Along Came Polly 2004 PG-13, 90 min. Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: John Hamburg Cast: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Hank Azaria, Bryan Brown, Jsu Garcia, Michele Lee, Bob Dishy, Missi Pyle, Judah Friedlander, Kevin Hart, Bruce Nozick, Mark Adair-Rios
Very uptight Ruben's (Ben Stiller) marriage meets with disaster. On the first day of his honeymoon he catches his bride (Debra Messing) with another man. Along comes Polly (Jennifer Aniston) who is as free-spirited as Ruben is tense, and the theory of opposites attracting each other is tested.
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Australia 2008 PG-13, 165 min. Genre: Adventure / Drama / Western
Director: Baz Luhrmann Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, David Gulpilil, Brandon Walters, David Ngoombujarra, Jacek Koman, Ben Mendelsohn, Bruce Spence, John Jarratt, Bill Hunter, Essie Davis, Barry Otto
During World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) sets out to meet her husband at the cattle station they own in the Australian outback. She is escorted on a three-day trek through the desert by a man nicknamed The Drover (Hugh Jackman) and puts up with his swaggering style. They arrive at the cattle station and find that Sarah's husband has been murdered, and the overseer Neil Fletcher (David Wenham) is suspected because he is in cahoots with King Carney (Bryan Brown) to achieve a beef monopoly. If Sarah can transport her cattle to Darwin, Fletcher and Carney's plot will be foiled. Sarah appeals to The Drover to help her on the cattle drive. Despite good moments and bad, they fall in love and do arrive in Darwin–just in time for the Japanese attack. Fletcher's son Nullah (Brandon Walters), who has magical powers, narrates most of the story. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
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Blame It on the Bellboy 1992 PG-13, 78 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Mark Herman Cast: Dudley Moore, Bryan Brown, Richard Griffiths, Andreas Katsulas, Patsy Kensit, Alison Steadman, Penelope Wilton, Bronson Pinchot, Jim Carter, Alex Norton, John Grillo, Andrew Bailey, Ronnie Stevens, EnzoTurrin, Andy Bradford
Three men with similar-sounding last names check into a Venice hotel. Melvyn Orton (Dudley Moore) is a real estate agent with a deal to be made; Mike Lawton (Bryan Brown) is a hit man with a job to perform; and Maurice Horton (Richard Griffiths) has a rendezvous set up by a dating service. Their missions get swapped due to a bellboy (Bronson Pinchot) who has poor English language skills. Weak farce.
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Breaker Morant 1980 PG, 107 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Bruce Beresford Cast: Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, Rod Mullinar, Vincent Ball, Terence Donovan, Ray Meagher, Chris Haywood, Chris Smith, Russell Kiefel, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Rob Steele, Alan Cassell
In this Australian film, which uses the 1901 Boer War as its setting, three officers are tried for the revenge execution of Boer prisoners and a German missionary. The film examines the moral responsibilities of military men who are simply following orders. Well worth seeing.
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The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith 1978 N/R, 120 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Fred Schepisi Cast: Tommy Lewis, Freddy Reynolds, Angela Punch McGregor, Ray Barrett, Steve Dodds, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, Peter Carroll, Ruth Cracknell, Don Crosby, Elizabeth Alexander, Peter Sumner, Tim Robertson, Ray Meagher, Ian Gilmour
Based on a true story that took place in the early 1900s, this plot centers on the plight of a half-White Aborigine, Jimmie (Tommy Lewis), who moves to the city when he grows up because he feels like an outcast in the Aborigine world. He gets a job working for a White family (Ruth Cracknell and Don Crosby), and while Jimmie is working for them, a serving girl, Gilda (Angela Punch McGregor), at the estate becomes pregnant. Jimmie marries her to protect her honor. Later, it turns out that Jimmie is not the father, and Jimmie is ostracized. Now, Jimmie employs extreme violence to exact revenge on the racism he lives with in Australia.
