Frank Oz

[6] Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn star in this comedy of errors about a con artist (Hawn) who moves into an architect’s empty home and ingratiates herself into his family, his community, and his life. After the initial shock, Martin’s architect character doesn’t mind the con because Hawn’s lies have rekindled interest from an old flame (Dana Delany). Before long, the two stars are in …

[8] I think one of the hardest stories to tell is a good murder mystery story. That’s why we see so few of them turned into movies. Rian Johnson’s (The Last Jedi, Looper) Knives Out is a beguiling blend of classic and farce, reminding me at times of both Clue and Murder on the Orient Express. Remarkably, its dark comedy never undercuts its dramatic tension. …

[6] Kevin Kline headlines this comedy about a small-town Indiana drama teacher whose life is turned upside down when a student ‘outs’ him in his Academy Awards acceptance speech. At first the funny thing is that Kline’s character isn’t gay. In fact, he’s betrothed to Joan Cusack. But as the big wedding approaches, Kline meets a gay news reporter (Tom Selleck) and begins to realize… …

[6] In order to make The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson and company first had to make the financiers a sequel to their successful Muppet Movie. And so The Great Muppet Caper was born. It’s not as epic or inspirational as the first film, and the songs are nowhere near as magical either, but the sequel isn’t too shabby in its own right. Kermit, Fozzy, and …

[8] Frank Oz directs the film version of Howard Ashman’s dark musical comedy (which was in turn based on Roger Corman’s original film). Rick Moranis plays a hapless flower shop employee who discovers an exciting new plant that brings much needed business. Problem is, the plant is carnivorous… and it’s getting bigger! Ellen Greene reprises the quirky role she originated in the off-Broadway production, and …

[8] I don’t usually like comedies or movies about making movies, so I was surprised to enjoy Bowfinger so much. Frank Oz (What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) directs and Steve Martin writes and co-stars with Eddie Murphy in this story about a down-and-out filmmaker who tricks his friends into making a movie starring one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Thing is, the big star doesn’t …

[10] Jen and Kira, the last of their kind, must restore a missing shard to a magical crystal in order to unite two warring races and bring peace to their fractured world.  The story may be too dark and dreary for young children, but The Dark Crystal is really more of an art film than family fare. The film relies entirely on puppets and animatronics, …

[10] After deciding directing wasn’t his favorite thing to do, George Lucas enticed his former professor Irvin Kershner (Eyes of Laura Mars, Return of a Man Called Horse) to helm the dark second act of the famous trilogy. The Empire Strikes Back is essentially one long chase movie, as Darth Vader pursues Luke (Mark Hamill), Han (Harrison Ford), Leia (Carrie Fisher) and the rest of …

[9] Jim Henson’s Muppets make the leap from television to the silver screen in this comedy-musical road trip across America that shows us how the foam and felt vaudeville troupe found each other and entered show business. We meet Kermit playing banjo in a swamp, inspired by a passing agent to go to Hollywood. Driven by the desire to entertain and make people happy, Kermit …