he has been dealing with until it becomes apparent that Anna has some sort of vicious and dangerous hold over him. 

Stars Larry Fessenden , Hart Fessenden , Aaron Beall , Patricia Coleman , Heather Woodbury , Jesse Hartman , Meredith Snaider , Cain Berlinger , Alan Bandit , Michael Buscemi , Dale Cameron , Jack Dingas , Harley Hemdrix , Michael Angelo Garcia , Marcos Antonio Miranda , John Mondin

Directed by (& story written) Larry Fessenden

Not Rated

MYSTERY/HORROR/DRAMA

Between Two Ferns : The Movie (2019)

Instant streaming on Netflix, sometime in 2019 in the US...

Filmed in California.

The story: Zach Galifianakis is a talk show host on a public access channel in North Carolina.

Zach takes his position very seriously, but no one else does.

He tends to push the wrong buttons of his guests and the audience laughs at him instead of with him, which he doesn't appreciate.

After a complete destructive situation during the taping of one of his shows , Zach is faced with a major goal to keep the show up and running.

He wants to be taken seriously and have a much more powerful postion with his show.

The owner of Funny Or Die , which streams the show , agrees to Zach's requests , just as long as he can pull off 10 shows in two weeks , which includes going to the guests instead of them showing up at the station.

Stars Zach Galifianakis , Matthew McConaughey , Will Ferrell , Rekha Shankar , Olivia Mekdara , Phil Abrams , Mo Zelof , Keanu Reeves , David Letterman , Bruce Willis , Chloe Wepper , Lauren Ashley Smith , Mari Holland , Chance The Rapper , Edi Patterson , Brie Larson , Paul Rudd , John Legend , Tiffany Haddish , Awkwafina , Blake Clark , Phoebe Bridgers , Peter Dinklage , Mike Besser

Directed by Scott Aukerman

Rated TVMA
COMEDY

"Try to stay off the grass..."

Head of the Family ; Charles Bands' (1996)

Released on video, November 29th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Lance is the owner of the local diner.

He is having a hot and heavy affair with Loretta, who happens to be married to Howard.

Howard is a bully, who gets what he wants by threatening people.

Howards' newest endeavor is bullying Lance into becoming his business partner.

That same evening, Lance and Loretta begin discussing getting rid of Howard.

But then, while driving, they see something really strange at the local weirdo's house.

Lance checks the situation out and what he finds and gets involved with he believes is a sure-fire way to get rid of Howard and make some cash.

But it's really not that simple.

Stars Blake Adams, Gordon Jennison Noice, Jacquiline Lovell, Vicki Skinner, Bob Schott, James Jones, Alexandria Quinn, JW Perra, Bruce Adel, Robert J Ferrelli, Gary Anello, Dyer McHenry

Directed by Charles Band

Rated R
DARK COMEDY/SCIFI/HORROR