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Cocktail 1988 R, 102 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Roger Donaldson Cast: Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, Elisabeth Shue, Lisa Banes, Laurence Luckinbill, Kelly Lynch, Ron Dean, Gina Gershon, Paul Benedict, Ellen Foley, Robert Donley, Andrea Morse, Chris Owens, Justin Louis, Allan Wasserman
Recently discharged from the Army, young Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) sets out to make a good life for himself in Manhattan. He signs up for business courses and gets a job tending bar. The Aussie barkeeper Doug Couglin (Bryan Brown) takes Brian on as his protege, and they put together an act in which they dance while mixing drinks. They become very popular but then have a falling out. Brian leaves for Jamaica where he meets and falls in love with vacationing New York City waitress Jordan Mooney (Elizabeth Shue). Then, Brian meets New York executive Bonnie (Lisa Banes) who wants Brian for herself, and he becomes her lover. Will Brian wake up in time to make the right decision about who he should spend the rest of his life with?
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F/X 1986 R, 110 min. Genre: Mystery / Drama / Thriller / Action
Director: Robert Mandel Cast: Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Diane Venora, Cliff De Young, Mason Adams, Jerry Orbach, Joe Grifasi, Trey Wilson, Tom Noonan, Martha Gehman, Roscoe Orman, Paul D'Amato, Jossie DeGuzman, Jean De Baer, M'el Dowd
A member of the mob wants to go underground and the Justice Department arranges a fake assassination so he can enter the Witness Relocation Program. Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is hired to do the dastardly deed, but he is double-crossed and now must run for his life.
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F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion 1991 PG-13, 108 min. Genre: Drama / Action / Comedy
Director: Richard Franklin Cast: Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Rachel Ticotin, Joanna Gleason, Philip Bosco, Kevin J. O'Connor, Tom Mason, Dominic Zamprogna, Tony De Santis, Philip Akin, Jossie DeGuzman, John Walsh, Peter Boretski, Lisa Fallon, Lee Broker
Special effects expert Rollie Tyler (Byran Brown) agrees (again) to help the police catch a killer. But he finds that there is a big conspiracy afoot, and he and his police buddy (Brian Dennehy) from the original film are on the run again. Lots of special effects, but the story is weak as it tries to exploit the popularity of James Bond.
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Footsteps 2003 TV, 95 min. Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: John Badham Cast: Candice Bergen, Bryan Brown, Michael Murphy, Bug Hall, John Walf, Cindy Sampson, Suzanne Jacob, Johanna MacCulloch, Austin St. John, Darcy Lindzon, Chase Duffy, Bruce Graham, Glen Grant, Travis Ferris, Jason Hemsworth
Mystery writer Daisy Lowendahl (Candice Bergen) goes to her isolated beach house on Long Island for rest and finds one of her fans, Spencer Weaver (Bug Hall), inside. A short time later, Eddie Bruno (Bryan Brown) arrives at the beach house claiming that Daisy's husband, Robbie (Michael Murphy), sent him to make sure she is safe. But, in truth, Spencer and Eddie are devoted readers of Daisy's novels and seek revenge after she killed off one of the popular characters in her last book. Now, Daisy tries desperately to reach her husband hoping that he can save her.
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Give My Regards to Broad Street 1984 PG, 108 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Peter Webb Cast: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Ralph Richardson, Bryan Brown, Tracey Ullman, John Bennett, George Martin
Beatles fans should enjoy Paul McCartney's story about searching for a missing recording tape, and, as an added bonus, they also get some songs. But this film is NOT going to make anyone's list of "10 Best..."
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The Good Wife 1986 R, 98 min. Genre: Drama aka: The Umbrella Woman
Director: Ken Cameron Cast: Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Steven Vidler, Sam Neill, Jennifer Claire, Bruce Barry, Peter Cummins, Carole Skinner, Clarissa Kaye-Mason, Barry Hill
Marge (Rachel Ward) is bored with her life in a small Australian town in 1939. Her lumberjack husband Sonny (Bryan Brown) is nice enough, but isn't very exciting–nor is his brother, Sugar (Steven Vidler), who she has also slept with. She dreams of a romantic escapade, and Neville (Sam Neill) comes into town to charm her.
