With 20-plus years to refine the style of car chases, plot misdirection, wardrobe changes, set decoration and dialogue, the Hollywood folks who made this TV movie show hints of where we are today. Cassie Bascomb (Sharon Stone) had been is recovering from the effects of a stalker and Dan Stoner (Tom Skerritt) thinks she is the key to solving the murder of magazine centerfolds. He keeps close to her until he discovers she knows more that she is saying.

Unexpected plot twists make this movie something more that usual fare. Cassie makes a move on Dan but he chooses to remain faithful to his family. Cop banter rises above the usual banal guy drooling over beautiful centerfolds. The magazine publisher is a stand-up guy rather than something slimy. On the whole this 1984 movie is better than you expect it to be.

Director:  William A. Graham Writer:  Gregory S. Dinallo; Scott Swanton Cast:
Tom Skerritt -  Lieutenant Dan Stoner Sharon Stone -  Cassie Bascomb Barbara Bosson -  Nancy Robert Beltran -  Mooney Pat Corley -  Tony Robert Morse -  Nat Couray Alan Thicke -  Alan Conti Silvana Gallardo -  Detective Rose Hernandez		Michael C. Gwynne -  Krell Robert Culp -  Richard Trainor Barbara Parkins -  Cleo Banks Wendy Kilbourne -  Heather English Victoria Tucker -  Pam Pamela West -  Gail Keating Claudia Christian -  Kara Donald Hotton -  Mr. English

I’ve met a number of characters in my day. Some have been enchanting, some have been rude and some have been creepy. Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is looking for his old friend Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher) at a gallery where she works when he runs into Serge (Bronson Pinchot). With a dubious accent and a proclivity for anything in pants, Serge tries to persuade Axel that she is too busy. Persistence pays off so Serge fondle another assistant asking him to bring Jenny along to see Axel.

Director:  Martin Brest Writer:  Danilo Bach; Daniel Petrie, Jr. Cast:
Eddie Murphy -  Det. Axel Foley Judge Reinhold -  Det. William ‘Billy’ Rosewood John Ashton -  Det. Sgt. John Taggart Lisa Eilbacher -  Jeannette ‘Jenny’ Summers Ronny Cox -  Lt. Andrew Bogomil Steven Berkoff -  Victor Maitland James Russo -  Mikey Tandino Jonathan Banks -  Zack, Maitland’s Thug		Stephen Elliott -  Police Chief Hubbard Gilbert R. Hill -  Insp. Douglas Todd Art Kimbro -  Det. Foster Joel Bailey -  Det. McCabe Bronson Pinchot -  Serge Paul Reiser -  Jeffrey Michael Champion -  Casey Frank Pesce -  Cigarette Buyer

We all dream about running off to exotic climes to participate in high adventure with shady characters who turn out to have hearts of gold. Not many of us make it to the airport let alone plan what to pack. But it keeps us sane when our day takes a turn for the worse like getting splashed by a bus or being cut off by a marauding speeder on the freeway. But it is worth continuing to dream those dreams. Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is one of those dreamy folks who happens to find herself in Columbia to ransom her sister and literally runs into a profiteering soldier of fortune, Jack Colton (Michael Douglas). While trying to get back to civilization, a misstep sends them both careening down the mud-soaked side of a mountain ending up with Jack’s face ending up planted in Joan’s crotch.

Director:  Robert Zemeckis Writer:  Lem Dobbs; Howard Franklin; Treva Silverman; Diane Thomas Cast:
Michael Douglas -  Jack T. Colton Kathleen Turner -  Joan Wilder Danny DeVito -  Ralph Zack Norman -  Ira Alfonso Arau -  Juan Manuel Ojeda -  Zolo Holland Taylor -  Gloria Mary Ellen Trainor -  Elaine		Eve Smith -  Mrs. Irwin Joe Nesnow -  Super José Chávez -  Santos Chachita -  Hefty Woman Camillo García -  Bus Driver Rodrigo Puebla -  Bad Hombre Paco Morayta -  Hotel Clerk Jorge Zamora -  Maitre’D

I came across this movie in one of those bargain bins. You know the kind where you can buy two and get three for a buck. I don’t think they were cut-outs. Maybe they were a dumped to make room for smothering else. It didn’t matter much to me once I saw Sybil Danning above the title. I picked it up and clasped it to my chest with all the anticipation of a 15-year-old. Like many lads, Sybil Danning just has to stand there with her feet spread apart a foot or so with her fists on her hips and smoulder. I was under her sway. She could have her way with me and I’d smile and smile and smile. Sadly for me, it has yet to happen but one can dream. As for the movie, I’m having some trouble remembering.

Director:  Howard Avedis Writer:  Howard Avedis; Marlene Schmidt Cast:
Sybil Danning -  Diane Stevens Eric Brown -  Jay Richard Andrew Prine -  Michael Stevens Paul Clemens -  Martin ‘Bird’ Johnson K.T. Stevens -  Lillian Stevens Gene Bicknell -  George Johnson Curt Ayers -  Bartender Dominick Brascia -  Glenn		Bill Conklin -  The Preacher Therese Hanses -  Pub Singer Greg Kaye -  Dale Suzanne Kennedy -  Janice Violet Manes -  Jenny Alvy Moore -  Jimbo Joe Portaro -  Professor Beth Shaffel -  Cynthia