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Grizzly Falls 1999 PG, 94 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Stewart Raffill Cast: Bryan Brown, Tom Jackson, Oliver Tobias, Daniel Clark, Richard Harris, Chantel Dick, Trevor Lowden, Marnie McPhail, Brock Simpson, Ken Kramer
Set in 1913, this unrealistic wilderness adventure involves young Harry (Daniel Clark) and his father, Tyrone (Bryan Brown), who set off to capture a grizzly bear and learn more than a few lessons about parental love along the way.
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Journey to the Center of the Earth 1999 TV, 139 min. Genre: Adventure / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Director: George Miller Cast: Treat Williams, Jeremy London, Tushka Bergen, Bryan Brown, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Tessa Wells, Petra Jared, Sarah Chadwick, Alan Hardy, John Forsyth, Peter Kaa, Joe Bugner, Bill Charles, Warwick Begg, Christopher Christo
This made-for-TV adaptation of Jules Verne's classic tale follows an expedition led by Theodore Lytton (Treat Williams) that searches for a hidden land at the center of the Earth and for a man who has been missing for several years who also took the same route. They face many obstacles along the way, and surprises await them when they reach their destination.
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Kim 1984 TV, 150 min. Genre: Family / Adventure / Drama
Director: John Davies Cast: Peter O'Toole, Bryan Brown, John Rhys-Davies, Ravi Sheth, Julian Glover, Lee Montague, Alfred Burke, Mick Ford, Bill Leadbitter, Roger Booth, Peter Childs, Noel Coleman, Sneh Gupta, Nadira, Lavlin
This made-for-TV version of Rudyard Kipling's story provides good viewing as orphaned Kim (Ravi Sheth) is recruited by the British and trained by the British Secret Service's Mahbub Ali (Bryan Brown) for espionage work in India. With mentors Mahbub Ali and a Buddhist monk (Peter O'Toole), Kim cooperates in helping spy on Russian infiltrators in the Himalaya Mountains.
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On the Beach 2000 TV, 195 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Russell Mulcahy Cast: Armand Assante, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Jacqueline McKenzie, Grant Bowler, Allison & Tieghan Webber, Steve Bastoni, David Paterson, Kevin Copeland, Todd MacDonald, Joe Petruzzi, Craig Beamer
A nuclear war has wiped out the inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere, and a poisonous wave of radiation is headed for Australia. A nuclear submarine, commanded by Dwight Towers (Armand Assante), appears on the scene, and, after picking up a signal from the Northern Hemisphere, the sub sets out to find what is hoped to be a safe area where people can be transported. There is a hitch: only 1,000 will be saved because that is the limit of people who can be transported on the submarine.
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The Poseidon Adventure 2005 TV, 156 min. Genre: Adventure / Thriller
Director: John Putch Cast: Rutger Hauer, Adam Baldwin, Steve Guttenberg, Bryan Brown, C. Thomas Howell, Peter Weller, Alex Kingston, Alexa Hamilton, Clive Mantle, Sylvia Syms, Geoffrey Pierson, Peter Dobson, Amber Sainsbury, Rory Copus
After terrorists attack a cruise ship, Catholic Bishop Schmidt (Rutger Hauer) and security officer Mike Rogo (Adam Baldwin) lead survivors as they climb through the darkened ship dodging fires in their escape attempt. Included among the frightened survivors are Richard and Rachel Clark (Steve Guttenberg an Alexa Hamilton) and their children Shelby and Dylan (Amber Sainsbury and Rory Copus).
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Rebel 1985 R, 93 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Jenkins Cast: Matt Dillon, Bryan Brown, Debbie Byrne, Bill Hunter, Ray Barrett, Julie Nihill, Kim Deacon, John O'May, Sheree Da Costa, Isabelle Anderson, Joy Smithers, Ray Marshall, Beth Child
During World War II, young Marine Sergeant Rebel (Matt Dillon) leaves his unit, goes AWOL in Australia, and falls in love with a cafe singer. Kathy (Debbie Byrne) performs in a Quonset hut saloon where she entertains the troops. One night after a performance, Kathy throws a party and meets Rebel. Although Kathy is married, she falls in love with Rebel. Later she gets a letter telling her that her husband has been killed in action. Now, Rebel tells Kathy that he has gone AWOL and allows himself to be arrested to clear suspicions of Kathy's involvement in his decision to go AWOL.
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Sweet Talker 1991 PG, 90 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Michael Jenkins Cast: Bryan Brown, Karen Allen, Justin Rosniak, Chris Haywood, Bill Kerr, Bruce Spence, Bruce Myles, Paul Chubb, Peter Hehir, Don Barker, Bruno Lucia, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew S. Gilbert, Garry Waddell, Brian McDermott
Harry (Bryan Brown) leaves prison with a plan in hand for his next con job. Arriving at his destination–a small Australian coastal town–he proceeds to sweet-talk the locals into investing in the recovery of a sunken ship and building a theme park. But, he didn't expect to fall in love and start having pangs of guilt. Sound familiar?
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Tai-Pan 1986 R, 127 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Daryl Duke Cast: Bryan Brown, Joan Chen, John Stanton, Tim Guinee, Bill Leadbitter, Russell Wong, Kyra Sedgwick, Bert Remsen, Janine Turner, Katy Behean
This film could be in the running for "worst movie ever made." The jumbled plot involves a wealthy British trader (Bryan Brown) who does business in Hong Kong. Oh yes, there is also a romance, which is really just a chance to show off women's bodies. Watch for the scene where you can spot the hanging microphone. All in all, this flick is one big loser.
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The Thorn Birds 1983 TV, 480 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Daryl Duke Cast: Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Barbara Stanwyck, Christopher Plummer, Jean Simmons, Richard Kiley, Ken Howard, Piper Laurie, Earl Holliman, Mare Winningham, Bryan Brown, John Friedrich
Originally made for TV in 1983, the Emmy Award winning "Thornbirds" miniseries presented the saga of an Australian priest, Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain). In the first episode, Bricassart falls in love with Meggie (Rachel Ward) who he first met years before. The episodes cover almost 30 years and include politics of the Church, Meggie's unhappy marriage, and then follows up with the lives of Meggie's children.
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Two Hands 1999 R, 103 min. Genre: Action / Comedy
Director: Gregor Jordan Cast: Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, David Field, Rose Byrne, Tom Long, Susie Porter, Steven Vidler, Tony Forrow, Mariel McClorey, Kiri Paramore, Kieran Darcy-Smith
While Jimmy (Heath Ledger) is making a $10,000 delivery for local gangster Pando (Bryan Brown), the cash is stolen. To recover the money, Jimmy gets involved in a bank heist and along the way meets Alex (Rose Byrne) who encourages him to change his ways. But, will Jimmy listen?
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| 1. Along Came Polly (2004)
2. Australia (2008)
3. Blame It on the Bellboy (1992)
4. Breaker Morant (1980)
5. The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
6. Cocktail (1988)
7. F/X (1986)
8. F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion (1991)
9. Footsteps (2003)
10. Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)
11. The Good Wife (1986) aka: The Umbrella Woman
12. Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
13. Grizzly Falls (1999)
14. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)
15. Kim (1984)
16. Newsfront (1978)
17. On the Beach (2000)
18. The Poseidon Adventure (2005)
19. Rebel (1985)
20. Sweet Talker (1991)
21. Tai-Pan (1986)
22. The Thorn Birds (1983)
23. Two Hands (1999)
24. The Winter of Our Dreams (1981)
In The News
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